Vancouver

The Bon Vivant

August 17, 2018 No Comments

The patio scene isn’t for everyone, including our man about town

In many ways, I’ve always been hilariously unsuited to Vancouver, despite having lived here for the best part of 20 years. While I enjoy observing nature from the distant vantage point of a high-rise apartment, actually venturing into it makes me anxious and irritated. I look upon the lifestyle cults surrounding yoga, spinning and clamshell salads—ostensibly expressions of joyful living, yet deadly serious—as if they were the Republic of Gilead.

But what situates me permanently at the fringe of the party that is this city (this beautiful, very expensive party) is my habitual response to the arrival of summer. When everyone else rushes hysterically into the streets, as if drawn by the promise of eternal youth and free poké bowls, I draw the blinds and cower until nightfall.

I don’t want to be this person, but I have no choice: I’m a ginger.

The Alchemist

Odd Society releases elderflower liqueur

July 30, 2018 No Comments

Odd Society’s limited Elderflower Gin. Supplied photo.

Looking for something refreshing to enjoy this sultry summer weekend? Get yourself down to Odd Society Spirits and you could be one of the lucky few to enjoy their just-released Elderflower Liqueur.

Features

H Tasting Lounge takes flight

July 27, 2018 No Comments

Globally inspired cocktail program soars at the Westin Bayshore

Chiara Fung and Dylan Williams behind the bar at H Tasting Lounge. Dan Toulgoet photo

Bright, airy and colourful, with a contemporary design that embraces both mid-century and Art Deco motifs, H Tasting Lounge at The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver, is certainly one of the city’s most elegant cocktail spaces.

But its beauty goes far beyond plush pastel furnishings and dramatic crystal chandeliers.

Bar Bites

Mark your calendars

July 16, 2018 No Comments

Sure, you could enjoy cocktails alone in your back yard. Or you could join the crowds having fun at these great events here at home and abroad over the next few months.

Deighton Cup

Don your fancy chapeaux and hoist your glasses! The ponies hit the track once again on July 21 for the 10th annual Deighton Cup at Hastings Racecourse. Some 5,000 people gather at the track to gamble on the ponies while enjoying swish fashion, buckets of bubbly, fine cigars, gourmet cuisine and, of course, cocktails. The event includes an annual mixology competition, plus sweet summer sippers to enjoy trackside. deightoncup.com

Bar Bites

Patio at the Parq

July 13, 2018 No Comments

We’re always excited to see a new patio in town, especially when it’s one that serves great cocktails. And so we’re thrilled that D/6 Bar and Lounge at Parq Vancouver has flung open the big glass doors onto its vast new patio space.

Located on the sixth floor of the DOUGLAS boutique hotel, the D/6 patio has great views of the city skyline and offers locally inspired cocktails like the Douglas Fir, which is made with Douglas fir-infused gin from Yaletown Distilling Company. (The gin is also available in all the guest rooms.)

Even better news: The patio is covered, so guests can enjoy the views and the cocktails come rain or shine.

The Alchemist

EAT! Vancouver returns with luxe all-new cognac tasting

June 20, 2018 No Comments

It might be called EAT! Vancouver, but we’re here for the drinks.

Which is why we were thrilled to discover that the annual foodie festival is returning to Vancouver Nov. 5-10 with more than 37 acclaimed chefs and 18 events, including a luxurious all-new cognac event.

On the Town

BC Distilled 2018

April 18, 2018 No Comments

De Vine Spirits. Byron Smith/Tank Five photo.

Central City Brewers & Distillers. Byron Smith/Tank Five photo.

Goodridge & Williams Craft Distillers. Byron Smith/Tank Five photo.

Victoria Caledonian Distillery. Byron Smith/Tank Five photo.

Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery. Byron Smith/Tank Five photo.

Tailored Spirits. Byron Smith/Tank Five photo.

Old Order Distilling Co. Byron Smith/Tank Five photo.

The 101 Brewhouse + Distillery. Byron Smith/Tank Five photo.

After Dark Disillery. Byron Smith/Tank Five photo.

Shelter Point Distillery. Byron Smith/Tank Five photo.

Gillespie's Fine Spirits. Byron Smith/Tank Five photo.

Resurrection Spirits. Byron Smith/Tank Five photo.

Pacific Rim Distilling. Byron Smith/Tank Five photo.

Phillips Soda Works. Byron Smith/Tank Five photo.

Phillips Fermentorium Distilling Co. Byron Smith/Tank Five photo.

Salt Spring Shine Craft Distillery. Byron Smith/Tank Five photo.

Victoria Distillers. Byron Smith/Tank Five photo.

Lucid Spirits. Byron Smith/Tank Five photo.

Stillhead Distillery. Byron Smith/Tank Five photo.

Rootside Provisions. Byron Smith/Tank Five photo.

Tumbleweed Spirits. Byron Smith/Tank Five photo.

The Woods Spirit Company. Byron Smith/Tank Five photo.

The Alchemist publisher Gail Nugent with B.C. Distilled founder Alex Hamer. Byron Smith/Tank Five photo.

Mixers and Elixers. Byron Smith/Tank Five photo.

Legend Distilling. Byron Smith/Tank Five photo.

Long Table Distillery. Byron Smith/Tank Five photo.

Yaletown Distilling Co. Byron Smith/Tank Five photo.

Spirits were high at the fifth annual BC Distilled festival at the Croatian Cultural Centre in Vancouver on April 14, which brought together 40 artisan distilleries from around the province, including a dozen new distilleries that have opened in the last year.

Features

Business in the back, party in the front

April 3, 2018 No Comments

Distillery tasting rooms are some of the hottest cocktail bars in B.C. Here are a few to try in the Vancouver area.

The tasting room at Surrey’s Central City Brewers & Distillers is a welcoming space to sample spirits and enjoy a cocktail or two. Duncan Joseph photo.

Distillery visits aren’t just for spirits geeks—although staff (even the distillers) are usually keen to tour guests through the production line. Even micro-distilleries now offer flights, cocktails and tastings, some spiked with snacks or entertainment. More reasons to visit: You can buy bottles right from the source, including seasonal and limited releases, only-at-the-distillery products (such as collaborations with local brewers or food producers) and even cocktail accoutrements. Since many distillery tasting rooms are small, family-run affairs, call ahead or check social media for hours, especially if your group is more than a few or would like a tour.

Features

Whisky raid

March 27, 2018 No Comments

Why did BC LCLB agents seize an estimated $150,000 in whisky? And could it happen to your favourite tipple, too?

Provincial liquor inspectors remove bottles of whisky from Fets Whisky Kitchen in Vancouver. Fets Whisky Kitchen photo.

It was a scene that might have been straight out of Prohibition—were this not 2018.

On the morning of January 19, 2018, plainclothes teams of B.C. Liquor Control and Licensing Branch agents descended upon two licensed establishments in Vancouver and Nanaimo: Fets Whisky Kitchen and The Grand Hotel. Later that day, in Victoria, they visited The Union Club and Little Jumbo Cocktail Bar. What were they after? Illicit booze, grey market goods being sold as the real thing, or maybe something even more heinous?

Bar Bites

B.C.’s most spirited festival

March 24, 2018 No Comments

Clear your schedule for the BC Distilled festival.

BC Distilled is the biggest artisan and micro-distillery event in Canada and a must for anyone interested in spirits and cocktails. It is April 14 at the Croatian Cultural Centre, with a trade tasting from 2 to 4:30 pm followed by the public event, 6 to 9 pm.