Archie MontroseA pub is a food-serving bar or tavern that also serves as a community gathering place
A good pub is distinguished by its purpose and spirit. They are the community’s secular heart, where people of all classes and generations can meet and socialize on a similar level.
We review our top picks for pubs in the city below to help you find your next hangout spot.
How Much Do Pubs Cost in Vancouver
Before we begin, let’s make sure you don’t empty your wallet while quenching your thirst. The following is a price list for some of the entries on our list:
The Best Pubs in Vancouver
With the costs taken care of, it’s time to meet your new prospects for late-night hangouts and drinking spots. We’ve assessed these businesses based on the following criteria:
We’ve selected only the best pubs in Vancouver to give you an idea of how good these establishments can be. Enjoy a pint of your favorite ale, a plate of fish and chips, and as many tall tales as you can stomach.
1. Lions Pub
| Services | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Ambience | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Availability | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Customer Service | ★★★★★(5/5) |
We recently visited Lions Pub in Vancouver, and we were delighted by the aesthetic setting and ample space. The cozy lounges and moderate noise levels created a comfortable and inviting atmosphere.
Moreover, the reasonable pricing at Lions Pub was a pleasant surprise. Despite the casual ambiance, the quality of service was top-notch, ensuring we felt well taken care of throughout our visit.
Additionally, Lions Pub’s accessibility features, such as wheelchair access, made it convenient for all members of our group. Street parking and free Wi-Fi added to the overall ease of our experience.
Furthermore, Lions Pub is an excellent choice for groups. The best nights to visit are Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, with happy hour and full bar specials enhancing the social experience.
Although there are no discounts at the present, the overall value provided by Lions Pub compensates for this minor drawback. We highly recommend it for anyone seeking a welcoming and affordable pub experience in Vancouver.
Pros
- Aesthetic setting and space
- Reasonable pricing
- Wheelchair accessible
- Cozy lounges
- Casual
- Moderate noise
- Good for groups
- Street parking
- Free Wi-Fi
- Best nights: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
- Happy hour available
- Specials full bar
Cons
- No discounts at the present
Customer Reviews
GREAT…ATTENTIVE…VERY GOOD
“Downtown was deserted this Tuesday early evening, but this place was hopping. The empire burger was great ( but only came one way – medium well) , the seafood chowder was great, and the service was really attentive, despite the fact she was really running. The beer selection very good. Would be better if Trey listed IBUs for the beers, but not everyone does this yet.” — JOEL MINSTER (Google Reviews)
TRUE PUB STYLE
“True Pub style, pub food, pub feel, pub atmosphere! Perfect place to come watch the game and grab some grub, beer is cold, good selection, bartender is chatty and nice(Amanda) service was quick and the wings were great, don’t mistake the Curry fries poutine for Curly fries. Good stop downtown for some beers and the game, patio is a little lacking in the view department.” — STUART ZATORSKI (Google Reviews)
2. Smith’s Irish Pub
| Services | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Ambience | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Availability | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Customer Service | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
If you’re looking for a bite to eat and drinks to quench your thirst, we recommend stopping by Smith’s Irish Pub. It is located in the heart of Gastown. It closes fairly late, making it perfect for after-work hangouts.
This pub features a classic Irish setting with live music, sports, and one of the best pints of Guinness you can get. Aside from this, they also have hearty dishes for the hungry.
Their food menu includes appetizers, main dishes, burgers, salads, and many more. Most of its meals are classic Irish food like Warm Potato Salad, Beef and Guinness Stew, and a selection of pies.
For those who want something heavy, you can order the Full Irish Meal. This meal includes two fried eggs, two sausages, two pieces of peameal bacon, one serving each of black and white pudding, and fried mushrooms.
Another thing that caught our attention is their rustic and cozy lounge, where customers can indulge in a wide selection of wine and cocktails.
Moreover, Smith’s Irish Pub also has a wide variety of draught, beer, ciders, and coolers. If you’re a huge fan of these, there’s no better place for you than this one-stop shop.
If you’re planning on having a private event, you can also reserve The Forge, which is also owned by Smith’s Irish Pub. It can accommodate 60 guests and also has an outside courtyard that can hold 12 additional people.
Overall, there’s a big chance you’re going to love this pub as it provides customers with delicious meals along with a vast selection of alcoholic drinks.
