Vancouver has no shortage of great cocktail bars, but some of the city’s most creative drinks are being shaken, stirred, and smoked in places that don’t always get the spotlight. From hotel lounges with world-class bartenders to tiny neighbourhood rooms turning out award-worthy menus, these are the underrated cocktail spots in Vancouver worth adding to your night-out rotation.
Whether you’re into spirit-forward classics, tropical riffs, or zero-proof options, this list covers something for every kind of drinker — all served with a side of local charm.
Stock + Supply (Downtown)
Stock + Supply sits inside the Delta Hotels Vancouver Downtown Suites, and it delivers bright, balanced cocktails with seasonal ingredients. The menu changes often, and the bartenders focus on clean, flavour-forward builds.
It’s relaxed, friendly, and close to stadiums and theatres, which makes it an easy pre-event stop.
Diva at the Met (Downtown)
Diva at the Met has long been known for its food, but its cocktail program is still one of the most underrated in the city. The bartenders consistently put out inventive drinks that play with bold flavours, smoked elements, and house-made infusions. They make a mean Negroni.
This is the kind of bar where you can sit down, tell the bartender what you’re in the mood for, and walk away with a custom drink that hits perfectly. The room is classy without being stiff, and the cocktails are as good as anything you’ll find in flashier hotel lounges.
H Tasting Lounge (Coal Harbour)
H Tasting Lounge blends dramatic presentation with strong bartending skills. You’ll see glowing ice spheres, smoked domes, and thoughtful garnishes, but the flavours always back up the style.
With global inspiration and local botanicals, the menu offers some of the most precise cocktails in Coal Harbour.
Bar Asra (South Granville)
Bar Asra is a small, intimate room tucked into South Granville, and it quietly serves some of the most memorable cocktails in the city. The drink menu rotates often, leaning into amaros, layered bitters, and unexpected combinations that never feel overdone.
It’s sultry, cosy, and perfect for date nights or slow, savoury sipping.
Ciclo Espresso Café + Cocktails (Coal Harbour)
Ciclo might be the newest name on this list, but it’s already shaping up to be one of Vancouver’s best hidden gems. The room blends European café culture with a modern cocktail bar, espresso by morning, aperitivo-style cocktails and low-lit ambience by night.
Expect spritzes, amaros, and beautifully layered cocktails that feel like something you’d find in Barcelona or Milan. If you’re in Coal Harbour and want a drink that isn’t a hotel standard, this is your spot.
515 Bar (Downtown)
515 Bar is one of downtown’s true hidden gems. The room is tiny, with fewer than 20 seats, and the bartenders execute every classic with precision.
Because of its size, the atmosphere feels personal. It’s the perfect place for martinis, old fashions, and quiet conversations.
UVA Wine & Cocktail Bar (Downtown)
UVA has been around for years, but it still doesn’t get the hype it deserves. Located on Seymour Street, it has one of the strongest bar teams in the city and a cocktail program that consistently wins awards.
Their menu blends European influences with modern craft-cocktail philosophy, lots of amaros, vermouths, infused liqueurs, and house-made syrups. The room is elegant but relaxed, and it’s one of the best pre-show stops if you’re heading to the Orpheum or Vogue Theatre.
Blind Rabbit (East Van)
Blind Rabbit is an East Van bar with a speakeasy feel and a cocktail menu that punches way above its size. It’s creative, playful, and unafraid of bold flavours, think smoked mezcal, charred citrus, salted honey, and complex spice blends.
Because it’s tucked away from the downtown scene, it remains one of those “if you know, you know” neighbourhood spots. Great for groups, dates, or anyone who loves trying something new.
Good Thief (Mount Pleasant)
Good Thief combines a lively room with a cocktail program full of personality. Their signature drinks often include tropical elements, fun garnishes, and ingredients you don’t see everywhere, pandan, yuzu, coconut fat-wash, and more.
It’s casual, energetic, and friendly, which makes it a great starting point for a Mount Pleasant night out. Add in a solid happy hour and late-night food, and it easily becomes a go-to neighbourhood hangout.
ConTiki Cabana (Mount Pleasant)
ConTiki Cabana is a tropical-inspired escape tucked along East 7th Avenue. It leans into tiki-style cocktails with modern balance — layered rum profiles, pineapple, citrus, spice, and fresh ingredients that keep things bright rather than sugary.
It’s colourful, fun, and one of the best mood-boosting cocktail spots in the city.
Vancouver’s cocktail scene is bigger, better, and far more interesting than many people realize. While the city has its well-known showstoppers, these underrated bars offer some of the most creative and memorable drinking experiences around.
If you’re looking to explore beyond the usual spots, start with this list — and prepare to find some new favourites along the way.