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- Hours:
Mon-Sat 11 am - 1 am
Sun 11 am - 12 am
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Trendy, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
134 reviews for Chill Winston
Review Highlights
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"The massive patio is one of the best in the city." In 46 reviews -
"It's also a really BIG place and great for people watching." In 5 reviews -
"...Carpaccio, Strawberry Avocado Salad and the Daily Pizza." In 5 reviews
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134 reviews in English
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Review from Cheri B.
Vancouver, BC
4/6/2012
I am impressed by this place. I can ignore their blasphemous cocktail collection because I never thought Spooning Jesus could be soooo good!
The decor inside gives a warm vibe. It's like being at home with a lot of relatives you don't know just chilling there. As for the bathroom, I AM IMPRESSED. Smells good, looks good, and...I won't post the bathroom setup here to not ruin the first-timers' experience hehehe
The staff is friendly as well. There were 6 of us and didn't have an available table inside so we had to wine and dine out in the patio as we wait. We were told that if we move inside, we have to settle our bill first and then give our next orders to the new server. This was a bit inconvenient but when it was time for us to grab a table inside, the servers told us "Meh, you dont have to pay now, don't worry about it :)"
Applause.
I was surprised they didn't carry jagermeister and red bull but they made up for it by giving me a birthday muffdiver lol
All in all, Chill Winston is a chill dude and I approve. :) -
Review from Evilyn T.
5/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
A friend was having some birthday drinks here so she invited us all down to join her, I had checked out the menu prior to attending since I am a vegetarian and was happy to see they had options for my people. In the end I just had a liquid dinner, which is what Friday nights should all be about anyways. This place does have a nice patio for people watching, and now that Gastown is changing into a nicer area and the hobos are all being pushed further east, its a bit better for people watching albeit less entertaining than hobo-watching.
I had the Judas Kiss cockatil which was served in a martini glass, and was super delish, although tasted like it had maybe an ounce of booze in it, for $9 I wanna smell like a distillery when I get a cocktail. I also had the Exile's Elixir, which was definitely more potent, but not the right amount of sweet vs. booze ration that I required. I thought with the mix of Earl Grey and lavender, it would be a bit softer, so I am kind of wondering if I even got the right drink? Whatever, I drank my drank. I was tempted to order the Dear God drink - only because "your soul" is listed as one of the ingrediants, and Lord knows I have been sucking souls away for half of my life already. I found it kind of cute that a lot of their cocktails had biblical references in their names.
Chill Winston was just that, pretty chill, I kind of wished I had at least tried something on the menu so I could decide whether or not I would want to return - food does seem to be the deal breaker or maker for me. -
Review from Deanna S.
4/10/2012 1 photo
I had high expectations for this place because I had seen it a number of times while wandering around in Gastown. Yesterday was sunny and quite warm, so this was the first place that came to mind when I pictured a patio.
By the time I got there after 6, it was cooling down a bit, so I didn't bother with the patio after all, and sat inside where I would be cozy, though many people were on the patio even when I left (I've read some reviews that this is one of the best patio's in Vancouver, and I have to agree... it is the first one I think of when I even try to picture a patio in Vancouver).
Enough about the patio.
So it always seemed to be bumpin' and it has the kind of name that drops that cool vibe... so I imagined it would have equally cool food and drinks. It wasn't bad!
I ordered a Spooning Jesus to drink. It was quite strong. I'm a pretty cheap drunk so for about $10 I can usually get a good buzz going on. I'm not sure exactly how much alcohol is in this bad boy, but I verged on a buzzed feeling just before eating (and if I had another one I would probably have been feeling pretty good). I hated it at first because I'm not a huge fan of really strong alcohol-y tasting cocktails... but after about 2 or 3 sips, it got good. My boyfriend ordered a beer that had a hint of chocolate to it. I tried it and it was AMAZING.
For dinner, I ordered the steelhead roulade, and it was REALLY good. It came with potato pave which I think I would try and substitute for some kind of green veggie next time. The potatoes were good but I think I'd like something lighter with the fish. The only thing I didn't eat was the "almond tapenade," because I really don't like olives... The serving sizes were rather small, but I didn't leave starving. My boyfriend ordered the elk sirloin and hated it. The elk was so chewy that he was actually worried that it was a choking hazard. He actually couldn't finish chewing one part enough to swallow it that he spat it out into a napkin (I know, can't take him anywhere...). He loves his steaks well done usually, so I was surprised he complained!
