This cozy, waterfront pub, located on Granville Island next to the Public Market, is just part of an entire Bridges complex, which also offers indoor dining rooms and spacious, outdoor decks. The place, perennially busy, is a favorite of the after-work crowd, who gather to sample terrific, local microbrews and munch on tasty pub fare. Other pastimes include playing darts or catching the game on TV. Part of Bridges' strong appeal is its fantastic views of city, water and the distant mountains.
Like many Vancouver pubs, Cardero's takes advantage of its waterside locale by serving fresh seafood (including great oysters!) and offering a nautical-themed decor. Its comfy interior invites folks to linger, which isn't hard to do at all, considering the place's appetizing selection of pub fare and its great drinks. Bolstering all of that appeal are wonderful views of the harbor and the terrain beyond. The adjacent restaurant serves creative, affordable, and upscale cuisine. Great outdoor patio and live entertainment too.
For a touch of genuine Irish spirit, this gastropub can't be beat. Irish owners provide a note of authenticity, as do the menu and drinks. Guinness is always accessible, along with a selection of other draft and bottled beers, not to mention wines and cocktails. Tucked behind The Irish Heather is the Shebeen, a small venue that carries a great number of whiskies, scotches and ryes. Traditional Irish fare peppers the menu, along with creative dishes that capitalize on Vancouver's great culinary bounty. Keep up to date with the Long Table Series they host on a regular basis and enjoy a night of good food and beer. The menu changes often and is paired with a specific beer each time. Of course, you're able to order whatever else you like to drink that evening.
Local Expert tip: If the Heather is packed, walk through to the back and out the door into the Shebeen. Both sides have an extensive beer and whiskey list.
Located on the Fraser River, this pub features a great outdoor deck and a comfy interior patterned after a coastal fishing cottage. Its most prominent feature, however, is its proximity to an air terminal where seaplanes land on the water. Great beer is a standard, and regional microbrews are conveniently on tap. Cocktails, bottled beers, hard cider and a few wines can also be had. Plus, the pub menu presents burgers, pastas, pizzas, spicy wings and fish and chips. Reservations accepted for large groups only.
At this microbrewery, steam used to craft the beers is city-supplied, and the brewing process is visible through the dining room's glass walls. It's an unusual method, but it produces great local brews, including a zippy espresso ale. Inside, dark woodwork and book-lined shelves add ambiance, and from the expansive windows, you'll get views of the water and mountains. Upscale pub fare wards off hunger pangs nicely; afterwards, get moving with a game of pool, or simply sit back and relax by the fireplace. Located directly beside Waterfront Station, Steamworks is easily accessible by bus, Skytrain and SeaBus, so need need to worry about having to drive home. It's location also makes it a great meeting point for dinner and drinks and then to hit up Gastown's nightlife later into the evening.
Local Expert tip: Attached to the restaurant/pub is a cold wine and beer store with a solid assortment of craft and international beer and wine.
Like many Yaletown establishments, this microbrewery occupies a stylish, renovated warehouse. Eight specialty beers come standard, and they include Frank's Nut Brown Ale, Red Brick Bitter, Indian Arm Pale Ale, Harbour Light Lager, and Hill's Special Wheat (a hefeweizen). A stacked menu features hearty sandwiches, pizzas, entrees and a slate of zesty appetizers. A warm, rustic atmosphere prevails, and you'll find pool tables, TVs, rock-and-roll music, an outdoor patio and a floor full of peanut shells, to boot. On a cool winter's day, grab a seat by the roaring fireplace and enjoy the cozy space. Summer months see a packed patio filled with thirsty mouths reveling in the cold pints.
A laid-back, rustic ambience pervades this welcoming pub, where seafood is tops and the maritime-themed decor boasts well-loved upholstery and tables crafted from kegs. East Coast flavor reigns in beer, food and music, providing a western outpost for transplants and fans alike. Live bands play Thursday and Saturday evenings, regaling patrons with folk and Celtic tunes. This bit of fun is always free, which makes the food and drinks taste that much better! The place's curious name can be attributed to local liquor laws, which forbade use of the word "tap" in the name. As a result, owners simply shifted the "r" from "grill" to "tap."
This hotel establishment gets points for its Granville Island location and its microbrews, which are crafted on the premises. TVs and a fireplace add instant appeal inside, but the patio is by all accounts one of the best places to hang out. The large space offers sweeping views of Vancouver and the water, and it's heated when the weather cools. Representative quaffs include the Alder Bay Honey Lager and the Haupenthal Hefeweizen. The food menu is made up of small and large bites that include Dockside crab and shrimp cakes, grilled and chilled ancho chili prawns, pizzas and albacore tuna poke, to name just a few.
Lots of polished wood and Victorian style impart character to this traditional Irish pub. The large place also gets punctuations of stained glass, a fireplace and private booths. Sixteen beers are on tap, including Guinness and Kilkenny. Bottled options and liquor are also available, along with a menu of pub fare that'll have you doing a little jig yourself. Live Celtic music finds its place Monday through Thursday, beginning at 9pm, and lunch specials are a terrific midday treat.
With its dark wood detailing and draft beers, this pub has a traditional feel. It's also a tried-and-true hangout for the gay community, who take advantage of its daytime hours to meet for lunch, socialize and enjoy the outdoor patio. Great beers (bottled and tap, domestics and imports) join a substantial list of cocktails and shots for the partying set, and sandwiches, salads and burgers take care of hungry appetites. TVs, pool tables, darts and great music provide additional distractions. A fun neighborhood place.