Nightlife Discussion

[LeftCoaster]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

Concert announcement: Wu-Tang Clan to play the Vancouver Jazz Festival this summer
Another headliner is announced for the 34th annual jazz festival and it's one of hip-hop music's legends.

STUART DERDEYN Updated: April 29, 2019

https://vancouversun.com/entertainme...-jazz-festival

Jazzy

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Edgelord response on that picture.

Probably just the homeless crew living in front of the doors.

[logan5]

Now the future Brown's at Main and 16th has a huge white tent like thing covering their entire building. They are probly going to cut open the roof to add AC, and redo the entire front of the building so it opens up to the street. Another place called Sing Sing just opened at Main and 12th. They added a garage door that opens up to the sidewalk.

I said Main Street was turning into Kits, but now that I think about, it's nothing like Kits. Main street is a major party zone. It's becoming more like Granville Street.

That large space that use to be Grantree Furniture at 11th and Main is still available for lease. It's a large space that's too big for most bar/resto that you see along Main. The only thing I can see going in there is an Earls type place. They are probly the only one's that can afford the rent they are asking. It's been empty for years now.

[logan5]

The Cambie is closing.

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/the-...sing-vancouver

[logan5]

More details on The Cambie sale and closure.

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/the-...ner-speaks-out

The building was sold to Steven Lippman, whose m.o. is to buy rundown buildings and renovate, then charge higher rents (of course). The pub space will be taken over by a new operator I presume, and will cater to a broader clientele. This bar has a long history in Vancouver so hopefully most of the character will be retained, as was not the case when Donnelly took over the very historic Lamplighter and completely sterilized it.

[djmk]

Originally Posted by logan5

More details on The Cambie sale and closure.

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/the-...ner-speaks-out

The building was sold to Steven Lippman, whose m.o. is to buy rundown buildings and renovate, then charge higher rents (of course). The pub space will be taken over by a new operator I presume, and will cater to a broader clientele. This bar has a long history in Vancouver so hopefully most of the character will be retained, as was not the case when Donnelly took over the very historic Lamplighter and completely sterilized it.

I have so many good memories at the Cambie. It was definitely an integral part of my uni experience in the 90s.

[SpongeG]

On CKNW they said that the owner didn't want to close it but his wife and him divorced last year and she was the one who wanted it sold, not sure of the details but sounds like she got the place in the divorce and sold it.

[EastVanMark]

And another unique night spot bites the dust. This time one that had a liquor license going back to the 1800's!

Let's all hope another generic Cactus Club opens in its place. (not)

[logan5]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

On CKNW they said that the owner didn't want to close it but his wife and him divorced last year and she was the one who wanted it sold, not sure of the details but sounds like she got the place in the divorce and sold it.

They probly had to split that asset, so he would get half of the proceeds. He could certainly reinvest in the space once it's been reno'd. That outside space has such a good atmosphere considering the historic surroundings.

The same guy bought out The American on Main Street. The pub has had a couple of iterations now. Both not chain restaurants or bars, so we'll see what happens to the Cambie.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by EastVanMark

And another unique night spot bites the dust. This time one that had a liquor license going back to the 1800's!

It didn't. The building dates back to 1899, when it was built by a drug store company, and in the early 1900s it was a dry goods store. It became a hotel around 1910, with the Carlton Café downstairs, and soon after the Carlton Hotel.

[whatnext]

Interesting piece:

Granville Street nightclubs disappearing as millennials drawn to pubs and restaurants instead

Once known as the heart of the entertainment district, the clubs on Granville Street in downtown Vancouver are slowly disappearing as young people turn to other forms of nightlife.

By 2020, there will only be seven licensed nightclubs and live music venues, compared to 13 back in 2009, according to city records...

..The shift away from nightclubs could be a positive one for the Granville strip.

For years, it's been plagued by concerns of drunken, rowdy crowds leading to violence despite efforts by the industry and police to improve safety.

"Now with those venues changing the format and being open for brunch, lunch and dinner, it brings a whole new demographic — a whole different kind of consumer to Granville Street," says Charles Gauthier, president of the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association.

He adds that nightclubs often mean empty storefronts during the day, which contribute less to a healthy business sector...

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/briti...7ERsj120pzWJZg

[svlt]

Tastes change. People want to see more live DJs and what worked in the 2000s won't work now. I don't necessarily think clubs itself as an activity is dead/dying, but the stale product most of Vancouver's clubs churn out are not attracting customers.

