Vancouver answers from a Vancouverite

[LuvCats!]

Thanks, Tweedy. :)

[snowmc]

The BC Liquor Store which is located in Harbour Centre at Cordova and Seymour Sts. about 3 blocks east of the Pan Pacific would be your best and least expensive choice. However, I should warn you that the price of wine and alcohol is quite expensive in BC. With that you may care to bring some from Idaho, you are allowed to bring 1.5 litre for each into Canada duty free.

 

We are planning to bring a few bottles with us, but have to watch the weight limits on suitcases. We also enjoy the BC wines, so hope to pick up a few before boarding. Thanks for the info on the location!

[Northender]

We are back from our Alaska b2b which included Vancouver/Victoria before the cruise.

 

I want to thank everyone here for all their suggestions, etc.

 

Cardero Restaurant was fantastic and we enjoyed Vancouver so much. Wish you were not so far away:D Once again, thanks everyone.:):)

 

Right now we are busy readjusting our time zone mental clock:eek:

[Putterdude]

We are back from our Alaska b2b which included Vancouver/Victoria before the cruise.

 

I want to thank everyone here for all their suggestions, etc.

 

Cardero Restaurant was fantastic and we enjoyed Vancouver so much. Wish you were not so far away:D Once again, thanks everyone.:):)

 

Right now we are busy readjusting our time zone mental clock:eek:

 

Glad that you had such a good time....please hurry back.:)

[LuvCats!]

Can anyone tell me if the digital Vancouver entertainment book is the same as the paper copy? And what is required/restricted with the $25.00 Fish House in Stanley Park coupon? Apparently the paper copy is sold out and I can't look at the specifics in the digital version (tells me all the coupons but I can't see the details... if it were paper at $15 or less I'd just go for it but digital is $20).

[aohkay]

Can anyone tell me if the digital Vancouver entertainment book is the same as the paper copy? And what is required/restricted with the $25.00 Fish House in Stanley Park coupon? Apparently the paper copy is sold out and I can't look at the specifics in the digital version (tells me all the coupons but I can't see the details... if it were paper at $15 or less I'd just go for it but digital is $20).

 

I called the restaurant for you; the coupons are valid Sunday - Thursday only for lunch or dinner. Must purchase 2 entrees.

[LuvCats!]

Thanks aohkay! It would be Thursday so that would work then. :) I've been kind of wanting to do the HOHO trolley but not wanting to pay the $37x2 or whatever it was so the book would make it worth it if I'm saving on both.

 

Wow.. and I just found out the special on those is $19.99 right now for a digital version which is good in Vancouver as well as many places in the states!

Edited July 5, 2012 by LuvCats!

[aohkay]

Thanks aohkay! It would be Thursday so that would work then. :) I've been kind of wanting to do the HOHO trolley but not wanting to pay the $37x2 or whatever it was so the book would make it worth it if I'm saving on both.

 

Wow.. and I just found out the special on those is $19.99 right now for a digital version which is good in Vancouver as well as many places in the states!

 

You're welcome! Don't forget to make a reservation for the restaurant!

 

http://www.fishhousestanleypark.com/

[LuvCats!]

Will do, thanks!

 

Darn the trolley doesn't have the 2 for one in July or August. Oh well I've found some things locally to use the entertainment site for.

[gdpups]

When we depart our ship at Canada Place I plan to take the Skytrain (think that's what it's called) to the airport. I see the cost is about $3.75 pp, but do I need to have Canadian $$ or can I purchase the tickets at the station using my debit or credit card? Thanks so much for all your advice!!

[Putterdude]

When we depart our ship at Canada Place I plan to take the Skytrain (think that's what it's called) to the airport. I see the cost is about $3.75 pp, but do I need to have Canadian $$ or can I purchase the tickets at the station using my debit or credit card? Thanks so much for all your advice!!

 

You will be taking the Canada Line and you want the car going to YVR/Airport station not the one going to Richmond-Brighouse station. The ticket vending machines take Canadian funds, Visa, MC and American Express credit cards as well as most US ATM cards. Your fare is a mximum of $3.75 but is discounted to $2.50 on weekends or if over age 65.

[scottbee]

When we depart our ship at Canada Place I plan to take the Skytrain (think that's what it's called) to the airport. I see the cost is about $3.75 pp, but do I need to have Canadian $$ or can I purchase the tickets at the station using my debit or credit card? Thanks so much for all your advice!!

