Metro Vancouver nightlife

[Sheba]

With a rich history of nightlife, Vancouver has never been 'No Fun City,' author argues

A city that was built around a saloon should never have earned the nickname "No Fun City."

So says author and historian Aaron Chapman, whose new book Vancouver After Dark takes a leisurely stroll through 100 years of the city's nightlife.

"There's always been people who have managed to get around some of the laws or simply push through them and to create what became these clubs," Chapman told The Early Edition host Stephen Quinn.

"Entertainment and bars have always been a part of the city in that way."

From bars to supper clubs, nightclubs and discotheques, Chapman says the city has always been home to a vibrant nightlife. And that goes all the way back to the aforementioned Gastown establishment, the Globe Saloon, opened by "Gassy Jack" Deighton in 1867.

...

It's been about 100 years since what we consider nightclubs first started to emerge in North America, said Chapman. Since those very early days, Vancouver has had a unique live music scene because it's well placed geographically, he said.

Even way back in the vaudeville days, he said, bands would start their tours here and work their way down the West Coast.

"When they got to Los Angeles where a lot of the booking agents and, arguably, maybe the bigger population was, the show was ready. So Vancouver got named 'Tune-up City' by that crowd and that still happens today, when you think of all the tours that start here in Vancouver," he said.

...

I wish there was more nightlife outside of downtown Van.

[Vin]

delete

[Vin]

Originally Posted by Sheba

With a rich history of nightlife, Vancouver has never been 'No Fun City,' author argues



I wish there was more nightlife outside of downtown Van.

Another example of how Vancouver used to be progressive a 100 years ago. It's part of history, cuz the City is now just a follower, and often a bad one too. It's also aptly termed a "No-fun City". Can't argue with that.

[SpongeG]

there is lots to do if you know what you like doing. The amount of big name bands if you follow that genre that play smaller venues like the Biltmore or the Rickshaw every weekend is quite impressive.

Vancouver has always been like that. Back in the 90s me and my friends would go to a different club every night, 80s night, drag night, brit-pop night, progressive house night etc. Its always been that way, one night a club is packed the next night the same club is empty cause people are into the theme and travel with it, we would see the same people week after week, it was always fun. Hard to explain to tourists or outsiders who turn up on the wrong night and the club is half full.

[Tetsuo]

Originally Posted by Sheba

I wish there was more nightlife outside of downtown Van.

Gone are the days of:
Several in New West like Mugs N Jugs, Kits I think, several on Kingsway in Burnaby (next to Tim's, one at Gilley), Fraser Arms south Van, several in Surrey, Ozone, Mirage , the one at Dell Lanes. Roosters ...


Now a days it's more focused on Craft or at least modern styled pubs.
Port Moody has the brewery St at least, and there's "PubChains" like the townhalls or JRG properties in the burbs, and for some reason "nightlife" is considered by many outside Van to be "Earls, Cactus ect" LOL

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Vin

Another example of how Vancouver used to be progressive a 100 years ago. It's part of history, cuz the City is now just a follower, and often a bad one too. It's also aptly termed a "No-fun City". Can't argue with that.

You must live a pretty depressing life, always glass half empty, no fun everything, Vancouver can do no right.

I've never had a problem with this city's nightlife. Then I grew old enough not to care anymore.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Plenty of "saloons" all around town. Can't go anywhere these days without bumping into a Colony or Storm Crow ad.

[cairnstone]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

Plenty of "saloons" all around town. Can't go anywhere these days without bumping into a Colony or Storm Crow ad.

what we have now is a very gray industry and a lot of the trendier pubs are actually a food primary and allow kids

[Migrant_Coconut]

... Who in the hell brings their kids to a pub? Besides, many of them require ID.

[djh]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

... Who in the hell brings their kids to a pub? Besides, many of them require ID.

It's pretty normal in the UK at least, and also in some other parts of Europe where pubs are common.

Pubs (literally "Public House") are not places for getting pissed and rowdy. That has become a thing. But pubs are traditionally a place to socialise (i.e., talk to people with no stupid tv screens) and have wholesome food and drink. A "pub lunch" and a "Sunday lunch" are classic British gourmet, and the whole family would go to these.

