Bartenders across Vancouver are shaking, stirring and mixing it up all week for Vancouver Cocktail Week (VCW). Presented by The Alchemist, VCW is back for its second year, the festival is shining a spotlight on multi-award-winning bartenders ambassadors that contribute to Vancouver’s globally- celebrated culinary community. Running from March 6 – 11th, 2023 Vancouver Cocktail Week celebrates the vibrant, creative culture of craft cocktails and food pairings at bars and restaurants across the city.
While there are plenty of fantastic ticketed events (many of which have sold out already), one of the easiest ways to join in is to stop in for a VCW Cinq á Sept Happy Hour after work at one of the many participating bars and restaurants this week.
Cinq á Sept in the city
Based on the French concept of the “cinq à sept”—5 to 7 pm, the hours between work and home life. Swing by the participating locations below and sample VCW signature cocktails, light snacks and even entertainment. Please note, although there’s no ticket you may want to call ahead to secure a seat.
The 515 Bar
The 515 Bar is a cozy hideaway featuring soft eclectic music, whimsical architectural lighting and inviting furniture that complements the cuisine and cocktails. For Vancouver Cocktail Week, The 515 is offering three special cocktails: Gingermelon (“summer in a glass”), Island Gold (a tropical fizz) and Green Goddess (a refreshing tiki-inspired Margarita)
521 Seymour Street
Acquafarina
Step inside this lofty space and enjoy elevated modern Italian cuisine served in a refined, stylish room with an elegant cocktail bar led by one of Vancouver’s most talented bar teams.
425 West Georgia Street
Bacaro
This contemporary chic space in the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel features a dynamic menu of Venetian-inspired small plates along with an Italian wine list and cocktails that celebrate the aperitivo.
1029 West Cordova Street
Banter Room
Hanging out at the Banter Room is like having a drink at a friend’s place—your friend with the best taste, who makes the best cocktails and keeps their bar stocked with things you’ve never tried.
For Vancouver Cocktail Week, Banter Room has created the new Spring Fling cocktail, and for Cinq à Sept, enjoy Espresso Martinis and Caesar.
1039 Mainland Street
Bar Corso
This old-world Italian cicchetti (tapas) bar is the ideal social stop for everything from a quick shot of espresso to late-night grappa or amaro. The cocktail list features a wide selection of spritzes, Negronis and house-made originals.
1566 Commercial Drive
Bar Susu
Main Street’s very own natural wine bar offers inventive dishes designed to be enjoyed with delicious natural wines from the world over.
For Vancouver Cocktail Week, Bar Susu will offer a feature rum cocktail along with Kakigōri shaved ice drinks.
209 East 6th Avenue
Bayside Lounge
With world-famous English Bay as the backdrop, Bayside Lounge is Vancouver’s most cherished retro cocktail lounge, where happy hour runs from 3 to 6 pm every day.
During Vancouver Cocktail Week, Bayside Lounge is offering four special cocktails: the savoury Saltamontes, citrusy Casper, Ginteresting (made with three different gins) and Parisian in Peru (a French-accented pisco sour.)
Monday Night Trivia with Sean Amsing is a special Cocktail Edition as well as a DJ from 5 to 7 pm every day.
1755 Davie Street
Brass Fish Kitchen & Tavern
This grand yet welcoming tavern features a stylish parlour room and other creature comforts located inside of Vancouver’s iconic Marine Building on Burrard Street. The modern pub menu includes classic and contemporary dishes, a considered cocktail program and curated selection of more than 250 whiskies.
During Vancouver Cocktail Week, Brass Fish’s always amazing happy featuring select classic cocktails will be extended to 7 pm daily.
385 Burrard Street
Brasserie Coquette
Inspired by the brasseries of Paris, Coquette brings the taste of France to the heart of Kitsilano. Celebrating local suppliers and the traditions of French cuisine, Coquette serves a variety of seasonal dishes, French classics, and a petite selection of cocktails.
2685 Arbutus Street
Capo and The Spritz
The restaurant and lounge in the Opus Hotel is a tribute to all the great things Italy has to offer. Bar manager Alannah Taylor has integrated her BC roots into a selection of stunning cocktails designed to be paired with the chef’s tempting cicchetti (Venetian tapas).
For Cinq à Sept, Capo & The Spritz is featuring three cocktails, along with a spritz flight and a non-alcoholic cocktail, daily from 3 to 7 pm.
350 Davie Street
Carano
A lively, comfortable pizza joint in the Fraserhood, serving authentic pies, international wines and well-crafted original cocktails—along with a heavy dose of cheekiness.
