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!”
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.
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.
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.
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.
Three other Toronto bars made the top 50 list — Civil Liberties (No. 21), Bar Mordecai (No. 37) and Mother (No. 44) — with another five in the 50-100 list: Library Bar (No. 51), Civil Works (No. 55), Cry Baby Gallery (No. 68), Simpl Things (No. 83) and Slice of Life (No. 96).
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.