Vancouver’s cocktail scene has been slowly stepping out from behind the bar and now, it might just be strutting straight into Cambie Village.
June, the newest concept from the team behind The Keefer Bar (yes, the one on North America’s 50 Best list), officially opened its doors on April 10. Perched on a sunny street corner in the heart of Cambie, it brings a blend of West Coast brasserie dining and inventive cocktail culture to a neighbourhood that’s long been due for a glow-up.
But if you’re expecting just another fancy bistro or dimly lit lounge, think again.
Dinner Upstairs, Drinks Downstairs
Spread across two levels, June feels like two experiences in one. Upstairs is a 100-seat dining room where French-inspired West Coast fare gets the spotlight. Downstairs? A low-lit cocktail bar set to open soon, where the drinks take centre stage and the vibe leans late night.
The whole thing is wrapped in a space designed by Mexico City-based architect Héctor Esrawe, who somehow makes it feel like both an old-world wine bar and a modern West Coast living room. With warm wood, flowing green tiles, copper accents, and a luminous art piece behind the bar, the space manages to be intimate and vibrant all at once.
The Menu: Comfort Food, But Not Predictable
The kitchen is helmed by Chef Connor Sperling, formerly of Published on Main and Boulevard. His menu is a polished mix of French brasserie staples and unexpected West Coast touches.
Some early standouts include:
- Scallop with citrus beurre blanc
- Beef tartare with calvados and potato chips
- Crab dip with spiced madeleines and dill
- Halibut with almond, saffron, and spring legumes
- Steelhead with herbs, truffle, and walnut
You’ll still find classics like steak frites and French roast chicken (done with Loong Kong chicken), but there’s plenty of whimsy too, think mini hammies, a hot dog called the June Dog, and desserts like banana soft serve and chocolate madeleines.
It’s elevated, but not fussy. Just enough edge to surprise you, but rooted in recognizable comfort.
Cocktails That Go Beyond the Gimmick
If there’s a signal that Vancouver’s cocktail culture is evolving, June’s drink menu might be it.
Crafted by Keefer alum Amber Bruce, alongside bar manager Satoshi Yonemori (Grapes & Soda) and head bartender Riley Maggs, the cocktail list is playful without being pretentious. There’s a clear point of view here: refined, botanical-forward drinks layered with herbs, teas, and subtle complexity.
Highlights include:
- Genmaicha Clover Club (gin, raspberry, horseradish, egg white)
- Sunflower Mauresque (Pernod, fino, sunflower orgeat, lemon, soda)
- Blue Fizz (vodka, calpico, blue banana, egg soda)
There’s also a dedicated Martini menu with four ultra-chilled takes served straight from the freezer including a Burnt Gibson made with persimmon mignonette and Islay mist.
Even the non-alcoholic options are thoughtfully designed to match the tone, not just fill space.
A Cocktail Scene in Bloom
June’s opening hints at something larger happening in Vancouver. While the city’s long had talented bartenders and buzzy restaurants, spaces that integrate both intentionally and beautifully are still few and far between.
June doesn’t just want you to have a great cocktail. It wants you to feel like you’ve found the kind of place where time slows down, the playlist is just right, and everything from the menu to the lighting feels just so.
It’s not loud about it. It doesn’t have to be.
