Here's a closer look at Vancouver's newest eateries, drinking spots, hotels, conference areas, private rooms and other spaces available for events this summer. The new and renovated Vancouver venues are available for corporate parties, weddings, fundraisers, outdoor functions, business dinners, team-building activities, conferences, meetings and more.
A note regarding COVID-19: Some of the venues listed here may not yet be available for hosting events due to COVID-19, or they may be operating at a lower capacity. As venues begin to slowly reopen across North America, we encourage event organizers to contact the venues to verify current capacity restrictions.
The Roof at Black+Blue
The Roof, Vancouver’s largest rooftop eatery, unveiled a stylish remodel in March. The restaurant is designed to impress, starting with the glass-walled elevator that transports guests to the top floor and continuing outside with lush greenery, wood-plank flooring, fireplace walls and a plant-covered trellis with vines and flowers that seem to drip down from the sky. The menu is an extension of that of Black+Blue, which is located downstairs, including dishes like charred prawns skewers, risotto with mushrooms and truffles, and beef tenderloin poached in wagyu fat and cooked over wood coals. In total, the venue seats as many as 85 for buyouts.
Photo: Glowbal Group
Sneaky Pete’s Pool Cafe
Sneaky Pete’s Pool Cafe opened in March in East Vancouver. The laid-back venue features eight tournament-level pool tables, and planners can arrange for guests to enjoy friendly competitions as well as coaching for beginners. The bar is stocked with beer on tap and in cans, cider, wine, spirits and cocktails, while the kitchen churns out artisan pizzas and fun bar snacks like chili-lime popcorn and mixed olives. Spanning 3,000 square feet, the space can accommodate 74 total guests, with high-top tables and bar seating on hand for taking a load off between games. Events can also utilize projectors, wireless microphones and a wireless sound system.
Photo: Courtesy of Sneaky Pete’s Pool Cafe
Livelyhood
Livelyhood opened its doors in Port Moody in March. Measuring 4,500 square feet, the venue accommodates as many as 150 guests for receptions or 120 for seated events. The decor is refined yet accented with trendy elements like colorful tufted seating, eye-catching plaid floors and playful wall art. The kitchen churns out from-scratch fare like crispy maple pork belly, hand-pulled pizzas and steak frites.
Photo: Courtesy of Livelyhood
The Rec Room Burnaby
Burnaby got an extra dose of fun in July when The Rec Room, an expansive gaming and entertainment destination, opened its doors. The 44,000-square-foot complex, which accommodates as many as 1,250 people for buyouts, boasts activities ranging from video games to ping-pong to live music, and has multiple dining outlets and private spaces that can be reserved for groups. Available areas include Three10, a restaurant that serves Canadian-inspired cuisine and seats 320; the Ping Pong Lounge with space for 140; and VIP Hall, which accommodates 30 for receptions or 24 for seated meals.
Photo: Courtesy of The Rec Room
Versante Hotel
Set to open at the end of July in easy reach of Vancouver Airport, Versante Hotel is Richmond’s first boutique hotel. With design details like vibrant colors, a charcoal sculpture by Marie Khouri and a handcrafted chinoiserie rug by Andy Dixon, the property is meant to evoke the excitement of a Chinese night market. In addition to 100 guest rooms and suites, Versante features a rooftop pool and multiple food and beverage outlets. More than 5,500 square feet of meeting space is available for events, including the 3,000-square-foot third floor, which can accommodate 132 for banquets or 180 for cocktail parties; the 2,500-square-foot ALAÏA restaurant, with space for 20 conference style, 60 for banquets or 80 for cocktail receptions; and the 610-square-foot Jade room, which fits 24 for banquets, 40 cocktail or theater style, or 15 for classroom setups.
Rendering: Courtesy of Versante Hotel
CRAFT Beer Market English Bay
CRAFT Beer Market expanded into the West End with an English Bay location in March. The space includes artist murals, a dining room with views of the ocean and the striking Vancouver sunset, integrated sound and screens, vintage neon signs and more than 100 beers on tap. The kitchen serves up an eclectic range of casual, fresh fare like poutine, kung pao lettuce wraps, cheddar bacon burgers and house-made ice cream sandwiches. Several areas of the 9,500-square-foot venue are available for private and semiprivate events: The main dining area seats 100 or accommodates 125 cocktail style, the tap room seats 46, the rooftop seats 60 and the beer garden seats 45.
Photo: Courtesy of CRAFT Beer Market
Alimentaria Mexicana
In July, Alimentaria Mexicana opened on Granville Island. From the vibrant color scheme to the mezcal-heavy bar, the restaurant encompasses the spirit and culture of Mexico. The family-style cantina menu currently includes traditional specialties like tuna ceviche, carne asada and salsa verde with handmade corn tortillas, with a larger menu set to roll out in the coming weeks and months. Operating with a mission to support Mexican farmers, suppliers and artisans, the 120-seat venue also includes a classroom space that can be reserved for educational programming for groups.
Photo: Courtesy of Alimentaria Mexicana
Smith’s Bar & Lounge
May saw the opening of Smith’s Bar & Grill in Gastown, a 200-seat, 4,000-square-foot bar and lounge. Featuring a mix of snugs, high-top tables and low-top tables, the space is decorated in Irish style, with copper tones, exposed brick walls and teal accents. On the menu, guests will find traditional Irish fare with an upscale twist, with dishes like grilled sausage topped with curry sauce, a whiskey-infused burger and beer-battered cod with twice-cooked fries. At the back of the bar, an event-friendly space known as “The Forge” features its own bar, as well as an attached private courtyard. Three large TVs, a stage and a sound system equipped for live music are just a few of the amenities available for events.
Photo: Courtesy of Smith’s Bar & Lounge
Uncle’s Snack Shop
Uncle’s Snack Shop set up shop in Richmond Centre in March. The low-key, welcoming atmosphere matches the modern comfort food menu, where standouts include Asian-inspired bites like scrumptious fried chicken sandwiches, salted egg yolk ribs and tater tots with chicken ramen seasoning. Inside, the 550-square-foot space seats 10, but the 400-square-foot outdoor patio, which offers sunset views, accommodates as many as 25. A projector and speakers are available for screenings and presentations.
Photo: Courtesy of Uncle's Snack Shop
Irish Heather Shebeen
After 24 years in Gastown, the Irish Heather Shebeen relocated to a brand new spot in Chinatown in June. While the modern gastropub clearly takes its decor cues from the traditional Irish pub, the menu includes internationally influenced specialties like the Seacuterie (think charcuterie, but with seafood), stacked corned beef sandwiches, chicharrons and, of course, a full Irish brunch on the weekends. In addition to cocktails, beer and wine, the bar serves up more than 200 varieties of whiskey. In total, the restaurant seats as many as 127 guests with a combination of bar stools, tables, booths and community tables. Sister restaurant Salt Tasting Room will join the gastropub in the new building in the fall.
Photo: Courtesy of Irish Heather Shebeen
