From our calendar to yours comes this carefully considered agenda of cool things we are doing, wishing we could do, or conspiring to do in Vancouver from Thursday, April 17th to Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025. Please note that you can now get the Scout List – with a few extra pieces of intel included – sent to your inbox every Thursday. Sign up for your subscription here.

SUNSHINE | It’s not summer, but why not pretend it is? Temperatures are climbing. No coats will be required for the next few days. Hit patios. Hit beaches. Hit parks. It almost doesn’t matter where you are – it’s going to be good. Our suggestion: Jericho. A low cost oceanfront community centre with concrete floors dusted in sand, sparsely outfitted instructional classrooms, a straightforward burger and beer menu in The Galley – it doesn’t deal in pretension or exclusivity. It gets right down to the business of enjoying salt air and waves.

OPEN | Chupito Coctelería, the cocktail-forward Mexican spot once tucked down a back alley, had to close last year when redevelopment forced them out. But now they’re back, reopening in Mount Pleasant this week. The new space doesn’t have the same old hidden entry, but it still feels like something you’ve stumbled onto, that’s slightly secret or off the map in the best way. And it’s got the same focus. The cocktails are sharp. The kitchen’s locked in. The people are cool. And yes, when you walk in, you’re still greeted with a chupito: a tiny, ice-cold slushy margarita in a rotating flavour. DETAILS

SNACKS | DD Mau Chinatown is turning seven, and they’re throwing a proper party to celebrate. On Sunday, April 20th, the Chinatown restaurant is bringing back some of their top hits — think Charlie’s Fried Chicken Sliders, Shrimp Skewers, Phở Gà Trộn, and their cult-status Corn Ribs — for a one-night-only “All-Star Snack Party”. Expect bold food, playful cocktails (like Grandma’s Tea and the gin-forward but spirit-free-optional Hanoi Hannah), loud music, and the same high-energy, family-rooted spirit that’s defined the East Pender spot since day one. Tickets are an approachable $59 each, including tax, grats, a complimentary cocktail, and all of the snacks. Get yours before they’re gone! DETAILS

BASEBALL | The Vancouver Canadians are playing the Eugene Emeralds at Nat Bailey Stadium this weekend. Nothing says “sunny long weekend” like a bag of peanuts, cold beer, and baseball game on home field. The Canadians play the Emeralds on Thursday evening at 7pm, and Friday through Sunday at 1pm. Tickets are $22ish and good times will be had. Swing batta batta batta, swing-a-batta!  DETAILS 

NOURISH | It’s a long weekend! What better way to capitalize on the extra time off than to cook for friends and/or family at home. Don’t be caught without the best ingredients. Load up at the Trout Lake Farmers Market. This is a nice time of year to get adventurous with your home menu. Stock up on goodies like local salad greens, fiddleheads, morels, stinging nettles, first of the season asparagus, some nice spring radishes, and green garlic. There will also be artisan breads, preserves, honey, wild salmon, cookies, pies, flowers, and even a food truck or a few to keep you busy.DETAILS

SKATE | It’s a long weekend, and it’s supposed to be (mostly) sunny. Plan on spending as much time outside as possible! One fun way to do that is by joining Late Bloomers Skate Club for their first outdoors meetup of the season. No board or skateboarding experience necessary! (There will be spare boards and safety gear available, just be sure to reach out to them beforehand if you want to borrow something.) Heck, you don’t even need to step on a board, if you just want to hang out and show your support. Totally inclusive and non-judgemental. Best case scenario: you walk away with some new inspiration, skills, and an activity for the warm seasons ahead. Worst case scenario: you go home with a couple of trophy bruises and a “glad I tried it, but not for me” attitude. No RSVP or registration required. FREE. DETAILS

SCORE | This Friday and Saturday, local folk tattoo artist, Daniel Kurc, is popping up at the Filson shop in Gastown with his “side hustle”, Old Paint Antiquities. Dude packs some serious style, and his taste for vintage is off the charts. (And, if you were a regular reader of “The Dishes”, you know that he also appreciates good food and drink.) If you’re familiar with his Main Street studio, Victory Tattoo, then you know what we’re talking about. Expect weird and wonderful antiques/vintage curiosities, clothing, and art. Definitely worth checking out, even if you don’t intend to buy! Also of note: friends and fellow vintage clothing aficionados, Kamuy Vintage, will be joining the sale on Friday only. DETAILS

SOOTHE | This Sunday Rise Up Marketplace is channeling some seriously tropical long weekend vibes when they host Chef Lisa Brown and DJ Lt. Irie, along with some other guest selectors, for the first of their monthly Sunday Soothe events. Expect all the chill, upbeat and family-friendly social stylings of a BBQ set-up, with real-deal Caribbean comfort food flavours courtesy of Brown. This long weekend sure is shaping up to be a mighty tasty one! DETAILS

POP UP | Local baker Jason Navarra (Merci Boulangerie; formerly Livia) is doing a pop up thing at Merci on Commercial Drive next week, showing off his chops with a menu of Filipino-inspired bread and pastries. We’re talking savoury pandesal with whipped latik butter and longganisa & keso with white cheddar and chives; and sweets like ube cinnamon buns with ube cream cheese, and laminated mango suso with vanilla pastry cream and mango curd. And that’s not all! You can scope out the full menu and plan your attack in advance here. It’s happening for one-day-only, on Easter (Monday, April 21st). The ‘Panaderya’ opens for business at 10am and will keep going until 2pm (or sold out). We’re betting that the latter will come sooner, though! Card and exact change payments only; so if cash is your style, then empty your piggy bank of its small coins, if necessary, and plan on showing up early, armed-and-ready with your wallet, patience, and appetite! DETAILS

ART | To mark a decade of turning dining into dialogue, PiDGiN is throwing a special one-night-only dinner celebrating its long-running “Artist in Restaurant” series. On the evening of Tuesday, April 22nd, the restaurant becomes a canvas once more, with works by nine standout local artists along with a collaborative tasting menu from PiDGiN’s former Chef Wesley Young and current Exec Chef Karlo Sarmiento. Expect an immersive evening shaped by colour, memory, and flavour, crafted by the very people who helped define the restaurant’s creative spirit. Featuring: Jay Senetchko, Priscilla Yu, Katie So, Ilya Viryachev, Johnny Taylor, Kari Kristensen, Tara Lee Bennett, Crissy Arseneau, and Caroline Weaver. This is a very cool way to bring people together over food and art. Nice move, PiDGiN! DETAILS

420 | You know the drill: If ya got em, smoke em. That’s all.

COMMUNITY. NOT CLICKBAIT.