Where Do Locals Eat and Drink in Vancouver?

A must for cocktails, The Keefer is a Vancouver original. Chinese apothecary-inspired ingredients are at the heart of its inventive cocktails, while its pioneering approach helped shape the city's cocktail culture and pave the way for the scene we know today. Recommended By: Grant Sceney, Creative Beverage Director, Fairmont Pacific Rim Grant's Take: "A must for cocktails, The Keefer is a Vancouver original. Chinese apothecary-inspired ingredients are at the heart of its inventive cocktails, while its pioneering approach helped shape the city's cocktail culture and pave the way for the scene we know today." Staff Quoted Picks Speakeasies and Cocktails

A nice Italian gem, hidden slightly off the main path. Located in the West End, Tavola is a casual Italian Restaurant that's warm and inviting, serving delicious house-made pastas and sauces with lots of shareable options. Recommended By: Grant Sceney, Creative Beverage Director, Fairmont Pacific Rim Grant's Take: "A nice Italian gem, hidden slightly off the main path. Located in the West End, Tavola is a casual Italian Restaurant that's warm and inviting, serving delicious house-made pastas and sauces with lots of shareable options." Staff Quoted Picks Italian

An award-winning cocktail destination and Cocktail Lab, offering innovative drinks and an immersive bar program.

This vibrant tapas bar brings a taste of Spain to the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood. ¿CóMO? Taperia nods to the classic standing-room-only tapas bars in Barcelona's Poble Sec or Madrid's La Latina quarters with a modern twist. Recommended By: Grant Sceney, Creative Beverage Director, Fairmont Pacific Rim Grant's Take: "Don't miss a visit to ¿CóMO? Taperia, a tapas bar and restaurant serving up Spanish classics like the Dry Martini as well as playful modern dishes with an extensive collection of cava by the glass." Culinary Cravings Latin American / Tapas Off the Beaten Path Michelin Guide Recommended

Located at the site of Vancouver's first jail, L'Abattoir offers French-influenced West Coast fare, innovative cocktails and an award-winning wine program. Recommended By: Grant Sceney, Creative Beverage Director, Fairmont Pacific Rim Grant's Take: "Visit L'Abattoir, located in the heart of Gastown, for their Pacific Northwest fare with a French touch complemented by craft cocktails and an inventive and electric wine list. Enjoy eating and drinking in an informed but informal setting. I highly recommend the Avocado Gimlet." Recommended by Matthew Jacobson, Head Sommelier, Fairmont Pacific Rim. Matthew's Take: "L'Abattoir has remained one of Vancouver's most compelling dining destinations. When you go in for dinner, make sure you ask for a wine recommendation from their Head Sommelier, Peter Van de Reep, who is one of BC's top Sommeliers, as well as an all around great guy." Culinary Cravings French More Top Picks, Romantic Michelin Guide Recommended

Located steps away from English Bay, España specializes in Spanish tapas in a lively yet intimate setting and is best known for their spectacular small plates and craft cocktails. I highly recommend trying their daily paellas. Recommended By: Grant Sceney, Creative Beverage Director, Fairmont Pacific Rim Staff Quoted Picks Spanish tapas — West End

Looking for the best cocktail bars and restaurants in Vancouver?

Grant Sceney knows the city’s bar scene well. He is the Creative Beverage Director at Fairmont Pacific Rim in Coal Harbour and was named World Class Canadian Bartender of the Year in 2014. In this list he shares the six places he recommends most: where he drinks, where he eats, and what to order.

His picks cover Vancouver’s best neighbourhoods. In Chinatown there’s The Keefer Bar, a cocktail pioneer known for Chinese apothecary-inspired drinks. In Gastown there’s L’Abattoir, which is Michelin Guide recommended and serves French-influenced West Coast food (order the Avocado Gimlet). For tapas there’s ¿CóMO? Taperia in Mount Pleasant, also Michelin Guide recommended, for its Dry Martini and cava by the glass, and España in the West End, steps from English Bay, for small plates and the daily paella. Tavola on Robson Street serves house-made pasta in a warm, casual room.

His own bar is the list’s sixth pick: Botanist Bar at Fairmont Pacific Rim, an award-winning cocktail bar and Cocktail Lab where Grant and his team create the drink menu. It’s open to everyone, not just hotel guests.

Where do locals eat and drink in Vancouver?

Grant Sceney, Creative Beverage Director at Fairmont Pacific Rim and 2014 World Class Canadian Bartender of the Year, recommends six spots across Vancouver’s neighbourhoods: The Keefer Bar in Chinatown, L’Abattoir in Gastown, ¿CóMO? Taperia in Mount Pleasant, España and Tavola in the West End, and Botanist Bar in Coal Harbour.

What are the best cocktail bars in Vancouver?

According to Grant Sceney, 2014 World Class Canadian Bartender of the Year and Creative Beverage Director at Fairmont Pacific Rim, the cocktail bars to visit are The Keefer Bar in Chinatown, known for Chinese apothecary-inspired cocktails, and Botanist Bar at Fairmont Pacific Rim, an award-winning bar with its own Cocktail Lab.

Where do bartenders go for drinks and dinner in Vancouver?

Grant Sceney, Creative Beverage Director at Fairmont Pacific Rim, goes to L’Abattoir in Gastown for French-influenced West Coast food and the Avocado Gimlet, and to ¿CóMO? Taperia in Mount Pleasant for Spanish tapas, a Dry Martini and cava by the glass. Both are Michelin Guide recommended.

Where can I find the best tapas in Vancouver?

Vancouver bartender Grant Sceney of Fairmont Pacific Rim recommends ¿CóMO? Taperia at 201 E 7th Ave in Mount Pleasant, a Michelin Guide recommended tapas bar inspired by Barcelona and Madrid. He also recommends España at 1118 Denman St near English Bay, known for small plates, craft cocktails and a daily paella.

What is a good date-night restaurant in Gastown, Vancouver?

Grant Sceney, Creative Beverage Director at Fairmont Pacific Rim, recommends L’Abattoir at 217 Carrall St. It is Michelin Guide recommended and sits on the site of Vancouver’s first jail. It serves French-influenced West Coast food with craft cocktails and an award-winning wine list, and his drink of choice there is the Avocado Gimlet.

Where should I eat in Vancouver’s West End?

Vancouver bartender Grant Sceney of Fairmont Pacific Rim recommends Tavola at 1829 Robson St, a casual Italian restaurant with house-made pasta and lots of dishes to share. He also recommends España at 1118 Denman St for Spanish tapas and paella near English Bay.

What is the most iconic cocktail bar in Vancouver’s Chinatown?

Grant Sceney, Creative Beverage Director at Fairmont Pacific Rim, calls The Keefer Bar at 135 Keefer St “a Vancouver original.” Its cocktails use Chinese apothecary-inspired ingredients, and it helped shape the city’s cocktail culture.

Can you visit Botanist Bar at Fairmont Pacific Rim without staying at the hotel?

Yes. Botanist Bar at 1038 Canada Place in Coal Harbour is open to the public, not just hotel guests. Grant Sceney, the hotel’s Creative Beverage Director and 2014 World Class Canadian Bartender of the Year, leads its award-winning cocktail program and Cocktail Lab.