Downtown’s The Roxy Cabaret is one of the liveliest nightclubs in Vancouver, thanks to its nightly live acts by its talented in-house band. The band’s music ranges from old hits to modern jams, and patrons are encouraged to dance, whether on the dance floor or between tables.

Furthermore, the place arranges regular themed events throughout the year to spice up the nightly experience, including a Halloween night.

We also reached out to other patrons, who said that one of the main reasons they keep returning is the cheap drinks. It’s hard not to agree with them, especially with the bar’s special: 10 shots of 4, which is enough to get the party started.

The drinks are impressively well-done as well. They don’t feature an overwhelming alcoholic aftertaste, and the combination of flavours is perfectly balanced. Customer service is also ace, with staff members regularly doing rounds to clean tables and take orders. 

However, we’ve heard reports of unsafe experiences when things get too rowdy and bouncers can’t control the crowd, so we hope they can improve on this crucial aspect.

Exceeded expectations

“I ventured from Alberta to experience Vancouver’s downtown nightlife on a Wednesday. This spot exceeded expectations, turning a midweek night into a Friday-night vibe. The staff service was top-notch, making for an unforgettable evening.”

Sithira Amaradasa, Google Review

Best place to dance with live music

“This is the best place to dance with live music, all the bands are really good and they have a good variety of songs for all tastes. The service is really friendly and they always keep the tables clean for you.

The dance floor is big enough to dance, but you can also do it between the tables. You need to come earlier because it is usually crowded after 10 pm.”

Miriam Jahel Gomez Luna, Google Review

Gallery Vancouver knows how to throw a party, with a variety of live acts, including 18+ dancers, live DJs, bands, and more. It also offers a spacious dance floor, complete with synchronized lights and sounds, which further adds to the traditional rave experience.

Our favourite thing about this place, however, is its food because it’s easily on the same level as that in fine-dining restaurants. For instance, they have different cuts of steaks, all of which are seasoned perfectly, and patrons also love ordering them because they’re suitable for sharing.

The drink selection isn’t too shabby, either, as they offer a wide array of spirits and cocktails. We especially love the latter because the bartenders here always put on a show when making them.

Although we get the exclusive ambience they’re going for, we can’t help but be dismayed by the inconvenient “hidden” location and the high prices. The former hinders you from going bar-hopping, while the latter can be a turn-off for some patrons who are just looking to party.

A fun place to hang out with friends

“I’ve been to the Gallery a number of times for events and as a performer. On a typical night, Gallery is an adult entertainment venue, but they also partner with local businesses to host Ladies Nights, concerts, and dance classes.

The club has a chill vibe. The staff are kind, pleasant and create a safe environment for the workers and performers.

There’s really no bad seat in the house, whether you’re by the stage, on the upstairs balcony, or sitting in the VIP areas.

A fun place to hang out with friends, or for bachelorettes. Definitely watch their socials for unique events and shows!”

Kelsey Primar, Google Review

The drinks and food are delicious

“An interesting place — Gallery. The atmosphere is pleasant — calm yet full of character. The staff is attentive but not intrusive, which is a big plus for me. It’s easy to forget everything here and just enjoy the moment. 

The drinks and food are delicious, making the experience even better. If you’re looking for something special to relax with friends, this is a great option.”

Галина Дмитерко, Google Review

1181 Lounge is one of Vancouver’s hidden gems. Loyal patrons recommended it to us for its wide array of entertainment, including live DJs and drag shows, both of which are free!

Regulars also highlighted the DJ’s skills, noting that they know how to blend one song into another rather than just pressing a button to cut tracks harshly. 

The nightclub is also beloved for its more intimate setting, which allows for socializing without compromising space for dancing. Furthermore, the place features a friendly, safe vibe, thanks to the welcoming staff and bouncers who are both friendly yet enforcing.

We also want to highlight the bar’s drink selection, as they’re equally affordable and tasty. They offer classics such as the Negroni and Old Fashioned, along with original signatures, like the 1181 Iced Tea.

We only wish they offered the same variety in their dishes, as their food menu is minimal.

Super safe and friendly

“Visited this spot during the Halloween bar crawl, and this was a personal favourite, the drinks were so good and the environment was super safe and friendly. The staff was amazing at giving such good mocktail options! 

The DJ was also amazing, super nice music, and blended together so well, no harsh cuts. Wish they had food too lol”

Helly Anne, Google Review

Talented performers

“Great drink menu. Warm, attractive bartenders. Talented performers. I feel like this place should be more crowded than it is. I went for a free drag show (which was fabulous) and there was space for a lot more people.”

Emery Ville, Google Review

GRETA Bar YVR immediately stood out to us because it uniquely offers a vast array of arcade machines. This offering provides an immediate blast to the past, with nostalgic songs playing in the background and retro games available to play, such as Pac-Man and Street Fighter.

At the same time, we appreciate how they cater to partygoers as well by featuring live DJs and a spacious dance floor. However, don’t expect the same high-tech lighting systems commonly found in nightclubs designed for raves, but the space still does the job.

We also spoke with regulars, and they highlighted the place’s selection of homemade street food as one of its strongest suits. It’s hard to argue with them, as the dishes here are fresh, flavourful, and great for sharing.

The same variety can also be found in their drink selection, which ranges from creatively crafted cocktails to wines and beer on tap.

Super cool bar

“Super cool bar for big groups or a cute date idea. Come early for a quieter atmosphere as the evening’s parties roll in and the house DJ starts spinning. Love the nostalgic tunes and retro game selections.”

Maria Wong, Google Review

10/10 would recommend

“The new cocktail, ‘You’re gonna need a bigger glass’, with the iced Red Bull is the bomb. The server Amy is the best of the best. Amazing and kind service, she is so fun. 10/10 would recommend Greta for a night out with friends.”

Pachva Manideep, Google Review

Biltmore Cabaret’s nightly live band performances were enough for us to include it in our review. It’s one of the best nightclubs in the city for live music, thanks to its intimate setting, which lets patrons be close to the acts while remaining on the relatively spacious dance floor.

We spoke with the regulars here as well, who said they love coming back to this place because of its lively atmosphere. They told us that this ambience is best showcased during their regular events throughout the year, such as the Halloweekend.

Meanwhile, other patrons highlighted the pinball machines as their favourite characteristic of Biltmore Cabaret. We appreciate this amenity as well, as it provides a break from the otherwise fast-paced action in the main dancefloor.

Our only gripe with this place is its limited drink and food offerings, with the former mostly consisting of beer and wine. Fortunately, this is made up for by the pub located upstairs, which features a much more varied selection.

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“Great place to see bands is a very cool little venue. The sound was pretty good, and you could move around the venue easily. Lighting was fine, and the layout is spot on. Also has retro pinball machines and a free water dispenser. 

The ticket price was a very reasonable $13, and I came to see a band called Actors here and wasn’t disappointed. I look forward to coming back.”

Chris Andrew, Google Review

Great sound, nice space, close to the action

“This place has always been a great venue to see a live show! Great sound, nice space, close to the action, room to dance, good bar with decent prices. 

The private security is kind of a bummer because they don’t really seem to understand or appreciate the organism that is a live music performance (telling people they’re standing in the wrong space, being a bit standoffish when it comes to traffic redirection of the crowd), but it’s not enough to ruin your good time. Long love the Biltmore!”

Jeff Raimondo, Google Review