In answer to the eternal question - where shall we go for a smokin' hot cocktail - may we point you in the direction of any of these bartenders who are shaking up the most interesting drinks in the city right now. In no particular order these are the bars and restaurants where you are going to get drinks that are far from the usual run of the mill martinis.
There are few things better in the world than a superb Tiki bar and Vancouver is lucky enough to have a world-class example right here on Main. Two words: Mystery Bowl. Order it and thank us when you recover from its effects.
Acknowledged by the industry as a key figure, David Wolowidnyk has been shaking and creating over at West's bar for almost a decade whipping up some of the city's most superb cocktails. With the added skills of talented Sabrine Dedden, this is a must for all cocktail lovers.
Pony up to the bar at Angus An's world-class Thai restaurant and order the divine fermented sausage salad to pair with a well-considered cocktail from the talented bar team. Think delicate Asian-influenced flavours and bright herbacious blends.
You may come for the tacos but you'll stay for Kelly Woods' deft touch whipping up far too 'oh, go on, one more-ish' creations using house-made infusions and spiked with smoky mezcal and tequila.
Bright herbacious creations with an Asian twist are the order of the day at this ultra-popular restaurant and bar. Stop by on a Sunday to try the Banga cocktails on special for $6.
Bar veteran Ron Oliver's ever-evolving list at this modern American restaurant in the heart of Chinatown hops between classics and new creations - always delicious and always beautifully balanced.
See why owner Tannis Ling keeps her rep as one of the city's most kick-ass bartenders when you delve into the cocktail creations at this Chinatown hotspot.
Under the skillful guidance of Dani Tatarin alongside the contest-winning Gez McAlpine, Chinese apothecary influences meet Prohibition-era drinks in a gleefully gorgeous blend at the Keefer Bar. Don't be overwhelmed by the long list - see it as a Pokemon-like challenge to eventually try 'em all.
Once you've enjoyed the delights of the charcuterie and other small plates from the kitchen, plunge into self-styled British bad boy bartender H's regularly changing cocktail list. You'll be glad that you did.
Charming host Shaun Layton's creative concoctions bring a crowd to his bar every night. One of the most respected bartenders in the city and deservedly so.
Eater Young Guns nominee Buck Friend is ringing the changes at this Gastown restaurant and bar. Whether it's an old favourite like the cocktail-in-a-teapot Tsui Hang or a crazy aquarium pump-assisted new Bubble Tea, there is no more fun place to be than at Buck's bar.
Josh Pape's always-popular Diamond now has the added attraction of the talents of ex-Wildebeest bartender Thor Paulson. Give in to a Gastown inevitability: climb the stairs and pull up a barstool.
A much-loved Gastown haunt with bar manager Rhett Williams's home-made infusions and creations resulting in knock-out drinks. This summer Rhett's bringing shrub drinks back to the city with weekly changing flavours and spirits.
Under the guidance of the ever-talented Josh Pape, along with its dazzling dining programme, Wildebeest has a cocktail menu to match - literally - it's one of the few places in town you can get specially-created cocktails to pair with their meat-centric creations. Say yes to everything but insist on trying one of the alcoholic slushies.
Led by the creative powerhouse that is Evelyn Chick, the bar at Blue Water shines as a haven for fans of whisk(e)y - more than 170 on the list - and lovers of finely-balanced and very delicious drinks.
Walking the line between lower-alcohol drinks with herbacious flavours and a dash of bitters and gloriously boozy, punchy creations, bar manager Lauren Mote is leading Uva towards being one of the city's most important cocktail bars.
With the talented and charming Cooper Tardival at the helm, the team at the Hawksworth Bar create pleasingly boozy and beautifully balanced cocktails. There are few better places to start a celebratory evening.
Look beyond the cabana beds and glitz of this seasonal Ibiza-in-the-city patio bar and you'll discover bartender's Robyn Gray's warm hospitality and creative, well-balanced concotions.
Under the watchful eye of multi-award winning bartender Jay Jones, the Blackbird's whisk(e)y bar has become a haven for all who seek to be soothed by true hospitality and delighted by genuinely innovative cocktail creations.
Keeping their bar as BC-friendly as possible, Grain's daily cocktail specials and tireless support of the local distillery scene make this a must for all locavore boozehounds. Also - late opening makes this an industry downtown favourite.
The best smelling lobby in the city - with the only 100% Ocean Wise sushi raw bar in the city - also boasts one of the most elegant cocktail menus in the city, thanks to the ultra-hospitable Grant Sceney.
