Saturday Check-in at Fairmont Pacific Rim, it was a long walk five blocks from my apartment to the hotel. I originally thought it odd that I’d be spending the four nights checked into the hotel given how close I live to the venue but I would soon learn how early they planned on having us up and at it. After an efficient check-in I rode the elevator up to my room to meet my roommate for the first time. I was rooming with one of the Nova Scotia boys. I gave the courtesy knock and checked out the room for the first time. Some nice digs I must say. A quick meet and greet and we were down in the board room meeting the entire team for the first time.
Where does an insider and connoisseur like David go for cocktails in Vancouver? Find out with this list of David Wolowidnyk’s Top 10 Vancouver Cocktail Spots!
1. West Restaurant & David Wolowidnyk
Photo by Dana Lynch
When it comes to Vancouver’s best cocktails, we have to start with David Wolowidnyk himself. (David is too modest to include himself on this list, so I’ll do it for him.) As West’s lead bartender / mixologist, David conceives and executes original and traditional cocktails that are as out-of-this-world as West’s award-winning cuisine. His combination of instinct, molecular gastronomy know-how and deep knowledge of cocktail history allows him to create drinks that have garnered international acclaim: his “Passage to India” cocktail was served at the Slumdog Millionaire Oscar party!
2. MARKET by Jean-Georges
The super-hot MARKET by Jean-Georges at the landmark Shangri-la Hotel is one of Vancouver’s “destination restaurants.” It’s also home to some of Vancouver’s best cocktails, thanks to Lead Bartender Jay Jones. A Vancouver native, Jones is both one of Vancouver’s top bartenders and one of its most famous; he also co-founded the CPBA alongside David Wolowidnyk. As someone who knows him personally, David says, “despite the accolades, Mr. Jones is a humble, accomplished bartender who guides both his colleagues and guests admirably.” He also makes a superb cocktail!
3. UVA Wine Bar
Voted Best Bar / Lounge in the 2010 Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, downtown Vancouver’s UVA Wine Bar is a sophisticated alternative to the typical pick-up bar and one of Vancouver’s go-to spots for great cocktails. You can often see David at UVA after his own work day is done; he enjoys both UVA’s classic cocktails and, as he puts it, “their contemporary-based cocktails with a classic influence.”
4. The Keefer Bar
Vancouver’s historic Chinatown may not seem like a go-to destination for Vancouver’s best cocktails, but The Keefer Bar is a hot-spot for discerning drinkers. David describes Keefer’s drinks as “delightful and interesting contemporary cocktails with an Asian influence,” and he should know: David is a connoisseur of Asian cocktails! Try the “China Doll,” a mix of vodka, Yuzu marmalade, grapefruit, sparkling wine, and red ginseng.
5. Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar
Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar is best known as one of Vancouver’s best–if not the best–seafood restaurants. With its ideal location in the heart of Yaletown’s nightlife district, Blue Water Cafe is also a perfect spot to grab one of Vancouver’s best cocktails. David describes Blue Water as “one of the busiest spots where precision and speed work hand in hand….Great sushi too!”
6.CinCin Restaurant
What earns CinCin–one of Vancouver’s best Italian restaurants–a place on the list of Vancouver’s best cocktails? “A reliably well-crafted cocktail and the most incredible, and probably largest, list of Grappas you will find anywhere,” David says.
7. L’Abattoir
This Gastown restaurant / bar is home to bartender Shaun Layton, who–like David Wolowidnyk–has won Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards Bartender of the Year. L’Abatoir’s original cocktails include the “Slaughterhouse”, a mix of Cognac, sugar, Elixer Vegital orange oils, aromatic bitters, and green chartreuse mist, and the macho “Meat Hook,” a combination of bourbon, maraschino, Punt E Mes, and Ardbeg malt scotch whiskey.
8. Granville Room
Downtown Vancouver’s Granville Street entertainment district may be better known for cocktails that get you wasted rather than the kind you savour, but there are a few bastions of (literal) good taste, and the Granville Room is one of them. Cool and elegant, the Granville Room is a great spot to sip a truly old-fashioned cocktail; head there on Saturday night for their $5 Punch, based on one of the oldest-known cocktail traditions!
9. The Refinery
When it comes to sheer numbers, The Refinery is the leader in Vancouver’s best cocktails: in 15 months they created over 200 original contemporary cocktails! Lead bartender Lauren Mote is famous for her unique flavour combinations and modern mixology techniques, both of which make her perfectly suited for The Refinery, an ultra-trendy restaurant and bar in the heart of downtown Vancouver’s Granville Street entertainment district.
