If there was an award for best cocktails in Metro Vancouver, it’d certainly be hard to choose just one winner—but it sure would be fun to be the judge. There are more than a handful of destinations in the region to sip on an inventive cocktail, from the soulful notes of Free Bird Kitchen + Bar in Richmond to the unapologetically vibey atmosphere of Steven’s Cocktail Corner in Langley. Here are some spots to enjoy every sip-savouring minute of cocktail hour.
MEO
Chinatown’s newest cocktail bar MEO is a must-visit, where Ukrainian-born bar manager Denis Bykov creates a refreshing cocktail experience amid kitschy ‘70s aesthetics. The cocktail menu is fruit-and-vegetable forward, with drinks like the Golden Devine (Blue Agave Altos Tequila, summer peach, cacao nib, ginseng cordial, Cocchi Americano vermouth, and a peach cacao yogurt crisp) and Espresso Carrotini (Beefeater Blood Orange gin, carrot reduction, citrus peel infused nitro cold brew and carrot dust).
Address: 265 E Pender St, Vancouver
Time & Place Kitchen + Bar
Stop time at Time & Place in the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown, where a diverse cocktail menu runs the gamut from fresh and fruity to classic and herbaceous. For sweeter palates, the BC Signature Sangria or the Tropical Passionfruit Mule reigns, while classical tastes may favour the Ole Smoke Fashioned and the Swear Jar Whiskey Sour. Hammering home the spot’s regional pride is the Burnaby Buck Cocktail (whiskey, lemon juice, honey syrup, ginger beer, and a hint of basil), which we’d also be proud to sip on.
Address: 6038 McKay Ave, Burnaby
Circolo Wine Bar
Circolo brings a taste of Italy to Burnaby Heights, serving up Italian fare alongside finely crafted cocktails—and trust us when we say we want to stay there. The cocktail menu’s highlights include the citrusy Goccia di Limone (vodka, limoncello, lemon juice, triple sec, and lemon twist), classic Negronis, and Sbagliatos.
Address: 4092 Hastings St, Burnaby
El Santo
At this authentic Mexican eatery in New Westminster, top-shelf tequilas and mezcals take centre stage in creative cocktails—like the theatrical El Vicente, a barrel aged cocktail, served tableside with smoke; or La Condesa, made with La Condesa Clásica gin, epazote, lemon, sparkling wine, and palo santo smoke.
Address: 680 Columbia St, New Westminster
The Flapper Lounge
Classic cocktails feature on this speakeasy menu recalling the days of the flappers—and to make it even more authentic, they don’t even have a phone number, driving home the renegade feel of the spot (open Wednesday to Friday, from 4pm and on). They don’t fix what’s not broken, with Collinses, Old Fashioneds, Manhattans, and Mint Juleps on the menu.
Address: 759 Carnarvon St, New Westminster
The Wild Fig
At The Wild Fig in Coquitlam, West Coast flavours meet creative cocktails in contemporary digs. The spot serves up signature drinks like Wild Fig Martini on Mondays for $8, or Mojitos on Wednesdays. During happy hour (4-6pm), they’re also serving up buck-a-shuck oysters alongside their signature drinks.
Address: 405 North Rd #1, Coquitlam (Located in Executive Plaza Hotel Coquitlam)
Rocky Point Spirits
Port Moody’s coastal charm is well on display at Rocky Point Spirits, the city’s first-ever commercial distillery opened in 2020. Boasting views of the sea and mountains, the spot serves up a selection of handcrafted spirits, ready-to-drink cocktails, and made-to-order cocktails in the lounge, like the zesty Vodka Soda Fresh Squeezed, Vodka Soda Slush (Bellini, strawberry rosé) and the classic Vodka Tea.
Address: 2805 Murray St, Port Moody
Haven Kitchen + Bar
Sophistication is on tap at Haven Kitchen + Bar in Langley Township, where chic ambiance and international flavours feature alongside a killer cocktail menu. During their “Happiest Hour” (all day on Mondays, 2-5pm Wednesdays to Saturdays), we recommend going for their in-house curated cocktail menu deals, featuring the Nitro Shaft (nitrogen carbonated Absolut vanilla vodka, Baileys, Kahlua, cold brew) or their take on a Moscow Mule (Ketel One peach & orange botanical vodka, passionfruit, fresh lime juice, ginger beer, mint).
Address: 19664 64 Ave #105, Langley Twp, BC V2Y 3J6
Steven’s Cocktail Corner
This new Langley haunt is unapologetically “vibey”, featuring quirky dive-bar aesthetics with bold cocktails—like the Mom’s Drunk Again (Smirnoff vodka, Aperol, Dirty Laundry rosé, lemon, orgeat, soda). For groups who can get on the same page, you can also share pitchers for five, like the Orange Julius (six ounces of Smirnoff vodka, Galliano, Sunny D, sweet cream, lemon, tangerine, soda water) or the Godzilla (Smirnoff vodka, Beefeater gin, Captain Morgan white rum, Espolon blanco, Midori, lemon, soda).
Address: 20526 Fraser Hwy, Langley, BC V3A 4G2
Free Bird Kitchen + Bar
Soulful flavours of the American South reign at Free Bird Kitchen + Bar—and its drink menu keeps up with the schtick. Try the Bourbon Sour Cherry Lemonade and the refreshing Watermelon Sling (Cazadorez tequila blanco, Aperol, watermelon, lemon, and rosemary) alongside southern-inspired bites.
Address: 5991 Alderbridge Way, Richmond
Showshaa Modern Taproom
Indian fusion flavours and quirky modern drinks are regular fare at Showshaa Modern Taproom, which has two locations in Surrey. Cocktails like the “Delhy Belly” Caesar kick up the spice, while the refreshing Pani Puri Margarita—pani puri water (tamarind), tequila, topped with a crisp pani puri—dials up the creativity. Daily Happy Hour is from 3 to 6pm, with late-night drink deals after 10pm.
Locations: 3020 152 Street #101 and 7500 120 Street #201, Surrey
Finch & Barley
Style, drinks, and sound are on offer at Finch & Barley in North Vancouver, where a hip ambiance meets a music-forward vibe. They serve up Mediterranean-inspired pub fare paired with innovative cocktails like the Apricot Sour (brandy, whiskey, citrus, egg white) or The Cool Cuke (gin, elderflower liqueur, cucumber, mint, lime, soda) — a fitting drink to sip on while vibing to local music acts and DJs on the weekends.
Address: 250 1st St E, North Vancouver
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Article by Kristi Alexandra
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