The 5 best happy hours in Vancouver

With happy hours available throughout the city, after-work drinks have never been so tempting

Happy hour: one does not have to trek far down certain Vancouver streets to find those two words advertised. Whether you’re in the mood for a pint of local craft beer or a stiff cocktail with an intriguing moniker, this city is ready to quench your after-work thirst. Since 2014, B.C. liquor laws have allowed restaurants and bars to reduce booze prices during slower hours. Two years later, there are so many options that finding the right spot can be a bit overwhelming. Accordingly, here are five suggestions to make your happy hour just a little bit easier—and a whole lot happier. 

Cactus Club Cafe

Multiple locations3–6pm (and 9–close depending on location)

You may have seen the bright turquoise sidewalk signs enticing you inside (or to the patio if you can score a seat). Cactus Club is serving up happy hour across the city. From 3 to 6pm (as well as 9pm until close, depending on the location), Cactus’s drink menu is full of summer refreshments. Try the Summer Smash ($5), the epitome of a patio beverage. Made with cucumber muddled with Thai basil and ginger, the flavour profile is one that is both cool and refreshing. The passion fruit Bellini ($5) offers a twist on Cactus Club’s signature cocktail (and is essentially the grown up version of a slurpee). For those who want a lighter version of the slushy concoction, Cactus is also serving up their Sunset Soda ($4). This vodka soda is topped with a splash of peach Bellini slush, allowing guests to try something lighter without having to compromise on the summer flavour.

The Flying Pig

1168 Hamilton St. | 102 Water St. | 127 West 2nd Ave.4–6pm

The Flying Pig offers ‘appy’ hour every day between 4pm and 6pm at all three locations (Yaletown, Gastown and Olympic Village). Their menu—with dishes ranging from $6 to $7—offers a taste of some of their entrée mainstays, while also offering a few morsels reserved exclusively for the ‘appy’ hour menu. Try their crispy salmon cakes ($6.50) or the truffled jumbo macaroni with a four cheese sauce ($6.75).

Chewies Steam & Oyster Bar

2201 West 1st Ave. (Kitsilano) | 110 – 1055 West Hastings St. (Coal Harbour)

3–6pm

With two locations—their flagship room in Kits and the other in Coal Harbour—Chewies is a regular go-to for oyster lovers. In addition to $1 and $2 buck-a-shuck options, Chewies’ happy hour offers a menu that marries both Cajun and Creole flavours in dishes such as fried green tomatoes ($10) and pork belly cracklin’ ($9). And, of course, happy hour wouldn’t be happy hour without that sweet, discounted nectar of the gods: $5 pints of craft beer and $6 glasses of wine.

L’Abattoir

217 Carrall St.5:30–6:30pm

Nestled in the heart of Gastown, L’Abattoir offers a more exclusive happy hour. Reserved to bar seating only—and on a first-come-first-served basis—the initial hour of the restaurant’s opening is also its happy hour. At L’Abattoir, restaurant goers can expect half-off appetizers and a bar menu offering $5 beers, $6 feature red and white wines, and a $6 signature cocktail. L’Abattoir’s happy hour is an opportunity to sample both the food and drinks at one of the city’s best French restaurants at a more wallet-friendly price tag.

WildTale Coastal Grill

1079 Mainland St.3–6pm and 9pm–12am

Seafood lovers should make a point of visiting WildTale Coastal Grill this summer. Located on Yaletown’s idyllic Mainland Drive, WildTale serves up fresh Ocean Wise seafood with locally sourced ingredients. Happy hour is from 3pm to 6pm and again from 9pm until midnight. Drinks range from $5 to $7, and all of their bites are priced at $6. Try their halibut poppers or rock prawn poutine. WildTale also offers items from their raw bar menu, including buck-a-shuck oysters. And did we mention the patio?