Then, we still had room for dessert, so we asked the server what she recommended. She recommended either the truffles or the cheesecake. I didn't like the sound of truffles because I was hoping for something more than just a few pieces of chocolate. We were planning to share, and she said they were all great for sharing, so we ordered the cheesecake which is described as, "Pineapple salted caramel gooeyness."
We actually burst into laughter the moment the waitress left us alone with our "cheesecake". Don't get me wrong, it was good... but it was NOT what we were expecting. It was like a cheesecake in the form of a spring roll (where the cream cheese part was like wrapped in pineapple. It was pretty gooey... but it was also the size of my thumb. If I were to order it again, I would actually order like 5 to split between my boyfriend and I. And then there were graham crumbs to the side with a dollop of whipped cream. It was like cheesecake pulled apart and morphed into something else. I would have called this, "pineapple wrapped sweet cream cheese, with a side of graham crumbs topped with a dollop of whipped cream." NOT CHEESECAKE.
Overall it was just okay. The food was good (or at least I thought it was), but the place looks much cooler than it actually is. I would come back to try something else, to try the patio, and to have chocolatey beer... but that's it. Nothing special, really!Listed in: Eats
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Review from Dan C.
5/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
Nice place to grab some drinks with a big group. The bartenders were churning out drinks on a busy Saturday night. It's big enough so even while it was busy we didn't feel crowded or have to wait for a seat at the bar. I would definitely go back, especially with a bigger group.
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Review from Gino V.
Vancouver, BC
5/18/2012
ok, so I've been here quite a few times - food has been consistent, servers have been fine. the only thing lacking are specials/fresh sheet - I can only eat the burgers 3 or 4 times before I get bored. come on guys.
...get a lunch-time fresh sheet. -
Review from Hannah L.
3/31/2012
While I had drinks and dinner fully planned, our meandering lunch was another matter. We arrived downtown directly with the idea of wandering around to find a good-looking spot (or something familiar from Yelp that I remembered as recommended!). But for me, I can only wander so long before hunger and wasted time conspire to force me into an establishment to experience a new menu and enjoy a bit of rest.
Enter Chill Winston. Or, rather, we entered Chill Winston, with a friendly host/server opening the door and inviting us up the stairs. (Nice touch!) The friendliness continued; our server was super-sweet, and I love that she, along with several other servers I encountered that day, consistently use one of my favorite phrases: "No worries!"
The menu reminded me quite a bit of the sort of franchised-but-slightly-upscale pub restaurants in England: creative without being challenging, and just-overpriced for the quality of the food. Nevertheless, it was fine; my man got a solidly decent turkey club and I had the Salad du Popeye. I did like the poached egg atop the spinach, and the generously thick slice of creamy gorgonzola (as opposed to drier - and sparser - crumbles). However, not having any bread with which to sop up the egg seemed a bit of a misfit with the salad. Spinach does not have absorbency as one of its superpowers....A slice of bread or a hard-boiled egg instead of poached would've been advised, had I been consulted on the menu creation!
But there WAS the matter of the bacon-wrapped, goat-cheese stuffed dates. I did share one with the man...but only because I hadn't tasted one first and didn't quite know what I was missing by sacrificing one of the three for someone else. I've had bacon-wrapped dates before, but these are the best ones I've eaten. Next time, I'm getting a plate, and a glass of wine. Perfection!
The lounge seating was nice and relaxing, and their patio out on the sidewalk looks like a lovely spot for warm weather. Will I be back? Probably; most of the must-visit spots appear to open for dinner only (with the exception of Meat + Bread, which I sadly overlooked this time!). It's a decently creative menu at a cheaper price point than somewhere like Pourhouse, with more 'my' atmosphere than one of the pubs or taco joints.
As long as they have those dates.... -
Review from Meana k.
3/18/2012
Chill Winston is, well, pretty chill. After buzzing around Gastown on St Patty's Day, walking through the doors into Chill Winston instantly invoked a sense of calm and everydayness that wasn't being experienced at the greener pubs around town. Service here was excellent. I was surprised, in fact, after reading about the quality of service from previous reviews. Everyone from the greeter to the hostess to the bartender were friendly and attentive. Looks like maybe this business has listened to Yelpers and made some serious changes.
