The spirits have been scheming at the craft distillery
North Van’s Sons of Vancouver distillery has resurrected the short-lived Dark Manor Inn, the haunted house-themed bar that closed in 2019, for its 2024 Halloween celebrations. Photo courtesy of Sons of Vancouver
It’s alive! For the duration of spooky season, Vancouver’s dearly departed haunted house-themed cocktail bar has been resurrected as a pop-up experience at a popular craft distillery.
Sons of Vancouver has brought back The Dark Manor Inn, the quirky and short-lived cocktail bar that never made it to its first Halloween, by way of decor and inspired sips taken right from the late watering hole, which closed in the summer of 2019. (The Dark Manor, which was tied to Vancouver’s popular Shameful Tiki Room, ran out of a Fraser Street address that next became the Michelin Guide-endorsedSay Mercy! restaurant.)
A Mexican-style cocktail and snacks bar is replacing Novella on Main Street
Get ready for bright orange and teal inside the former Novella space on Main Street, as the crew behind Published and Bar Susu – with some key new additions – are prepping a Mexican-style cocktail and snack bar for a summer launch. Photo by Sarah Annand/courtesy of El Gato Gab Gab
The restaurant space at 2650 Main St is going from coffee to cocktails, with a Mexican twist.
Opening date is set for Vancouver’s new charismatic, resourceful, clever, and oh-so-appealing cocktail bar/restaurant
Good Thief, the “rebellious” sibling of Anh and Chi, is a new cocktail bar with share plates inspired by the tradition of the enjoyment of sitting down to eat and drink and have fun with friends and family. It opens on July 11, 2024. Photo by Juno Kim/courtesy of Good Thief
Cinema and literature love a “good thief” character. They’re charismatic, resourceful, clever, and oh-so-appealing, even if they’re bending the rules a little (or a lot).
So what if that trope is applied to a cocktail bar-slash-restaurant in Vancouver? The result is the aptly named Good Thief, which I suspect is about to steal a few hearts thanks to its inherent “goodness.”
An exciting project from a Michelin-starred team is about to debut
Meo is a new cocktail bar with snacks opening in February 2024 in Vancouver’s Chinatown. The project comes from the team behind Michelin-starred Kissa Tanto, which happens to be located right above the new nighttime venue.Left: Ian Lanterman/Right: Mark Yammine. Images courtesy Meo
The crew behind some of Vancouver’s most acclaimed – and sexy – restaurant concepts is at it again, this time revealing plans to launch an intimate cocktail and snack bar just steps away from their one Michelin-starred spot.
Look for the sign and go up the stairs to this sexy, intimate spot for drinks and snacks—soon!
Ama is a new Japanese-inspired cocktail and raw bar hidden above a Michelin Guide-recommended Greek restaurant in Vancouver. Lindsay William-Ross/V.I.A. photo
The only tell that there is a sexy, intimate Japanese-inspired cocktail and raw bar tucked in the space above a bustling Fraser Street Greek restaurant is the clever metal sign positioned above eye level to the right of an unadorned orange-hued door.
Get ready for a spicy taste of Miami right here in Vancouver
The Flamingo Room is the next chapter for Havana’s theatre space. The Commercial Drive bar and restaurant will offer drinks, late-night snacks, and live music and comedy. Opening day is set for Dec. 6, 2023. Photo by Ksenia Dempster/The Flamingo Room
Weary locals can soon escape Raincouver for a taste of hot Miami nightlife without buying a plane ticket thanks to a new bar with late-night snacks and live entertainment on Commercial Drive.
Executive Chef Andrew Hounslow and Beverage Director Alexa Greenman have created a food and drink menu of fun, tropical-inspired items for The Flamingo Room. Photos courtesy The Flamingo Room
The concept is “neighbourhood watering hole-meets eclectic cocktail room,” in the 52-seat, 900-square-foot space.
Revellers can expect to find live music and comedy served up alongside fun drinks and eats created by the Havana team.
“Our live stage will be a hub of local talent and personalities, bringing our community together through performances that make each visit a unique experience,” said Tyson McNamara, Stage Manager, in a media release from The Flamingo Room. “We believe in the power of supporting local artists, providing a space where their creativity shines.”
Compressed watermelon with Tajin is among the dishes coming to the food menu of The Flamingo Room. Photo courtesy The Flamingo Room
Food and drink menu: Shareable dishes, cocktails and mocktails with tropical vibes
The Flamingo Room’s executive chef, Andrew Hounslow, will serve up a food menu of playful snacks with a South Floridian twist, like a share-able Cubano sandwich (on a stick!), Huevos Diablos, Tajin-spiced compressed watermelon, and a jicama and chickpea “ceviche.”
The drinks program was created by Beverage Director Alexa Greenman, and features several tropical drinks (including zero-proof mocktails). Expect to find shareable cocktails for groups and a locally-focused beer and wine list, too.
The Flamingo Room’s drinks menu will also feature mocktails, like the zero proof Flightless Bird. Photo courtesy The Flamingo Room
The Flamingo Room’s food, drink, and merriment will be showcased in a space described as offering “a lush space layered full of playful textures and saturated colours” with “banquet booth seating, decorative lighting, a warm wood bar, and a forthcoming bespoke feature mural wall.”
“We look forward to welcoming guests into an intimate, tropical space, where inventive drinks and snacks are underscored with amazing live music and comedy,” said Reuben Major, Managing Partner of Havana Vancouver and The Flamingo Room.
Bites for sharing is the main focus for the food menu at The Flamingo Room. Photo courtesy The Flamingo Room
“I’m so proud of our team for their dedication and hard work bringing The Flamingo Room to a reality. It’s been a long time coming, and we’re excited to open our doors!”
When The Flamingo Room (1212 Commercial Dr) officially opens on Dec. 6, it will operate Wednesday to Sunday, from 5 p.m. to late.
Inspired by the lush and vibrant vibes of Miami, The Flamingo Room will offer Vancouver an escape to where the heat is always turned up. Photo by Ksenia Dempster/The Flamingo Room
The founders of Vancouver’s beloved and departed ‘nerd bar’ are behind an exciting new venture
Arcana Spirit Lounge – disguised as a pet psychic business – is an occult-inspired cocktail bar and restaurant from the people behind Vancouver’s beloved Storm Crow bars. Photos courtesy Arcana Spirit Lounge
Does your cat, dog, or parakeet need a little help from the great beyond? Or do you just need a fun new spot to grab a drink?
What looks like a pet psychic business in Gastown at 238 Abbott St is actually the clever cover for an upcoming new cocktail bar and restaurant from the creative minds that brought Vancouver its beloved—and departed—Storm Crow bars.
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