 

takes C$ cash, plus debit and credit cards. Price is $3.75/ea ($2.50 evenings/weekends), or $2.50/1.75 if you're over 65

 

http://www.translink.ca/en/Fares-and-Passes/Single-Fares.aspx

[Sunmail]

Any suggestions for a list of 4-6 bars close to each other for a Pub Crawl or Bar Hop? Maybe a good list for a day hop and another for a night hop?

 

Also, I read on one of the posts that Granville is the party street. Can you tell me more about that?

 

We're staying a the Pan Pacific.

 

Thank you so much!! Love all the good info!

[Urban trekker]

Here goes - Granville is our main Entertainment district street - for about four blocks it is mostly pubs, bars and lounges - it was created because as the city has built more housing on the adjacent streets it didn't want those type of outlets on residental streets and starting moving all the licenses etc - there are something like 2000 liquor seats in that stretch and most will be packed on weekend nights with long lineups - the city does close off a three block section of Granville St to all traffic on weekends so the crowds can move more freely.

 

Many of the outlets are cabarets with cover charges and a young cliental - there are a good number of sports bars as well - some double as restaurants with bars attached.

 

It's an easy walk up from your hotel to the district BUT there are two other area that you might also consider - Gastown and Yaletown - two area with lots of history but a little less intimidating than Granville.

 

For the day hop your best bet would be the sports bars on Granville as they open early- some of the other locals may have some other thoughts about specific places to visit.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[Sunmail]

Perfect, thank you! We'll be there for a few days so we can probably do it all. I'll look into the other 2 areas as well.

[aohkay]

Any suggestions for a list of 4-6 bars close to each other for a Pub Crawl or Bar Hop? Maybe a good list for a day hop and another for a night hop?

 

Also, I read on one of the posts that Granville is the party street. Can you tell me more about that?

 

We're staying a the Pan Pacific.

 

Thank you so much!! Love all the good info!

 

Graville Street ain't what it used to be. I wouldn't recommend going there at all, day or night. I work in the area and it's getting creepy even during the day.

 

One or two blocks West of your hotel there's the Lion's Den http://dinehere.ca/vancouver/lions-pub. Drinks are a good price and food is generally pretty good. We go here Friday after work.

 

After that, I would head in the opposite direction (East) and walk straight past your hotel. Go about 3 blocks and on the North side of the street (water side), you'll see Rouge's. The entrance is inside the train station (to the right as you enter). http://www.roguewetbar.com/ A little more high end, but drinks and food is still reasonable.

 

When you head out, turn to your left and go in the same direction (East) about 100 paces and you'll hit Steamworks. http://www.steamworks.com/Haven't been here for a couple of years, but I remember it as good food and drinks, more of a pub style like the Lions Den.

 

At this point, you're on the edge of Gastown. If you feel like continuing, continue East and go to the Lamplighter Pub. It's about 2 blocks past Steamworks. It's very cool. http://donnellygroup.ca/locations/pubs/the-lamplighter/

 

The above pubs can be done during the day or evening.

 

I suggest to do the above pubs in the evening and hang out at Carderos during the day (if the weather is good). The view of the harbour is fantastic.

http://www.yelp.ca/biz/carderos-restaurant-and-marine-pub-vancouver-2

[Putterdude]

Within a 9 iron of the Pan Pacific, there is Mahoney and Sons in the new Trade and Convention Centre, the Elephant & Castle in the Marine Building, Rogue Kitchen & Wet Bar in Waterfront Station, Steamworks on Cordova in Gastown and the St. Regis in the 600 blk of Dunsmuir.

[aohkay]

Any suggestions for a list of 4-6 bars close to each other for a Pub Crawl or Bar Hop? Maybe a good list for a day hop and another for a night hop?

 

Also, I read on one of the posts that Granville is the party street. Can you tell me more about that?

 

We're staying a the Pan Pacific.

 

Thank you so much!! Love all the good info!

 

Yaletown is our relatively new, hip area in the old warehouse district. This area really reminds me of Seattle. Lots of brick facades and lots of young people, with and without kids. I would just take a cab to one of these pubs. They're all in walking distance of each other. Just call a cab when you want to be picked up. I would do these in the evening. The George does not open until 5 pm, the rest open at 11:00 or 11:30 am.

