Vancouver is the largest city in British Columbia, home to about 700,000 people (about 2.7 million in Metro Vancouver) between the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountains. This guide covers Stanley Park, Granville Island, Gastown, SkyTrain transit, day trips and practical costs for visitors.
Vancouver nightlife spreads across Gastown cocktail bars, Chinatown clubs, Granville Street's entertainment strip and Mount Pleasant live-music rooms. Yaletown adds brewpubs and patios.
Craft cocktail bars, live music venues, brewpubs and DJ clubs.
At a glance
- Peak hours
- Thursday to Saturday, 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM
- Average drink
- Beer about CAD $8-10 (US $6-7) per pint; cocktails CAD $15-20 (US $11-14).
- Dress code
- Smart casual in bars; some clubs on Granville Street discourage athletic wear and sneakers.
- Cover charge
- British Columbia's legal drinking age is 19. A 2026 guide reports that downtown last call is about 1:00 AM, with some venues licensed later; confirm each venue's hours.
Nightlife districts
Where the action happens after dark.
Gastown
Pourhouse, Clough Club, The Diamond, Alibi Room and Guilt & Co are within a few blocks.
Best for: cocktails
Chinatown
The Keefer Bar and Fortune Sound Club.
Best for: clubbing
Granville Entertainment District
Commodore Ballroom and The Roxy Cabaret.
Best for: live music
Mount Pleasant
Biltmore Cabaret and neighbourhood bars along Main Street.
Best for: indie shows
Yaletown
Yaletown Brewing Company and lounges around Hamilton Street.
Best for: craft beer
Bars & pubs
Where locals drink.
The Keefer Bar
Cocktail bar in Chinatown with an apothecary-inspired drinks menu and late-night dim sum.
Known for: Apothecary-style cocktails and late-night dim sum
135 Keefer St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1X3
Pourhouse
Gastown bar and restaurant with a cocktail list and a vintage saloon-style room.
Known for: Classic cocktails and live music nights
162 Water St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1B3
Clough Club
Gastown cocktail bar with a vintage-themed room and a bar-snacks menu.
Known for: Craft cocktails
212 Abbott St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2K7
The Diamond
Upstairs Gastown cocktail lounge in a heritage building overlooking Maple Tree Square.
Known for: Cocktails and small plates in a heritage room
6 Powell St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1E7
Alibi Room
Gastown pub with a rotating selection of BC craft beer on tap.
Known for: BC craft beer on tap
157 Alexander St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1B8
Guilt & Co
Basement bar in Gastown with live music nightly.
Known for: Live music and cocktails
1 Alexander St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1B2
Yaletown Brewing Company
Brewpub in Yaletown serving house beers and pub-style food.
Known for: House-brewed beer and patio dining
1111 Mainland St, Vancouver, BC V6B 5P1
Clubs
For dancing into the early hours.
Fortune Sound Club
Chinatown nightclub and concert room with a multi-room sound system, hosting DJ nights and touring acts.
Cover: Cover varies by event
Hours: Event nights, doors typically 7-9pm; check event listings
The Roxy Cabaret
Granville Street live-music bar and dance club with cover bands, DJs and theme nights.
Cover: Weekend cover about CAD $10-15 after 9pm (US $7-11)
Hours: Evenings, later on Fri-Sat; verify at roxyvan.com
Live entertainment
Music, theatre, and performance venues.
Commodore Ballroom
Historic Granville Street concert hall with a sprung dance floor, hosting touring bands.
Rickshaw Theatre
700-capacity music venue on East Hastings hosting punk, metal and indie shows.
Biltmore Cabaret
Mount Pleasant live-music and club venue with a regular programme of indie and electronic shows.
Nightlife tips
Stay safe and have fun.
Bring government photo ID; the BC drinking age is 19.
SkyTrain stops running around 1:00 AM; NightBus routes and ride-hailing cover the later hours.
Granville Street's entertainment district is busiest on Friday and Saturday; keep valuables out of sight.
Check venue websites for concert doors times and ticket availability.