Angus’ Angle: 6 Must-Visit Spots to Drink & Dine in Vancouver
In the vibrant tapestry of unique culinary ambiance, flavours, and flair that adorns Vancouver, it can be difficult to navigate narrowing down where to go on a night out with seemingly endless options. While often it’s easier to just pick one of the staples we all know and love, in the spirit of trying new things and supporting local, we encourage you to step out of your comfort zone the next time you’re scrolling through your socials in search of where to go. We’re lucky enough to know a savant in the field, Angus Porter, our resident expert on all things unique and cool (officially, our Assistant General Manager of F&B Outlets at ARC Restaurant + Bar, but we prefer the former!) and he has graciously shared some of his recommendations with us for those that are looking for a little something special.
Whether you’re a devoted foodie with a seasoned palette, or a casual diner looking to spice things up, Vancouver offers a myriad of options for discerning cocktail and food enthusiasts. (Especially if you know where to look.)
Here are Angus’ current top 6 notable spots to snack and sip – enjoy!
Key Party
With its “clever cocktails in cozy quarters,” Key Party offers a dimly lit, intimate speakeasy that remains well hidden from prying eyes. Be it date night, girls night, or just for fun, their twists on classic drinks from the 60s and 70s in combination with their cheeky originals ensure you’ll be stepping into a whole other world. (Note: snacks are available too, but don’t go expecting full-plated dishes; this one is definitely an après dinner spot!)
Angus’ Angle: Order The Flamer – ingredients: Green Tree Absinthe, Havana 3 Rum, pineapple, coconut syrup, lime, and flaming orange wheel. Angus says it’s essentially an absinth washed piña colada (we aren’t entirely sure what this means, but it certainly sounds exciting).
In the words of the team themselves, “welcome to the party; all are welcome if you can find the door.”
Address: 2302 Main St, Vancouver, BC
Is That French?
Tucked away in Gastown’s historic Blood Alley, Is That French? offers a dynamic, innovative menu featuring Pacific Northwest cuisine. Their extensive wine list is hand-selected and precisely paired with tapas-style dishes, and every Thursday a local jazz artist joins live to elevate the atmosphere. As they say, there are no rules when it comes to the menu other than high-quality ingredients and a high-quality experience.
Angus’ Angle: BC tapas menu? You can’t go wrong – and he encourages trying the wine pairings with them.
Address: 45 Blood Alley Square, Vancouver, BC
Tableau
Tableau brings classic French bistro fare into play with a West Coast local-cool influence. Located in Coal Harbour, they offer a warm and comfortable setting in which guests are welcomed into a relaxed atmosphere with inviting service. With le petit déjeuner, lunch, happy hour, and dinner served daily, it’s the perfect spot to visit whenever you’re next searching. Plus, they offer weekend brunch!
Angus’ Angle: Try the Mushroom on Toast at brunch. And the Bone Marrow at lunch or dinner—and make sure you do the “luge” (where you hold the bone to your mouth and they pour a shot of Cognac into it!)
Address: 1181 Melville Street, Vancouver, BC
Laowai
In this ode to an “illicit and seductive Shanghai 1930 glam period” where the city’s infamous speakeasy bar and club scene welcomed “locals, émigrés, and refugees; dreamers and deviants; celebrities and criminals,” Laowai is now a Vancouver hotspot hidden cocktail and dim sum parlour for those willing to do a little sleuthing to get in. Designed by London-based design studio Bergman Interiors, its furnishings are just as intriguing as its novel cocktails and dishes. Laowai’s impressive drink menu allows staff and mixologists to create and innovate in their mission to explore and indulge, while ensuring each offering tells a significant and meaningful story. If you can get in, you’re sure to be inspired. #whereisLoaowai
Angus’ Angle: Order the number seven.
Address: 251 East Georgia St, Vancouver, BC
Parker Rooftop
Offering an opulent oasis, Parker Rooftop boasts unparalleled views of Vancouver with both its 20ft ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. With a meticulously crafted menu featuring artisanal cocktails and canapes that are visually stunning, it epitomizes luxury and sophistication. This escape above the city makes for an unmatched backdrop for your lively afternoon or evening.
Angus’ Angle: order their Signature Cocktail, The Spritz – featuring fresh pear, Grey Goose La Poire, Licor 43, Prosecco, cinnamon, vanilla, and lemon. Also, there’s an all-day happy hour on Sundays from 3-11pm. (Note: the establishment is closed on Mondays!)
Address: 9th Floor of the Parker Hotel – 1379 Howe St, Vancouver, BC
Ahn & Chi
Ahn & Chi offers a vibrant hub for Vietnamese cuisine and tasteful cocktails made from fresh and local ingredients with culture, love, and excitement. Crafted by a brother-and-sister team in tribute to their parents, this cool space outfitted in midcentury modern furnishings with a modern flare has established itself as the place to eat, drink, and connect. Ahn and Chi means “elder brother and elder sister of the same family,” but it also represents countless brothers and sisters, across generations and borders, who share their talent, passion, and vision for Vietnamese fare.
Angus’ Angle: You must try the Bánh Xèo – Turmeric Crêpe, and Pandan Old Fashioned!
Address: 3388 Main St, Vancouver, BC
With cocktails and eats as diverse and dynamic as the city itself, Vancouver is a hub for diverse culture and cuisine that lies just outside your door, waiting to be explored. Go out there, try something new, and enjoy!
Special thanks to Angus for his time and expertise; we cannot wait to see what he recommends next. Sign up for our email list to ensure you don’t miss out on the next set of must-see, must-try spots from an expert in our deliciously ever-evolving, lively city.
