Here are the 10 best restaurants for happy hour in Vancouver

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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 cocktail, one food item and wine options for $10 or less. Bonus points for a patio.

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 cocktail 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 cocktails Thursdays, and all-day happy hour spritzes Sundays.

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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 cocktail 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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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 cocktail 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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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 cocktail 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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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 cocktail for $10 or under: Yes; “Happy Daiquiri Hour” features $10 “daiqs” (basil, spiced cucumber, or cherry) as well as $2 off signature cocktails.

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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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 cocktail for $10 or under: Yes, including an old-fashioned, daiquiri, or martini for $9 and a feature cocktail 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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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 cocktail 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 cocktail culture cornerstone in the city and No. 25 on a recent list of North America’s 50 Best Bars.

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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 cocktail for $10 or under: Yes, $7 cocktails 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.

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 cocktail for $10 or under: No. The closest is The Painted Spritz Cocktail, 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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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 cocktail 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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