Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
list. It's the first of its kind in Canada. Sake maker Masa Shiroki produces several
tipples and you can dive in for a bargain $5 three-sake tasting. A small selection of
Japanese bar snacks is also available. In summer, most drinkers sit on the little patio out
front.
This place is a good way to learn all about sake; consider a takeout bottle of your
fave. And, jumping on the locavore bandwagon, the company recently began producing
sake from rice harvested just down the road in Abbotsford.
DOCKSIDE BREWING COMPANY
BAR
(
www.docksidebrewing.com
; Granville Island Hotel, 1253 Johnston St;
11:30am-10pm;
50)
Often overshadowed by the other brewers in town (being stuck on the quiet end of
Granville Island doesn't help), Dockside's beers that are made on-site include the tasty,
hibiscus-toned Jamaican Lager. Sup on the waterfront patio for tranquil views of False
Creek's boat traffic and the mountain-backed downtown skyline - this is what beer
drinking in Vancouver should be all about.
If it's raining, stay indoors by the fireplace and sink into a leather couch. If you're
not sure which beer to have, try a six-sample tasting flight ($14). There's also a large
restaurant area - seafood recommended. Dockside has recently started offering free
brewery tours (4:30pm Thursdays) for those who reserve ahead. Tours include a food-
pairing talk with the brewer. There are no free samples, but the full range is available
for purchase after the tour.
BACKSTAGE LOUNGE
BAR
(
www.backstagelounge.com
;
1585 Johnston St; noon-2am Mon-Sat, to midnight Sun; 50)
This dark, under-the-bridge Granville Island hangout has winning patio views and live
music of the local band variety. The bar is lined with more than 20 mostly BC micro-
brew taps from the likes of Dead Frog, Steamworks and Red Truck, and there's always
a bargain $2.25 special on Tuesdays from Bowen Island Brewing. The pub-grub food
menu includes good pizzas.
This is a popular spot for those attending the nearby theaters, and there's usually live
entertainment by local bands every night.
