A new all-day concept from the team behind Nemesis is set to open in downtown Vancouver next month.
BAM BAM, arriving April 1 at 160 West Georgia Street, blends design, food, and culture into what the team calls a “future nostalgia” experience.
Created by Nemesis founder Jess Reno and collaborators, the new 2,800-square-foot space brings together familiar comfort foods, playful drinks, and design inspired by iconic North American pop culture.
Instead of focusing on a single category, BAM BAM aims to capture the energy of the food and moments many people grew up with, from corner diners to clubhouse hangouts.
“We wanted BAM BAM to feel like a love letter to the food and energy we all know and love,” said Reno. “It has this future nostalgic feeling.”
Familiar comfort food, reimagined
At its core, the menu celebrates classic favourites, reinterpreted through the team’s perspective.
Fried chicken anchors the offering, with sandwiches like the Classic Rosemary and Hot Sweet. Guests can also order Popcorn Chicken served with house sauces such as Smoked Gherkins and Cucumber Dill Ranch.
For sweets, housemade donuts rotate daily alongside fresh pastry rolls. Options include the OG, Honey Sea Salt, Garlic Knot, and Meyer Lemon.
Meanwhile, combo meals bring everything together. The Bam Bam includes a chicken sandwich, potato sticks, a donut, and a drink.
Earlier in the day, the AM Classic offers a breakfast sandwich, potato sticks, and a drink until noon.
Drinks with a nostalgic twist
The beverage program leans heavily into playful nostalgia.
Cocktails include creative takes like the Apple Pie & Rye, Strawberry Shiso Negroni, Pecan Pie Old Fashioned, and Hot Honey Margarita. On the café side, guests can expect drinks like Cherry Matcha, Apple Pie Latte, and Strawberry Chocolate Milk.
The menu also features a rotating lineup of house cream sodas, including Cherry Cola, Lemon Meringue, and Apple Pie.
A design inspired by cultural moments
The interior, designed by McKinley Studios alongside Reno and the BAM BAM team, draws inspiration from several cultural touchstones.
Think baseball clubhouses, early hip-hop record shops, and classic varsity aesthetics.
The space features cherry veneer finishes, stainless steel counters, and chrome leather seating inspired by 1960s silhouettes. A large communal table with a green banquette anchors the room beneath a sculptural chandelier by Vancouver-based A-N-D Lighting.
Custom artwork by artist Filipp Jenikae adds another layer to the space, while a dedicated retail section ties food and culture together.
A retail collection tied to the brand
Beyond food and drinks, BAM BAM will also introduce its own apparel line.
The debut retail collection was designed by Kali Gill-Desjardins and Jess Reno. It draws inspiration from vintage varsity culture while incorporating the brand’s bulldog iconography.
Each piece is cut and sewn using premium fabrics, reflecting the same design-forward approach seen throughout the restaurant.
A familiar Vancouver hospitality team
The opening also brings together several familiar names from Vancouver’s hospitality scene.
The leadership team includes VP of Operations Albert Tang and longtime Nemesis Gastown general manager Tim Tumbagahan.
In the kitchen, Nemesis executive chef Mielye Mitchell leads the culinary program alongside executive sous chef Lina Serrano and head chef Rachel Harms.
They’re joined by team members Gabby Ablanida and Dope Bakehouse executive pastry chef Kevin Lucas.
Opening April 1 in downtown Vancouver
BAM BAM officially opens April 1, 2026, with soft opening hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.
With its blend of comfort food, playful drinks, retail, and design, the new concept aims to become a lively gathering spot in the heart of downtown Vancouver.
BAM BAM
160 West Georgia Street, Vancouver
Opening: April 1, 2026
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
