Pride Week in Vancouver, while a major time for celebration, really comes down to the promotion of community. It involves and welcomes everyone within and beyond the LGBTTQ community including the restaurants located at the heart of the festivities.
Restaurants and bars in the Davie Street area are preparing for another busy week with more than 650,000 people expected to partake in the celebration and this will be in addition to the masses of people wanting an ocean-side view of the Celebration of Lights fireworks taking place at almost the exact same time.
Its crazy fun down here, says Nicolas Hipperson, general manager and chef at the Raincity Grill on Denman at Davie. Theres lots to look at, lots of fun going on outside and I think everyone has fun at work. Theres a good energy that everyone loves.
When ask how the Raincity Grill handles the influx of customers during the week, its clear Hipperson will be enjoying the revelries as much as his customers.
Well, I can tell you how they handle it for me, because I usually take that day and the following day off to nurse my hangover from drinking on one of the boats, he says with a laugh. Theres such a sense of camaraderie and community out there, its such a good environment and energy to be in. It makes the day at work a lot more fun, for sure.
Hipperson says that while summer is busy regardless, the restaurant is particularly packed during that week especially on Pride Sunday and the hallmark parade.
Were having a special, three-course brunch menu for the parade and will have a unique, four- or five-course, Pride-inspired tasting menu available throughout the week, he says. A lot of thought goes into it.
About a block away on Davie Street, the newly named and renovated Three Brits Public House (formerly The Calling) is also celebrating with a Pride Parade party.
Its our biggest week of the year; its huge for us, says Kayla Nishino, general manager of Three Brits. Its definitely a popular place to be down here. And its busy as it is with the summer and the weather.
With the new look and name, Three Brits has also increased its capacity, so Nishino is expecting a larger party than usual.
We expect it to be full all week, she says. Normally I have two bartenders and three servers on the floor. During that week, the event, I like to push the staff (numbers) up a bit to three bartenders and four or five girls on the floor.
She says its a pleasure to be part of the week and in a location along the parade route.
I love that were down here and a part of this, Nishino says. Its such a good time and people are so happy.
Just around the corner from Three Brits, the iconic English Bay Boathouse will be holding a post-parade party and will have Pride-inspired festivities during the Sunday.
Liz Naccarato, general manager of the English Bay Boathouse, says its hard to get a reservation during that week.
Itll be really busy around here, she says. Naccarato says she has more than 50 people working in the front of house from 7am until close. Its busy no matter what with the fireworks.
We try to work closely with the Pride Society, Naccarato adds. On the morning of the parade, grand marshal Joan-e speaks on our patio to everyone; its kind of a tradition.
On May 29, Vancouver city council gave Pride Week an even bigger reason to party by voting unanimously to give the Vancouver Pride Parade civic designation, ensuring financial support from the city.
For more on Pride Week check out these stories:
PRIDE: Where to eat when you're celebrating in Vancouver
PRIDE: Barb Snelgrove to be inducted into Canada's Queer Hall of Fame
PRIDE: Your events guide for Vancouver Pride Week 2013
PRIDE: Cycle tours explore Vancouver's LGBT past
PRIDE: Davie Street celebrates its LGBT history
PRIDE: Vancouver's Queer Arts Festival
Vancouver's Celebration of Light the brightest rainbow of all
