We’re not opposed to going sober here at Vancouver magazine—at least some of the time. But since the cocktail and spirits industry is about to descend on our fair city in celebration of North America’s 50 Best Bars happening on April 22 (in case you slept and missed it, The Keefer Bar and Botanist earned spots on the list last year), there’s a bevy (get it?) of incredible and very exciting bar and cocktail collaborations happening across Vancouver in the lead up.
Whet—err, should we say wet—your palates at the below activations.
Monkey Thief And Meadowlark at Chickadee Room
New York’s Pan-Asian cocktail bar Monkey Thief and Chicago’s ultra-creative speakeasy Meadowlark come together for a one-night-only takeover of Chinatown’s Chickadee Room.
Go for: Meadowlark’s Midwestern “storytelling” cocktails and seasonal themes with Monkey Thief’s Pan-Asian approach using non-traditional Asian ingredients.
Sunday, April 19, 6 p.m.
182 Keefer St.
Cantina Solmano Residency + Casa México at Chupito/Comedor
Cantina Solmano transforms Comedor into a mezcal-driven, Tulum-inspired space featuring Solmano’s expressions and ready-to-serve mezcal cocktails (a 12 percent ABV can), with tunes banging all night long. Running alongside it, Casa México at Chupito hosts a rotating lineup of guest bartenders from leading Mexican bars, celebrating contemporary cocktail culture across multiple nights.
Go for: Two distinct spaces, one connected three-day party.
April 19 to 22, from 7:30 p.m. nightly
2450 Yukon St.
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The Nightcap With The Canadylans at Ama Raw Bar
Not for those who like to be in bed early! This late-night event brings together Dylan Brentwood from Halifax’s Hux Bar and Bistro; Dylan Maloney from Toronto’s Civil Liberties and Dylan Riches from Vancouver’s own Gaia House.
Go for: A late night vibe with creative cocktails.
Sunday, April 19, 11 p.m.to 2 a.m.
3980 Fraser St.
West by North West at Good Thief
Three days, one room. Main Street casual (Michelin Bib Gourmand, mind you, and winner of the cocktail award) Vietnamese spot will be hosting Montreal’s Le Mal Necessaire on Sunday night; Calgary’s Paper Lantern on Monday night and Toronto’s Bar Banane on Tuesday, all in celebration of North America’s 50 Best Bars.
Go for: Convivial imbibing with cross-country flavours (and to see the best dang cocktails in Vancouver, according to Michelin).
Sunday, April 19 to Tuesday, April 21; 8 p.m. to midnight each night
3336 Main St.
Paradise Lost pop up at The Shameful Tiki Room
Guest Shift: Tom Liu (Thunderbolt, LA) at Ellipsis
Tom Liu of Los Angeles’ Thunderbolt (Los Angeles) leads this guest shift at Ellipsis, presenting a special cocktail menu within the Waterfall Building. Support by Fenjiu and Giffard, with on-site tastings.
Go for: Focused showcase of modern cocktail design in a stunning architectural setting.
Monday, April 20, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
205 – 1540 W 2nd Ave.
Bon Vivants at Mount Pleasant Vintage and Provisions
Bahamas’ Bon Vivants brings a cross-section of North America’s bar scene into one of our favourite retail spaces and unexpected patios for a one-night takeover.
Go for: Signature cocktails and bangin’ music.
Monday, April 20, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
67 W 6th Ave.
Casa México: Despacho Margarita and Licorería Limantour at Chupito
Oscar Valle, co-founder of Despacho Margarita and bartender at Licorería Limantour, leads this evening’s guest shift, dialling in on the flavours and aromas shaping Mexico’s contemporary cocktail scene.
Monday, April 20, 8 p.m.
2450 Yukon St.
The City That Never Sleeps: New York Takeover
With apologies to the Beastie Boys, you will get no sleep ‘til you hit little Brooklyn. Nine New York bars activate three venues in a large-scale takeover format: Sip & Guzzle, Double Chicken Please and Schmuck will take over Meo; Overstory, Bar Madonna and Martiny’s will take over Bao Bei and Employees Only, Angel’s Share and The Portrait Bar will take over Pizza Coming Soon.
Go for: A tour de New York cocktail crawl across Chinatown (by invite only, sorry!)
Monday, April 20, 9 p.m.
Meo: 265 E Pender St.
Bao Bei: 163 Keefer St.
Pizza Coming Soon: 179 E Pender St.
The After Party at Reflections: The Garden Terrace (Rosewood Hotel Georgia)
We’re taking our tops off—but not in the way you think! The Rosewood Hotel Georgia’s stunning rooftop patio, Reflections: The Garden Terrace brings together visiting bar teams for an open-air celebration.
Go for: A special evening with an even more special view.
Monday, April 20, from 9 p.m.
