May 20, 2009
Nestled a block south of 160th and Fraser Highway next to the Fleetwood Liquor Barn, the Fleetwood Arms Pub has a comfortable lounge setting with a variety of seating types, perfect for the indecisive sitter. They’re also happy to have people hang around nursing drinks well after the pub is closed. It also has a heated enclosed patio: worthwhile year around.
Pitcher of Fleetwood Lager: $11.50
Location/Map
fleetwoodarms.com
604-597-3220
April 3, 2009
Hidden away in Port Coquitlam, the Cat & Fiddle Pub is surprisingly large. It has a lot of TVs, pool, and a liquor store inside. What separates it from others are the wings. A good variety of flavours, they’re hot to order and up quick, and at a price to draw people. Hipsters and ethnic people are few and far between but the atmosphere is welcoming.
Pitcher of Canadian: $13.50
Wings: $0.25 each
Location/Map
604-941-8822
March 4, 2009
Adjacent to Waterfront Skytrain station, this pub has quite a bit of variety: restaurant and patio upstairs (extended and uncovered during the summer) and pub with billiards downstairs. There’s still food downstairs but there are TVs too (more of a pub atmosphere). It has an unencumbered view of the North Shore and the Burrard Inlet. They brew their own beer (with season-specific offerings), and best of all they offer 3L “towers” of beer (graduated cylinders with a spout at the bottom).
Wed – jug of anything: $14
Location/Map
steamworks.com
604-689-2739
January 2, 2009
In the heart of the Drive, this bar has a very practical layout. It has two levels: the top has the bar surrounded by stools, televisions, and tables while down the stairs there is an elevated portion with a big screen tv. The lowest section is secluded enough that you can have a comfortable conversation even when it’s packed full. When it’s nice enough, they open the patio which is long and narrow against the outer brick wall facing the side street. The side street the patio is facing is lines with willow trees creating a more intimate atmosphere and blocking what little sound reaches around the corner while maintaining a view of one of the Drive’s busiest areas. The selection of beer is also venerable.
Pint of Kilkenny: $5.75
Pint of Snake Bite: $5.75
Poutine: $8
Location/Map
604-253-2777
January 2, 2009
The King’s Head Pub attracts a wide variety of patrons: students after cheap beer, sunbathers coming from Kits Beach across the street, and all sorts who just appreciate the decent food and atmosphere. It’s a well-weathered pub, large and convoluted enough to get privacy no matter how large or small of a group. There’s also live music on occasion.
Pitcher of Sleeman’s Honey Brown: $14
Location/Map
604-738-6966
January 2, 2009
Suprising large: another cafe/bar on The Drive. It’s gone under new management and renovated since the summer. It looks like the capacity has increased a bit while moving all the food into the kitchen instead of having a sandwhich display.
Pitcher of Granville Island Winter Ale: $13
Location/Map
604-215-3888
December 27, 2008
Another mid-class food chain where one can drink. The food portions and quality are decent, and the atmosphere is appropriate with almost anyone so it’s a reliable back-up.
Pitcher of any Albino Rhino (house): $14.50
Pitcher of Kokanee: $14
December 19, 2008
Canvas is one of the conventionally eccentric drinking establishments in Vancouver mixing art with their primary role as nightclub. It doubles as an art gallery, and the art of local artists on display is for sale. It’s multiple floors and expansive VIP area with multiple street entrances is quite posh, and it creates a nice dynamic where it’s easy to distance yourself from people but still find them easily. In trendy Gastown, it fits right in.
Bottle of special: $7
Location/Map
Website
604-609-9939
December 19, 2008
Recently redesigned, the Great Bear Pub has gone a great way from its skeezy predecessor. Occasional live music shows it’s trying to be more than a local watering hole, and it should be. The on-tap selection is strong, and it’s open reasonably late (as is their kitchen though Denny’s next door makes late-night food a non-issue one way or another). It also has an adjacent liquor store that is open till 9am-11pm every day.
Pint of Molson: $4.91
Pitcher of Granville Island Winter Ale: $14.23
Location/Map
Website
604-433-8942
(Updated 20-Dec-08)
December 19, 2008
The Gallery has carved out a good niche at UBC as very casual. The Pit it a little to big and dank for a drink with a prof and Koerner’s requires a walk beyond what a split-second decision on drinking usually commits. Nothing will blow your mind about the Gallery but nothing will keep you away (although an especially unfortunate karaoke night sober puts up a good fight). The food fits the bill too.
Pitcher of anything: $13.50
