From Sunset to Last Call: The Coolest Bars in Vancouver

When golden hour fades into a warm summer night, staying in just isn’t an option. Lucky for us, Vancouver is packed with top-tier cocktail bars, speakeasies, and clubs where you can dance until the sun comes up. Or at least until the last Skytrain rolls out.

Where are the Best Cocktail Bars in Vancouver?

The truth is, you’re never far from a cool bar in Vancouver, BC. There are world-class mixologists across every neighbourhood from Kitsilano to Commercial Drive. To help you plan your evening escapades, we’ve rounded up a list of Vancouver’s most beloved establishments for adult beverages.

Chinatown Cocktail Bars

Chinatown, Chinatown…a neighbourhood whose food and drink scene embodies flavour, innovation, and creativity. It’s a non-negotiable on any cocktail connoisseur’s itinerary, with a stop at The Keefer Bar on the top of that list. Their premier cocktail menu features housemade tinctures, premium spirits, and out-of-this-world ingredients that make for the perfect before dinner drink or evening nightcap.

Post-Keefer cocktails, head to St. Lawrence for a fine-dining experience showcasing the height of Québécois cuisine and culture. To celebrate eight-years in August, they’re offering a special four-course menu, inspired by Québec’s farm-to-table traditions and chef’s personal favourites.

For a more laid-back experience, wander down to Chickadee Room. Neon-lit ’80s-inspired decor is the backdrop for inventive cocktails that pair perfectly with bites from their sister restaurant, Juke Fried Chicken.

Cool Bars in Gastown

If you’re wandering Gastown’s cobblestone streets craving a proper drink, slip into one of the city’s most iconic speakeasies: Arcana Food & Spirits. The Pet Psychic storefront conceals a vintage-French-salon meets candlelit séance, with cocktails that pay tribute to the Major Arcana of the Tarot. Pick a card and settle in for the night below the glowing Ouija board.

For a shot of nostalgia, head down the street to Greta. With 50+ retro arcade games, it’s a chance to relive your childhood dreams one token at a time. But don’t be fooled by the casual interior. Take a break between pinball and Pacman to try one of their handcrafted cocktails.

Best Drinks Downtown

When it comes to world-class mixology, Botanist is undoubtedly at the top of that list. Tucked inside the Pacific Rim Hotel, Botanist’s cocktail program blends theatrics, whimsy, and science into every pour. Its efforts have been well-awarded, including Michelin recognition and ranking #26 on North America’s 50 Best Bars 2025. Try the ‘Raincouver’, a vodka-based cocktail topped with an edible cherry blossom cloud.

A walk down through the West End will take you to one of Vancouver’s most iconic waterfront establishments, the Sylvia Hotel. It’s home to Vancouver’s first cocktail lounge, which opened in 1954. With cozy furnishings and historic signature drinks, it’s the perfect place for a romantic date night or a patio evening with friends.

If you’re in a dancing mood, Celebrities Night Club on Davie Street is where you’ll want to end the night. It’s a high-energy, inclusive environment where everyone is welcome to let loose on the dance floor. Since opening in 1978, diverse crowds of LGBTQ+ individuals, straight people, and everyone in between have converged on the dance floor to celebrate in a judgment-free zone.

Spirits in South Granville

When it comes to cool bars in Vancouver, Grapes & Soda is one that can’t be missed. The natural wines, farm-to-table bites, and innovative cocktails are top-tier, but it’s the atmosphere that draws you in. It’s a dream date spot, where snuggling pretty much comes with the territory. There are only six seats at the bar and a handful of tables, but that’s part of what makes this spot so special.

One of the most talked about additions to the Vancouver cocktail bar scene is just down the street at Bar Asra. Drawing inspiration from around the globe, Executive Chef Kanwardeep Ahluwalia and Bar Manager Matthew Locke present share plates and a cocktail program with a wow factor. The infusion of cultures and bold flavour combinations, along with its rainforest-like atmosphere, feels fresh and unexpected. It’s easy to see why it’s quickly become one of the best cocktail bars in Vancouver.

Mixology in Mount Pleasant

Just a 30-minute walk from downtown, or a 5-minute Uber drive away, is the charming neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant. Hidden behind the façade of Zottenberg & Sons Accounting, you’ll find the 1970s-inspired speakeasy, Key Party. Walk past the filing cabinets to the back door entrance, where a red-velvet-draped lounge awaits, complete with dim lighting and the coolest vintage vibes. The house specializes in inspired original cocktails and innovative twists on ’60s and ’70s classics.

To round out our recommendations, we’ve saved one of the best cocktail bars in Vancouver for last. It’s a restaurant, yes, but the cocktails are so incredible and the atmosphere is so high that it needs to be included in our list. This oh-so-special spot is Suyo Modern Peruvian. The cocktail program is directed by Max Curzon‑Price (formerly of Botanist), with inventive creations inspired by Peruvian landscapes. A cocktail standout is the Undergrowth, a complex concoction featuring Amazonian tepache made from fermented kitchen scraps.

Take this as your sign to explore Vancouver, even when the sun has gone down. Grab a drink, play some arcade games, or dance the night away. It’s all part of getting to know this city, one cocktail at a time.