The Vancouver Group Chat: What your friends are talking about this week (July 28)

Welcome back to the Vancouver Group Chat, your weekly go-to for some of the city’s hottest updates, openings, and goings on. We’re on the cusp of sunnier days again, and now is as good a time as any to start planning for them.

There’s nothing like feeling the summer sun hit your skin and knowing you have outdoor plans already solidified, or even just a couple of ideas in rotation. Avoid the back-and-forth in your group chats and consider sending these along before someone beats you to it!

Here’s what to send your pals in Vancouver this week (July 28).

What’s new, Vancouver?

Summer nights are about to get loud again

Don’t let the end of the World Cup festivities convince you that the PNE isn’t the spot to spend your wild summer nights. The venue’s popular Summer Night Concert series is back in just under a month, and it’ll take place under the Freedom Mobile Arch for the first time.

Each ticket starts at just under $50 a pop no matter who’s performing, and each one comes with full access to the PNE Fair. So it’s a great reason to get all dressed up to enjoy live music and fair food staples.

A black bear was spotted in North Van

Yup, another instance of wildlife going viral on the Vancouver Reddit page. Spotted in a quiet yard in North Vancouver, this black bear appears to trudge along until plopping himself down next to someone’s parked car.

“He wanted a taste of the figs in grandma’s tree,” explained the original poster.

While many commenters from the area recognized the bear as Frank, there were plenty of other replies along the lines of “can I pet that dawg?” It’s always funny to see how quickly people domesticate wild animals in their minds when they’re a safe distance away.

New restaurant openings

Fraser Street is getting a new Portuguese restaurant by mid-week next week called Maria Celeste, though its early preview soft opening kicks off on Wednesday, July 29. Brought to the city by Justin and Cristian Isidro, the new spot celebrates Portugal’s beloved tasca tradition, a family-run tavern/bistro experience. You’ll find all kinds of tasty, shareable dishes on the menu that’ll make your next meal out feel like an intimate family gathering.

The Moon is a whimsical new spot in Gastown for martinis and dinner that’ll open this fall, but they’re revealing their chef and culinary team members starting this week. Needless to say, our interest is piqued!

Your sign to do something random

Enjoy the final few days of July and August long weekend! You deserve it.

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