Metro Vancouver nightlife

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by GenWhy?

Crap... forgot LanaLou's, Anza Club, Guilt & Co, Portside and probably 1/2 a dozen others and about 3 I know closed this year because they were rogue venues but amazing.

The Ivanhoe, Café deux soleils, Trees on Granville Street, China Cloud, The Naam...

[Vin]

Originally Posted by logan5

You're being ageist here. Fairview is a blues bar that attracts an older crowd. It's a souped up legion basically, but what's wrong with that? The over 50 crowd likes to go out too.

I have a hard time believing that someone who champions shopping malls is any kind of authority on cutting edge night life. Curious to know what you think is a great night spot? I have a feeling you think night clubs in las Vegas are the shit. Have you ever been to a house music club or a rave party in your life?

I digress. If those are what you think make up for the lack of good night life here, then so be it.

However, my personal thought is that if the City did not choke West Broadway's growth, the area would have more decent venues. Fairview Pub would cease to exist, or would at least have renewed itself. It still doesn't discount the fact that it is a rather depressing place to be at, even for the older folks.

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by Tetsuo

Gone are the days of:
Several in New West like Mugs N Jugs, Kits I think, several on Kingsway in Burnaby (next to Tim's, one at Gilley), Fraser Arms south Van, several in Surrey, Ozone, Mirage , the one at Dell Lanes. Roosters ...


Now a days it's more focused on Craft or at least modern styled pubs.
Port Moody has the brewery St at least, and there's "PubChains" like the townhalls or JRG properties in the burbs, and for some reason "nightlife" is considered by many outside Van to be "Earls, Cactus ect" LOL

There used to be a few places around New West / Columbia Skytrain stations but they're either been lost to redevelopment or turned away from live music. It would be good to get something outside of CoV. At least nightclubs tend to close earlier now so it's possible to get home by Skytrain (not counting late night dancing on Fri and Sat nights). Having to leave early to be able to get home without it taking 3+ hours sucked ass.

Surrey Central is being built up as the SoF downtown. I really hope they have more than a movie theatre and a pub in their plans. Even one larger nightclub (Venue - Vogue size) with theme nights would be a solid addition.

(The place at Kingsway and Gilley had a few different names over the years - one of the last ones was Studebakers. Then it became a fitness place and now according to Google maps it's been King's Market for the last few years.)

[Metro-One]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

... Who in the hell brings their kids to a pub? Besides, many of them require ID.

Kids are at bars and especially izakayas (which are essentially Japanese pubs) all the time here.

I feel doing so actually softens such establishments up from the worst aspects of pubs and bars in Canada.

Canada and the US are the exceptions with this, not the norm (can’t speak for Australia and New Zealand).

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by Sheba

There used to be a few places around New West / Columbia Skytrain stations but they're either been lost to redevelopment or turned away from live music. It would be good to get something outside of CoV. At least nightclubs tend to close earlier now so it's possible to get home by Skytrain (not counting late night dancing on Fri and Sat nights). Having to leave early to be able to get home without it taking 3+ hours sucked ass.

Surrey Central is being built up as the SoF downtown. I really hope they have more than a movie theatre and a pub in their plans. Even one larger nightclub (Venue - Vogue size) with theme nights would be a solid addition.

(The place at Kingsway and Gilley had a few different names over the years - one of the last ones was Studebakers. Then it became a fitness place and now according to Google maps it's been King's Market for the last few years.)

I think it will start to change. There is one irish style pub in Coquitlam on North Road in the hotel that is packed with lines outside on weekends. Its the only bar in the area. The suburbs have let Vancouver city itself be everything and the suburbs ar starting to make more of their own now.

When did the comedy club in New West close? I was surprised to see the mural gone from that wall outside.

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

Kids are at bars and especially izakayas (which are essentially Japanese pubs) all the time here.

I feel doing so actually softens such establishments up from the worst aspects of pubs and bars in Canada.

Canada and the US are the exceptions with this, not the norm (can’t speak for Australia and New Zealand).

Depends on the license. I work at a Bar & Grill in Alberta and we are 18+, to allow kids the license cost would be much higher and the owner doesn't want kids in anyway. Most bars in Alberta also have VLT's so they can't allow kids in.

Some places like Boston Pizza that have lounges will allow kids in the lounge section until a certain time I believe, otherwise, they have to stay on the restaurant side. They are usually separated by a wall or a glass wall of some sort.

