Visiting Vancouver, BC « Thread Started on May 10, 2010, 4:41pm »
so i am flying from san antonio, tx to seattle, wa on the 26th in the am. i am planning on catching a train to vancouver, bc and staying at a hostel until the morn of the 28th. i'd be down to have a meet-up/drink if anyone might be interested. or perhaps, if someone has advice on things to do while visiting, let me know.
Re: Visiting Vancouver, BC « Reply #2 on May 10, 2010, 9:14pm »
greetings, emptyfox. i am staying at the samesun hostel on granville, i think, while im there. as for getting around, i will be using public transit. i have heard of stanley park, and will prob be doing that. i also want to cross that bridge that's like north of town.
as far as what i want to do...im really just looking to relax, people/culture watch, and if there is anything that catches my fancy, then stop on by. i know i do want to find some of that "bc bud" and veg out. i would like to do some drinks at night, but not in at "club" setting, but rather a nice pub/bar.
Ask around here and you may find what you seek of the smokeable variety... or drop me a line emptyfox@telus.net and I might be able to meet up after work on the 27th for a quick sesh, though that is packing night and I may not have any sitting around since I don't want it drying out while I'm gone and it's not trecking through the border with me. I may be able to point you in the right direction though.
As for a decent pub downtown, check out the Cambie, or Lamplighter (earlier for Lamplighter), for your more sleezy, below a hostel feel.
Joined: May 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 17 Location: VANCITY
Re: Visiting Vancouver, BC « Reply #4 on May 10, 2010, 11:40pm »
Yup, these are all great suggestions. You might want to hit up Commercial Drive as well. Great people, GREAT pubs/bars, and you can always find what you're looking for there. Anytime of day.
Joined: May 2010 Gender: Male Posts: 1,219 Location: Vancouver
Re: Visiting Vancouver, BC « Reply #6 on May 11, 2010, 7:20pm »
If you don't have sushi at least once while you're in town you're crazy. It's damn good and damn cheap. Hard to walk a city block with out passing by a sushi restaurant, too.
If you're not into clubbing, then avoid Granville street. Lots of loud and obnoxious people frequent it's many top 40 clubs. There are a couple good restaurants/bars to be had, but generally things are over priced.
If you want to go out but stay closer to the downtown area, I definitely recommend you check out Gastown. Just north and to the east a bit, it offers a much better selection of pubs. The neighborhood is a bit more rough and ready though, but I've never had any problems. The Cambie is one of my favorite spots. It's a travelers hostel with a huge bar area, they sometimes have bands but never have cover, and prices are nice and cheap. Actually I hear where you're staying has a bar with good prices too, but I've never been.
If you're willing to make a small trek away from downtown on transit, Commercial Drive (aka "The Drive") is great. The #20 bus or riding 5 minutes on the SkyTrain will take you there. Lots of nice tap houses and the vibe is much more chilled out. If you're looking for some bud I'm sure asking around this neighborhood will eventually work out for you, but the infamous pot cafes are located back in Gastown. It used to be that if you stood next to the jukebox in The Cambie for long enough (took me 20 mins the one time I tried) someone would eventually come up to you and ask how much you want. You definitely pay tourist prices, but it's an experience!
If you don't have sushi at least once while you're in town you're crazy. It's damn good and damn cheap. Hard to walk a city block with out passing by a sushi restaurant, too.
I had this exact discussion with a person at work today visiting from Edmonton. To say the least - they weren't disappointed.