How Canadian barkeeps and distillers are handling the trade war troubles
“Joe Canadian” responds to Trump’s threats: 25 years after recording the original “I Am Canadian” ad for Molson beer, actor Jeff Douglas recorded a new patriotic rant that has garnered over 1.2 million views on YouTube. YouTube.com/@AverageJoes1867 screenshot.
Last month at the “knowhere public house,” a locavore bar and community hub in Sudbury, Daniel Cronin hosted a five-course storytelling dinner billed as “The Night the White House Burned.”
The event had been inspired by the (possibly apocryphal) story of a lavish supper planned by then First Lady Dolley Madison, which was meant to be a victory feast for United States forces during the War of 1812. Instead, it was enjoyed by invading Brits—right before they burned down the White House.
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.
Born in Mexico and raised in Canada, Drink Arte’s cold-pressed juice solution is designed to elevate mixology with time-saving convenience for bar operations
Drink Arte is a juice that works as hard as you do. Photo via Drink Arte.
Citrus is at the core of many classic cocktails. Whether you’re shaking up a Daiquiri, blending the perfect Margarita or layering a Tequila Sunrise, that bright burst of acidity is what brings these favoured concoctions to life. But let’s be honest—prepping freshly squeezed juice day in and day out isn’t exactly the highlight of a bartender’s shift.
After four years spent building Toronto’s Bar Pompette into the nation’s No.1 bar (and currently No. 7 on North America’s 50 Best Bars), cofounder Hugo Togni is now moving on.
The Pompette team has become known worldwide for their ability to train staff, and Togni feels the time has come to spread some of that magic beyond the bar’s walls. He plans to help other businesses—namely fine-dining restaurants—through his next venture, Mirabelle Beverage Consulting.
The Keefer Bar team. Instagram.com/thekeeferbar photo
Spring, it seems, is list season, at least in the bar community, and some of B.C.s best bars have been recognized by two of the most significant rankings on the continent.
On April 29, North America’s 50 Best Bars released their list at a swish ceremony held at the JW Marriott Parq. Although Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy took the top spot for the second year in a row, and Toronto’s Bar Pompette was Canada’s highest ranked bar at No. 7, two Vancouver bars made the top 50: Botanist Bar at No. 26 and The Keefer Bar at No. 28.
Four city venues make the North America’s 50 Best Bars list
The winning team at Toronto’s Bar Pompette. Jessica Blaine Smith photo
Since opening in 2021, the French-accented Bar Pompette has charmed cocktail lovers across Toronto. Now it’s wooed the judges of North America’s 50 Best Bars, too. When NA50BB announced its 2025 list on April 29 in Vancouver, Bar Pompette landed at No. 7, the best showing for a Canadian bar since the list was first compiled in 2022.
The 36th Annual Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards have been revealed. (Now, let’s eat!)
Elio Volpe came onto the Vancouver dining scene in spring 2024. The Cambie Village hot spot was named Best Italian and Best New Restaurant in the 36th Annual Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, announced May 5, 2025. Lindsay William-Ross/V.I.A. photo
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.
14 top spots in Vancouver plus two in Richmond make the prestigious annual rankings
Vancouver’s Elem is one of 14 dining spots in the city to land on the 2025 Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants list. Elem also landed on the bonus “Best New Restaurants” list for this year. Photo by Melody Lu/courtesy of Elem
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.
The winners were revealed during a lively ceremony held here in Vancouver Tuesday night
The 2025 list of North America’s 50 Best Bars was announced in Vancouver on April 29. The prestigious annual ranking included two Vancouver spots, with Botanist Bar at the Fairmont Pacific Rim ranking 26th. Photo courtesy of North America’s 50 Best Bars
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.
Vancouver is the host city for North America’s 50 Best Bars 2025 and that means several awesome cocktail events with visiting bar stars
Vancouver will host the announcement of North America’s 50 Best Bars of 2025. Leading up to the event was first the revelation that three local bars have been named to the expanded rankings, including Prophecy. Several events in the city will showcase our fantastic cocktail pros along with visiting guest bartenders from around the world. Photo courtesy of North America’s 50 Best Bars
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.