10. Calabash Bistro
Celebrated for its Caribbean cuisine and “Reggaecentric” environment, Gastown’s Calabash Bistro is the complete package: great food, live music and fabulous cocktails. They also have the largest selection of rums (over 70) in Vancouver.
Prevail had just linked up with Madchild to form Swollen Members. Flipout was a couple years removed as one half of the duo What The Hell (also with Madchild). To say their was a rivalry between the two would be an understatement. Prev went on-air at the legendary Krispy Biskut show and called out Flipout.
Flip, being the super b-boy he is, accepted the challenge and the battle was set for a party that G-Man & Rizk were holding at The Red Lounge called Honey Dips. The energy and buzz surrounding the Prev vs. Flip showdown was huge and the battle lived up to the incredible hype. I think this one is best left to both Prevail and Flipout to describe from each of their perspectives.
LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE!
Prevail Recap:
“When Swollen Members first formed, it was a shock to most heads in the Vancouver scene. Myself and Moka Only had a group of 5 years called Split Sphere and Madchild and Flipout had a group know as What The Hell. Of course both those entities would be instantly transformed as Swollen started to record our first album. At the time I lived for battling and wanted to cement the arrival of Swollen Members in everyones minds.
I challenged Flipout to a battle to make it known once and for all who Vancouver’s premiere rap group was. Crammed onto the small stage at The Red Lounge, the energy level was unforgettable as Flipout and I exchanged verses. I was nervous and had come with a written rhyme to open my debate. I should have trusted in myself and freestyled from the beginning. Although the crowd response was overwhelming for both us, at the battles end, I felt in my heart that I had been bested.
As the months and years went on, the friendship between Flipout and I grew and I knew I had been influenced for the better because of it. To this day I still remember the excitement and fervour of that legendary night and it’s lessons have always been close to my heart and mind. For anyone in the building that night, I know they won’t soon forget the epic proportions and energy in the room, and thankfully, neither will I.”
Flipout Recap:
“Worst. Singing. Ever.
Sorry about that.
I took this battle quite serious. I was already known by friends by the nickname “Freestyle Crazee” because I would go off for 30 minutes straight sometimes, mostly when we were all really stoned. The way the battle was set up was Prev actually phoned me at my parents house and said “You know we gotta battle right?” to which I responded, “Yeah.” I’m not sure how it was all put together as an “event” but I prepared myself, thoroughly.
I didn’t really do much “research” because I kinda knew Prev already and we had been sort of rivals since me and Madchild were in a group together (What The Hell, get the album on iTunes!). Anyway… as you can hear in the recording I got pretty heated and yeah, I was wearing hair gel. I was also wearing an ill dark green PVC Columbia jacket and a black BALANCE tee (word to Dedos and GMAN). 1st round, Prev came at me with some personal jabs about how I cried in San Fran when me and Mad were living there doing shows… I missed my family! I was 18 years old!
But I remember Prev using this as ammo and that’s when I knew I had him beat because that shit didn’t mean anything to me and I could see the crowd didn’t even catch it. So in my head I was like, “ok, I think he just threw his most aggressive disses at me and they didn’t work so I’m gonna go extra hard to make sure I shut him down.” That was the mentality, kill mode, beast mode, whatever you call it. If Prev had gotten those disses out more effectively it would’ve made it a whole different ballgame but I smelled blood and pounced. I played to the crowd too. A lot.
I thought about KRS ONE’s tactics in the MC SHAN wars. Also, I honestly felt like the underdog so I wanted to make sure I came correct! Like I said, I took it really seriously. It was literally war to me.
I have since grown up (a bit) and I have a life. And me and Prev squashed everything right after the battle.”
[01] Respect
[02] Just Doggin’ ft Nate Dogg
[03] Smooth
[04] Dogg Pound Gangstaz
[05] What Cha Talkin’ Bout
[06] I Call Shots
[07] Cyco-Lic-No
[08] Gangsta Rap
[09] In California
[10] C-Walk
[11] Initiated
[12] Gimmiewhatchugot
[13] Let’s Play House
[14] Big Pimpin’ ft Nate Dogg
[15] Put A Monkey In It ft Supafly
[16] We Can Freak It
[17] All Night Long
[18] Throwin’ Up Dogg Pound
[19] Fly Az Fuck
[20] Throw Up DPG
[21] Loose Cannons
[22] Keep It Gangsta
[23] Represent Dat GC
[24] Who Ride With Us
[25] What Would You Do?