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

I think it will start to change. There is one irish style pub in Coquitlam on North Road in the hotel that is packed with lines outside on weekends. Its the only bar in the area. The suburbs have let Vancouver city itself be everything and the suburbs ar starting to make more of their own now.

When did the comedy club in New West close? I was surprised to see the mural gone from that wall outside.

There used to be a few places here and there in the suburbs but they've been slowly disappearing (not that the majority of them were ever that much to begin with). The idea of having each of the cities to have their own job, shopping, etc so people don't have to travel as far never seems to have included nightlife.

Do you mean the Lafflines at the Columbia (just down from Columbia station) or somewhere else?

Originally Posted by Metro-One

Kids are at bars and especially izakayas (which are essentially Japanese pubs) all the time here.

I feel doing so actually softens such establishments up from the worst aspects of pubs and bars in Canada.

Canada and the US are the exceptions with this, not the norm (can’t speak for Australia and New Zealand).

Originally Posted by SpongeG

Depends on the license. I work at a Bar & Grill in Alberta and we are 18+, to allow kids the license cost would be much higher and the owner doesn't want kids in anyway. Most bars in Alberta also have VLT's so they can't allow kids in.

Some places like Boston Pizza that have lounges will allow kids in the lounge section until a certain time I believe, otherwise, they have to stay on the restaurant side. They are usually separated by a wall or a glass wall of some sort.

Kids - pubs yes, bars no. Pubs (aka public houses) lean more towards an eating place that serves alcohol. Bars are licensed drinking establishments.

Although I will say that when I've been at the Vogue and the Queen Elizabeth Theatre they were both all ages, drinks with ID. I know of places in the US where the drinking area is separate (usually a balcony) and you have to stay there with your drink. At the places here I mentioned you can take your drink with you to your seat. It seemed pretty weird as how do they enforce the drinking age (the buyer could easily share with underage friends).

[Tetsuo]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

I think it will start to change. There is one irish style pub in Coquitlam on North Road in the hotel that is packed with lines outside on weekends. Its the only bar in the area. The suburbs have let Vancouver city itself be everything and the suburbs ar starting to make more of their own now.

When did the comedy club in New West close? I was surprised to see the mural gone from that wall outside.

It isn't Irish anymore (Foggy Dew), Taphouse now

[SpongeG]

ok, haven't really paid attention to it in years, only went in there once, was surprised how packed it was, could barely walk around, went with some people after a christmas work party. I always thought it was a restaurant.

The casino has filled a lot of the need for a bar or nightclub in Coquitlam, the place is packed on a saturday night and you're guaranteed to hear that Robbie Williams song pr that darude sandstorm song still, lol, what is t with straight people club music lol. They usually have a house band too.

[Tetsuo]

Oh def, suburban nightlife casino is a big draw in their respective cities for a night out among friends, Burnaby it's pretty much only the casino within the city, I know the racetrack out in Cloverdale got more popular after they renovated to make it more "nightlife entertainment" instead of it being a pureplay casino night.

Your post reminds me, how could I have forgot for Coquitlam, WOODY's blaaaa ahahaha

The breweries in Port Moody really is the maindraw for the tricities now, the PMPD just camps and nabs a bunch of drunk drivers, they also draw a lot of people from Vancouver out on adventure thanks to the evergreen.

[Tetsuo]

One suburban mainstay that remains and still strong throughout the decades is Gabby's in Langley

[Sheba]

No-fun city no longer? Vancouver looks to build a vibrant nighttime economy

Vancouver has spent years seeking ways to address its no-fun reputation by envisioning a vibrant nightlife that spills into streets and other public areas.

Now, with travel and tourism coming back, but a return to downtown office patterns still in flux, it is seeking the public’s input on questions such as what a “night mayor” might do and what simple things could be easily implemented as a larger plan is developed.

“What we hope to find out are the needs and wants and the concerns of various communities … so that we understand what the city needs,” said Nate Sabine, who sits on the board of the Hospitality Vancouver Association.

The association is asking the public and community groups to take a survey of about 20 questions related to creating a so-called nighttime economy, which is basically tourism, hospitality, arts, cultural and economic activity between the hours of 5 p.m. and 4 a.m.

It is inviting feedback on what an official office dedicated to this could do, from promoting events to managing safety concerns, where Vancouver rates on the scale between being boring and awesome, and asking respondents to give details of memorable nightlife experiences in other places.

...

With the change in leadership at City Hall and trends that emerged or changed after the pandemic, Sabine said there is a desire to take a measured approach in planning, but also jump on momentum.

