My friend Mel asked me to do some writing for this website, which is all about Vancouver bars. She’s helped me out in the past so I agreed. Only thing is, I don’t drink. Haven’t in about four years. It’s not a serious AA type of thing. I just don’t enjoy drinking. Oh and dating several alcoholics turned me off of it too, for more or less forever. Anyhow, the fact that I’m a teetotaler didn’t bother Mel. She asked me to interview John Lee, a busy travel writer who lives a fabulous life jet setting around the world and writing about the amazing things he experiences. I agreed, mostly because I wanted to talk to someone who makes a living more or less doing what I want to be doing though I haven’t a clue how to go about doing it. John was very polite and patient with me as I bombarded him with questions about how to do what he does. He knows his shit, especially about travel. Although he’s British, he’s based here in Vancouver, which means he knows a lot about what makes a good bar. (Pubs are like the neighbourhood rec centres in England. Not so much in Canada.) He’s even written all about the good ones Vancouver has to offer in his recently published book, Drinking Vancouver. Anyhow, I went through the bars I like to visit, despite my dislike for alcohol, and John pretty well agreed with all of them. Only thing is my digital recorder crapped out so our chat is no longer. Instead, I got him to write out a sentence about what he likes about my favourite places, which I’ve followed up with my take on what I like about them. Here we go…
Cascade
John: Arguably Main Street’s fave neighbouhood hangout, this friendly spot is often teeming with chatty hipsters knocking back a couple of cocktails before heading over to the Biltmore Cabaret. Drop in on Mondays for quiz night.
Elly: Great, dimly lit atmosphere that makes you feel sophisticated even when you’re not. It’s not too expensive but not dirt cheap, which means you’re surrounded by types who regularly do laundry, have a job and don’t bum smokes. This isn’t exclusively a drinking spot, which makes me feel welcomed. The food is amazing, particularly the squeak and pips, or whatever it’s called. The polenta fries are great too. Oh and Nigel, the owner, is so lovely.
Celebs Elianna’s heard who’ve been spotted here: Zac Efron and his girlfriend.
Brickhouse
John: Like a dinged-around-the-edges 1970s basement den, this unique Vancouver bar is an instant chill-out spot… despite the sometimes grouchy owner. Backpackers and artsy regulars occupy the sagging sofas on most nights, although there’s a party crowd here on weekends.
Elianna: More or less what John said. The owner is worth the whole visit – he regularly wears biking shorts. Not much for me to drink in terms of non-alcoholic beverages but no one seems to notice or care about me sucking on the ice of my Sprite for most of the evening. There’s a pool table and darts too!
Celebs Elianna’s heard have been spotted here: Will Oldham, wearing eyeliner.
Pat’s Pub
John: Studded with lone old man drinkers during the day, comfy Pat’s offers several surprises. It’s a live music venue several nights a week, when a younger crowd takes over; it has the best bar menu of any Downtown Eastside pub, including great yam fries; and it’s a brewpub, with its own cheap-ass Pat’s Classic Lager.
Elianna: Ditto. The food is surprisingly great. Although I haven’t been in ages, the shows put on at this venue used to be super fun. A great mix of old locals and young people. Excellent spot for karaoke too… you always get to have a turn and the wait usually isn’t too long.
Celebs Elianna’s heard have been spotted here: None off the top of my head, but a lot of up and coming bands have played some of their first Vancouver shows here like Cave Singers and Pink Mountaintops. And the Elvis painting on the wall looks identical to Steve Bays.
Narrow Lounge
John: Not much bigger than a rail car, the subterranean Narrow is like stepping into a David Lynch dream about a vintage dive bar, complete with oddball stuffed animal heads and a glowing neon crucifix. Bring a crowd of friends and you’ll dictate the atmosphere in this tiny room – especially if you choose the vinyl for the turntable.
Elianna: Dead on again. It’s the type of place you come to if you’re single that will undoubtedly get you laid, or at least a phone number. It’s so tight that you’re forced to talk with everyone around you. I haven’t been for a while, but in my experience, the crowd was always super fun. I’ve heard it’s gone a little Yaletown, which would be a shame. Delicious grilled cheese sandwich.
Celebs Elianna’s heard have been spotted here: Matthew Finlason of reality show the Stagers.