801 W Georgia St 4th Floor
Sora 45 at Como Taperia
Louis Nobileau and Carl Charette-Kelada of Montréal’s Sora 45 collaborate with Como Taperia’s team on a short, early-evening feature.
Go for: Casual but collaborative cocktails, super chill setting (drop in as you wish)!
Monday, April 20, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
201 E 7th Ave.
Library Bar and Mother at the Lobby Lounge and RawBar
Along this editor’s very own favourite bar to spot celebrities (among the spotted are Jackie Sandler and Justin Hartley), the Lobby Lounge and RawBar will host Toronto standouts Library Bar and Mother for an evening highlighting Canada’s dynamic cocktail culture, featuring Library Bar’s James Grant and Mother’s Massimo Zitti.
Go for: Literary-inspired cocktails and Canadian pride.
Tuesday, April 21, 3 p.m to 5 p.m.
1038 Canada Pl.
Café de Nadie at Bar Gobo
Go for: premium rum cocktails by Jimena Alva and Mapo Molano, sponsored by Ron Matusalem, along with snacks from the Bar Gobo kitchen and a soothing bath of golden sound spun by local selectors Tom Howard, Bobby Myseh and James Hearn.
237 Union St.
Ceiba, Ruby And Stone and Soil at Bagheera
One bet on King Louie and you’re in! Hiro Akutsu (Stone and Soil, previously Bar Trench) joins teams from Orlando’s Ceiba and Copenhagen’s Ruby for this guest shift, shaking up Japanese cocktails.
Go for: Sustainable, international cocktails.
Tuesday, April 21, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
518 Main St.
Clemente Bar Pop-Up at L’Abattoir
Jay Reingold and Wilmer Reyes of New York’s Clemente Bar present a curated selection of cocktails.
Go for: Artful cocktails, hospitality-forward experience.
Tuesday, April 21, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
217 Carrall St.
Bar Raval at Como Taperia
Bex Figueiredo and Hailey Burke of Toronto’s Bar Raval join Como Taperia for an evening service collaboration.
Go for: Lively, casual, accessible cocktail program.
Tuesday, April 21, from 4 to 6 p.m.
201 E 7th Ave.
Seoul’s Zest at Botanist
Grant Sceney and the Botanist team will be joined by one of Asia’s most celebrated bars: Seoul’s Zest (Do Hyung “Demie” Kim and Yongjin “Noah” Kwon ), currently ranked No. 2 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list and No. 16 on World’s 50 Best Bars list — bringing their “sustainable fine drinking” ethos to Botanist Bar with three cocktails. Guests will also have a chance to enjoy some exclusive bar bites by executive chef Hector Laguna.
Tuesday, April 21, 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
1038 Canada Pl.
East Coast Comes West at Ama Raw Bar
Ama hosts a one-night takeover featuring Angel’s Share (New York City), The Cloakroom (Montréal) and Sora 45 (Montréal), pairing cocktails with snacks like wagyu hot dogs and Montréal smoked meat.
Go for: East Coast perspective in a late-night format.
Tuesday, April 21, 9:30 p.m. ‘til late
3980 Fraser St.
Casa México After Party at Chupito
A closing celebration featuring Handshake Speakeasy, Licorería Limantour, Despacho Margarita, Bar Mauro and Form and Matter.
Go for: A celebration of Mexico’s cocktail scene with agave-based drinks.
Wednesday, April 22, from 8 p.m.
2450 Yukon St.
Bar Madonna Pop-Up at L’Abattoir
Led by Eric Madonna and Ricky Reyna, Bar Madonna gives off a modern Italian-American cocktail perspective.
Go for: Aperitivo-style gathering, New York cocktails.
Wednesday, April 22, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
217 Carrall St.
Clemente Bar Collaboration at Botanist
Set in the home of the experiential cocktail, Jay Reingold and Wilmer Reyes return to the Fairmont Pacific Rim for a daytime collaboration at Botanist.
Go for: Refined, culinary-inspired cocktails.
Wednesday, April 22, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
1038 Canada Pl.
Caribbean Cocktail Tour at The Lobby Lounge
We’re on island time, baby! Library by the Sea, Bon Vivants, and La Factoria show off Caribbean cocktails and contemporary techniques at this Vancouver waterfront locale.
Go for: Island-inspired cocktails in a polished hotel lounge.
Wednesday, April 22, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
1038 Canada Pl.
Arca and Mecenas Dinner at Botanist
A cocktail-paired dinner on the eve of Botanist chef Hector Laguna’s final service? Say no more. Arca’s José Luis Hinostroza collaborates with the lauded Vancouver chef on a six-course tasting menu.
Go for: A beautiful, leisurely (but structured) dinner with stunning cocktail pairings from Arca and Mecenas.
Thursday, April 23, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Reservations can be made online.