So yeah, pubs can definitely work as places for kids to hang out. If all somebody sees pubs for as pick-up joints (i.e., bars) or places to drink until belligerent, they're missing out on one of the true joys of traditional pubs.

[red-paladin]

Even Microbreweries allow children in to the drinking section these days.

[WarrenC12]

We go with kids all the time. It's not like you can leave them at home.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

You must live a pretty depressing life, always glass half empty, no fun everything, Vancouver can do no right.

I've never had a problem with this city's nightlife. Then I grew old enough not to care anymore.

Depressing life? Lol: not at all buddy.

FYI, you know that huge christmas tree the City just put up a few days ago at the Art Gallery Plaza? Guess what, 3/4 of the lights are already out of commission while those erected by the public sector are still glowing bright. Well well...... I wonder what the City has to say about that. Hey don't blame me: I'm just stating the facts.

I don't think you grew old enough not to care, I think you just grew old.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

there is lots to do if you know what you like doing. The amount of big name bands if you follow that genre that play smaller venues like the Biltmore or the Rickshaw every weekend is quite impressive.

Vancouver has always been like that. Back in the 90s me and my friends would go to a different club every night, 80s night, drag night, brit-pop night, progressive house night etc. Its always been that way, one night a club is packed the next night the same club is empty cause people are into the theme and travel with it, we would see the same people week after week, it was always fun. Hard to explain to tourists or outsiders who turn up on the wrong night and the club is half full.

It's not the quantity, but rather the quality of many of the venues that counts. We have too many old and tired-looking places. Has anyone been to the Fairview Pub on Broadway? Boy that's a depressing place!

[Aroundtheworld]

This doesn't apply to nightlife specifically but I noticed in many cities around the world, they allow small scale commercial in the middle of residential areas. It adds life to the neighbourhood and it feels alive when you can see people working at a small bookstore or having a sandwich at a small cafe.

I wish we had this in Vancouver and allowed small scale commercial in all residential areas.

[GenWhy?]

Venues that regularly host live music, that I know of and been to:

Fairview Pub
Red Gate
Biltmore
The Fox
Cascade
Toast Collective
The Lido
Rio Theatre
238 E 1st Ave
Open Studios
The Clubhouse
SBC (Closed)
Waldorf
Beaumont Studio
The Woods Studio
The Heately
Rickshaw Theatre
Imperial
Pats Pub
Memorial Jazz Space
Commodore Ballroom
Queen Eliz
Roxy
Venue
Orpheum
Fortune Sound Club
Astoria Hastings
St James Church (Rogue Folk's HQ)
The Wise Hall
Tangent Cafe
Libra Room
Penthouse (upstairs...)
Revel Room
RED
Water St Cafe
Railway Stage
The Vogue
Frankies Jazz Club
Red Accordian
Backstage Lounge
Eastside Flea usually and American Bar
Princeton Pub

off the top of my head

[GenWhy?]

On one side folks claim Vancouver has lost it "charm" (grit?) and on the other folks say it's not classy enough. Can't win and please all but you can at least support local artists and venues.

[jlousa]

You can add Revel Room and Pourhouse to that list of live music venues are those are just two places I've been to in the last week.

[GenWhy?]

Crap... forgot LanaLou's, Anza Club, Guilt & Co, Portside and probably 1/2 a dozen others and about 3 I know closed this year because they were rogue venues but amazing.

[logan5]

Originally Posted by Vin

It's not the quantity, but rather the quality of many of the venues that counts. We have too many old and tired-looking places. Has anyone been to the Fairview Pub on Broadway? Boy that's a depressing place!

You're being ageist here. Fairview is a blues bar that attracts an older crowd. It's a souped up legion basically, but what's wrong with that? The over 50 crowd likes to go out too.

I have a hard time believing that someone who champions shopping malls is any kind of authority on cutting edge night life. Curious to know what you think is a great night spot? I have a feeling you think night clubs in las Vegas are the shit. Have you ever been to a house music club or a rave party in your life?