1 Alexander St. <\/em><\/p>\n Scandalous and delightful things often happen in basements\u2014a fact Guilt & Co. knows well. Located in a basement off Alexander Street, the whiskey swirls freely in glasses atop wooden barrels as live music and cabaret punctuates the evening revelry. This is a place that asks you to \u201cdescend to temptation\u201d and leave your goodness at the door. You can also leave your expectations of common food back at the coat rack. That meat and cheese plate is made with rabbit terrine and chicken liver p\u00e2t\u00e9; entree options include ostrich meat prepared two ways; and those ain\u2019t pork chops, they\u2019re boar chops, thick and sinful. Don\u2019t feel guilty; indulge.<\/p>\n 3rd<\/sup> Ave and Main St.<\/em><\/p>\n There\u2019s no sign on the door, and no obvious welcome mat or outdoor attendant\u2014only a red light that twinkles in the dark night, beckoning you to walk in. True to its name, the gastropub is narrow, offering only a few in-demand tables lined by turn-of-the-century portraits and the occasional case of taxidermy.\u00a0 The drinks are strong and the food menu is laced with a sense of humour. Here, you can order \u201ctwo handfuls\u201d of treats, the \u201cunburger sandwich\u201d (meatloaf served in a toasted baguette), \u201cfree-run\u201d chicken, and the option to add corn and black beans to nachos for \u201cFREEEEEE.\u201d Don\u2019t be narrow-minded; this place is one of the hottest bars in town.<\/p>\n 135 Keefer St.<\/em><\/p>\n Deep in Chinatown is an apothecary-inspired bar waiting to be explored. The Keefer Bar uses house-made bitters to create \u201celixirs\u201d that balance moods and smooth any pains you might be bringing with you. The liquor cabinets all promise something delicious with a twist of naughty in your glass. And in a place full of dark wood, Edison light bulbs, locally sourced and exotic spices, bartenders with shocks of colourful hair, and a giant sign near the booze that says \u201cMedical Center,\u201d you know you\u2019re in good hands.<\/p>\n 251 East Georgia St.<\/em><\/p>\n Located off the main drag with discreet windows and a patio, you might think that Mamie Taylor\u2019s is\u2026well, certainly not what\u2019s waiting for you. Boar heads and stuffed ducks line the walls, with a menu that\u2019s \u201cpretty much, most of the time, fairly up to date and accurate, except for when it isn\u2019t,\u201d and a playful personality that\u2019s a mix of your loudest college buddy and the coolest person in the room. Mamie Taylor\u2019s likes its drinks and dishes done right, with a few extra pops of surprise. This means cocktails called the Charlie Murphy, ZZ Top 16, and mercy mercy, and food like ham hock tater tots with aioli, cauliflower salad, and fried chicken served on a sweet corn herb waffle with dandelion greens. This isn\u2019t your mama\u2019s kitchen, and that\u2019s the point.<\/p>\n 6 Powell St. <\/em><\/p>\n Pick your poison. Do you want a cocktail from the \u201cDelicate\u201d side of the cocktail menu? How about the \u201cProper\u201d? Or perhaps you\u2019ll find your match on the \u201cNotorious\u201d section, with drinks like the Penicillin (blended scotch, peated scotch, ginger, lemon, and honey), or Buck Buck Mule (London Dry Gin, Fino sherry, cucumber, lime, and ginger beer). The Diamond is considered one of the top bars in Gastown, but there\u2019s still a little something special if you know how to ask. The gastropub offers a private Happy Hour section for small groups, if you need to host a quick last-minute event in a trendy spot off the beaten path. Sit down in one of the wooden chairs alongside the red brick walls and white trimmings and be transported to a top-shelf life.<\/p>\n 1227 Granville St.<\/em><\/p>\n Who knocked those holes in the wall? Was it the lead singer of Kings of Leon? The drummer of The Sheepdogs? The bassist of The Pixies? Who cares? The rough and tumble d\u00e9cor adds to the charm of this joint. The Morrissey is equal parts rock and roll and pub recipes \u201cstolen from mom.\u201d Fill up on appetizers (called \u201cCANDY FROM A STRANGER\u201d on the menu), or order one of the main dishes like roasted pork and leek sausage, curry poutine, or thick cut BLTs before catching a show on the main stage.<\/p>\n 45 Blood Alley <\/em><\/p>\n With an address like 45 Blood Alley, you know you\u2019ve stumbled upon a new classic when you enter the Salt Tasting Room. Home to red-brick walls, chalkboard menus, and steel chairs, there\u2019s something deliciously to the point about how good the food is here. You assemble your own tasting plate with your pick of cheeses, meats, and condiments, along with a wine pairing. From there, dig in. There\u2019s also a back space reserved for guests that can\u2019t be reserved online. Email Salt Tasting Room directly and slip into the hottest seat in town.<\/p>\n 555 Gore Ave <\/em><\/p>\n Aglow in soft green hues, the Emerald is a place where martinis are shaken in one room, while a party indulging in shots takes place in soundproof room down the hall. It\u2019s old-school Vegas meets \u201cMad Men\u201d glory, with private rooms and large lounges that invite you in for a good drink. There are four distinct spaces that offer anything you could need in an evening. The Lounge is perfect for mingling with a side of canapes; The Dining Room can be adapted to host a stage, bottle service, and tableside Caesar cart; The Main Stage has a semi-private table that can sit 18; and \u201cThe Cabaret\u201d hosts private events within the soundproof walls and comes with small stage for a DJ, along with a private bar and bartender. It\u2019s old school but wonderfully so.<\/p>\n 7-1128 West Broadway <\/em><\/p>\n Wedged between a shoe store and picture framing shop is a top rising star in the food game. We\u2019re talking about Salmon n\u2019 Bannock, one of Vancouver\u2019s only First Nations restaurants that specializes in bannock, free-range game meats, and wild fish. You\u2019re treated like family here, with top-notch service and meals meant for sharing. Try out the feast menu, where you can sample bison meat loaf, elk roast, or B.C. spot prawns. And as you munch, look up. The red walls are decorated with First Nations symbols and artwork. Memorize the landmarks around here; trust us, you\u2019ll be back.<\/p>\n 1869 Powell St.<\/em><\/p>\n When you see the little red wagon sign in East Vancouver\u2019s Port District, you\u2019ll know you hit the jackpot. Bistro Wagon Rouge rejects the idea that French food has to be intimidating. With black and white checkered floors, red leather seats, and charming service, you can feel like you\u2019re in Paris, minus the plane ticket. Don\u2019t see their menu on the website? They prefer not to publish what\u2019s on deck, as they like surprising their guests\u2019 taste buds as often as possible. Rest assured: It\u2019s ridiculously good cuisine. Expect perfect duck confit, pork belly, cassoulet, and some of the best French onion soup in the province. Local secret? Not anymore.<\/p>\n Discover more of Vancouver\u2019s food and drink scene when you check out these hidden gems. And hey, we’d be remiss if we didn’t recommend some\u00a0Vancouver hotels<\/a> to crash in after a few too many drinks. Safety first (shots second!). Get those knives sharpened and forks poised. You\u2019re feasting tonight.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"Photo](\"http:\/\/expedia.blog.ca.local\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/GuiltCo_1.jpg\")
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Narrow Lounge <\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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The Keefer Bar <\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Mamie Taylor\u2019s <\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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The Diamond <\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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The Morrissey <\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Salt Tasting Room <\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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The Emerald <\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Salmon n\u2019 Bannock <\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Bistro Wagon Rouge <\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n