Once the site of countless underground speakeasies and bars during Prohibition, Gastown is still home to many of the city’s best bars. Cobblestone streets that have hosted saloons since the 1800s now hold century-old heritage bars alongside some of the city’s newest listening lounges, wine bars, and raw bars. This is a neighbourhood that always pays tribute to its past while still being the first to usher in something new.
Here are some of our favourite spots in the neighbourhood to grab a drink.
1. Bar Tartare
Birds & the Beets is already a frequent stop of ours during the day, but come evening, the café flips into Bar Tartare, a natural wine bar with a rotating lineup of guest chefs with shareable menus ranging from global cuisines to playful themed dishes. No two visits look the same, but the vibes are always immaculate. In summer, the patio spills right out onto the sidewalk so you can sip wine to your heart’s content right in the middle of Gastown.
54 Alexander St
bartartareyvr.ca
2. Is That French
Tucked into the cobblestones of Blood Alley, Is That French is a wine bar built around an elevated menu of share plates and a list that pulls from BC and beyond. The interiors are as considered as the pours: exposed brick, warm lighting, and a room that feels like it’s been there far longer than it has.
45 Blood Alley Square
isthatfrench.com
3. Pourhouse
Housed in a 1910 heritage building that once belonged to the Leckie Boot Company, Pourhouse has been pouring stiff, classic drinks in Gastown since 2009. A space that truly embraces the sublime pleasure of indulgence, the 38-foot bar is handcrafted from reclaimed Douglas fir, and the whole room leans into a century-old style that feels both intimate and lively. Pull up after a walk along Gastown’s cobblestone streets and grab a scotch egg and an Old Fashioned.
162 Water St
pourhousevancouver.com
4. Guilt & Co
Since 2010, Guilt & Co helped set the tone for what a Gastown night out could be: no cover-charge, just candlelit stone walls, real stemware, and live music every single night. Tucked beneath street level in Maple Tree Square, it’s long been one of the city’s most consistent rooms for jazz, funk, and soul, with two sets most evenings and a cocktail program strong enough to hold its own against the band.
1 Alexander St
guiltandcompany.com
5. Amber Listening Lounge
The newest addition to the block, Amber opened in summer 2026 as an analogue listening lounge built entirely around sound: vinyl only, played on vintage hi-fi, with a raw bar menu designed to match the pace of the room. A place to sit back and let the hours pass, right across the street from Block House.
99 Powell St
amber99.com
6. The Magnet
Just outside Gastown’s core but still very much a neighbourhood favourite, The Magnet is where the team behind the Alibi Room and Brassneck Brewery took their craft beer expertise next. Expect a serious rotating tap list, a few excellent cocktails, and pub food built to match.
309 W Pender St
themagnet.ca
Where to Stay in Gastown
Right in the middle of it all sits Block House, Gastown’s only hotel. Designed for you to stay like you own it, whether you’re here for a weekend or settling in for the long haul, Block House offers modern apartments with full kitchens, thoughtful layouts, and everything you need to make our house your home. The city’s best bars, wine rooms, and listening lounges are all within walking distance, making it the perfect home base in a neighbourhood that’s been perfecting the art of a good drink for well over a century.
Ready to explore Gastown? Book your stay at Block House.
Looking for more things to do in Gastown? Explore our Gastown neighbourhood guide.
