Vancouver, British Columbia
North America Telephone Area Code:  604 (001 604 from UK)
(Currency mentioned on this page is Canadian Dollars, with approx UK Pounds)
XE.com Personal Currency Assistant for current conversions

There are no restrictions for people with HIV/AIDS entering Canada as tourists for short stays. All foreigners intending to stay in Canada for more than 6 months have to get tested for HIV.
See HIV Travellers Website for current Canadian regulations.

Updated April 20, 2009

Vancouver is one of the world's most diverse cities, a virtual "United Nations".  It has a thriving gay part of town, centred around Davie Street, where even the bus shelters are painted pink!  Arguably Canada's "gayest" city, though Toronto might well say otherwise!

Everywhere you go in Vancouver, you will find it friendly.  And Brits are especially welcome!

For more than four years, Vancouver has been a "no smoking" city, though nicotine junkies can puff away outdoors.  Having said that, most bars and even some eating places have smoking areas that are technically outside.

Have you anything to say about Vancouver?  Perhaps you have knowledge of one of the listing below and would like to give your view. Or you may think we should list somewhere  Send us an email and we will include your thoughts

Unless stated, prices do not include GST or other local taxes

Gay Information
2009 Pride: Sunday August 2
Vancouver Pride Website

Local Gay Magazines

  Outlooks.  125a - 1030 Denman Street , V6G 2M6   ( 818-0046    website
Vancouver edition of the Calgary-based national monthly magazine.

  XTRA West. 501-1033 Davie Street, V6E 1M7   ( 684-9696  website
The Vancouver edition of XTRA - a monthly free publication available at most gay venues.

Hotels

Pacific Palisades.  1277 Robson Street, V6E 1C4.  ( 688-0461 (fax 688- 4374) website
Upscale hotel in downtown area.  Part of the Kimpton group which is renowned for being "gay friendly".  The decor in the hotel might be somewhat unusual, but it blends in with the hotel's raison d'être that a hotel should be a "fun place" to stay.  Prices from around $135 (£57.26) a room per night off season. You will not be disappointed!

Ramada Inn & Suites Downtown.  1221 Granville Street, V6Z 1M6.    ( 683-5522  website
Close to Davie Street and nightlife.  Double rooms from $104.25 (£42.50) a night.

Ramada Inn Vancouver Centre.  898 W. Broadway, V5Z 1J8.  ( 872-8661  website
Located uptown, close to Vancouver General Hospital. Many rooms with balconies, with views of downtown area and the Rocky Mountains. Double rooms from $86.25 (£35.20)

Howard Johnson.  1176 Granville Street, V6Z 1L8  ( 688 8335 website
Superb value.  Double rooms from $79 (£33.50) a night during the week (Sunday to Thursday) in winter.  $10 more at weekends.  Situated virtually on the intersection of Granville and Davie Streets

Clubs/Bars

The Fountainhead Pub.  1025 Davie Street, V6E 1M6  (  687-2222  website
Friendly bar, with heated patio for smokers.  Good food is served by attentive staff.  Open to midnight Sundays to Thursdays and until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.

  Oasis Pub.  1240 Thurlow Street, V6E 1XS  (  685-1724  website
There are not many places left on this planet where you can sit in a leather-backed lounge chair and listen to someone "tickling the ivories" on a baby grand.  Over 200 different martinis to choose from!  Superb food as well.  Open daily from 3.30pm.

  Odyssey Club.  1251 Howe Street, V6    (  689-5256  website
Said to be the hottest gay bar in Vancouver - and the go-go dancers and strippers are said to be the most daring in Canada! For the "younger set".  If you look under 25, then two photo IDs required!  Open nightly from 9pm.  Closes 2am (4am on Friday and Saturday nights).  If you need a nicotine "fix", then the club has a licensed  outdoors patio for poofs to puff (Vancouver can get cold in winter!).

Restaurants/Cafés

Cafe Luxy.  1235 Davie Street, V6E 1N4   (  669-5899  website
Popular Italian restaurant in the "village".  Open weekdays from 11 am to 11pm (Saturdays & Sundays 9am to 11pm).  A main course for around $10 (£4) and a pint of draught beer is $4.28 (£1.75) - cocktail is even cheaper.

Elbow Room Café.  560 Davie Street, V6B 2G4  (  685-3628  website
One of the most famous cafés in the world.  Yes, this is the place where staff serve good food and friendly abuse to customers.  It does not matter if you are a famous movie star (yes, they eat here when filming in the city) or just any ordinary person looking for something decent to eat, you will be told in no uncertain manner:  "If you want coffee, get it yourself!"  Front-man Patrick "camps it up" all day.  Open for breakfasts, closes around 4pm.  Very reasonable prices.  Expect to queue at busy times, but it is worth the wait.

Hamburger Mary's.  1202 Davie Street, V6E 1M4  (  687-1293  website
Forget your quarter-pounders, fries and shakes ... treat yourself to a real 6 ounce hamburger (with the nearest thing to English chips you will find in North America) and a half-litre milkshake that is actually made of milk with real fruit!  Fast food, this in NOT!  Expect to wait 20 minutes or so while they make and cook the burger.  The classic 6-ounce burger is $6.99 (£3.13) and a milkshake is $3.49 (£1.56).  Said to be the best hamburger and milkshake in Vancouver ... and who would argue with that!
 

Bookshops/Video

  Little Sisters Bookshop.  1238 Davie Street, V6E 1N4  (  669-1753  website
Everything from books and gift items to clothing, videos and "toys".  Said to have the world's best selection of GLBT literature. Make this your first port of call after arriving in Vancouver as they have all the gay newspapers and flyers for what's on during your visit.

Saunas/Bathhouses/Massage

  F212 Steam.  1048 Davie Street   (  689-9719  website
Said by many to be Canada's finest (but those in the east might disagree!  Open 24/7.   Three-day membership is $3 or £1.25 (one month $5 or £2).  Admission:  Lockers $10 (£4), Rooms $15 (£6.15),  Double rooms $17 (£6.95), Deluxe $22 (£9) during day.  Evening/night and weekend prices slightly higher (see website).

  F212 Steam.  430 Columbia Street, New Westminster   (  540-2117  website
Some 30 minutes by SkyTrain from downtown Vancouver.  Located opposite Columbia Station.  One of Canada's newest bathhouses.  Open 24/7. Three-day membership is $3 or £1.25 (one month $5 or £2).  Admission:  Lockers $10 (£4), Rooms $14 (£5.70),  Double rooms $20 (£8) during day.

  M2M.  1210 Granville Street    (  684-6011  website
For the "leather and Levi's" crowd.  Open 24/7.  Three-day membership is $3 or £1.25 (one month $5 or £2).  Admission:  Lockers $14 (£5.70); Rooms $18 (£7.33); Deluxe Rooms $25 (£10).  Prices are for stay of up to 8 hours.