Pros
- Features an Irish setting
- Wide variety of hearty meals and alcoholic drinks
- Cozy lounges
- Offers rentable venue that can accommodate up to 60 guests
Cons
- Requires booking fee and minimum bar spend when booking The Forge
- No deliveries
Customer Reviews
Excellent bartenders
“Loved my time at smiths. Tumbled upon Wednesday wine special. May I say the Jim is the best bartender in town. My Vancouver trip became extra special.” -Alina W.
Great staff
“Love the bar. Great staff too. Smiths are a proper Irish bar. Shout out to barman Jack he’s a top barman.” – Killian N.
3. Bartholomew Bar
| Services | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Ambience | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Availability | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Customer Service | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
If you prefer a more luxurious space to dine and drink, Bartholomew might be the spot for you. The interior of this establishment has tall ceilings, smooth wooden floors, well-lit areas, and modern-style seatings.
It’s not as crowded as other pubs too, making it an ideal space for clients to relax and catch up with their loved ones. They have a long-table bar and leather booths that can accommodate up to six people.
When it comes to their food menu, this business features French cuisine. Their menu consists of charcuteries, cheeses, meats, sausages, and vegetables that are perfect for those who are looking for light and healthy meals.
They also have an impressive selection of hard liquor, wine, beer, champagne, and squad shots.
Another thing we find impressive is their happy hour food and drinks. If you’re dropping by here as a wine enthusiast, then we suggest you visit from 5 to 6 pm as this is when they offer discounted cocktails and wine.
However, it does get a bit crowded here during weekdays so you may want to book a reservation. We’re not big fans of the fact that they require a $10 deposit per person, but this is refundable upon arrival.
Lastly, Bartholomew comes with a cozy and relaxing atmosphere that’s perfect for hanging out alone or with friends.
Pros
- Features a French-style dining
- Happy hour from 5-6 pm
- Accepts reservations
- Has three staple drinks
Cons
- Can get a bit crowded during weekends
- Requires a $10 deposit per person for reservations
Customer Reviews
Laid-back atmosphere and simple menu
“Place has really cool vibes inside. Comfortable to sit in, with a drink and some snacks. Or meals if youre feeling hungry. The menu is simple and straightforward, and the atmosphere lends for a laid back time. We got a Japan old fashioned a Save the Bees cocktail. Both tasted great!.” – Leo C.
Prompt service and great food and drinks
“Exceptional vibe, candle lit with great background music. Drinks were perfect and food is prepared fresh right at the bar. Service was very quick on a full Friday night. Happy hour is 5-6 and an exceptional value. Highly recommend, get reservations.” -A L.
4. Shameful Tiki Room
| Services | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Ambience | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Availability | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Customer Service | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
The Shameful Tiki Room is a tiki/tropical island theme pub with a festive and dimly-lit atmosphere worth visiting.
This pub is designed with tapas cloth from Tonga and Fiji, Tiki Carvings from Californian artisans, pufferfish lamps worldwide, and even a piece of artwork from Vancouver’s historic Waldorf hotel.
It may be a bit small compared to other pubs, but this business is decorated with fun and vibrant colors, making it the perfect place to de-stress.
When it comes to snacks, this establishment is packed with tacos, tortillas, tiki nuts, and prawn cocktails that we think are the perfect partner with beer and cocktails.
If you’re feeling a little hungry, The Shameful Tiki Room also has full meals on its menu. Most of the customers we spoke to praised the tastiness and deliciousness of their food.
Furthermore, this establishment has its own collectible shops where customers can get tiki mugs, syrups, tiki apparel, and even CDs, which we find very unique.
We especially like that they have a large selection of cocktails on their menu. You can choose from a variety of rum-based drinks, beers, and mocktails.
Another thing that caught our attention is that this pub offers a rotating selection of bottled beer and an expansive selection of rums and fine spirits. They also make exotic non-alcoholic drinks.
However, we recommend getting a reservation as this pub gets a little crowded during weekends.
On a whole, we think The Shameful Tiki Room definitely deserves a spot on our list as it gives customers a unique and enjoyable experience and a wide selection of food and drinks.
Pros
- Unique tiki design and theme
- Has their own collectible shop
- Offers a rotating selection of beer
Cons
- Can get too crowded on weekends
- Long waiting time for reservations
Customer Reviews
Excellent interior decor
“This restaurant is epic!! Amazing ambience, decor, and menu item (+ names). Highly recommend visiting with a small group of friends and sharing any of the alcohol bowls and some food. The alcohol packs a punch but you’ll have an awesome time here!.” -Flora Z.
