Must-see nightlife in British Columbia & The Canadian Rockies

  • Persephone Brewing Company

    British Columbia

    Welcome to one of Canada’s only farm-to-barrel microbreweries. Among numerous sustainable practices, Persephone grows its own hops at an on-site 11-acre…

  • Betty Lou's Library

    Calgary

    Betty Lou's Library won't be for everyone, but if you like feeling like you've stepped back in time to Prohibition 1920s, then you'll get a kick out of…

  • Pr%f

    Calgary

    No, that isn't a typo. Pr%f might be small but the bar is big enough to require a library ladder, and the drinks menu not only requires time, but also…

  • Brassneck Brewery

    Vancouver

    A beloved Vancouver microbrewery with a small, wood-lined tasting room. Peruse the ever-changing chalkboard of intriguing libations with names such as…

  • Exterior of Powell Street Craft Brewery

    Powell Brewery

    Vancouver

    One of the finest of Vancouver's surfeit of tasty artisan breweries, popular Powell Brewery relocated to larger premises soon after launching. The tasting…

  • Sylvia's Bar & Lounge

    Vancouver

    Part of the permanently popular Sylvia Hotel, this was Vancouver's first cocktail bar when it opened in the mid-1950s. Now a comfy, wood-lined…

  • Liberty Distillery

    Vancouver

    Gaze through internal windows at the shiny, steampunk-like booze-making equipment when you visit this handsome saloon-like tasting room. It's not all…

  • Last Chance Saloon

    Drumheller

    Last Chance is the real thing – a Western saloon from 1913, complete with bear skins, old kerosene lamps, antique photos and bullet holes in the wall…

  • Townsite Brewing

    British Columbia

    An elder statesman of BC's craft-beer scene (which means it's more than five years old), this brilliant, Belgian-focused brewery occupies a heritage post…

  • Eau Claire Distillery

    Southern Alberta

    Award-winning Eau Claire Distillery is the province's first craft distillery, using Alberta grain and custom-crafted German stills. Having taken over the…

  • Plum

    Southern Alberta

    Lethbridge is not an elegant city, but Plum may make you rethink: it's got plush velour curtains, a marble bar with dim lighting and polished copper…

  • Mario's Coffee Express

    Vancouver

    A java-lover's favorite that only downtown office workers seem to know about. You'll wake up and smell the coffee long before you make it through the door…

  • Grapes

    Banff Town

    Sporting original crown molding and dark wood paneling from its early days as a ladies' writing salon, this intimate wine bar in Banff's Fairmont makes an…

  • Drake

    Victoria

    Victoria's best tap house, this redbrick hangout has more than 30 amazing craft drafts, typically including revered BC producers Townsite, Driftwood and…

  • Daddy Cool's Public House at Mile Zero

    Haida Gwaii

    Can't go wrong at Daddy Cool's in Masset with a popular pub on one side and a quiet dining room specializing in pub grub on the other. The eating side is…

  • CrossRoads Brewing

    Northern BC

    PG's local microbrewery features an impressive taproom, allowing you to see into the production facility. There are nine standard brews plus seasonal…

  • Garrick's Head Pub

    Victoria

    A great spot to dive into BC's brilliant craft-beer scene. Pull up a seat at the long bar with its 55-plus taps – a comprehensive menu of beers from…

  • Baijiu

    Edmonton

    Baijiu is where anyone wanting great cocktails goes, but it's tough to describe the place exactly. First one thinks tiki, but it's not quite that. Then…

  • Bad Tattoo Brewing

    Okanagan Valley

    There's a 'born to be bad' attitude going on here along with some great beer. Get a flight of five brews ($10) then go for what you like. Locals are…

  • Tree Brewing Beer Institute

    Kelowna

    These guys feature tank to tap craft beer, including experimental brews in an unfiltered state. Intriguing stuff if you like checking out new tastes…

  • Mt Begbie Brewing

    British Columbia

    Head out just east of town to Mt Begbie's new tasting area and store to try the popular local brews. The Powerhouse Pale Ale and the Brave Liver, a…

  • Smithers Brewing Co

    Northern BC

    Try the local brews just off Main St at Smithers Brewing Co in the custom-made taproom with timber framing and stunning bar tops. Ten taps pour mainstay…

  • Backroads Brewing Company

    British Columbia

    Nelson's local brews from tank to tap on Baker St. Small-batch, hand-crafted ales and lagers such as the El Dorado Golden Ale and Navigator Irish Red keep…

  • Whitetooth Brewing Company

    British Columbia

    Golden's microbrewery features tank-to-tap brews and a marvelous sunny patio for those long summer evenings. Whitetooth is a hit with locals who come to…

  • Storm Crow Tavern

    Vancouver

    Knowing the difference between Narnia and Neverwhere is not a prerequisite at this brilliant Commercial Dr nerd pub. But if you do, you'll certainly make…

  • Shameful Tiki Room

    Vancouver

    This windowless snug instantly transports you to a Polynesian beach. The lighting – including glowing puffer-fish lampshades – is permanently set to dusk…

  • Kafka's

    Vancouver

    Kafka's has more MacBooks than an Apple Store courtesy of the locals who fill the tables here, silently updating their social media statuses as if their…

  • Narrow Lounge

    Vancouver

    Enter through the doorway on 3rd Ave – the red light tells you if it's open or not – then descend the graffiti-lined stairway into one of Vancouver's…

  • Backcountry Brewing

    Squamish & Around

    One of the newest micro-businesses to populate the commercial district north of Squamish, this brewery is equipped with a large tasting room designed (in…

  • Yellowhead Brewery

    Edmonton

    First things first. This isn't a pub per se. Nor is it gay per se. It's an all-welcome tasting room next door to a brewery where you can sup on Yellowhead…

  • Tofino Brewing Company

    Tofino

    Slip into this recently renovated tasting room in an industrial park and enjoy a $7 'flight' of taster suds amid the polished beer vats and au naturel…

  • Transcend Coffee

    Edmonton

    In a city where cafes producing their own micro-roasted coffee beans are few, Transcend should be treated like gold dust. Expert baristas on first-name…

  • Cavern

    Edmonton

    This industrial and candlelit small cafe is an underground bastion of good taste on in-vogue 104th St, particularly in the deli department (plates $6 to …

  • Renfrew Pub

    Vancouver Island

    Summer drinking here is all about snagging a spot on the patio alongside the wharf. On lazy days, it's hard to peel yourself away from the shimmering…

  • Whitebark Cafe

    Banff Town

    Early risers in need of their java fix should head straight to this sleek corner cafe attached to the Aspen Lodge. It's renowned among locals not only for…

  • Fernie Distillers

    British Columbia

    Fernie's distillery sits next to the old station building and produces small-batch (200 bottles per batch) hand-crafted gin and vodka. Turn up, view the…

  • Banff Ave Brewing Co

    Banff Town

    Banff Ave's sprawling 2nd-floor beer hall bustles day and night, slinging a dozen craft brews created on the premises alongside a wide range of nibbles:…

  • Marten Brewpub

    Okanagan Valley

    Vernon's popular microbrewery is right in the heart of downtown and along with its tasty beers, serves delicious food from the Naked Pig next door. The…

  • Barley Mill

    Calgary

    Built in a 1900s style, with the original distillery's lumber used for the top floor and an actual waterwheel churning outside, the Barley Mill draws…

  • Jusu

    Calgary

    Cold-pressed juice is the latest craze in Calgary. Like a meal in a bottle, it can be found in trendy cafes or at this retail store. Some flavors are…