Grabbed two seats at the bar and started off with whiskey and beer to channel my inner Irish. My friend ordered a cocktail off the menu called Spooning Jesus which was tasty and strong. I had been tempted to try the lobster mac and cheese but when I asked the guy next to me who had it, he replied it wasn't anything special. Okay. I decided to conserve my calorie expenditure for something worth raving about. My friend ordered us the daily pizza which I thought was pretty good but it needed more salt. Then again, I'm a salt fiend. I'll definitely come back here for drinks again and want to try other food options. The Jack Daniels poutine sounded great.
What made me oh-so-happy was to finally be reunited with one of my favorite Belgian beers -- McChouffe. I haven't found it at any bar in North American over the past 5 years. LaChouffe, yes. But not McChouffe. At a costly $11.25/bottle, I savored mine slowly to enjoy every last drop.
I didn't find the place to be too loud even on such a festive night. I think it was a bit of an older crowd, the 30s and 40s crowd, which...(gasp!!!) I'm finding myself really fitting into more and more.
One point lost on the high prices, but overall this place is cool. I'll be back. Bourbon's calling... -
Review from Stephene C.
Vancouver, BC
3/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
Winston, seriously just chill out! As in, need to chill on the insanely expensive drinks and food served in pet food dishes. I guess I should give some credit where some is due. The food is tasty, but in my opinion more on par with trendy chain restaurants like Cactus Club or Earls, nothing special or unique. They do have very inventive names for their cocktails which are random and have no resemblance to the drink mix in question.
One of my friends ordered the fish and chips starter, which basically came in a plastic pet food dish, not so appealing. The fries were cut thinner than match sticks, which may make some think "wow what a feat of ingenuity", but they were so thin, by the time they arrived at your table they were cold hard and fishy. Not so good. For my starter I shared the crab cakes with a friend. They were delicious and thankfully came warm. As for my main, I ordered the Duck Salad which was very good. The duck was succulent and tasty and the salad fresh and dressed well. I would say the best meal that was ordered at our table was my friends pizza of the day, it was full of chorizo, tomato and various other toppings that made it mouth watering.
I think what Chill Winston has going for it, is definitely their somewhat co-ed bathroom, it seemed to be a very popular conversation subject with the patrons of this joint. On the two occasions I made a trip to the little girls room, there was some in depth conversation from both sexes about the communal bathrooms, I even think there were a few numbers exchanged and love connections made at the hand washing sinks. Great story to tell the kids when they ask where you met, "Oh we met in the bathroom of Chill Winston darling".
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Review from Chicken C.
Calgary, AB
5/12/2012
The patio was great, very big, but the food wasn't very good--strawberry avocado salad especially disappointing.
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Review from Ramon V.
2/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
I love coming here.
When it's expensed.
You're thinking of schmoozing me into being the brains behind your big project? Sure I'll meet you at Chill Winston where I'll unassumingly order up a side of turkey wings in delicious sauce, followed by the some sort of seared seafood atop sauteed kale. While we're getting into sales numbers, I may even suggest we share a side of root chips or pan squid. See all those places down the street? Yeah that's where I usually go with friends. By now you're so impressed by the fact that your problems are being solved that you won't notice that my Innis and Gunn was replaced by a Blanche De Chambly, and that I'm now working on a Grimbergen, but let's continue this discussion at lunch next week. -
Review from Ben C.
1/24/2012
So what's Chill Winston like? Cool guy.
This place is pretty snazzy but not too swanky so you won't need to take out the credit card with the higher limit.
I like it here, the mood is easy going and the drink menu is out of the norm. Quality drinks and decent appies will have me back here soon. -
Review from Siri W.
12/24/2011
Ah Chill Winston...I can't hate ya. With a drink entitled "The Spooning Jesus" that would be impossible. But you're very up and down and that puts a bit of a kink in or relationship.
Love the location - it's right in my favourite part of Gastown...and the drinks are great. Even though they've revamped their drink menu lately, it's still good (The Spooning Jesus remains intact). The bartenders are typically very friendly as are the staff at the door.
With the waitstaff it's always a bit of a tossup. I've had fantastic service here, and the worst service possible here as well. The fantastic servers know what's up. They know just how much time to give you to check out the menu, are attentive without being annoying and have plenty of good suggestions.
The worst service I've had here was...pretty damn bad. The guy forgot out drinks AND food not once but twice, messed up our bills a whopping three times and would disappear for prolonged intervals. He was obviously having a crap night though, so I don't wanna dog on him too much. To be fair, he was incredibly apologetic. But still...he was a pretty terrible waiter, even for having a bad day. We were very polite with him because he was so obviously flustered, but it was definitely uncomfortable for everyone involved.
Then when we get our bill, we find that, because we were a party of over six, this guy automatically gets a seventeen percent gratiuity. Exqueeze me? Baking powder? I honestly thought he'd turn it down since he acknowledged several times how shit his service was. But nothing. That was the part that kinda killed it for me. If you've messed up and know it, make it right with your customers instead of giving yourself a (pretty good!) tip regardless.
Aside from that, the place is basically reliable. Good food, good drinks, good atmosphere...but the house needs to keep a better eye on their servers 'cause for the price of this place, that was ridiculous.Listed in: Post Five With Friends
Comment from Paul J. of Chill Winston 12/29/2011
Hi Siri; Thank you for bringing this to my attention I am… More » -
Review from Nick R.
Burnaby, BC
12/22/2011
Let's be honest, Chill Winston has one of the best locations in the city and the atmosphere is Gastown-cool, so they really just need to be decent for people to keep coming.
I popped into CW on a sunny Winter afternoon for a drink and a bite with friends. I love their furniture; in particular, the couches in the middle are really comfortable.
They hold up their end on the beverage side, so I won't really comment on that.
Out of the five of us, I was the only one who was impressed with the food. Other opinions ranged from okay to "meh".
On the flip side, I had the pan squid, and it was really good. The squid was cooked really well, and there were delicious assorted olives scattered on the plate. I'd order it again.
Anyway, as long as you're just showing up to hang out and grab some drinks and light food, CW is a great spot. Just be strategic about what you order, and don't expect warm, friendly service.
Cheers! -
Review from Robin M.
Updated - 11/23/2011
Okay, okay -- Chill out, Winston. You've done it. You've changed my mind.
I don't know who's been doing the hiring here lately, but it's a *massive* -- srsly, for real HUGE -- improvement on the servers, bartenders and hosts of the past. Suddenly, I'm being asked what I'd like to drink *before* I've even really thought about it -- and what's that?? A real glass of wine? One that hasn't been measured to sit just under the standard pour? Sweet babyjeebus, am I actually having fun?
I still love the bathrooms, and there is still that one strange French man sitting at the bar, but you know what? You've changed, Winston. You've changed, and I kinda like you.
... you know, just a little.Listed in: Which town? Gastown., Because I Love Me A Good Glass…, Best Bathrooms in Vancouver
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/3/2011
Soooo... I'm paying for the patio? That must be it, because it couldn't be for the puny glass(es) of… Read more »
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Review from Megan S.
Vancouver, BC
12/11/2011
I'd been meaning to check out Chill Winston for a while, based on the fact its name is a reference to Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. My vegan boyfriend and I took a wander down for weekend Brunch for the first time, and overall had a pleasant experience.
Unlike other Brunch venues crawling with hipsters, Chill Winston was surprisingly dead for noon on a Sunday. Perhaps due to the lack of patrons, our service was fast and friendly. The server accommodated David's vegan status, but wasn't overly knowledgeable about the menu (which was a new one, so fair enough.)
The food was fine. I ordered a crab mac'n'cheese, which had generous chunks of claw meat. I wish the sauce was creamier or cheesier; it was somewhat bland. David claimed his curry bowl was "for white people" and needed more kick. For the prices, the value isn't spectacular: we wished the portions were a bit larger.
If you go for a meal, don't sit on the big puffy chairs. It's too obnoxious to eat off a miniature coffee table.
I do think I'll go back, but probably for late night snacks and drinks rather than a full meal. Oh, and check out the washrooms while you're there... they're fascinatingly confusing. -
Review from Chuck T.
