Vancouver has a reputation for being a tough city to meet people in. But hey - West Coasters like a challenge, right? Eater asked the city's bartenders and social butterflies for the best spots in town to be chatted up. What are you looking for? Gay, straight, business type or hipster - we've got the right place to find the right person for you. Pity those couples on Valentine's Day with nothing more than an awkward dinner with a cliched menu to look forward to. Instead celebrate your single self awesomeness by heading off to any of these 21 chat-up-friendly spots to work your mojo. In no particular order - here are the city's most friendly places.
Got a better place to recommend? A solid spot to meet potential new partners? Let us know in the comments or on the tipline
It’s late, you’re a little tipsy and you can't bear the thought of another night at Celebrities. Welcome to the Bayside Lounge. Sure, it’s probably not been refurbished since the '70s but there’s a free-wheeling vibe here that may have been left over from those days too. On Saturday nights DJs play and making out on the dancefloor is positively encouraged.
Friendly staff and even friendlier customers make this Davie Street gay-friendly cocktail bar a reliable Thursday-Saturday venue for potential partner-spotting.
Recommended as a "beacon for the tattooed but decidedly un-hipster cats who love great music. It is an ideal place to chat up a new acquaintance." FYI: surprisingly good cocktail list. Pleasingly dark near the back for random adventures with leather-jacketed strangers...
Recommended for its ‘New York casual feel’ and speakeasy 40's vibe. If you’re not seeking pretentious types or hipsters this could be your new hang out.
Fun pizzas, strong drinks, the occasional visiting Canuck (and accompanying crowd of wannabe-Canuck-meet-ers) this is a solid choice and we’re told is especially friendly on a Sunday.
A subtly-lit room makes everyone look good and Lauren Mote’s cocktails make everyone feel good too. Head down mid-week between Wednesday - Saturday and send over a drink to that cute guy or girl at the bar... what’s the worst that could happen?
After-work drinks at YEW yield a surprisingly high number of cute suited men and women looking to blow off some steam over spendy cocktails. If you’re looking to score corporate-style it’s hard to beat. Need to know: Wine Down Monday, all bottles are 50% off. Even Champagne. So you can splash the cash without going broke.
One of the city’s largest bar-restaurant-clubs and so perfect for the picky pick up-er. Roam from whisk(e)y bar to live music area and oyster bar and don’t forget to peek in at the barbers - who knows who you’ll find to chat to.
Open till 1am every night and serving local brews, wines, spirits and craft cocktails Grain makes a good case for the locavore guy or gal about town to stop by and see what’s cooking. As ever with hotel bars, the ‘ooh, I just happen to be staying here’ factor is high. Which is a major benefit or drawback depending on how clothing-optional you’re feeling...
Hotties of all ages roam free in Vancouver’s ‘best smelling lobby’. Yes, everything is kind of expensive but hey - you get what you pay for here as the drinks are delicious and if you really want to go nuts, the ceviche tower is a great way to start a conversation. Usual hotel bar warnings apply but the rooms are so gorgeous maybe it's worth packing a toothbrush. Plan ahead a little.
Like coffee geeks? This is the place to meet them. Prepare to be lectured on beans, brewing and roasting by earnest moustachioed gentlemen: but if that is what you’re into, Eater is not here to judge.
Single gentlemen tell us that the front of the bar is the best place to find beautiful women - possibly thanks to the staff putting them in front of the window. Single women tell us that the Shebeen in the back causes a divide between the rooms and you’ll find the whisk(e)y-appreciating gentlemen and ladies tucked away out back. Thus, neatly, offering something for everyone. Plus the long table series of dinners is a great way to meet new people.
Look, there probably is a reason why so many of Craigslist’s ‘Missed Connections’ are from the Blarneystone. We're not judging - just nudging you in the right direction. Make like it’s St Paddy’s day every day and go get yourself some Irish (or failing that, a Plastic Paddy).
Reasonably priced (and deliciously strong) cocktails along with a self-styled Bad Boy Brit barman are among the attractions on offer at Notturno. Open till late.
No, not a bar but the cozy tables are lean-over close and gangs of hot architect-types are often spotted lunching there, attracting crowds of equally hot wannabe-architect daters. Impressive wine programme and some of the best pasta in town.
The after-hours haunt of choice of many of the city's hospitality staff - if you dream of bagging a bartender or server, or possibly even a post-shift chef or sous, this is the place to be.
Any bar with communal tables is always going to be an ideal place to meet new people and when that bar also does regular drinks deals - well, you’re on to a winner.
Recommended by gay guys and straight women alike, this is a solid choice as gangs of craft beer-loving guys of all ages gather here and get chatty and just a lil’ bit tipsy.
