Nightlife in Yaletown, Vancouver: Best Bars, Clubs, & More

Written by
Dana Lynch
Dana Lynch is a travel expert specializing in the Pacific Northwest who was a lead blogger for Tourism Vancouver and a writer for CNN's Insider Guide.
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Dana Lynch

Updated 02/23/20

Yaletown in Vancouver, BC

 Ken Straiton / Getty Images

With a high concentration of celebrated chefs, fabulous bars, well-dressed patrons, and the occasional celebrity, Vancouver's Yaletown is a neighborhood home to some of the city's best nightlife and restaurants. Located along False Creek, not far from Granville Island, this is one of Vancouver's most fashionable places to live or visit.

Formerly an industrial district, the neighborhood has been completely revitalized with trendy bistros, chic apartments, and hotels like the Opus, which is consistently lauded as one of Vancouver's top hotels. Generally, Yaletown's nightlife scene is posher and less rowdy than nearby Granville Street, famous for its neon lights and party culture. Yaletown also tends to cater to a wider age range, so there's something for everyone whether you're looking for dance beats or craft cocktails.

Bars

In Yaletown, drinking is a sophisticated affair, best-suited for those looking for a night of wine-tasting, cocktail-stirring, and craft beer-sampling.

  • Opus Bar: At the Opus hotel, this super-chic nightspot is the place to see-and-be-seen. Dress to impress and make a note of the daily happy hour menu, which also lasts all day on Sundays.
  • Uva Wine & Cocktail Bar: A European-style espresso bar by day and wine bar by night, this locale is well-suited for a night of conversation over charcuterie and cheese.
  • Cactus Club Cafe: Serving up contemporary Canadian cuisine, this wine bar stays open late and even offers a happy hour menu every night after 9 p.m.
  • Yaletown Brewing Company: You can sample a taste of Vancouver's impressive brewery scene at this huge beer hall, where the drafts on tap are fresh and inventive.

Clubs

Although the next-door Granville neighborhood is better-suited to club-hopping, Yaletown still has a handful of options for those who are looking for a swankier dance hall.

  • Bar None Nightclub: This is the epitome of the Yaletown dance club, combining live music with a sleek and luxe decor.
  • Hello Goodbye: Come early for a casual night out and stay late for the dance party when the DJ gets going. Hidden through a nondescript doorway, this club's appeal strives in its speakeasy vibes.
  • The Roxy Cabaret: A connoisseur of theme nights like "Millennial Monday," and live music every night of the week, this is the place to go if you're looking to dance to something other than a DJ.

Late-Night Restaurants

If you want to save your budget for cocktails and after-dinner drinks, check out these late-night neighborhood hotspots, which typically attract the young and stylish crowd on weekends.

  • Blue Water Cafe: Acclaimed as the best seafood restaurant in Vancouver, Blue Water Cafe is a favorite among locals and the kitchen stays open until 11 p.m.
  • The Flying Pig: Open until midnight, The Flying Pig is perfect for visitors on the hunt for fresh Pacific Northwest cuisine.​
  • The Greek by Anatoli: After a night of drinking, nothing hits the spot like a big platter of Greek food, which is perfect for sharing until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
  • Mean Poutine: If you have a desperate need for carbs, this poutine outpost stays open until 4 a.m. every night of the week.

Festivals

Throughout the year, Vancouver plays host to a number of festivals, many of which are based, or at least make an appearance, in Yaletown.

Tips for Going Out in Yaletown

  • Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are banned in Vancouver, so plan to use taxis to get around.
  • Public drinking is illegal in Vancouver.
  • The center of Yaletown nightlife and dining are on Mainland and Hamilton Streets, which are packed with nightlife establishments, making it easy to hop around and try new places.
  • Yaletown is within walking distance of Downtown Vancouver and has its own Canada Line/SkyTrain rapid transit stop: the Yaletown-Roundhouse Station.
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