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Clubland
It's a jungle out there. We heard the
no-fun rumour, and we refused to buy it. Turns out this
is a city that sleeps a little, but it's also a city
that moves, shakes, bumps and grinds into the wee hours—you
just gotta know where to look. Welcome to Clubland.
By Rebecca Philps
REPUBLIC
958 Granville St., Downtown, 604-669-3266
This gorgeous space, with soaring ceilings and dramatic
backlit bar, is part of the ever-expanding Donnelly
Hospitality Management empire (they also own Bar None,
Bimini’s Tap House, Denman Street Freehouse, Granville
Room and Library Square Public House). Mark Brand—this
magazine’s Bartender of the Year—consults,
which means that cocktails are crafted, not dispensed
from a fountain gun. The main floor has table service,
two full bars, retro arcade games and 10 TV screens
for game nights; upstairs, DJs (like ?uestlove, drummer
for The Roots) spin for the packed dancefloor. Yes,
adults really can come out for late night play on Granville.
Look for migrating Yaletowners, night
owls, anyone over 25 Music Top 40;
live music on Mondays Drink Premium
vodka cocktails Night To Go Any night
you’re feeling feisty—this was the first
venue to stay open until 3 a.m., seven days a week Hookup
Factor The smooth transition from downstairs
bar to upstairs club means equal opportunity for intimate
conversation and dirty grinding Tip
Score a spot on the enclosed-glass patio (right) with
its bird’s-eye view of Granville Street mayhem.
1181
1181 Davie St., West End, 604-687-3991
Cork walls, polished concrete underfoot, low slung benches—this
gaybourhood room, designed by modernist architects David
Battersby and Heather Howat, is as sexy as the crowd
that frequents it. The leather-bound menu offers pages
and pages of expertly poured cocktails; sweet, sour
and salty are the organizing principles. But beware:
there’s no food to temper the booze and the drinks
are always a stiff pour.
Look for style hounds, international
playboys, your hot and campy hairstylist Drink
1181 Margarita, the Rio, the Caipirinha Washroom
A sea of beautiful blue tiles, large and fully enclosed
stalls conducive to any imaginable activity—and,
ladies, it’s unisex Night to Go
Saturdays, when a rotating group of DJs set up behind
the bar Hookup Factor Better for eyeing
potential prey to be pounced on later at a Davie strip
meat market (Celebrities, Numbers) Tip
Watch for Easysound, a.k.a. Michael White, on the decks—his
eclectic and soulful music selection steers clear of
tired anthems like “Can’t Get You Outta
My Head.”
SHINE
364 Water St., Gastown, 604-408-4321
Ignore the Alpha Dog-wannabes (there are a few) and
focus instead on the stylish, streetwise bootyshakers
(there are many) kicking it with resident—and
omnipresent—DJ my!gay!husband! (he’s played
with Diplo and Carlos D from Interpol). Some key Shine
players recently departed (and reappeared at the Royal
Unicorn, page 88) and word on the street is that the
club’s in trouble; as long as they keep putting
on stellar shows—like last fall’s MSTRKRFT
(pronounced “mastercraft”), Juan McLean
and A.Skillz—Shine will be just fine.
Look for art skids and skate kids Music
“It’s, like, everything, but no shitty rave”
Drink 40s of Old English 800, double
vodka Red Bull Night to Go Thursdays
for “The Jumpoff,” with m!g!h! and a rotating
roster of international DJs and producers Hookup
Factor No idle hands here—infectious
beats lead to groping on the dance floor or groping
in the rainbow-hued vinyl banquettes Tip
Sign up for Shine’s e-newsletter for up-to-the-minute
concert announcements and advance ticket sales
THE ROXY
932 Granville St., 604-331-7999
Ole foxy Roxy is like a wizened, gap-toothed madam—sure,
she’s rough around the edges, but she knows how
to get ’er done. This club is a melting pot, no
matter what your style (or vintage). Jockeying for the
attention of bottle-tossing bartenders: barely legal
bunnies, visiting NHL teams, bewildered Euro backpackers,
bridge-and-tunnel meatheads and…Mom? It’s
a weird and wild crowd. Any veteran nightcrawler has
an embarrassing story that begins, “One night
at the Roxy….”
Look for drunk people Music
In-house bands bringing live rock to the DJ-dominated
Granville strip. Ladies are encouraged to literally
get in touch with their nasty selves (and their best
friend, and the band) up on stage Drink
everything; jagerbombs if you need to catch up Night
to Go Sundays, for country night. Two-step
to a live band, unleash your inner cowpoke Overheard
“She shot me down, says she’s not into married
guys.” Hookup Factor A sure thing,
if you aren’t picky. Check your inhibitions with
your coat Tip If you’re female,
you’ll get hit on; if you’re male, someone
will want to fight you. No matter: in both cases the
offender will be too plastered to stand erect.
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