There is something about the intoxicating whiff of craft beer a-brewing and the promise of so very much of it on tap RIGHT THERE that makes Brassneck catnip for the bearded/plaid-wearing shirt set in town. If you DO find someone to suck face with, may we recommend the secluded booth at the back.
It’s late, you’re a little tipsy and you can't bear the thought of another night at Celebrities. Welcome to the Bayside Lounge. Sure, it’s probably not been refurbished since the '70s but there’s a free-wheeling vibe here that may have been left over from those days too. On Saturday nights DJs play and making out on the dancefloor is positively encouraged.
Friendly staff and even friendlier customers make this Davie Street gay-friendly cocktail bar a reliable Thursday-Saturday venue for potential partner-spotting.
Recommended as a "beacon for the tattooed but decidedly un-hipster cats who love great music. It is an ideal place to chat up a new acquaintance." FYI: surprisingly good cocktail list. Pleasingly dark near the back for random adventures with leather-jacketed strangers...
Recommended for its ‘New York casual feel’ and speakeasy 40's vibe. If you’re not seeking pretentious types or hipsters this could be your new hang out.
Fun pizzas, strong drinks, the occasional visiting Canuck (and accompanying crowd of wannabe-Canuck-meet-ers) this is a solid choice and we’re told is especially friendly on a Sunday.
A subtly-lit room makes everyone look good and Lauren Mote’s cocktails make everyone feel good too. Head down mid-week between Wednesday - Saturday and send over a drink to that cute guy or girl at the bar... what’s the worst that could happen?
After-work drinks at YEW yield a surprisingly high number of cute suited men and women looking to blow off some steam over spendy cocktails. If you’re looking to score corporate-style it’s hard to beat. Need to know: Wine Down Monday, all bottles are 50% off. Even Champagne. So you can splash the cash without going broke.
One of the city’s largest bar-restaurant-clubs and so perfect for the picky pick up-er. Roam from whisk(e)y bar to live music area and oyster bar and don’t forget to peek in at the barbers - who knows who you’ll find to chat to.
Open till 1am every night and serving local brews, wines, spirits and craft cocktails Grain makes a good case for the locavore guy or gal about town to stop by and see what’s cooking. As ever with hotel bars, the ‘ooh, I just happen to be staying here’ factor is high. Which is a major benefit or drawback depending on how clothing-optional you’re feeling...
Hotties of all ages roam free in Vancouver’s ‘best smelling lobby’. Yes, everything is kind of expensive but hey - you get what you pay for here as the drinks are delicious and if you really want to go nuts, the ceviche tower is a great way to start a conversation. Usual hotel bar warnings apply but the rooms are so gorgeous maybe it's worth packing a toothbrush. Plan ahead a little.
Like coffee geeks? This is the place to meet them. Prepare to be lectured on beans, brewing and roasting by earnest moustachioed gentlemen: but if that is what you’re into, Eater is not here to judge.
Single gentlemen tell us that the front of the bar is the best place to find beautiful women - possibly thanks to the staff putting them in front of the window. Single women tell us that the Shebeen in the back causes a divide between the rooms and you’ll find the whisk(e)y-appreciating gentlemen and ladies tucked away out back. Thus, neatly, offering something for everyone. Plus the long table series of dinners is a great way to meet new people.
Look, there probably is a reason why so many of Craigslist’s ‘Missed Connections’ are from the Blarneystone. We're not judging - just nudging you in the right direction. Make like it’s St Paddy’s day every day and go get yourself some Irish (or failing that, a Plastic Paddy).
Reasonably priced (and deliciously strong) cocktails along with a self-styled Bad Boy Brit barman are among the attractions on offer at Notturno. Open till late.
No, not a bar but the cozy tables are lean-over close and gangs of hot architect-types are often spotted lunching there, attracting crowds of equally hot wannabe-architect daters. Impressive wine programme and some of the best pasta in town.
The after-hours haunt of choice of many of the city's hospitality staff - if you dream of bagging a bartender or server, or possibly even a post-shift chef or sous, this is the place to be.
Any bar with communal tables is always going to be an ideal place to meet new people and when that bar also does regular drinks deals - well, you’re on to a winner.
Recommended by gay guys and straight women alike, this is a solid choice as gangs of craft beer-loving guys of all ages gather here and get chatty and just a lil’ bit tipsy.
There is something about the intoxicating whiff of craft beer a-brewing and the promise of so very much of it on tap RIGHT THERE that makes Brassneck catnip for the bearded/plaid-wearing shirt set in town. If you DO find someone to suck face with, may we recommend the secluded booth at the back.
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