 

Yaletown Brewing Company: http://www.markjamesgroup.com/yaletown.html

 

The New Oxford

http://donnellygroup.ca/locations/pubs/new-oxford/

 

George

http://www.georgelounge.com/george_main.html

[Urban trekker]

We will have to agree to disagree on the state of Granville - I live a block off of it and frequent its bars, coffee shops etc on a daily basis - yes there are street people, there are three or four mental health residence and those people may look and seem creepy but they are harmless and I don't feel threatened at all.

 

PD has a good list - you might want to add the Lamplighter in the Dominion Hotel in Gastown as well - quite a bit of history in that place as I am sure PD is well aware - there was a time when it was my regular Friday night hangout back when I could afford to go out for a beer or two or three or more.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[Sunmail]

Does anyone know of any winery or brewery tours that are offered? Those tours are usually nice since they get you out of the mainstream for a while.

 

Thanks!

[Tweedy]

Graville Street ain't what it used to be. I wouldn't recommend going there at all, day or night. I work in the area and it's getting creepy even during the day.

 

One or two blocks West of your hotel there's the Lion's Den http://dinehere.ca/vancouver/lions-pub. Drinks are a good price and food is generally pretty good. We go here Friday after work.

 

After that, I would head in the opposite direction (East) and walk straight past your hotel. Go about 3 blocks and on the North side of the street (water side), you'll see Rouge's. The entrance is inside the train station (to the right as you enter). http://www.roguewetbar.com/ A little more high end, but drinks and food is still reasonable.

 

When you head out, turn to your left and go in the same direction (East) about 100 paces and you'll hit Steamworks. http://www.steamworks.com/Haven't been here for a couple of years, but I remember it as good food and drinks, more of a pub style like the Lions Den.

 

At this point, you're on the edge of Gastown. If you feel like continuing, continue East and go to the Lamplighter Pub. It's about 2 blocks past Steamworks. It's very cool. http://donnellygroup.ca/locations/pubs/the-lamplighter/

 

The above pubs can be done during the day or evening.

 

I suggest to do the above pubs in the evening and hang out at Carderos during the day (if the weather is good). The view of the harbour is fantastic.

http://www.yelp.ca/biz/carderos-restaurant-and-marine-pub-vancouver-2

 

With the pubs listed above, you could start out at Mahoney's and Sons.. http://mahonyandsons.com/ and Moose's Downunder.. http://moosesdownunder.com/

Edited July 20, 2012 by Tweedy

[Urban trekker]

Here's a list of some of the place you might want to visit along the Granville Entertainment district - these would all be opened during the day and most have food service as well.

 

The Lennox,

The Cinema,

Granville Speakeasy,

Doolins in the Comfort Inn,

The Factory,

The Moose is Loose,

Johnnie's Fox Irish Snug,

The Morrisey in the Ramada,

Wings in the Howard Johnson,

G Sport Bar,

The famous Warehouse

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[Tweedy]

Does anyone know of any winery or brewery tours that are offered? Those tours are usually nice since they get you out of the mainstream for a while.

 

Thanks!

 

If you head over to Granville Island you could go to Granville Island Brewing for a taste/tour.. http://gib.ca/about/tours-tastings/

 

When at Granville Island there is also a few spots to have a drink or two... The Sandbar.. http://www.vancouverdine.com/sandbar or Bridges.. http://www.bridgesrestaurant.com/

[Putterdude]

Does anyone know of any winery or brewery tours that are offered? Those tours are usually nice since they get you out of the mainstream for a while.

 

Thanks!

 

There are a couple of tours if you do a search for them....but I would have trouble recommending a wine tour of the Fraser Valley which is about 45 mins east of Vancouver, the wines are not that great. Our primary wine area is the southern Okanagan Valley where some excellent wine are produced....but that would require an extra day or two.

[Urban trekker]

Here's a link to reviews of some of the Granville Street drinking establishments - some are no longer in business or have changed there names - these include - Crush Lounge, Space Lounge, Yale Hotel - closed for redevelopment - Bottleneck.

 

http://www.yelp.ca/search?find_loc=Granville+Entertainment+District%2C+Vancouver%2C+BC#cflt=bars

 

Hope this further helps.

 

I will also add that Davie street - our gay district also has a number of bars in a two - three block area in case there is any interest in that.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis