Gastown is more than just cobblestone streets and a landmark steam clock. It’s Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood, lined with historic pubs, hidden galleries, trinket shops, cafes, boutiques, and sprawling patios that are perfect for the upcoming season. So if your goal is to roam the city and discover some new spots, consider hitting up Gastown first.
Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood
The origins of the neighbourhood as we know it can be traced back to the days of “Gassy Jack” and a single tavern, in what was then known as the City of Granville.
Today, the Lamplighter Pub stands as the oldest surviving pub in Vancouver, dating back to 1899.
According to Destination Vancouver, Gastown was officially named a National Historic Site of Canada in 2009, but its charm and offerings continue to evolve.
Rare book stores & vintage finds
If you’re looking to pick up your next read, you’re sure to find something unique in Gastown. There’s The Paper Hound, MacLeod’s, and E.C. Rare Books, all within minutes of each other. 100 per cent Indigenous-owned and operated Massy Books is also nearby. So no matter what niche topic you specialize in or want to learn more about, there’s almost certainly a book (or several) with your name on it.
Prefer to go thrifting? You’ve got plenty of secondhand and vintage consignment spots to shop. First, we say head to the Dominion Building to check out Collective Will, Once Twice, Vintique, and The Find. Then, pop into F as in Frank and Community Thrift & Vintage, because why not extend your perusing?
Other great locally-owned closets to shop include Siista Boutique, Dutil Denim, and Nettle’s Tale.
In search of the perfect gift? Out & About Boutique has a variety of apparel, ceramics, stationery, and other locally-crafted goods to choose from.
Natural wine bars
If you’re a natural wine lover, you’ve certainly come to the right place. You can enjoy a refreshing glass of local or international vino at Bar Tartare or Is That French in Blood Alley Square, and pair it with a rotating seasonal bite.
You can even find a selection of natural wines at Kozak Ukrainian Restaurant (with 40 per cent off glasses and bottles on Tuesdays), though this spot specializes in traditional Ukrainian bites like Borsch, Holubtsi Cabbage Rolls, and Nalysnyky and Varenyky.
For a cocktail or decadent dinner, it’s worth splurging at L’Abbatoir, Monarca, Ask for Luigi, PiDGiN Restaurant, among many others.
If you’re looking for more casual dining, Zenya has delicious onigiri made fresh in front of you, and Birds & The Beets is an iconic place to enjoy a breakfast sandwich, coffee, or lunch bowl.
Got a full day to spend? Start your journey at Twisted Fork for brunch, or grab some fresh pastries at one of Gastown’s many local cafes and bakeries. We’re talking fresh sourdough from Nelson the Seagull, an iced strawberry matcha from Saunter Coffee, or a whole-grain sandwich from Tommy’s (technically borders Japantown).
Those who have some work to hammer out during the day can head to spots like Revolver or Buro Coffee, which double as great people-watching spots.
The land of Irish pubs
Whether it’s a couple of rounds of ping pong at Back and Forth Bar, an art show at The Gallery George, an intimate concert at Guilt & Co., or a tarot card-reading at Arcana Spirit Lounge, Gastown is full of fun, weird, and wacky nighttime excursions. Of course, there are plenty of pubs to hit up in between — Irish or otherwise — if you’re looking for some standard night-out fun.
Blarney Stone is Vancouver’s longest-running Irish pub, and perhaps one of the most recognized in B.C. Here, pub crawlers can enjoy live music three nights a week, in addition to weekly trivia and a late-night happy hour from Sunday to Wednesday.
Stuck in line on a busier night? Head next door to Smith’s for some live music, Guinnesses, or sips from its hidden bar-within-a-bar, The Forge.
While it’s not Irish, The Cambie is another one of Vancouver’s oldest bars, established in 1897. With regular karaoke, live music, and Latin nights, this is a great place to hit up for pretty much any group gathering.
Car-free summer series
Inspired by pedestrian-first movements from around the world, Gastown Sunday Set is the perfect opportunity to explore the neighbourhood this summer. Exciting weekly activations include live DJ sets, an outdoor flower market, an open-air art crawl, and plenty of expanded patios.
So the next time you’re in the area, consider taking some time to really explore. You might just be surprised at what you find!
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