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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
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
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Unless stated, prices do not include GST
or other local taxes
Gay Information
(2004 Pride: July 24 to August 2)
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!
Dufferin Hotel. 900 Seymour Street, V6B 3L9. (
683-5522 website
Inexpensive hotel right in the middle of all the nitelife. Minutes
from Granville Street and Davie Street. Double ensuite rooms with
colour TV and direct-dial telephone from $89 (£36) in summer or from $49
(£20) in winter. Rates mentioned are for online bookings. Gay pub at
ground level.
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
Dufferin. 900 Seymour Street, V6B 3L9 (
683-4251
Vancouver's original gay bar.
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.
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