Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
regarded by many as antiquated. The laws
have
been relaxed, though. Until 1964, most
bars had sections reserved for men only; as recently as the 1970s, live entertainment was
prohibited in bars; and until Expo86, no alcohol could be served on Sunday unless accom-
panied by food. Today there's no smoking in Vancouver restaurants, bars, or nightclubs.
The legal drinking age varies throughout Canada. In British Columbia it is 19. Driving
drunk is a criminal offense. The provincial blood-alcohol limit is 0.08 percent.
Gastown
In the historical building The Landing,
Steamworks Brewing Co.
(375 Water St., 604/
689-2739, 11:30am-10pm daily) is the perfect place to relax with a beer from the in-house
brewery. The atmosphere is casual yet stylish, and you'll have great views across Burrard
Inlet. Down the hill is
Deighton's Well
(131 Water St., 604/669-7219), with a few tables
streetside and a quieter courtyard out back.
At the far end of Gastown, the lively
Blarney Stone
(216 Carrall St., 604/687-4322)
frequently resounds with rowdy Irish party bands. The evening crowd here is older and
often single. In the same vein, across the road is the
Irish Heather
(212 Carrall St., 604/
688-9779),renownedforitsGuinness.Thispartofdowntownalsoholdssomeofthecity's
worst bars, but the beer is cheap and the atmosphere is, well, different. The best of a
bad bunch is the
Balmoral
(159 E. Hastings, 604/681-8233), with occasional live music,
and the
Grand Union
(74 W. Hastings, 604/681-6611), where country music is blasted
throughout the day and night.
Yaletown and Granville Island
Yaletown Brewing Co.
(1111 Mainland St., 604/681-2739) is the premier drinking hole
for the hip population of Yaletown. The in-house brewery produces a variety of excellent
beers, there's a great patio, and the food is of a high standard for a pub. Also in Yaletown,
the
Opus Bar
(22 Davie St., 604/642-0557) serves up strong cocktails and imported beer
in a sizzlingly hip setting off the lobby of the Opus Hotel.
Walk back toward downtown from the Opus to
The Royal
(1029 Granville St., 604/
685-7527)tojointhethrongsofyoungbackpackersdrinkingupnightlyspecialsbeforere-
tiring to the upstairs hostel.
Doolin's Irish Pub
(654 Nelson St., 604/605-4343) dispenses
mugsofGuinnessandheartyfood(suchasploughman'slunchfor$8)dailyfrom11:30am.
The small butalways lively
Wicklow
(610Stamp'sLanding, 604/879-0821)overlooks
False Creek just east of Granville Island and a short ferry trip from Yaletown. Aside from