Vancouver, BC
3/6/2012
I've seen the evolution of Chill Winston over the years.. as I've lived in Gastown for 5 now and always gravitated to Chill because of it's patio and cool ambience. The best patio for people watching in Vancouver in the summer! Prices have gone up over the years, but that was expected and I'm ok with that. Decent selection of beers and good food. Always a pretty cool crowd of people in there. Can't wait until that patio opens up in the summer again.
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Review from Nancy W.
12/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Chill Winston is a sexy restaurant and lounge located in Gastown on 3 Alexander St, Vancouver. I great location for after work happy hours and late night drinks with friends. Party district, hipster central and a see-and-to-be-seen places, you can always come to enjoy a full wine list and great cocktails with unique desserts.
Vintage, brick room and comfy chairs lined with bar tables and a few lounge chairs to relax in. On hot summer days, enjoy a few drinks on their patio, the abundances of seats on the corner in front of Guilt & Co. becomes iconic and very agreeable with beautiful summer days in Vancouver.
http://www.chillwinsto...
Cuisine: Bar, Lounge
Price/Entrée: $10-15
Out of 5... (1: Don't bother -- 5: Excellent)
Food: 3.5
Service: 3
Ambiance: 3.5
Overall: 3.5
Normally I come here for drinks and to chill after long day of work. A beer or a class of wine really helps wash a tiring day away. What I haven't tried much of is their food (which is actually quite well portioned and delicious).
Duck Tacos $16
Part of the appetizer menu, this dish is meant for sharing! It is extremely well portioned and enough as an entree. Soft tender duck marinated in hoisin sauce with cabbage and soft tacos to wrap.
Double Jack Poutine $9
The Canadian classic with Jack Daniels demi glace, cheese curds, cheddar, and Monterey jack cheeses. Comes on a square skillet loaded with cheese. Consume fast otherwise it gets rather soggy
Meat and Cheese Platter
Anti-pasti of cheese, jam (apricot, fig, and berries) and various cured meats (prosciutto, salami, etc).
Breakfast of Champions $5
Roasted banana bavarois, nutella ganache, malted whipped cream, and rustic croutons tossed in brown butter with a hint of smoked salt
Toasted Almond & Vanilla Bean Nougat $5
A soft white creamy consistency of nougat. Grapefruit to balance the sweetness. Avocado puree was interesting - tart and salty. Personally I rather not mix it into my nougat.
Truffles $5
Assortment of delicate truffle chocolates.
Red: Torres Gran Coronas Cabernet (Penedes, Spain)
A delicious and balanced red with full bodied notes of black fruit, vanilla, smoke, dark spices and mocha. I could've had the whole bottle all to myself!
Late night
Drinks
Happy hour
Desserts
Tapas
Wine list
Trendy hotspot
Patio -
Review from Kayla M.
Vancouver, BC
11/4/2011
The good:
It's dark and kind of sexy inside. Service was good, really attentive. (a little toooo friendly for me, but some people like that.)
The meh:
Food was only okay, both dishes came out luke warm, were very small portions and were (I felt) uninspired considering the price.
The ugly:
I think the unisex, communal bathroom is totally off-putting. I came here on a date and it made going to the bathroom pretty durn awkward. I also felt uncomfortable fixing my hair while some dude in the background was zipping up his fly and looking at my ass (*actually happened*- FYI jaggoffs, people can see what you're doing behind them if they're standing in front of a mirror!). Maybe I should grow up, but while I'm expected to conform to certain gender ideals in public, I'd appreciate a little bit of breathing room.
The verdict:
Food AND drink here are definitely pricey, and I can't see exactly why.... Except for the primo real estate (great location, great building, patio is rad), I don't see what this place has going for it. If you have money to burn, go for it, I guess! -
Review from Sarah D.
10/18/2011
Oh, Chill Winston. You think you're *so* cool, don't you? Well, I guess that's ok, but only because you are.
Located on one of Vancouver's hippest intersections, Chill Winston is a nice place to come when you're looking for a place to, well, chill. I've always enjoyed the food whenever I've been (poutine? hell yeah!), and I've always received excellent service from the waitstaff. If you're coming on a weekend evening, be prepared to wait a little bit for a table -but that's pretty much the story for any place in Gastown on the weekend. Also, if you're visiting on a sunny afternoon, they have arguably the best patio in all of Vancouver.
