Setting: at a restaurant playing loud music in Vancouver. Friend: “What’s the best place to bring a date?” Me: “What?” Friend (asking in a louder voice): “What’s the best place to bring a date?” Me: “Well here, if you just want to look at her and not hear what she has to say…”
Music. It might not make or break the meal, but it could make things really awkward and it does set the tone (or tune) for the evening. I don’t select restaurants based on what music I want to hear, but I do appreciate good tunes when I’m enjoying a meal with friends.
I bet you’re wondering where I was with that intro. It was Black + Blue. I was there for a birthday and the topic of “best date spots” came up. While Black + Blue is a popular date spot for a certain clientele, I can’t say it’s one I’d recommend to bring a date. Note: That last sentence in my intro was a cheeky joke.
If you love Top 40 and want an upbeat and energetic “to-be-seen” atmosphere without being in an official club, then absolutely, but it’s not quiet or intimate and you might find yourself shouting at your date. The same goes for other spots like Killjoy or Pink Elephant Thai, which have regular DJs spinning on weekends.
When it comes to music at restaurants, it tends to match the personality of the restaurateur and/or chef (e.g. hipster spot plays hipster music), unless he’s looking at it from a business perspective and catering to what his clientele would enjoy. The music should match the food and theme of the restaurant though, and usually this naturally attracts customers with the same tastes and or lifestyle.
I mean how awkward would it be to celebrate mom and dad’s 50th anniversary at a restaurant playing hardcore rap? No judging if your parents fancy hardcore rap… but do you really want to be throwing it down with them while your server is making your tableside Caesar at a candlelit table? I’d think I was getting Punk’d.
So how do you avoid a music and food clash? There’s lots of restaurants playing music, but we’re not New Orleans or New York, where music has more of an impact on the dining scene. Unfortunately we don’t have many restaurants featuring live music relative to cities with historical music scenes, but I can only hope for more in the future.
We have talented local artists, but a struggling music scene and when profit margins are slim for restaurants to begin with, it’s challenging to hire musical entertainment. However there are some spots and it depends on what you’re looking for as different restaurants cater to different crowds.
I’ve mentioned a couple places featuring live DJs, but if you want live music some hotel options are the Lobby Lounge at Fairmont Pacific Rim (sophisticated hot spot featuring a new live band every week), Xi Shi at Shangri-La (classical, fit for business or after work hour wind downs), and 900 West Restaurant + Bar at The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (live jazz, mature crowd). For non-hotel restaurants, a few options are Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House (lively piano and crowd), Sandbar (lively piano and crowd) and Federico’s Supper Club (musicians vary, but if you’ve never heard Federico sing, you’re missing out).
Find Mijune exploring the culinary scene in Las Vegas (#FMFinVegas) and Kelowna (#FMFinKelowna) this week, and judging the tequila cocktail competition at the Tequila Expo on May 31st.
Find out more about Mijune at FollowMeFoodie.com or follow her on Twitter and Instagram @followmefoodie.
