Decisions, decisions. Libations, libations.
Are you ready to grab a seat in some of Vancouver’s top restaurants to enjoy some incredible food paired with exciting spirits? That’s exactly what’s happening over several nights this March during Vancouver Cocktail Week.
The celebration of excellence in drinks kicks off Sunday, March 6, and an incredible roster of events, like tastings, a gala, and seminars follow, along with multiple dinners and excursions centred around cocktails and food. For example, you can sip and nibble among the fish and sea creatures at the Vancouver Aquarium on Mount Gay Rum, take a Prohibition-focused walking tour of Gastown, or sit down to elegant spirit-pairing dinners at some incredible Vancouver restaurants.
There are 19 events on the lineup, but I’ve pinpointed a few noteworthy standouts you won’t want to miss, all taking place March 6 through 9 in Vancouver.
Tipsy Tea at The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver’s Notch8
This “tipsy” update on Notch8’s traditional afternoon tea will feature a special selection of liquor-infused savouries, sweets and other bites paired with Fairmont’s Lot35 selection of quality teas. Those looking to give the experience a little extra kick can add on specialty “teatails” (tea cocktails made with Fairmont’s Lot35 teas) created by the Notch8 bar and beverage team.
- Where: Notch8 Restaurant & Bar at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver – 900 W. Georgia St.
- When: Sunday, March 6; seatings at noon and 2 p.m.
- Get tickets for the noon and 2 p.m. seatings
Spirited Walking Tour through Gastown
Get a not-so-dry taste of Prohibition, when underground drinking dens made Gastown Vancouver’s original nightlife district. In this walking tour, Forbidden Vancouver’s storytellers uncover secret venues and hidden history, partnering with local establishments Pourhouse, The Forge and Guilt & Co. to present 1920s-style cocktails—with a modern twist. Drinks educator Charlene Rooke will sip you through the history of two iconic pre-Prohibition cocktails in secret-speakeasy style.
- Where: Starting location: E.C. Rare Books, 323 Cambie St.
- When: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. (please arrive 10 minutes early)
- Get tickets
Under the Sea with Mount Gay at the Vancouver Aquarium
Dive into an immersive under-the-sea happy hour with Mount Gay Rum and the inhabitants of the Vancouver Aquarium. With over 300 years of island heritage, the Barbados-based Mount Gay is the world’s oldest rum distillery. Spend the afternoon enjoying the newest expressions from this historic producer while visiting friends furry, finned, scaled and legged and learning how to preserve the ocean’s precious mysteries. Your ticket includes access to all 30 exhibits and the 65,000 animals who inhabit them, along with sustainable snacks and two delicious rum cocktails from some of Vancouver’s best bartenders. Mount Gay is proud to partner with Rugged Coast Research, a Vancouver Island-based organization dedicated to cleaning up local shorelines; as you tour the facilities, learn more about this partnership as well as the Aquarium’s Marine Mammal Rescue Operations programs.
West Coast BBQ Dinner at Whiskey Six BBQ
Whiskey Six joins BC Distilled, the province’s premier artisan distillery festival, to host a five-course BBQ dinner, with each course paired with a cocktail made with spirits from one of our fine B.C. distilleries. There are two dates available for this dinner. Whiskey Six BBQ brings together traditional barbecue and organic ingredients from local farmers and suppliers to challenge the traditional view of barbecue without compromising on ingredients, reinventing what can be created on the grill and smoker. This is West Coast BBQ.
Scotch Master Class and Pairing Dinner at Boulevard
Enjoy a guided tour through the higher marks of Johnnie Walker’s exceptional blended scotch whiskies, paired with chef Roger Ma’s elegant, boldly flavoured cuisine. With each dish comes an exciting new whisky serve, introduced by the Diageo World Class team. This is an extraordinary opportunity that is sure to appeal to all whisky lovers—and create new ones.
Bitter is better: Master Class and Dinner at Giovane Bacaro
Bitter flavours whet the appetite, so arrive hungry (and thirsty!) for this exploration of Italian amari. Priya Shah, Campari Group’s senior portfolio specialist, will host this evening, which features four cocktails and a selection of cichetti followed by a three-course dinner. Also expect to enjoy tastes of four to six amari including Campari, Aperol, Averna and Cynar.
Whisky & Prime Dinner at Hy’s
Enjoy a memorable evening of curated whisky cocktails paired with Canadian prime steaks, in the classically elegant atmosphere of Vancouver’s most acclaimed steakhouse.
For Shucks Sake at ShuckShuck
ShuckShuck Oyster Snack Bar has partnered with local distiller Artisan SakeMaker to create a date night to remember. Start with two welcome Sake Sunset cocktails ‘For Shucks Sake,’ and dine on a variety of topped oysters, naked oysters, oyster chowders, salmon tartare, shrimp cocktail and chocolate mousse.