For fans of exotic cocktails and beer connoisseurs, you'll be pleased with their tasty (albeit expensive) selection. I also thoroughly enjoy their co-ed washrooms, although I enjoy seeing first-timers' reactions to it even more thoroughly. Overall, it's a nice place to lounge and sip some bevvies with your friends -just make sure you've got some coin.
One final comment (and this does not factor into my star rating): the last time I was here, my friends and I were sitting inside and, even though it was near her feet, one of my friends' purses was stolen. The staff were all very sympathetic, and they tried their best to locate the purse, sadly to no avail. They kindly gave us 25% off our bill, although of course it wasn't their fault. This is just a reminder to the ladies to watch your stuff! Even in the trendiest, least-shady places, sh*t can go down.Listed in: Hipster Hangouts, The Brewsky Hall of Fame
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Review from Luisa D.
10/29/2011
I've gone here several times now and I have to say the service really isn't very good. It doesn't seem to matter if it's busy or not. The service is sloooooooowwwwww....
I've only eaten here once and the food was ok, nothing memorable. There are just so many other good places in Gastown that I'm really not very motivated to go back. The patio is certainly a cool location for people watching but I'm not sure the people are the kinds I want to watch. It's kind of a pretentious corner.Listed in: Yelp's 30 Day Challenge
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Review from Megan O.
North Vancouver, BC
2/11/2012
This place is great with a pretty large selection of gluten free choices. Its a great place to go during the daytime, have a lazy lunch and watch people walk around Gastown. It's also a great place to go for date night, it's atmosphere is nice, not too laid back it's messy and not too cool it's inaccessible. Had the lamb, it was extremely delicious. Service has been great each time, the staff have always been very friendly.
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Review from Irena L.
9/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
I like the place, food and drinks, but the service kinda ruined it:S
When we got there, their idea of welcome was - looks at me 'We have no room at the patio at the moment' looks down and continues doing whatever he was doing...oh well, hello to you too! I didn't really care much for the patio, I just wanted some food, and all other places in the area were packed...so anyways, once I said we are ok to sit inside, the guy at the door looked at me like I just ruined his life! God forbid, he has to walk me all the way inside to the table! Oh no, how dare I...it's not like it's his job or anything...
Ok, you might think I'm being a drama queen, but seriously I hate that kind of treatment...you don't have to be bubbly, just at least be courteous so I don't feel like you are doing me a favour by letting me eat at your place!
Anyways, I tried mixed greens with strawberries and daily pizza...it was really good...enjoyed a glass of wine, and an ok table service... -
Review from Shannon B.
Coquitlam, BC
7/19/2011 4 photos
I wanted to check this place out for a while because I kept hearing so much about it and I wasn't overly impressed. When we first walked up to the entrance there was a girl standing there in a sweat shirt with her hair in a messy pony tail talking to a guy in cut off jean shorts. This confused me because apparently they were the hosts. I have NO problem with people dressing casual, but for the prices of food and drinks here I would at least like to not see the staff dressed like homeless people. We asked to sit inside and were seated on the patio anyways.
Our waiter was very cute and friendly (and better put together). I wanted to order one of their special drinks but they had run out of so many things I ended getting the "Spooning Jesus" which wasn't my first choice. It was small, just okay and ridiculously expensive. My boyfriend had "The Passion" and his drink was no more impressive. I will say that the Calamari is phenomenal, but once again a small serving that is way over priced.
It was nice to stop here and see what the hype was all about but I will not ever go back. -
Review from Dee B.
Updated - 8/14/2011
I was here, shamefully, twice last week.
Our server, Danny (I remembered his name), is always awesome and so for this reason, I give 4 stars.
Unfortunately, both times, they were out of the mussels. For that, I give zero stars because they are delicious and I want to put them in my mouth.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/25/2011
Had so much fun at Chill Winston last night!!! After The Keefer, a couple of us went in search of… Read more »
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Review from Sheryl D.
I am fast becoming a regular at this place! Yelpers do not kid about the awesomeness of Chill Winston's patio, this is serious business folks! Easily THE best spot in all of Gastown for watching beautiful people cruise by with their groomed pets, bicycled hipsters and dolled up bride and grooms being photographed at the Water/Alexander St. junction. In fact, one requirement to dine at this place is that you have to be beautiful and cool yourself! Kidding...or am I? Personally, I feel cooler and prettier already writing this review.