[logan5]

Yeah, I don't think people are done with nightclubs, they just don't like the vibe of Granville Street, and they are taking their business elsewhere. People are gravitating to the east side, where there tends to be a friendlier, more open vibe. And you get a chance to hear different types of music, in a (usually) more interesting venue. The Fox Cabaret in Mt. Pleasant is a pretty popular spot now. It's a former porn theatre that hosts different DJ acts, and it has a small lounge in the old projection room, with a DJ usually spinning house music.

In my party heyday, it wasn't cool to party on Granville Street. Places like Luv-a-Fair and Lotus Lounge was where the cool people went. Then there was after hours... lol.

[SpongeG]

It's just not a Vancouver thing though, when I was in Sydney some people I spoke to said clubbing is out and they had lots of fancy bars with small menus of just fancy snacks. Clubbing is changing/dying. Kind of like the way gay bars died. But gay pubs and cafes are doing well.

People now are more into wine bars, lounges or doing things like the Rec Room, making/having experiences.

[logan5]

East Hastings is becoming the next Main Street! It's actually not a bad stretch here with a small handful of businesses now open. Gotta walk before you can run.

https://scoutmagazine.ca/2019/07/29/...to-strathcona/

[zahav]

Ya clubbing definitely seems to have lost a lot of it's popular lustre. But remember, times always change, and I could see clubbing making a comeback with the next generation who think it's cool and retro. You never know

[logan5]

We know that millennials aren’t frequenting nightclubs often, but why? What are their reasons? An anonymous online survey set out to find the answers. Millennials who were not regular nightclub attenders were asked for their reasons for not attending. Their responses:

Expensive cover charges
High-priced drinks
Long lines
Slow bar service
Rude staff
Being pushed around in crowded atmosphere
Poor male-to-female ratio
Better ways to discover new music
Inability to have a conversation

https://newtheory.com/bid-farewell-w...lub-nightlife/

These complaints have been around since nightclubs first started many decades ago. Like I say I just think the nightclub scene is spread around more. I think people like more of the house party vibe, so you'll see dancing in small venues you wouldn't classify as a full blown nightclub. Another gimmick that seems to work is having a row of pinball machines in the club. The Anerican does this, and they have foosball as well, and people dance too. Maybe that's the new formula for success. The clubs that play mainstream music are the ones that seam to be closing down. Have a Brit night os disco night. Keep things fresh and interesting. Along Main Street, a lot of bar/restos have theme and it seems to work.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by logan5

East Hastings is becoming the next Main Street! It's actually not a bad stretch here with a small handful of businesses now open. Gotta walk before you can run.

https://scoutmagazine.ca/2019/07/29/...to-strathcona/

East Hastings? They were "running" back then as Vancouver's High street. Neglect makes it what it is today. We need to run again, not just walk.

Anyway, improvement seems to have halted at Abbott street. Need to do more east of it.

As for night clubs, I don't think we can expect a lot for a City with too many restrictions. It's certainly hard to go big scale and creative at the same time here. Small venues like those along Main street can work, but not large entertainment outlets.

[SpongeG]

Problem with clubs is they are only limited hours in the evening. They sit empty all day. And I haven't been out in years but back in the day you could go to a club on a thursday like Graceland and it will be packed with a line at the door, you can go to Graceland on a tuesday and be one of 10 people in there. Vancouver used to be really theme oriented, like 80s night at Graceland, Brit Night at Luv Affair, Disco night at the Shaggy Horse and the people going would be the same ones you saw the night before, they don't really stay loyal to one particular club.

Must be hard to try run a club in this city.

[SeymourDrake]

The Granville strip was a complete gong show on Halloween night, especially after the bars closed. Between the fireworks going off, the bear bangs being launched into the air it sounded was somewhat war zonish.

8 Months of social distancing and the entire process was spit on saturday night.

I just hope that the province doesn't shut the city down for the possibility of spreading the virus even more.

It looked like 90% didn't have a costume on, and most importantly very few had masks or respecting a safe distance to those around them.

Anyone exposed to the virus on saturday night took it home to their families and anyone with a weakened immune system will be the ones that will suffer.

CTV NEWS piece on the Granville strip.
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2068050

[Tysonbrown]

The strip is like a ghetto. Full of garbage and smells like piss. Drunks every night. I say break it all up and re-locate clubs. It's an eyesore and an embarrassment.