4241 Fraser Street
Carlino
This elegant restaurant in the Shangri-La Hotel is designed to highlight BC’s bounty while staying true to Carlino’s northern Italian roots. A thoughtful cocktail list pays homage to the classics—especially Italy’s aperitivi, with their complex bittered flavours—while taking cheeky modern twists on them.
For Vancouver Cocktail Week, Carlino will offer three special cocktails: the Eclipse (made with Irish whiskey and peach wine), Sorridere (made with basil-washed gin) and an Amaro Espresso Martini.
Cinq à Sept is daily from 2:30 to 6 pm.
1115 Alberni Street
Chambar
A bustling, energizing Belgian restaurant. Bold flavours are highlighted with an extensive beer menu and creative cocktail offerings.
During Vancouver Cocktail Week, enjoy three special Cinq à Sept cocktails—Five Fathoms (amaro, chai-spiced vermouth, soda), Bamboozled (vermouth and bitters), and Komorebi (gin, citrus and herbs).
569 Beatty Street
Clough Club
Named for Gastown’s old-timey, one-armed lamp lighter, this trendy cocktail den has vintage flair and irreverent spirit.
During Vancouver Cocktail Week, Clough Club’s always amazing happy featuring select classic cocktails will be extended to 7 pm daily.
212 Abbott Street
Copperpenny Distilling Co.
Reminiscent of vintage gin parlours, but reimagined in a stylishly modern way, Copperpenny serves up classic and creative cocktails, built on their own small-batch spirits, notably the award-winning, citrus-forward Gin No. 005.
North Vancouver: 103-288 Esplanade East
Dachi
Dachi is a neighbourhood restaurant and wine bar in Hastings-Sunrise. For Vancouver Cocktail Week, expect fun wines, funky ciders, tasty sake, craft beer, and cocktails too. The food will be seasonal treats in mostly smaller sizes meant for sharing.
2297 E Hastings Street
The Diamond
The Diamond is Vancouver’s home away from home to both bartenders and cocktail connoisseurs and an industry staple created by two veterans and former Bartenders of The Year. An extensive spirit list and exceptional small-producer food menu are served up to the backdrop of live DJs who are vinyl-focused seven nights a week.
During Vancouver Cocktail Week: Happy hour will be held daily from 5 to 7:30 pm. and features four vodka-based cocktails (nutty and spicy Temptation & Sin, tropical San Juan Sour, herbaceous Cucumber Garden and the classic Martini).
6 Powell Street
Gastronomy
In the intimate space of the former Nicli Antica location on Cordova, Gastronomy Gastown fuses Italian classics with modern-day Vancouver twists for a whole new culinary experience. Its crudo bar, forno pizzas and mouthwatering mains are complemented by bar manager Stephen Sherry’s innovative custom cocktail program.
For Vancouver Cocktail Week, Sherry has created a special cocktail list inspired by the idea that apéritifs are the foundation of all great Italian cocktails. Enjoy a trio of apéritif cocktails in spritz form, elevated with infusions and fresh elements: blackberry-infused By the Old Gods, cherry-flavoured Cherrycano, and a Lambrusco Spagliato.
62 East Cordova Street
Guilt & Co.
Located in the heart of Gastown, Guilt & Company is a live music lounge that showcases some of Canada’s best musical talent seven days a week. During Vancouver Cocktail Week, happy hour runs until 7 pm. every night.
1 Alexander Street
Hanai
Located in the heart of Commercial Drive, Hanai is a modern farm to table restaurant offering delicious dishes in a family-style manner with seasonal vegetables and produce from local, organic farms. For Vancouver Cocktail Week, you can expect a lively vibe with tasty natural wines, sake and craft cocktails.
1590 Commercial Drive
Havana
Inspired by the colourful culture of Cuba, Havana Vancouver is vibrant and energetic, filled with the sounds of friends connecting and storytelling, all set to a lively playlist.
For this week Cinq à Sept runs from 3 to 5 pm and 9 pm to close, with a special cocktail flight of its three bestsellers: the Cuban Old Fashioned, Santiago and Governor Sour.
1212 Commercial Drive
Hawksworth Restaurant
Hawksworth Restaurant’s thoughtful bar program reflects the personality of their passionate bar team: nostalgic, modern and a little bit cheeky. With cocktails that run the gamut from the pre-Prohibition era to modern day.