I've been twice in the last 8 days, both times I lucked out on gorgeous, sunny days, perfect for foddering my cocktail follies. You can't go wrong with anything in their drinks menu although when I go to places like these I steer clear of the wines and go straight for the cocktails. Everyone knows restaurant mark ups of alcoholic beverages can go up to 500% the real value..and I'm more economical getting wine from a BCLS. Cocktails on the other hand, are better left to the pros and Chill Winston does several beautifully (there's that word again!). I had the Holy Water and felt quite blessed afterwards. I'd be bold enough to say it was a waaayyy better experience than my Catholic confirmation at the tender age of 13.
Food is decent and they try to have interesting items on their menu; turkey wings, kangaroo carpaccio (occasionally, I believe they have venison carpaccio), bison shortribs, duck tacos. So far, I've been sated with everything I've ordered, except for the mussels in a basic white wine and garlic (Chill Winston, I expected more from you *finger wag*!) at lunch yesterday...salty teeny, tiny mussels in a mediocre broth.
Folks should be aware that this place might peer pressure you to eat like a bird. One time I wanted so badly to devour a bison burger until I caught a glimpse of this petite blonde snacking on soup...so I went for the cheese plate instead (ha ha ha). Might be a great place if you need the extra motivation!Listed in: Feel Like a Million Bucks!
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Review from Kathy W.
10/17/2011 1 photo
Located in Gastown by Gassy Jack. Came to grab some drinks with friends since Guilt was crowded.
Blue buck pale ale: slight citrus aroma with toffee malt flavor and tiny hippy bitterness. Smooth. Tasted pretty good.
All the cocktails have interesting names like Spooning Jesus. Tried my friends Holy Water and tasted more like lime juice with alcohol. Also tried the Pomme Frites which was pretty crispy.
Environment/Service: Dark and loud but good place to hang out. Very hipster. Servers dress in plaid and vests and are very friendly. They also split the bill without us telling them.
Overall, decent places to hang out with friends but it may be just a bit hard to see them since it's somewhat dim. The drink prices are okay. They also serve food but I've only tried the Pomme Frites. The restrooms were pretty dirty since it's 4 unisex rooms. Everyone washes hands around this large round water faucet. Not sure if it's my favorite place since it's a bit too loud to have conversations around the table. -
Review from Brian B.
Coquitlam, BC
8/10/2011
Unimpressed.
This place is trying waaaay too hard to be trendy and upscale, but just putting a high price tag on something doesn't make it good.
The drinks were rather uninspired. They just seemed like a bunch of random liquors and other ingredients thrown together with no real regard for how they would taste in the end. I'm fine with paying 11$ for a 2oz. cocktail if it's warranted but I would have rather just had a Jack and Coke. More complicated doesn't equal better. Especially in this case. I can't really remember the names of the drinks that my fiancee and I had, nor what was in them - and quite frankly, I couldn't be bothered with it either.
We also shared an order of calamari which, while not bad, seemed like it should have cost half as much as it did. Again, I have no problem with paying good money for good food - it's just that it simply didn't measure up to the price tag.
The end result? Skip this one.
Edit: After conferring with my fiancee the drinks ordered were "The Passion" for myself and "Spooning Jesus" for her. Both left much to be desired.Listed in: Watering holes
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Review from Sarah Y.
Vancouver, BC
Dropped by on a chilly winter day for lunch - the veggie sandwich was healthy and hearty. Great ambience, great food. Looking forward to checking it out at night.
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Review from Melissa E.
Vancouver, BC
3/17/2011
Nope. Simply. Nope.
This use to be a great spot when it first opened and up until 2 or 3 years ago. But now it's wayyyy overpriced and basically you're just paying to sit outside in the huge patio...which admittedly i kind of love because it reminds me of Montreal, but it doesn't excuse the poor menu selection and often REALLY bad service.
Hey hostess, i know you're busy writing notes pertaining to your draft of the Crime and Punishment sequel or some such oeuvre but, um, i'd like to sit at one of the numerous empty tables you are blocking right now.
