Step into an Irish pub and you’re instantly whisked away into another time and place, courtesy of the trademark décor and ambience. However, despite their commonalities, not all Irish pubs in the 604 offer parallel experiences. To ease your planning on your next night out, check out our guide below:
Irish Pubs in Vancouver
1. Doolin’s Irish Pub – Nelson St., Vancouver
Doolin’s has it all – great food, friendly staff, and various HD TV’s to watch the latest sports game. They also have entertainment four days a week, with live music on Thursdays and Sundays, and a dj on Fridays and Saturdays.
Their food menu is also impressive with options ranging from veggies a dip (great for health-nuts), to chicken souvlaki wraps, providing you with your typical pub fare and more. Although pub food is often sub-par, at Doolin’s this is certainly not the case. Here the food looks and tastes great! To go with your meal, they also have 23 draught beers and various bottled beers, leaving you with a wide selection.
2. The Foggy Dew – North Road, Coquitlam
As a popular venue amongst locals, if you are from the tri-cities, it’s safe to assume that you have already spent at least one evening at The Foggy Dew. However, if you’re not from the tri-cities, you may know “the Dew” as the bar Rob Ford infamously stopped at on his recent visit to the area.
With plenty of seating, this pub is the ideal location for get-togethers, especially with a large group. The pub’s layout is also notable with the dance floor area being segregated from the main seating, offering two very different experiences, in one location. Literally, on one side of the pub you can chat with friends, while on the other you can dance to the latest hits the live dj plays, making the one half resemble a mini night-club.
For those of you looking to eat, the food is served fresh and the smell alone will leave your mouth watering! As a bonus, it is also conveniently located near the skytrain, and Lougheed mall’s bus loop, ensuring everyone in your party makes it home quickly and safe.
3. The Blarney Stone – Carall St., Vancouver (Gastown)
Irish pubs have the tendency to resemble something from the past, however The Blarney Stone retains the rustic look, while boasting a modern twist – a 20-foot screen. Thus, it is indeed a great place to gather and watch a game. The venue also has a cozy upstairs area with both booths and stools facing the massive screen, if you are wanting to escape the crowd below.
Appealing to those on a budget, throughout the week, the pub has several noteworthy specials, including Irish Sundays that feature $5 Irish pints and $10 Irish mains, Thursday’s $7 pizzas, and Tuesdays where pool-lovers can play for free!
4. St. James’s Well Olde Irish Pub – New Port Dr., Port Moody
As a smaller pub, St. James’s Well offers a more intimate experience than larger venues in the area. To add to the atmosphere, on Fridays and Saturdays guests are treated to live music, typically beginning around 8:30 until 11:45. Additionally, the Well also offers a range of affordable food options. One must-try item on the menu is the delicious beef-stuffed Yorkshire puddings, which on Thursdays are $5. The staff members are also extremely friendly and provide great service, making it easy to feel at home!
5. The Lennox Pub – Granville St., Vancouver
Located on Granville Street, The Lennox is a popular location for those to visit before a show, especially those at The Venue or The Orpheum. Therefore, if you are headed to a game or concert, and you show your waiter the ticket, they’ll give you 10% off food. The food is great as well, with Irish dishes such as Irish stew and shepherds pie, and everything else such as pasta, burgers, and chicken. On weekends they also serve a great brunch, offering delicious apple flapjacks!
Whether you visit during the day or night, it’s also a nice spot to sit and watch pedestrians hurry along Granville Street, thanks to the large windows and mini patio. This is a nice perk as some pubs make their patrons feel secluded, by making it hard to see in or out.
With many great locations around the Lower Mainland, make your next night out one at an Irish pub!
Written by: Kerri J