The Alibi Room is a mainstay in Gastown, having been around since 2006 and being known for its myriad of beers & taps. Although we’re not huge beer guys, we’d be lying if we said that seeing ice-cold beer being perfectly poured into pints by their bartenders didn’t tantalise us.

We also interviewed patrons of Alibi Room, and they told us how much they loved the bar’s house-blend pale ales and lagers. They highlighted the former as being ridiculously smooth and the latter as being perfectly crisp.

We were also pleased to discover their vast array of cocktails, mocktails, shots, and even wines. For cocktails specifically, they offer classics like mojitos and whisky sours, as well as “modern classics” such as espresso martinis and tijuana mules.

Lastly, we recommend Alibi Room because they offer a full menu of filling meals, not just bar chows. This consists of burgers, wings, and fries, and we personally love their serving sizes and authentic Western flavours.

The only thing lacking is entertainment, as the place doesn’t feature live music or a DJ.

Pretty chill spot

“Great atmosphere, selection of beers, music and cocktails. The service was quick and personable. Pouya is a really nice guy! Will be back as it is a pretty chill spot in the old part of Gastown. Speakeasy vibes.”

– Thomas Azevedo, Google Review

Everything was absolutely amazing!

“We came to the Halloween party downstairs at Alibi Room last night and everything was absolutely amazing! The atmosphere was fun and energetic, and the whole service team was super attentive to every detail. 

We ordered a few cocktails along with Alibi’s incredible French fries — seriously, one of the best I’ve ever had! Everyone in our group loved their drinks, crafted perfectly by the talented bartender.

A special thanks to Pouya, our energetic server, who made our night even better and turned this visit into such a great experience. We’re already looking forward to coming back soon — highly recommend this place!”

– Ethan Miller, Google Review

We were immediately captivated by The Keefer Bar for its Chinese medicinal theme, beautiful wooden decor, and hanging lights. Furthermore, the bar is labelled “Medical Centre”, and their cocktails are referred to as prescriptions.

Gimmicks aside, their drinks taste exceptional and feature a perfect balance that doesn’t let the alcohol disrupt the flavour. We’ve tried their “alumni prescriptions”, and they haven’t missed yet, featuring unique ingredients like dragonfruit, grilled pineapples, Japanese whisky, etc.

Our favourite thing about this bar, however, is its variety of authentic Chinese food. Their spring rolls, steamed buns, and siu mai are some of our favourites, but we think you can’t go wrong with any of them, as they’re homemade and use fresh ingredients.

The place also features nightly live music, which adds to the bar’s atmosphere. For instance, they feature live DJs, solo acts, and bands of different genres.

Our only gripe is that it’s hard to go here spontaneously, as reservations are required, especially for large groups.

Expertly crafted with great attention to detail

“This long-standing bar has built a solid reputation over the years, and it’s easy to see why. Every cocktail on the menu is expertly crafted with great attention to detail, delivering both excellent flavour and balance in every sip. 

The atmosphere is vibrant and inviting—perfect for unwinding with friends or enjoying a night out—and the staff are warm, attentive, and genuinely hospitable, making the whole experience feel special from start to finish.”

– Foodie Vancouver, Google Review

Love the old school medical vibe

“Didn’t have a chance to try the food, but came for the happy hour drinks. Love the old school medical vibe inside. Great service from friendly staff. Drinks were delicious and great prices for happy hour!”

– Maria Wong, Google Review

Bagheera is a hidden gem in every sense of the word. Aside from not being more well-known, it lies behind the facade of a horse-betting centre, where you have to place your bets on a specific horse to enter the bar itself.

We love visiting this speakeasy bar for its cosiness, with its dimly-lit interior and equestrian-inspired decorations. Some of our interviewees didn’t like that it didn’t feature live music, but personally, we think this place is great for conversations or intimate date nights.

During our talks with the bar’s loyal patrons, they told us they love this place for its creatively named and concocted drinks. For instance, they offer a drink named “The Way Through The Woods”, which consists of Black Label, blackberry, pine needle tea, and local honey.

They also offer a wide array of spirits, ranging from Japanese whisky to classic gin, single malts, etc.

The food is spectacular as well, featuring Indian favourites such as naan and curry. However, we do wish that they could be more generous with their serving sizes.

