Gastown Archives

Heads Up / Gastown

Sign Up for a Jewellery Making Class with Local Designer Erica Leal

This 'summer in October' weather won't last forever. It's smart to arm yourself with activities and distractions for when the skies turn grey and the sun starts setting before dinner - such as taking a hands-on jewellery making workshop.
Track and Food / Gastown

Casey Greabeiel and Chris Decock on Bringing an Alberta-Born Bar to Vancouver

An insightful and enthusiastic chat with the co-owners of Greta, Gastown's new Arcade Bar concept.
Heads Up / Gastown

Cheers to Three Years of Beer-Forward Gastown Restaurant, ‘The Magnet’

The Magnet opened its doors to much anticipation from beer- and food-lovers alike, at the end of April 2019. Post pandemic, here's hoping that the restaurant's magnetism is recharged and pulling crowds through its doors for many years to come.
Gastown

On Nourishing the Community and Raising the (Chocolate) Bar for Women, with Shelley Bolton

In light of recent news announcing the sale of local social enterprise, East Van Roasters, we checked in with its founder, Shelley Bolton, to discuss the changes, the future, and to reflect on her experience with EVR to date.
The New Breed / Gastown

From Side-Hustling Wedding Cakes to Solo-Dining Desserts, with Pastry Chef Oliver Bernardino

When your dinner menu is as precisely executed and beautifully plated as those of Chef Lee Cooper’s, at award-winning L'Abattoir Restaurant, your desserts had better be equally spectacular. Pastry chef Oliver Bernardino understands this, and he’s up to the task.
Restaurant Graveyard / Gastown

The Cozy Prairie Themed Bar Tucked Away on Cordova Street

This cozy, unpretentious Saskatchewan-themed Gastown tavern was a beer- and bourbon-lovers' living room, with a food menu that could have been featured entirely in Scout's 'Comfort Food Guide to Vancouver'.
Heads Up / Gastown

Check Out SAD Mag’s Nostalgic New Photo Exhibit, Popping Up in Gastown This Weekend Only

With the help of 10 diverse, local artists working with photography, the publication has revived a quaint and nostalgic analog medium to present 'The Disposable Camera Project: FOUND'.
Heads Up / Gastown

Two Cool Closet Sales To Check Out in Gastown This Weekend

Kicking off Friday (Nov. 26th), One of a Few and The Block are hosting back-to-back used clothing shopping events - think discerningly cool and mostly small, independent brands (aka: the good stuff).
You Need To Try This / Gastown

You Need to Try These Sublime Roasted Peaches on Sourdough Toast in Gastown

Gastown's Nelson The Seagull makes a lot of wholesome, delicious stuff, but this one stands out for its summery subtlety.
Restaurant Graveyard / Gastown

Remembering the Gastown Restaurant That Elevated Vancouver’s Pizza Game

Located at 62 East Cordova St. in Gastown, Bill McCaig's Nicli Antica Pizzeria made AVPN-certified pies for nine delicious years.

Restaurant Graveyard / Gastown

RESTAURANT GRAVEYARD // Remembering a Gastown Original With a Mirrored Ceiling

The first Boneta was famed for its well-tended bar, industry-friendly atmosphere and French-inspired fare.
You Need To Try This / Gastown

You Need to Try the Next Level Takeaway Dinners from Gastown’s L’Abattoir

If this pandemic has taught me anything it's that takeout doesn't have to be lukewarm ugliness devoured in the shadows.
Restaurant Graveyard / Gastown

Remembering the Tiny Gastown Sushi Restaurant That Was ‘Delicious for You’

Cheffed by Keith Allison, Sea Monstr Sushi was connected to the Sharks + Hammers clothing and lifestyle shop on Alexander St.
Reader Poll / Gastown

Is Gastown’s Restaurant Scene Cooked?

All the recently shuttered restaurants in the neighbourhood will be replaced before long, but replaced with what?
Restaurant Graveyard / Gastown

Remembering Gastown’s Ambitious but Doomed Modern German Restaurant

The 2015 arrival of film director Uwe Boll's Bauhaus restaurant was met with deafening quiet from the community it sought to join.
TBT / Gastown

Seven Years Ago Today, Awaiting the Launch of Gastown’s Short-Lived Blacktail Florist

I remember this walkabout very well, mostly because of how convinced I was of the likely success of the place. Alas, no.
Diner / Gastown

Gastown’s Irish Heather and Shebeen to Close, Move to New Neighbourhood

Since 1997 the Irish Heather has been a charming, unpretentious respite for a pie and a pint. Gastown won't be the same without it.
Restaurant Graveyard / Gastown

This Dark and Sexy Restaurant With a ‘Nuevo Latino’ Theme Was Once a Gastown Hotspot

Cobre enjoyed a five-year run before shutting down in 2012 with the chef launching Cuchillo a few blocks east on Powell Street.
Vancouverites / Gastown

On the Crafts of Communication and Creating Identity With Artist Lydia Cecilia

To get up close with her artwork, be sure to RSVP to the February 13th Neighbourhood Pop-Up event.
Restaurant Graveyard / Gastown

This Acclaimed Gastown Restaurant Will Be Remembered as One of the Best of Its Generation

The city - and most immediately the 100 block of West Hastings - is so much the lesser for the loss of Wildebeest.
Cool Things We Want / Gastown

We Want to Get Ambient With These Groovy, Locally Made Candleholders

One of a Few is currently in possession of two of these, so if you're planning to get romantic this weekend, pounce!
TBT / Gastown

A Look Back and Last Call for Gastown’s Peckinpah

Selling a restaurant can't be easy, especially in the midst of a pandemic and in a neighbourhood that's having a hard go of it.
You Need To Try This / Gastown

You Need to Try This Pork Belly Rice Bowl With a Side of Gochugaru Citrus Spiced Chicharrones

The next thing you know you're up to your sinuses in crunchy, salty, silky, spicy deliciousness, ready and willing to hang in there.
Restaurant Graveyard / Gastown

This Shuttered Gastown Restaurant May Have Been Tiny, But It Sure Left a Big Hole

The Sardine Can was a small and subtly stylish restaurant that turned out classic shareables like patatas bravas and albondigas.
Comfort Food / Gastown

COMFORT FOOD GUIDE // This Is Why There Are a Half-Dozen Locations of Meat & Bread

The rolled-up beauty is hit with high heat to blister the skin, resulting in toothsome crackling that will make your knees buckle.
TBT / Gastown

PHOTOS // Ten Years Ago, Inside the Last Day of Training and First Night of Service at L’Abattoir

Many of the faces have changed, but the Gastown restaurant remains as reliably excellent a place for drinks and dinner as ever.
Cool Things We Want / Gastown

Five Cool Things We Want From Gastown’s 51 Powell Shop

51 Powell contains an eclectic collection of handmade and vintage items that are beautiful, useful, and often surprising...

Track and Food / Gastown

TRACK & FOOD PODCAST // Making Sense of Weird Times With Leticia Castro of The Diamond

In our 50th episode, we get down to brass tacks with one of the most respected and hard-working hospitality professionals in Vancouver.