Good atmosphere and great drinks
“Such a fun experience with lots of great rum cocktail options, really cool atmosphere, and a lovely energy..” -Katie C.
5. Hail Mary’s
| Services | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Ambience | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Availability | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Customer Service | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind pub, we recommend stopping by Hail Mary’s for an hour or two.
This establishment has happy hour every day from 5 to 7 pm, so it’s the perfect spot for hanging out and getting drinks. It also has an impressive food and drink selection.
This pub offers potato chips, deep-fried brie bites, and nachos for those who like to snack on simple finger food. We particularly like that these snacks are served with delicious dips.
However, if you’re looking for something a little heavy, we recommend looking at the burger menu. We particularly like that their food menu pairs well with the taste of their drinks.
Hail Mary’s also features ‘Holy Spirits’ drinks that are coined after religious terms such as The Exorcism, The Resurrection, Divine Intervention, and many more.
Aside from this, this business also offers draught beer and classic cocktails.
Moreover, many of the customers we’ve spoken to comment on how fantastic the atmosphere is at Hail Mary’s. However, it should be obvious by now that this pub may not exactly be for the religious and devout.
Most customers commended the great customer service that has earned this pub a good reputation in Vancouver.
Finally, Hail Mary’s has a striking and relaxing atmosphere that is ideal for hanging out alone or with friends. It is the option for those who are looking for a quiet, simple hangout spot with decent drink selections.
Pros
- Unique religious motif
- Has happy hour every day from 5 – 7 pm
- Offers delivery and takeout
Cons
- Only open until 10 PM
- Limited drink selections
Customer Reviews
Best hang-out place with detailed decor
“Every time I come to Mary’s everything is always so wonderful. So much detail goes into the decor, the food, the cocktails and the overall operation of the restaurant. There is so much community and life that takes place in this restaurant and I hope everyone gets to experience it at one point in there life. Things at Hail Marys can get very busy very fast so it’s good to always go early and have a little patience. If I could give this place 6 stars I would. If this restaurant ever leaves I’m going with it..” – Ivy P.
Exceptional service
“Fantastic atmosphere, great service from wonderful people. So much fun, in a cozy spot. Amazing burgers and delicious cocktails.” – Keagan E.
6. Malone’s Taphouse
| Services | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Ambience | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Availability | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Customer Service | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Established in 1998, Malone’s Taphouse has become one of the most established pubs in Downtown Vancouver with over 38 carefully curated craft beers on its menu.
Malone’s Taphouse has a vintage design with wooden tables and chairs, tall ceilings, and bricked walls in terms of interiors.
What we particularly like about this pub is the relaxing and inviting atmosphere it has that feels close to home. Plus, they even have live music every Thursday to Friday!
Another thing we found impressive was the expansive alcohol menu. There’s something for everyone here, whether you like beers or you are a wine enthusiast.
Malone’s Taphouse also offers cocktails, coolers, non-alcoholic drinks, and craft beer.
This pub is open until late, making it the perfect hangout spot after work.
Moreover, many of the customers we’ve spoken to comment on how delicious the food was. Malone’s Taphouse offers a wide variety of food on its menu, from heavy meals to light snacks.
In addition, they have vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-friendly meals.Their crispy cauliflower bites, beyond vegan burgers, and cauliflower, corn, and quinoa salad are among their best-selling healthy meals.
Much of its popularity as a pub is because of its retro interior design, extensive menu, and convenient location. They also have happy hour every day from 1 to 5 pm and 9 pm to closing time.
Overall, we recommend stopping by Malone’s Taphouse because of their extended happy hours and a variety of food and drinks that we think are worth returning to.
Pros
- Unique, vintage design
- Has live music
- Offers 38 different kinds of craft beers
- Offers vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-friendly meals
- Long happy hours
Cons
- Pub can get crowded especially during happy hour
- Live Music events can get noisy
Customer Reviews
Fantastic drinks and hangout place
“Visited this pub last minute and kind of random but was very pleased with their food!
I ordered pizza and tater tots with chili. Both are very tasty especially for pub food that normally very basic. There was live music as well when we went there on Friday evening. Definitely recommended for late night chill place to drink and hangout..” – Adrian J.
Wide selection of beers
“Great selection of beers and the food is good. Big open window to sit at in summer. Older building with character!.” – Russ K.