[26] Behind The Walls ft Nate Dogg
[27] DPGC Muzik
[28] Gangsta Perogative
[29] Coastin’
[30] My System
[31] Streetz Iz A Mutha
[32] This How We Do It
[33] How Low
[34] They Don’t Want It
[35] C-Walkin’ Cha Cha Cha
[36] Only On The Left Side
[37] Riot In The Club
[38] On Some Real Shit ft Jermaine Dupri
[39] Bomb Ass Pussy
[40] Come Up To My Room
[41] It Might Sound Crazy
[42] A Good Day
Tha Dogg Pound (Live in Concert)
Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 10:00pm
Limited $15 advance tickets available online. Purchase ticket link.
The Lamplighter Brings Back the Roaring 20s Historic Gastown Venue Celebrates 85 Years
Vancouver, BC (October 19, 2010) The Lamplighter, Donnelly Group’s popular Gastown public house, toasts to both the late John Clough, Vancouver’s first and onlylamplighter, and to 85 years in the liquor business.
On Sunday, November 7, TheLamplighter’s friends, supporters and public are invited to swing by the historic Gastown venue, housed in the old Dominion Grand Hotel, where a day of Prohibition-era cocktails, canapés, décor and entertainment begins at 2:00pm. With live music performances throughout the day, the evening party will carry on until early morning, celebrating in authentic 1920s style.
Live entertainment from “King of Swing” Dal Richards will jazz up the joint with his big band sound while burlesque dancers keep the vibe sultry and sassy. Guests are encouraged – but not required – to come in their 1920s finest, so bring out those cloches, newsboy caps and suspenders if you’re feeling the mood.
The Lamplighter 85 Year Anniversary takes place Sunday November 7, 2010 from 2:00pm until late. To RSVP, please email meredith@dhmbars.ca.
The Lamplighter Pub opened its doors on the ground floor of the Dominion Hotel in 1925, obtaining British Columbia’s first liquor license and becoming the first speakeasy of its kind to serve alcohol to women. The pub is named after John Clough, who lit the coal oil lamps along Gastown’s brick streets in 1887 before Vancouver introduced electric lights. Today, much of the original exposed brick, tin stamped ceilings, stained glass windows and railings still remain, with the addition of a new sound system, flat screen televisions, French doors and garden-style patio. Located at 92 Water Street, this Gastown institution is now the go-to place for live music, DJs, sports or hanging out with friends, old and new.
Donnelly Group is a creative and diverse management company that owns and operates award-winning nightclubs: Republic, Bar None, and the Post Modern; popular pubs: The Bimini, The Calling, The Library Square Public House, Smiley’s Pub, the Lamplighter, the Academic, and Cinema Public House; the popular cocktail lounge The Granville Room, and the Metropole Community Pub. The company’s attention to detail, impressive entertainment calendars, modern designs, community and charity support, and strict policies on patron safety have earned them a reputation as an industry leader in Vancouver. For more information please visit:
Thanksgiving Roast
Roasted Mount Lehman Turkey and Stuffing with Yukon Gold Mash Potatoes, Cauliflower Cheese, Honey Roasted Carrots, Green Beans and Pan Jus.
Complimentary Dessert
Pumpkin Pie & Mario’s Vanilla Gelati
Orphan’s Thanksgiving Dinner is available this Thanksgiving Sunday, October 10th, 2010 at The Academic, Calling, Cinema, Lamplighter, Library Square Public Houses. Regular menu also in effect.
We’re launching a new Nightclub Cocktail menu in time for Fall on Wednesday, September 22nd at Republic Nightclub and Friday, September 24th at Bar None Nightclub – here’s a preview from our Bar & Beverage director, Trevor Kallies.
Classic
Daquiri – date unknown
Havana club white rum, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, lime wheel
Journalist – 1930, harry craddock’s the savoy cocktail book.
Gordon’s london dry gin, sweet & dry vermouth, lemon juice, orange bitters,
Hilarious video from local emcee Jeff Spec, about a man and his sneakers. Is that a Pharoahe Monch sample in there? From his album ‘Sneakerboxxx’ available on iTunes now.
Come to "City Lights Saturdays: St. Patricks with Zak Santiago & J-Fresh" Saturday, March 17 from 9:00 pm to 3:00... http://t.co/FoaJBAWD5 hours agoFebruary 8, 2012
@meatnpotatoes24 Hi Matthew, thanks for getting back to us via email. Let us know if we can assist any further. Cheers, #NewOxford 5 hours agoFebruary 8, 2012
Happy to celebrate #NewOxford's 1 Yr Anni, WED FEB 8TH. To our loyal Twitter followers & Facebook friends, RSVP... http://t.co/UO8NkEIH6 hours agoFebruary 8, 2012
In Good Spirits: @TOTC back for second round - 4-day festival celebrates the art of mixed drinks @tkallies... http://t.co/G3cS3Jvh7 days agoFebruary 1, 2012
