From 5pm to 7pm
Vancouver loves happy hour.
There are few North American cities that can rock the borderline between work and dinner like we can. However, the Europeans perfected it.
Vancouver Cocktail Week, now in full swing, is playing on this idea, and organizers have recruited over 30 bars across Metro Vancouver for “Cinq à Sept” happy hours, featuring specialty cocktails and entertainment.
There are no tickets to these events and they are open to the public — although some venues may recommend reservations.
Through Sunday, March 12th, these 10 bars are (in our opinion) the places to go for the best happy hour in Vancouver. A full list of participating Cinq à Sept bars can be found here.
The 515 bar
Opened in 2021, 515 Bar is something of a hidden gem. For VCW, it offers three tropical cocktails that take you from the intimate, red-hued bar to a faraway beach. Gingermelon is described as “summer in a glass,” Island Gold is a tropical fizz of sorts, and Green Goddess is a refreshing tiki-inspired margarita.
address: 521 Seymour St
joke room
For Vancouver Cocktail Week, Banter Room has created the new Spring Fling Cocktail; Meanwhile, enjoy for Cinq à Sept. The espresso martini renaissance has reached the Banter Room for Cinq à Sept. For those who prefer spicy over sweet, Caesars also has happy hour and has a special new Spring Fling cocktail just for cocktail week.
address: 1039 Mainland St
Bar Suzu
If you stop by this natural Main Street wine bar between 5pm and 7pm this week, you can order either a signature rum cocktail or one of the Kakigōri Shad Ice drinks for a morning pick-me-up.
address: 209 E 6th Ave
Bayside Lounge
Bayside Lounge on the corner of Davie Street with expansive views of English Bay goes all out for VCW. Not only does the lounge offer four specialty cocktails — the Pisco Sour Parisian in Peru with a French accent, the Ginteresting cocktail with three different gins, and the savory Saltamontes — but hosts a different DJ for Cinq a Sept each night.
address: 1755 Davie St
Capo and The Spritz
You can order a spin for Cinq à Sept at this bar in the Opus Hotel. Capo & The Spritz also offers three new cocktails and a non-alcoholic option with traditional Italian Cicchetti (small bites).
address: 350 Davie St
Karlino
Carlino at the Shangri-La Hotel has prepared three signature Italian-style cocktails for VCW: the Eclipse, made with Irish whiskey and peach wine; Sorridere, made with basil-washed gin; and an Amaro espresso martini.
address: 1115 Albernistr
The diamond
Vancouver’s Prohibition-like institution, The Diamond, is offering four vodka cocktails for VCW this year. Try the nutty-spicy Temptation & Sin, the tropical San Juan Sour or the herbaceous Cucumber Garden. There’s always the classic martini too.
address: 6 Powell St
gastronomy
This newly opened bar and restaurant was set up by Dreamteam Consulting Chef Alessandro Vianello (previously at Kitchen Table Restaurants and Wildebeest, among others) and Bar Manager Stephen Sherry (previously at Greta Bar and Uva) in the former Nicli Antica Square on Cordova.
The menu consists of a crudo bar, Forno pizzas and Italian entrees with West Coast influences. For VCW, Sherry has curated an aperitif-inspired cocktail menu with three spritzes: blackberry infused by the old gods; Cherrycano with cherry flavor; and a Lambrusco spagliato.
address: 62 East Cordova St
L’Slaughterhouse
David Bulters, Bar Manager at L’Abattoir, and his team have created a special VCW cocktail menu with flavors of chamomile, lime, grapefruit and orange. Drinks are available at a 50% discount during Cinq a Sept along with a selection of à la carte dishes from Executive Chef Lee Cooper. Available at the bar only, first come, first served.
address: 217 Carrall St
Minami
Minami in Yaletown takes one of the best drinks and turns it into a cocktail for VCW Cinq à Sept. Every day this week, guests can enjoy a Miyazaki Bubble Tea cocktail with milk-clarified mango hojicha tea or a gin-based Hatsuhinode.
address: 1118 Mainland St
