vancouver |
||||||
|
at Brockton Point. These nine poles, carved by First Nations artists from across British Columbia, remain one of the province’ s most visited cultural landmarks, and are a striking reminder of the land’ s Indigenous roots. Having worked up an appetite, head next into Chinatown, just east of Downtown and one of the oldest and largest historic Chinatowns in North America.
In a city known for its outdoorsy ethos and early-to-bed tendencies, it’ s often said that Vancouver wears its nightlife with a bit more restraint than other global cities. But dig a little deeper, and pockets like Chinatown reveal a plethora of low-key lounges and characterful bars.
Vancouver’ s contemporary cocktail scene can be traced to The Keefer Bar in Chinatown. When it opened in 2010, the moody, apothecary-themed venue helped usher in a new era of nightlife. It quickly earned cult status for its just-what-thedoctor-ordered drinks list and dramatic interior— think red velvet banquettes, vintage medicine cabinets and lighting fashioned from glass test tubes. Time your visit for happy hour, from 4 to 6 p. m., when dim sum and bar snacks are half-price.
The drinks here are as carefully composed as the decor, with a cocktail list that reads like a page torn from an oldworld dispensary. Drawing on Chinese herbal traditions and West Coast botanicals, the mixologists balance medicinal flavors with a surprisingly delicate touch. Cocktails
|
feature ingredients like chrysanthemum flower, yuzu citrus, oolong tea and Nin Jiom, a traditional herbal syrup more commonly used for sore throats.
There’ s no shortage of bold statements sliding across the mirrored bar, including the notorious Durian Colada. This daring little number stars baijiu— the strong, often polarizing Chinese spirit— and a punchy whiff of durian, the famously funky Southeast Asian fruit. Pair it with a plate of siu mai: plump, steaming dumplings filled with pork or shrimp, wrapped in delicate parcels that arrive like tasty little gifts.
DAY TWO
Start your morning in Gastown. This cobblestone neighborhood is the oldest in the city, founded in 1867 by a British sailor who opened the area’ s first saloon. The streets are still lined with handsome 19thcentury brick buildings, though these days they mostly house boutiques, galleries and speakeasy-style bars.
Fuel up on coffee and a London fog croissant— infused with Earl Grey tea— at Nemesis Coffee. Nearby, the Centre of International Contemporary Art( CICA) is a slick gallery showcasing young artists, with regular talks and creative workshops. Just steps away is the Steam Clock, a unique, steam-powered timepiece built in 1977. Every 15 minutes, it theatrically lets out a whistling puff to power the chimes.
|
From left: A traditional Chinese gate at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden; Gastown steam clock Previous pages, clockwise from top left: Totem pole in Stanley Park; the International Village Globe sculpture; a swan in Stanley Park; Capilano Suspension Bridge; Brockton Point Lighthouse at Stanley Park; Vancouver Rowing Club; a grizzly bear atop Grouse Mountain; a dragon mask at the Chinese New Year Parade in Chinatown; Downtown Burrard Street |
images: getty; awl images |
|||
20 • pos t c a rds |