The weather’s been teasing us with warmer days, which has got me thinking about the best places to enjoy a pint. Why do I equate sunshine with drunkenness? Silly question. Why do we associate whales with water? They just go together.
A couple of side notes: These are my favourite places to drink based purely on aesthetics and convenience, and is not at all based on beer or food selection. Also, watch out for an expanded version of this list in The Growler’s upcoming second issue, which is out in May.
Main St. Brewing
Where: Uh, Main Street. Easily my favourite tasting room in BC. Located in the old Brewery Garage building, it’s been refurbished to maintain that old warehouse feel. The high ceilings and sky lights are intact. Also, it’s never too busy, which I suppose isn’t great for business, but is great for everyone else, assuming the tasting room does enough business to stay in business.
Beer Island, a.k.a Habitat Island
Where: False Creek. A tiny island between the Cambie Street Bridge and Olympic Village. People have flocked there to crush six packs on the island’s stony shore, with its stark views of Yaletown directly across the creek. The cops show up now more than they used to, which adds a danger vibe that pairs really well with public intoxication.
Stateside Pub
Where: Commercial Drive. It’s a pit of depravity, with expertly curated American beer, and very little natural light that breeds the sort excessive sport drinking that’ll leave you basically mangled upon leaving. But in a fun way.
The Black Lodge
Where: Fraser & Kingsway. Admittedly, a hipster locale, but the Twin Peaks-themed décor, cavernous interior and rotating Parallel 49 taps make this a cozy hangout for the bearded, the flannelled and those with progressive hairstyles. It also features one of the most consistently satisfying iPod playlists, ranging from Hall & Oates to early-’90s-era Flaming Lips (the best version of the Flaming Lips, case closed).
The Wicklow’s patio
Where: False Creek. You’ll need a hat, or at least decent sunblock, if you’re planning any daytime drinking – the sun rides high and hot over this patio, which has an exquisite view of False Creek, its marinas, and downtown beyond it. It also has an English mariner’s pub vibe to it, which I dig.
Devil’s Elbow
Where: Downtown
Located in the old Chambar (which has moved next door), this new craft-beer-and-BBQ joint has all the brick-walled charm of a New York dive without any of the unseemly elements of a New York dive (i.e., dried puke in random places). The Howe Sound Brewing owners own a share in the bar, so the majority of taps are Howe Sound beers, which, if you’re uneducated in, will make it easier for you to get educated in.
Brassneck
Where: Main Street. What’s a list like this without adding Brassneck, whose tasting room has done as much for drawing people in to craft beer as the beer itself. The tasting room’s designer Joe Holmes-Peters. passed away in March, so here’s in honour of him, for doing something extremely rad for beer, for Vancouver, and for people who love both.
Ed. Note: Alibi Room very narrowly missed this list. But even though the tap list is extensive and impressive, and the food is extremely delicious, generally friendly service and attractive clientele, it’s too loud in there, man. I can’t hold a decent conversation.
