Nothing makes us want to raise a glass in celebration more than seeing new bars open with our favourite barkeeps at the helm. And, after a flurry of recent openings, we will have even more to toast this summer.

Cameron Bogue, who was for nearly a decade the director of beverage operations for Earls Restaurants and previously worked for Daniel Boulud, is opening Mount Pleasant Vintage & Provisions in the heritage Coulter House (built circa 1901) at 67 East 6th Avenue. Bogue promises a casual and playful cocktail program to accompany dishes cooked over live fire, and says, “We’re new school operators set out to change the game in Vancouver.”

Meanwhile, Keenan Hood, co-proprietor of The Keefer Bar, is tackling one of the city’s biggest, most ambitious rooms: the bar at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia previously known as Prohibition. Hood and his partner Cam Watt are calling it The Herrick Cocktail Club, named for Fred Herrick, the genial gent who shined shoes at the hotel for 54 years. Joining them will be general manager Leticia Castro, most recently of The Diamond, as well as a bar team still to be named. 

The 3,000-square-foot space is still under renovation, but will be transformed with glamorous wraparound booths, a separate bar for Japanese whiskies and highballs, as well as room for live music and ticketed events. Opening date is planned for July. We can hardly wait.