This includes city council’s recommendations to staff for the Granville Entertainment District, which aim to turn a five-block stretch between Robson and Drake into a 24-hour culture and commerce hub. They include advancing applications to develop new hotels and destination public spaces and allowing for music to be played outside.

...

Kirby-Yung said there are some specific and tangible actions the City can take such as making it easier for smaller arts and cultural groups to hold pop-up events in locations such as the plaza on the north side of the Vancouver Art Gallery.

Instead of requiring each one to spend money on creating and submitting original drawings in order to get a permit, the City could make things easier by having defined site plans that are ready to use.

...

[mcj]

Vancouver bar owner finally gets liquor primary licence -- $40K and 18 months later

The bar is located at 67 West 6th Avenue, and it’s where Bogue wanted to be since the start of his journey to bring Mount Pleasant Vintage & Provisions to life.

...


Bogue said that the City’s liquor licensing process is hurting young creatives and entrepreneurs, preventing anything fun and innovative from emerging.

“This is a city run by rich-a** m************, and the opportunity isn’t here for us. There’s no incentive, the City is fighting against us for bringing in cool concepts… it’s a fight every day to try to do something cool,” said Bogue.

He wants to see the City liberalize zoning and step out of its ultra-conservative zoning and liquor licensing processes. On Friday, Mayor Ken Sim will make an announcement on the patio at Mount Pleasant Vintage. Daily Hive has reached out to the City to learn more.

“I’m here because I want to make waves. I want to be in the boat with the operators and change this game.”

[Vin]

Everything is cancelled in this City.

Dailyhive:

Opinion: Vancouver needs to double down on saving major events
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vanc...porate-support

But now, we are also missing other universal civic events — the non-profit organization behind the long-running annual Santa Clause Parade in downtown Vancouver has fallen victim to funding issues, too. And the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority has completely dropped the ball with the permanent cancellation of the Canada Day at Canada Place fireworks tradition.

Sadly, New Year’s Eve has repeatedly fallen victim to underfunding after its earlier immense success. This is in large part due to the frugal corporate culture here that places less weight on supporting events and culture, unlike the corporate culture in Seattle, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal. Vancouver has always been an extremely weak sponsorship market for events.

But the challenges are also due to a government that does not provide adequate levels of financial support or initiative.

[GenWhy?]

"As we highlighted last year, our cities can look to carve out a section from the existing community amenity contribution (CACs) fees paid by developers, or perhaps offer the option to fund a “community culture fund” in lieu of the public art contribution to developers. "

Oh heeeelllll no.

[FarmerHaight]

Originally Posted by GenWhy?

"As we highlighted last year, our cities can look to carve out a section from the existing community amenity contribution (CACs) fees paid by developers, or perhaps offer the option to fund a “community culture fund” in lieu of the public art contribution to developers. "

Oh heeeelllll no.

imagine what $500,000 in public art from a single sizeable building development could realize for a major event that attracts hundreds of thousands of people.

I'm no expert, but I imagine very little?

[GenWhy?]

Originally Posted by FarmerHaight

I'm no expert, but I imagine very little?

But that half a million still comes out of our long range infrastructure funding, which we are constantly in a deficit. Raiding funds dedicated to community centres, which are falling apart like Britannia, for a one-off party is not good.

Not to mention when most of that money would go into police overtime for event security.

[logicbomb]

Originally Posted by Vin

Everything is cancelled in this City.

Dailyhive:

Called it.

Canadian and transnational companies are less gung ho about sponsoring public events if they cannot tap into any revenue stream. It was better when we had many local and national business competing for brand recongition.

[FarmerHaight]

Originally Posted by GenWhy?

But that half a million still comes out of our long range infrastructure funding, which we are constantly in a deficit. Raiding funds dedicated to community centres, which are falling apart like Britannia, for a one-off party is not good.

Not to mention when most of that money would go into police overtime for event security.

Yeah, that's what I was hinting at.

$500k does not get you much of an event, and said event is a one-time thing.

$500k still may not get you much infrastructure, but at least said infrastructure pays dividends for decades after it is built.

[Vin]

Conclusion from all the comments:

1. City of Vancouver is dirt poor
2. The city can never garner any big corporate sponsors since we don't really have any
3. The only sizeable companies are developers but drawing out something from their CECs: hell no!
4. Small public events should not be tolerated: only big ones that cost millions

You guys are something. We shall continue to remain a boring city then.