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1181

The Davie Village is still dominated by low-design, beer-stained institutions, but 1181 is a shining beacon of finesse. It can feel run over by a set of micro-groomed Abercrombie-zombies, but don’t let that keep you from enjoying the peerless layout: cork-lined walls and polished concrete floors wrap around to a gorgeous unisex bathroom and a cluster of ottomans beneath a wall-sized video display.

900 West Lounge

Opulent chandeliers, elegant furniture, and soft jazz set the scene for the Hotel Vancouver’s posh and petite lobby bar. Crowd Travelling sophisticates and clever locals on first dates Go for Top-notch service and careful attention to detail Hours 11:30 a.m.-midnight Sun-Thurs, 11:30 a.m.-1 a.m. Fri-Sat

AfterGLOW

This sultry, red-hued lounge is the perfect place to flirt over dishes from a small-plates menu that’s meant to be shared Crowd Yaletowners fresh from yoga. They’re beautiful and they know it Drink to try The fruity, flavourful Hawaiian Punch Martini  Hours 5 p.m.-1 a.m. Mon-Sat

Au Bar

The dance floor may be miniature, but VIP areas are lavish, attracting a moneyed crew that comes to exchange furtive glances over pricey drinks. The strict dress code is in
effect at all times Crowd Label flaunters Music Hip-hop, R&B, Top 40 Night to go Thursday is International Night, with $3.70 highballs, tequila shooters, and Latin-flavoured beats Hours 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Thurs, 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Fri-Sat

Bacchus Piano Lounge

In the Wedgewood’s cosy lounge, cherrywood panelling and heavy gold and burgundy fabrics recall a gentler era, as do the tinkling pianist and the manicured wait-staff Crowd Lawyers and judges from the nearby courthouse, Howe Street playboys Go for Post-work drinks, when the lounge roars with power brokers striking deals over glasses of 12-year-old Cragganmore Scotch Hours 11:30 a.m.-midnight Sun-Wed, 11:30 a.m.-1 a.m. Thurs-Sat

Backstage Lounge

Located under the Granville Street Bridge and next to the Arts Club Theatre, Backstage’s breezy outdoor patio is filled with quieter folk enjoying the lights of False Creek; the indoor lounge, tended by sometimes absent-minded servers, offers up live music over nachos and beer Crowd Theatregoers grabbing a pre- or post-show drink On stage It could be you (weekly open-mike nights) or it could be the Fab Fourever, Vancouver’s own Beatles tribute band Hours Noon-2 a.m. Mon-Sat, noon-midnight Sun

Bar None

A polished wood bar runs almost the entire length of this sultry brick-and-beam club. An uptown crowd focuses on serious martini drinking and dances as an afterthought Crowd A perfectly groomed under-40 set
Music Soul, house, Top 40 Night to go Current and old-school dance hits are not to be missed on Saturdays Hours 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Thurs, 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Fri-Sat

Bayside Lounge

Locals have long delineated themselves by which watering hole they slip into at the base of the Sands by the Sea Hotel. Checkers draws a ruddy karaoke crowd. But the plush atmosphere (and circular bar) at the Bayside is true date material. As are the wall-to-wall windows, which overlook a broad expanse of English Bay.

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