Cheers: Here are the 10 best restaurants for happy hour in Vancouver (2024)

Last week we looked at some of the best happy hours in Metro Vancouver. Now we’re turning our thirsty eyes to the City of Vancouver itself.

We began by asking a few people, including local bloggers Good Life Vancouver and The Vancouverite, for suggestions. Then we drew up a checklist to winnow down the many options, beginning with happy hours that went to 6 p.m. (we even found one that goes to seven!), though we made a few exceptions to this rule.

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We also looked for at least one local craft beer on the menu and, cost-wise, at least one co*cktail, one food item and wine options for $10 or less. Bonus points for a patio.

Bar Corso

When: Sun.-Thurs. 5-6 p.m., Fri. and Sat. 4-6 p.m.

Where: 1566 Commercial Dr.

Local craft beer: No, but a bottle of Italian brand Menabrea is $7.

At least one food selection $10 or under: Yes, including the restaurant’s signature crostini for $6 a piece, although you’ll probably want to spring for three ($15) or five ($20), with toppings like Wagyu tartar, crushed chickpea and slow-roasted tomato, and eggplant with capers.

At least one co*cktail for $10 or under: Yes, an Americano (Campari, sweet vermouth, soda) and a couple of spritzes.

Wine for $10 or under: Yes. Patio.

Additional notes: This intimate Commercial Drive date-night spot also features all-day happy hour Negronis on Tuesdays, 20 per cent off of bottles of wine Wednesdays, $2 off house co*cktails Thursdays, and all-day happy hour spritzes Sundays.

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Bayside Lounge

When: 12-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 3-6 p.m. Sat. and Sun.

Where: 1755 Davie St. (upstairs).

Local craft beer option: Yes, Off the Rail IPA for $5.50.

At least one food selection $10 or under: Yes, including charred Brussels sprouts ($6), vegetarian spring rolls ($8) and grilled corn on the cob ($9).

At least one co*cktail for $10 or under: Yes, including a cosmo, a cucumber Collins, and bourbon sour for $8.

Wine for $10 or under: Yes ($7.50).

Additional notes: The Bayside is a classic retro-style lounge with a sunken circular bar and panoramic ocean view.

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Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar

When: 3-5 p.m. daily.

Where: Sutton Place Hotel, 845 Burrard St.

Local craft beer option: Yes, Moody Ales lager and pale ale ($7, 16 oz.) and a rotating tap ($9).

At least one food selection $10 or under: Yes – oysters ($2 each), olives, almonds, fries, cornbread.

At least one co*cktail for $10 or under: Yes, including a Moscow Mule and espresso martini.

Wine for $10 or under: Yes. Patio.

Additional notes: Chef Alex Chen and chef Roger Ma, Iron Chef Canada Champion 2019 and Canadian Culinary Champion 2020 respectively, oversee the kitchen of this award-winning restaurant.

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Fanny Bay Oyster Bar & Shellfish Market

When: 2-6 p.m. daily.

Where: 762 Cambie St.

Local craft beer option: Sort of — Phillips Brewing (Victoria) selections, including non-alcoholic options.

At least one food selection $10 or under: Yes, including oysters ($2 each) and truffle fries ($9).

At least one co*cktail for $10 or under: No, but a Fanny Bay Shooter is $7.

Wine for $10 or under: Yes.

Additional notes: Fanny Bay boasts of being “Vancouver’s only tide to table oyster bar and shellfish market” and was Michelin recommended in 2022.

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The Flamingo Room

When: 5-7 p.m. Wed.-Sun.

Where: 1212 Commercial Dr.

Local craft beer option: No.

At least one food selection $10 or under: Yes, including chips and dip, compressed watermelon, and tuna tostada for $5.

At least one co*cktail for $10 or under: Yes; “Happy Daiquiri Hour” features $10 “daiqs” (basil, spiced cucumber, or cherry) as well as $2 off signature co*cktails.

Wine for $10 or under: No.

Additional notes: This tropical Commercial Drive hideaway makes up for its lack of beer and wine specials with a generous 7 p.m. deadline and an unabashed appreciation of the daiquiri.

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Hawksworth Restaurant

When: 4 p.m.-late (lounge and patio only).

Where: Rosewood Hotel Georgia, 801 W. Georgia St.

Local craft beer option: No. A Peroni is $7.

At least one food selection $10 or under: Yes, but only olives and chips and dip.

At least one co*cktail for $10 or under: Yes, including an old-fashioned, daiquiri, or martini for $9 and a feature co*cktail and Negroni for $10.

Wine for $10 or under: No. Patio.

Additional notes: Hawkey Hour in this stylish downtown lounge does feature wine, but it’s higher-end at $12 a glass. Non-alcoholic options include Thai lemonade with ginger beer and Provence ice tea ($7).

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Keefer Bar

When: 4-6 p.m. Sun.-Fri.

Where: 135 Keefer St.

Local craft beer option: No, but Asahi is $6.

At least one food selection $10 or under: Yes, 50 per cent off bar snacks and dim sum.

At least one co*cktail for $10 or under: Yes, including a pineapple daiquiri, rosemary gimlet, and a few original creations.

Wine for $10 or under: Yes.

Additional notes: No Vancouver happy hour list would be complete without the Keefer, a co*cktail culture cornerstone in the city and No. 25 on a recent list of North America’s 50 Best Bars.

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Kozak

When: 2-5 p.m. daily.

Where: 1 W. Cordova St.

Local craft beer option: Yes, Four Winds Pilsner and lager.

At least one food selection $10 or under: Yes, peppers with brynza cheese, cabbage rolls, and perogies.

At least one co*cktail for $10 or under: Yes, $7 co*cktails include an espresso martini, Empress sour, and a peach Aperol spritz.

Wine for $10 or under: Yes.

Additional notes: Worth a visit for the life-size cardboard Volodymyr Zelensky in the front of house and the artfully placed Vladimir Putin images in the bathrooms.

The Painted Ship

When: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and all day Sunday.

Where: 2884 W. Broadway.

Local craft beer: No, but a couple of non-local craft beers are $5.

At least one food selection $10 or under: Yes, including corn ribs, edamame, and tacos $7-9.

At least one co*cktail for $10 or under: No. The closest is The Painted Spritz co*cktail, with tequila and St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur, for $12.

Wine for $10 or under: Yes, $9. Patio.

Additional notes: Exceptional hours, its Kitsilano location, and a name borrowed from a late ’60s Vancouver psych-garage band help put The Painted Ship on the list.

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The Parker Rooftop

When: 3-6 p.m. and all day Sunday (3-11 p.m.).

Where: The Parker Hotel, 1379 Howe St.

Local craft beer: No.

At least one food selection $10 or under: No. Small plates like mushroom arancini, sliders, and truffle fries are $12.

At least one co*cktail for $10 or under: Yes, the Parker Mule.

Wine for $10 or under: Yes. Patio.

Additional notes: Well, it’s a rooftop restaurant and lounge. You can’t expect cheap local craft beer, too.

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JOIN THE CONVERSATION: What’s your favourite Vancouver restaurant for Happy Hour? Tell us in the comments.

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