The ever-evolving Restaurant Graveyard series looks back at the countless, long-shuttered establishments that helped to propel Vancouver’s food and drink forward. Full A-Z with maps and photos here. May they never be forgotten!

Habit Lounge at 2610 Main St. was the second restaurant from the group that has since given us the likes of The Cascade Room, The Union, El Camino’s and Main Street Brewing Company (their first was a much-loved breakfast joined in Kits called Tangerine). The restaurant had two lives. The first – born in 2005 – was a very bright, modern, minimalist 70 seater that was well-known in the neighbourhood for its delicious brunches.

Sadly, it was snuffed out in a kitchen fire in the wee hours of December 8th, 2008. Nine months later, the second iteration of Habit Lounge came into being. I remember it as a dark and sexy space intentionally modelled after a 1970s Canadian home recreation room (complete with shag carpet walls and funk soundtrack). Nick Devine, one of Vancouver’s top bartenders, was in charge of the cocktail program, so the drinks – all reimagined kitschy classics – were well-executed, beautifully presented and in conceptual lock-step with the transportive look and feel of the space. The photo gallery at bottom shows how it looked on opening night back in September, 2009.

Habit Lounge was closed in 2013 to make way for Charlie’s Little Italian (same owners). The address is now home to the Cuban-themed Tocador.

Habit Lounge

Neighbourhood: Main Street

2610 Main St.

(Closed)