Of course the main attraction is chef Henry Besser Rosenberg's peerless barbecue, but smarter drinkers will spot owner Fiona Grieve's house-made infusions, syrups and innovative cocktails on the menu and stay for one - or two - more.
There are few things better in the world than a superb Tiki bar and Vancouver is lucky enough to have a world-class example right here on Main. Two words: Mystery Bowl. Order it and thank us when you recover from its effects.
Acknowledged by the industry as a key figure, David Wolowidnyk has been shaking and creating over at West's bar for almost a decade whipping up some of the city's most superb cocktails. With the added skills of talented Sabrine Dedden, this is a must for all cocktail lovers.
Pony up to the bar at Angus An's world-class Thai restaurant and order the divine fermented sausage salad to pair with a well-considered cocktail from the talented bar team. Think delicate Asian-influenced flavours and bright herbacious blends.
You may come for the tacos but you'll stay for Kelly Woods' deft touch whipping up far too 'oh, go on, one more-ish' creations using house-made infusions and spiked with smoky mezcal and tequila.
Bright herbacious creations with an Asian twist are the order of the day at this ultra-popular restaurant and bar. Stop by on a Sunday to try the Banga cocktails on special for $6.
Bar veteran Ron Oliver's ever-evolving list at this modern American restaurant in the heart of Chinatown hops between classics and new creations - always delicious and always beautifully balanced.
See why owner Tannis Ling keeps her rep as one of the city's most kick-ass bartenders when you delve into the cocktail creations at this Chinatown hotspot.
Under the skillful guidance of Dani Tatarin alongside the contest-winning Gez McAlpine, Chinese apothecary influences meet Prohibition-era drinks in a gleefully gorgeous blend at the Keefer Bar. Don't be overwhelmed by the long list - see it as a Pokemon-like challenge to eventually try 'em all.
Once you've enjoyed the delights of the charcuterie and other small plates from the kitchen, plunge into self-styled British bad boy bartender H's regularly changing cocktail list. You'll be glad that you did.
Charming host Shaun Layton's creative concoctions bring a crowd to his bar every night. One of the most respected bartenders in the city and deservedly so.
Eater Young Guns nominee Buck Friend is ringing the changes at this Gastown restaurant and bar. Whether it's an old favourite like the cocktail-in-a-teapot Tsui Hang or a crazy aquarium pump-assisted new Bubble Tea, there is no more fun place to be than at Buck's bar.
Josh Pape's always-popular Diamond now has the added attraction of the talents of ex-Wildebeest bartender Thor Paulson. Give in to a Gastown inevitability: climb the stairs and pull up a barstool.
A much-loved Gastown haunt with bar manager Rhett Williams's home-made infusions and creations resulting in knock-out drinks. This summer Rhett's bringing shrub drinks back to the city with weekly changing flavours and spirits.
Under the guidance of the ever-talented Josh Pape, along with its dazzling dining programme, Wildebeest has a cocktail menu to match - literally - it's one of the few places in town you can get specially-created cocktails to pair with their meat-centric creations. Say yes to everything but insist on trying one of the alcoholic slushies.
Led by the creative powerhouse that is Evelyn Chick, the bar at Blue Water shines as a haven for fans of whisk(e)y - more than 170 on the list - and lovers of finely-balanced and very delicious drinks.
Walking the line between lower-alcohol drinks with herbacious flavours and a dash of bitters and gloriously boozy, punchy creations, bar manager Lauren Mote is leading Uva towards being one of the city's most important cocktail bars.
With the talented and charming Cooper Tardival at the helm, the team at the Hawksworth Bar create pleasingly boozy and beautifully balanced cocktails. There are few better places to start a celebratory evening.
Look beyond the cabana beds and glitz of this seasonal Ibiza-in-the-city patio bar and you'll discover bartender's Robyn Gray's warm hospitality and creative, well-balanced concotions.
Under the watchful eye of multi-award winning bartender Jay Jones, the Blackbird's whisk(e)y bar has become a haven for all who seek to be soothed by true hospitality and delighted by genuinely innovative cocktail creations.
Keeping their bar as BC-friendly as possible, Grain's daily cocktail specials and tireless support of the local distillery scene make this a must for all locavore boozehounds. Also - late opening makes this an industry downtown favourite.
The best smelling lobby in the city - with the only 100% Ocean Wise sushi raw bar in the city - also boasts one of the most elegant cocktail menus in the city, thanks to the ultra-hospitable Grant Sceney.
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