Style council

Yaletown’s Revolución Cigar & Fine Gifts celebrates the finer things in life

Paulo with one of his wares. Dan Toulgoet photo.

At Yaletown’s Revolución Cigar & Fine Gifts, Paul Agelidis welcomes clients from all over the world, curious to see his unique lifestyle products. Revolución is also a favourite for celebrities , including Halle Berry, Leonardo DiCaprio and Harrison Ford.

Continue Reading

Ballot Box Booze

The history of the cocktail is indelibly entwined with modern politics

J-S Dupuis, bar manager at Boulevard Kitchen and Oyster Bar. Lou Lou Childs photo.

It may not be immediately obvious, but politics and cocktails have an affinity to rival gin and vermouth.

J-S Dupuis, bar manager at Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar agrees. “The history of spirits and politics — they’ve always gone hand in hand.”

Continue Reading

Into the Fray

At The Cascade Room, Jean-Marc Dykes puts his signature twist on the cocktail menu

Jean-Marc Dykes behind the bar at The Cascade Room. Dan Toulgoet photo.

For some, inspiration comes by way of music, meditation or motivational speeches.

Jean-Marc Dykes’ unexpected light-bulb moment came in 2015, in the bowels of a tall ship while mixing drinks for friends.

Continue Reading

Pisco Fever

The South American grape brandy offers bartenders so much more than a simple sour

Katie Ingram, head bartender at L’Abbatoir. Lou Lou Childs photo.

Katie Ingram is a sucker for history. The head bartender of Gastown’s L’Abbatoir is talking pisco, the South American spirit that shows up in sours the world over, and in no time at all, she’s taken us right back to the Ice Age.

Continue Reading

Sketches of Spain

Cabrito warms up Commercial Drive with a splash of European flair

Cabrito’s Lavender Pisco. Daniel Marquardt photo

Spain was foremost in Jamie Stolar’s mind when she took over as General Manager of Vancouver tapas restaurant Cabrito. Looking to pay homage in a cocktail, Stolar let her mind drift back to sunny days spent on the Balearic island of Formentera. “The island has rosemary shrubs growing all over the place,” she recalls. “With the intense heat, all you could smell was that rosemary.”

Continue Reading

Cheers to Chinese New Year

Kris Girard, bar manager at Torafuku, makes his Quince Royale cocktail. Dan Toulgoet photo.

Gung hay fat choy! This Saturday (Jan. 28) ushers in the Year of the Rooster with bright red packages, shiny gold coins and festively fizzy cocktails.

Continue Reading

Five top cocktail trends for 2017

Van Isle Iced Tea—created by Brad Stanton and Robyn Gray, head bartenders at Prohibition—taps into several of the top cocktail trends of 2017. Viranlly Liemena photo (courtesy of Prohibition).

Well, thank goodness that’s over. This past year was enough to drive a person to drink. Luckily, the city’s best bartenders know just what we’re craving right now and in the year ahead. Here are the top-five cocktail trends they say we’ll be enjoying in 2017. Cheers!

Continue Reading

Winter Warmers

Justin Taylor, of the Cascade Room, concocts a hot buttered rum. Dan Toulgoet photo.

Brrrr – it’s chilly out there. Must be toddy time. With the mercury plunging below zero these past few weeks, Vancouver’s bartenders have been brewing up pots and pots of toddies, mulled ciders and other steamy beverages. Open the door to just about any drinking establishment – from the pop-up Winter Terrace at Reflections (in the Rosewood Hotel Georgia) to Juniper Kitchen & Bar in Gastown – and you’ll be greeted by the seasonal aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. And this is especially true at the Cascade Room on Main Street.

Continue Reading

Vancouver bartenders share their top cool-weather cocktails

We launch our new weekly cocktail column, The Alchemist, with the hottest drinks of the season

L’Abattoir head bartender Katie Ingram shakes up a Donner & Blitzen. Dan Toulgoet photo.

What’s the best way to get into the festive spirit? Why, with some festive spirits, of course.

All over Vancouver, the city’s best bartenders are shaking, stirring and mulling the best seasonal flavours into cocktails designed to warm body and soul. And truly, can you think of a better way to bring this cold, dreary year to a close?

Continue Reading