Vancouver’s most romantic wine bars
Looking for the perfect date night? Why not visit one of Vancouver’s top wine bars with your loved one. From secret alleyway locations to 1920s prohibition-style bars, these seven locales offer a memorable experience in addition to delicious, world-class wines. [Photo courtesy of Salt Tasting Room]
Salt Tasting Room Ltd
248 Georgia St E, Vancouver BC V6A 1Z7Traipsing down historic, cobblestoned Blood Alley – which takes its name from Gastown’s long defunct butcher shops – is half the fun of drinking at Salt Tasting Room. Hidden away from crowds, inside a narrow, brick bar, you’ll meet knowledgeable staff who pair unique wine flights with charcuterie and cheese, tailored to your palate. And the best part? Curiosity is encouraged at Salt, which aims to educate inexperienced oenophiles, not alienate.
Uva Wine & Cocktail Bar
900 Seymour Street, Vancouver BC V6B 0A8Unlike most others in Vancouver, Moda Hotel’s wine bar doubles as a breakfast and brunch spot during the day. But as the sun goes down, UVA transforms into a lively and laidback evening hangout ideal for after-work drinks, dates and catch-ups with friends. Italian-style sharing plates such as arancini (crispy risotto balls), antipasti boards and steamed mussels are perfect accompaniments to international and local wines amidst tasteful European decor.
Chambar Restaurant
568 Beatty St, Vancouver BC V6B 2L3With three Michelin stars, Chambar is arguably Vancouver’s most acclaimed fine-dining establishment – but that doesn’t mean you can’t relax here with a glass of vino on a Tuesday evening (and you should). Simply ask for a seat at the bar or patio, and enjoy the seasonal cheese or charcuterie plate (or both) with a wine pairing from trained staff. It’s a casual yet très chic experience, all in the heart of Vancouver’s downtown core.
City Side Winery
328 2nd Avenue W, Vancouver BC V5Y 1C8Olympic Village’s latest attraction is so much more than a winery. City Side offers innovative, in-house wines by the bottle, case and by the glass, along with charcuterie and cheese boards, flatbreads and other shared plates in their modern tasting room with stunning False Creek views. Communal tables invite conversations between friends and strangers alike, while a DJ booth adds an underground feel to the otherwise posh scene.
Vancouver Urban Winery
55 Dunlevy Ave, Vancouver BC V6A 3A3Railtown’s resident winery’s taps flow with more than 30 different wines – some in-house brands, and others hailing from throughout the province. Known for their educated staff as much as their artfully shabby-chic decor, this boutique winery shares space with Belgard Kitchen and Postmark Brewing in the historic Settlement Building, which means their tasting room triples as an all-purpose pub; one can order wines by the glass as well as craft beer, brunch, lunch and dinner, all under one roof.
Prohibition
801 Georgia St W, Vancouver BC V6C 1P7Hotel Georgia’s stylish prohibition-era bar will transport you back to the Roaring Twenties with retro-posh decor, live entertainment and sophisticated detailing – right down to the bartenders’ bowties. Think: underground speakeasy, minus the rule-breaking factor but with all of the rush and excitement. Order cocktails with house-made bitters or opt for wine only, choosing from a menu of local and international labels.