801 West Georgia Street
Homer St. Café and Bar
Homer Street is both a beloved neighbourhood hangout and a popular destination for its cozy patio, classic rotisserie chicken and exceptional drinks program led by bar star J-S Dupuis and featuring fresh, modern riffs on classic cocktails. During cocktail week, expect plenty of Negronis and delightful snacks alongside.
898 Homer Street
Jetside Lounge at Fairmont Vancouver Airport
Set against the backdrop of the North Shore Mountains and YVR’s active runways, Jetside Lounge offers nightly live music, creative cocktails, award-winning wines, craft beers and dishes that celebrate the flavours of the Pacific Northwest. Note that guests enjoy three hours of complimentary self-parking at Vancouver International Airport.
Jetside Lounge Cinq à Sept with a signature libation for Vancouver Cocktail Week: the Barrel-Aged Nuked Negroni, available throughout beverage service in Jetside Lounge.
3111 Grant McConachie Way, Richmond
L’Abattoir
At L’Abattoir, located in the heart of Gastown, for Cinq à Sept, offered daily at the bar from 5 to 7 pm this week, bar manager David Bulters and his team have crafted feature cocktails around four key flavour profiles: chamomile, line, grapefruit and orange.
To complement these libations is a selection of Chef Lee Cooper’s a la carte menu items at 50ff. Note that bar seating is first come, first served, so arrive early to avoid disappointment.
217 Carrall Street
Maxine’s Café & Bar
Maxine’s magnificent interiors are inspired by the funky watering holes of Soho and the corner bistros of Europe. Its menu features elevated favourites, alongside a bar program of fresh, thirst-quenching spins on classic cocktails. For happy hour, expect terrific cocktails and a range of Maxine’s most popular bites.
1325 Burrard Street
Minami
Traditional Japanese flavours meet West Coast culinary techniques. Minami is known for its unique and innovative menu that unites the best of Asian and western cuisines, most notably its signature aburi oshi sushi.
During Cinq à Sept at 3 to 5 pm daily this week, enjoy a Miyazaki Bubble Tea cocktail, featuring milk-clarified mango hojicha tea, or a gin-based Hatsuhinode.
1118 Mainland Street
Mount Pleasant Vintage and Provisions
Mount Pleasant Vintage & Provisions is a neighborhood cocktail bar and wood fired grill, dressed up (or down!) as a vintage and resale thrift store.
67 West 6th Avenue
Nightingale
With Nightingale’s farm-to-table philosophy front of mind, bar manager Tim Lambden and his spirited bar team are passionate about creating inventive cocktails. Utilizing only the freshest and finest ingredients to craft original, seasonally inspired beverages, while honouring the integrity of every cocktail.
1017 West Hastings Street
Per Se Social Corner
A place to see, be seen and to get truly social. Enjoy la dolce vita with Mediterranean-inspired flavours on the plate and in the glass, in a stylishly casual but elevated setting in the heart of Yaletown.
891 Homer Street
Published on Main
Owner of a shiny new Michelin star, Published is one of the most exciting restaurants in the city. During Vancouver Cocktail Week, Published offers a feature cocktail list highlighting the elements of British Columbia’s West Coast.
3593 Main Street
Stock & Supply
Situated on the edge of historic Gastown, Stock & Supply offers guests a warm and approachable environment that showcases the best of BC flavors and hyper-local inspired craft cocktails. Join them for Cinq à Sept daily this week 3 to 6 pm and 9 to 11 pm
550 W Hastings Street
The Stock Room
Wayward, tropical island vibes meet intoxicant stockroom at this classy and cultured yet approachable secret cocktail bar tucked behind Hundy Burger. During Vancouver Cocktail Week, enjoy three feature tequila cocktails: Paloma, Margarita and Sangrita.
1144 Homer Street
Tableau Bar Bistro
French bistro meets local cool at this award-winning neighbourhood bistro located in the heart of Coal Harbour. For Cinq à Sept, stop by and enjoy cocktails made with the flavour and spirit of France.
1181 Melville Street
Uva Wine & Cocktail Bar
Located in the stylishly renovated Moda Hotel in the heart of downtown Vancouver’s cultural and entertainment district, Uva is by day a European-inspired cafe, transforming into a chic little cocktail bar after dark.
900 Seymour Street
If you want to nab a ticket to one of the official VCW events taking place at restaurants across the city, you’ll have to act fast! Visit Vancouver Cocktail Week for festival details.
There are many ways to get to each of these spots in Metro Vancouver by transit. Visit TransLink’s Trip Planner to find your way.
Comments are closed.