Worth the visit

“Such a unique experience. Getting into it alone makes it worthwhile. Then you get hit with the aesthetics—the decor is quite something. Just having a drink and spending time looking around is worth the visit. 

Then it’s the service, everyone was wonderful, and the bartenders were super professional. We stayed for the happy hour. Cocktails were delicious, and the pakoras did not disappoint. I will definitely want to come back.”

– George Fircian, Google Review

Everything was fascinating

“Bagheera is now in my top three speakeasy bars you must try in Canada. From the entrance experience to the décor and the incredible attention to detail in the menu, everything was fascinating. 

Each cocktail we tried was so thoughtfully crafted and started off strong, but my favourite was the Camel. I already know I’ll miss it when I’m back in Toronto. Truly a piece of art, and absolutely not to be missed.”

– Feriyal Hallajarani, Google Review

Grapes and Soda is one of the best bars in Vancouver for more conversation-heavy friend gatherings or dates due to its cosy and intimate setting. With that said, we recommend reserving a table, as walk-ins may be hard because of the limited seating.

Spaces aside, we love the overall cosy and welcoming vibe it gives off, with its warm light fixtures and wooden motifs. It certainly makes drinking here that much more pleasant, especially with their unique cocktails.

One sentiment we shared with our respondents was how well-made and easy to digest the drinks here were. We tried the Big Jet Plane, a mix of bourbon, grapefruit syrup, Aperol, and egg whites, and we liked how flavourful it was.

We also appreciated the kind customer service provided by their bartenders and staff members. The menu overwhelmed us during our first visit, and they didn’t hesitate to help us find our preferences so they could recommend the right drink.

Both creative and full of flavour

“This bar has officially made it to my list of favourites. We stopped by last night for a drink and dessert, and it did not disappoint. 

The warm chocolate cookie with roasted coconut ice cream was absolutely delicious, and my cocktail was both creative and full of flavour. I also tried my husband’s featured soda cocktail, which was refreshing and perfectly balanced.

We’ll definitely be back, especially since the featured cocktails change often. The selection of scotches, whiskeys, gin, and other spirits is impressive, and the service was warm and welcoming. A great spot all around!”

– Gloria Lombardi, Google Review

Tasty, wonderful, and went down super smoothly

“I thought the space was super cool when walking in. It was cozy and such a nice vibe. I only got one drink, but I thought it was pretty nice. I heard it is what they are known for. I got the bottled Soda cocktail. 

It was tasty and flavourful, and it went down super smoothly! When I come back to Vancouver and want a place for a drink, I’ll be sure to visit again!”

– Emily Liu, Google Review

Mount Pleasant Vintage & Provisions is one of our go-tos when we’re looking for a more laid-back drinking session. It’s a bar disguised as a brunch spot, with beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows, wooden interior decor, and exposed ceilings.

It doesn’t offer live music, but it rarely plays anything that isn’t a bop. Furthermore, it allows for easy conversing.

The main star here, however, is the drink selection. We were initially caught off guard when we first visited this place, as we saw a drink called “Ur Mom Goes to College”, which we later discovered is a zesty drink consisting of Mexican aperitif, balsamic and hibiscus.

We also found their slushies interesting, more particularly, the Cadillac Mezcalita, which is a concoction of solmano mezcal, orange, lime, and vanilla.

The variety of food here is impressive as well, as they offer small plates such as chips and prawns, as well as large plates like their famous Carolina BBQ pork tenderloin. Most of our interviewees stated that they like ordering large plates to share with the whole table.

The drinks were creative and delicious

“Perfect Spot for a Summer Day! What a great place to spend a sunny afternoon! There are tons of spaces both indoors and out, with beautiful views and a dog-friendly patio that’s perfect for any group size. 

The drinks were creative and delicious, and the menu had something for everyone — all at really affordable prices. I loved the aesthetic, especially the vintage pieces for sale throughout the space. Can’t wait to come back!”

– Y Z, Google Review

Full of charm

“First time here, and what a great find! “Hidden” behind the entrance of a classic house, this beautifully decorated bar/restaurant is full of charm. 

The aroma of smoked meat hits you the moment you walk in, so of course, we had to try a few items on the menu. The pastrami was phenomenal! Service was very good, and the prices were fair considering the quality.

New favourite spot in town!”

– Gloria Lombardi, Google Review