Canada's only magazine dedicated to distillers, spirits and cocktail culture.
In April, B.C.’s craft distillers launched a petition on change.org to get the province’s craft sprits into government liquor stores, with a plea to: “Join the movement to demand fairness, fuel B.C.’s economy, and give authentic local spirits the respect they deserve. Raise your voice, raise your elbows, and let’s make some noise!”
In late April, Vancouver firmly shook off its “no fun city” rep and welcomed the best barkeeps on the continent for North America’s 50 Best Bars. Restaurants and bars across the city hosted epic parties and exciting pop-ups, and it’s fair to say that the day after the awards Vancouver was the single most hungover place on the planet. But nobody seemed to mind because everyone was having so much fun.
It’s time to celebrate, Vancouver!
The 36th annual Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards were announced Monday, May 5, 2025 at a ceremony at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, recognizing the best and the brightest in the city in a broad spectrum of categories.
The nation’s culinary scene is in the spotlight, as Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants revealed its list of the top places to dine on Monday, May 5.
Of the 100 restaurants ranked, 14 are in Vancouver, two are in Richmond, and three more are located elsewhere in British Columbia.
A pair of acclaimed Vancouver bars have not only maintained their presence on a prestigious awards list but one has also risen in the ranks, as North America’s 50 Best Bars of 2025 were revealed last night at an exciting bar star-studded ceremony held right here in Vancouver.
What’s shaking in Vancouver? Quite a bit, when it comes to the cocktail scene.
The announcement of the 2025 North America’s 50 Best Bars rankings takes place in Vancouver for the first time on Tuesday, April 29, and there are several prominent local and global bar stars stirring up some excitement as part of the festivities.
Leading up to and capping off the awards ceremony there will be numerous events showcasing incredible spirits and talented cocktail pros, including those visiting from around North America and beyond. Top spots for tipples across the city will be opening up their bars for collabs, showcases, seminars, and guest shifts.
Along with Vancouver serving as host city for the first time is another thrilling first: An extended list of rankings honouring spots 51 to 100 was recently revealed.
With spring comes new life, and that’s exactly what’s on deck for Chupito, the Michelin Guide-recognized bar-restaurant that lost its alley-access patio spot near Gastown last fall due to site redevelopment.
“A new chapter is unfolding!” shared Chupito via email this week. Specifically, the former shipping container bar and seasonal hangout known for its excellent cocktails and elevated but approachable Mexican dishes is ready to welcome guests in a new indoor-outdoor space in Mount Pleasant.
Its name may be June, but April is when one of the most anticipated new Vancouver restaurants will finally open its doors.
Located in Cambie Village in the former Biercraft space, June is a bi-level French-inspired brasserie from the team behind Vancouver’s award-winning Keefer Bar.
The 4,500-square-foot space features seats for 100 in the upstairs dining room, with 35 more seats downstairs in the bar area coming soon, along with three planned patios.
Toronto’s Bar Pompette has been announced as the winner of the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award, part of the fourth annual North America’s 50 Best Bars awards, sponsored by Perrier. Created to recognize the importance of hospitality in the bar experience, the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award is voted on by the 300-plus members of the North America’s 50 Best Bars Academy, who are asked to name the bar where they have received the single-best hospitality experience within the 18-month voting period. The Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award is the first award in a series of special awards announced leading up to the highly anticipated awards ceremony for North America’s 50 Best Bars 2025.
Bar Pompette is a refined yet relaxed Toronto gem, known for its take on modern and classic cocktails. Located in the heart of Little Italy, the bar’s minimalist-chic design evokes the effortless charm of a Parisian café, which is juxtaposed with the creativity and inventiveness that drives the cocktail offering. Since earning a spot on the list in 2023, Bar Pompette has continued to elevate Toronto’s cocktail scene, with a seasonally rotating menu that highlights innovative flavors and expert craftsmanship. Guests can choose how they want to experience Bar Pompette, whether it’s imbibing casually or experiencing the process behind each drink, including a guided visit to the cocktail lab. With small bites from its sister French brasserie, guests are offered a taste of France while remaining grounded in the vibrant energy of Toronto. At Bar Pompette, the drinks, ambiance, and hospitality create a seamless blend of past and present, somewhere for people to linger, glass in hand, time and time again.
Emma Sleight, Head of Content for North America’s 50 Best Bars, says: “It’s been incredible to see Bar Pompette’s growth since its first recognition on the list in 2023. From the expertly curated cocktail menu — where each drink tells a story of seasonal creativity and truly impressive craftmanship — to the inviting ambiance of its open-air patio and cosy, Cognac-colored banquettes, Bar Pompette creates that rare alchemy where world-class drinks and genuine, welcoming service collide. It’s a transportative destination, offering a taste of France with every sip, while managing to remain firmly rooted in the heart of Toronto’s dynamic cocktail scene. It’s that magical synergy between exceptional drinks and a welcoming atmosphere that keeps guests coming back to Bar Pompette. ”
Co-founder Hugo Togni, a former chef, contributes culinary expertise to the bar’s creative yet approachable drinks menu. Signature drinks like the Nitro Colada — served on tap with centrifuge-clarified pineapple juice and coconut oil-washed rum — and the Cornichon, a Martini-inspired cocktail featuring dill pickle distillate, showcase the team’s playful creativity. Even with these sophisticated methods, Bar Pompette remains a true neighborhood bar, where the focus is always on making every guest feel welcome.
Hugo Togni, Co-Owner of Bar Pompette says, “We are truly humbled and grateful to receive this award. More than just a bar, Bar Pompette is built on passion, dedication, and a genuine love for hospitality. Our team—many of whom have been together for nearly three years—has become like family, and that chemistry is what makes every service special. To us, it’s not just about making great drinks, but about creating a space where people feel at home, whether it’s their first visit or their fiftieth. Hospitality is at the heart of what we do, and we’re excited to keep sharing that experience with our guests every day.”
Matt Magliocco, Executive Vice President of Michter’s Distillery, says: “Bar Pompette is a wonderful bar, and their hospitality is second to none. Congratulations to Maxime Hoerth, Hugo Togni, and the entire Bar Pompette team on this extremely well-deserved recognition.”
The North America’s 50 Best Bars 2025 awards ceremony will take place in Vancouver, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. This represents the first time the awards ceremony will be staged in Canada and recognizes the region’s presence on the global cocktail scene. North America’s 50 Best Bars aims to provide consumers with an exceptional list of expert-approved drinking destinations across North America.
The countdown of the list of North America’s 50 Best Bars and the awards ceremony will also be broadcast to a global audience who are not able to attend in person, and bar and cocktail lovers will be invited to join through the 50 Best Bars TV YouTube channel.
B.C. craft distillers have told BIV that there are several specific ways in which the B.C. government is treating them less favourably than it does wineries.
For one thing, government mark-ups, or taxes, on spirits is higher than it is for wine.
Another beef is that craft distillers have a production limit that they must stay below to gain some tax advantages. Wineries do not have that restriction. Finally, wineries get financial kick-backs, or reimbursements, when they sell products in government-run liquor stores. Distilleries do not.