Beer Dens

(Also see suggestions under “Sports Bars“)

YALETOWN BREWING CO.
1111 Mainland Street – Yaletown, 604.681.2739
mjg.ca/yaletown/
Distance: 10-minute walk
This is Vancouver’s oldest “brewpub” having opened in 1984. While it’s more recently been superseded by the cool kids, YBP is still a decent place to grab a well-brewed beer, a burger and maybe even watch a game. Their red-brick patio is a welcome spot to end a day of sightseeing.

TAP & BARREL
1055 Canada Place – Coal Harbour/Convention Centre, 604.235.9827
tapandbarrel.com
Distance: 15-minute walk, 5-minute drive
Connected to the Vancouver Convention Centre, with an epic waterfront patio overlooking the North Shore Mountains, it’s hard to go past a summer post-work beer here. Along with 36 BC beers on tap, they also have 20 BC wines on tap for the non-ale drinkers you might be hanging out with. They also have locations in Olympic Village and on the North Shore.

STEAMWORKS
375 Water Street – Gastown, 604.689.2739
steamworks.com
Distance: 20-minute walk, 5-minute drive
Being right down on the waterfront, on the Gastown side of Canada Place, it would be easy to write this place off as too touristy. But Steamworks is one of the city’s first microbreweries, and they’re still producing some excellent beers. They also now have a shiny new location in Mount Pleasant.  

THE MAGNET
309 West Pender Street – Downtown/Gastown
themagnet.ca
Distance: 25-minute walk, 10-minute drive
Oh how we love this little secret place, with its 30 beers and ciders on tap, elevated pub food, natural wine list, and even some cocktails on tap. Many of the taps are from around BC, but you’ll also find some imports and a good selection of bottled specialty brews.

33 ACRES BREWING
15 West 8th Avenue – Mt. Pleasant, 604.620.4589
33acresbrewing.com
Distance: 10-minute drive
In an area that used to be known as “Brewery Creek,” 33 Acres is a great jumping-off point for exploring Mt. Pleasant’s booming craft beer scene. This is the taproom out the front of their brewery, and along with a cold one, you can enjoy a bite from their short-but-tasty casual menu. Right next door is their more intrepid sister, 33 Brewing Experiment, so check them out then set off to explore other breweries such as Brassneck Brewery, Main Street Brewing, Faculty Brewing, Electric Bicycle, R&B Brewing, and Brewhall.