Home to Vancouver’s entertainment district, the downtown core is a hotbed for nightlife. With an endless supply of funky lounges and edgy nightclubs, there’s no shortage of places to get your drink on. All of these local bars are a good choice for enjoying a cold beer among friends.
Local means something completely different to the folks at this Pender Street bar. Catering to Vancouver’s large resident population of native Australians, Moose’s offers them a taste of home. They serve favourite beers like Tooheys, Coopers and Little Creatures from Down Under and a good range of Canadian brews as well. Come here to watch Australian Rules football or rugby.
Beer-focused bars are still relatively new to the entertainment district but with the addition of The Bottleneck the concept is gaining momentum. With more than two dozen bottled beers ranging from common macros to international brands alongside smaller local brewers like Phillips and Russell, there’s something to suit every taste. Additionally, they have eight rotating taps featuring the best of the region’s craft beer scene.
The concept here has outlived several variations of the name and about as many owners: Keep it simple, keep it cheap and keep it fun. It’s one of the best places for those looking to get a beer on a budget. Everything here is bargain-priced, from the food to the booze. They have a small selection of draft beers (with a tap or two usually dedicated to local brews) and a wide variety of domestic and imported bottles.
First opening its doors to railway workers in 1931, the Railway has played host to countless musical acts over the years, including the likes of K.D. Lang and The Tragically Hip. Today they continue to maintain the decades-long tradition of hosting awesome live music and serving the coldest beer. The mellow atmosphere combined with a decent selection of taps ensures that most visitors return again and again. Be there for the sing-along on the first Monday of every month.
This pub in the heart of Downtown has been a go-to spot for traditional Irish atmosphere for years.They carry more than 20 beers on tap from local craft brews to imports from Ireland, Europe and the United States, and they proudly serve all their beers the way they were meant to be enjoyed, in 20 oz pints. With the excellent selection and fun atmosphere, this is also one of the best places in town to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day.
One of the more casual bars in the city, the Two Parrots is a traditional Canadian pub. Throughout the week they show hockey on the big screen and also feature live rock and roll and karaoke performances. The food menu delivers pub classics like nachos, wings and burgers. When it comes to beer, the selection is small but mighty, with domestic and international favourites and a few smaller local brews as well. The festive atmosphere makes this one of the better drinking spots in the core.