I use to come here with the ex sig other and we would get a mix and match from their menu (which was genius idea - like a fancy buffet) for dinner of turkey, veggies etc for a good price. But last time I went in the summer and we wanted nibblies, there really wasn't anything at a price that made sense for snacks...what really got me was the 9$ popcorn. (note: apparently it's 6.50 now but i swear it was 9$ when we went)
IT'S POPCORN!! OK you drizzled truffle oil on it but ARGH!! I was so peeved. Needless to say we waddled across the street to Six Acres which was significantly better and cheaper. Will never make that mistake again! -
Review from Nicole F.
6/26/2011
It was a beautiful day for my 1st time in Vancouver so after walking and exploring this fabulous city we opted to enjoy the patio and the people watching. Service is great and while all we ordered were drinks and olives we were blown away by the olive bowl. It was loaded with all kinds of varieties which we couldn't even finish. The price is very reasonable for this appetizer.
Wines were overpriced but beer was reasonable...maybe this is a BC thing? Service was also really good and all the food that was coming out looked great - would go back to try some fine looking bistro fare. -
Review from Adam K.
Vancouver, BC
1/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
The food is pretty good here. It's typical gastown-type fare (do all these places share a menu?) but it's not bad. It's overpriced, though, and the service is god-awfully slow. The servers themselves are all pretty decent-seeming human beings but maybe there aren't enough of them? The patio is nice in the summer but if you're looking to get drinks, go elsewhere. The Alibi Room and and Six Acres are thousands of times better.
I suppose you could go here if you couldn't get a table somewhere better.
A grand yawning "meh" for Chill Winston. -
Review from Bobby C.
7/30/2011
Great location in the heart of Gastown. Nice old building with ample outdoor area Perfect for people watching.
Unfortunately the food was not great. Calamari was rubbery...Bison strip steak, their signature dish, had great flavor...but was overcooked. And we all know, overcooking very lean meats means a workout for your jaw.
Service was a tad pretentious.
Decent beer list, mostly BC breweries, although they had Double Grimbergen on tap as well...a treat.
Potential is there. -
Review from Betty L.
2/21/2011
Good food, cute bartender and kitchen staff. When I walked in with my two friends for drinks, I felt the high energy level in the room. Since my friends know the bartender, we got extra attention because we got shots on the house and it was also my friend's b-day. Those shots were really tasty and tasted just a bit sweet.
I need to come back another time to order more drinks and really try their food. It was fun watching the chefs prepare the dishes for other people. -
Review from Sara M.
12/7/2010
After perving the menu and seeing some tasty veggie options, I was excited to try this place out. I have always walked by a jammed patio in the summer, but never went in.
I met my pal around 4pm so the place was pretty much ours. It had a very relaxed feel at that time - couches and comfy chairs.... but I could see it turning into a poncey hipster joint later in the evening. Noted.
The hostess/our waitress was sweet, helpful and prompt. We shared the root chips and hummus - they were tasty enough I guess, but slightly greasy. Aaaand not to brag, but my hummus tastes better. I had the quinoa salad, which was delicious but I could have eaten two full plates. My pal had the daily pasta, which he enjoyed but also could have handled more of. Sooo it feels like you are paying for atmosphere and location, not quantity here.
Fun fact: they have a unisex bathroom. Separate, private stalls for the girls and boys, but a common hand wash area. I thought it was a cute idea.
I left satisfied but not overly pumped. I might come back again, but maybe I will wait for the summer to enjoy the patio and some people watching.... but I definitely won't come starving. -
Review from May B.
Vancouver, BC
3/8/2011
I brought a group of Cali boys and other friends here for a post-show dinner. I had made a reservation ahead of time, just in case, but as the show kept running later and later, I had to call twice to postpone our reso time. The hostess was super chill about it and accommodated us no problemo.
Service was quick and friendly. Drinks were delish - the Devil's Three Way (whiskey, Triple Sec, and vermouth) was just my thing. I also tried my friend's dark Belgian beer and it was probs one of the best things I've ever tasted. So yum.
Had the boys try the poutine, while I stuck with my Mac and Cheese. In my opinion, the Mac and Cheese at Six Acres across the street is much tastier, but their portions here were pretty large and I couldn't finish my bowl.
Overall, a satisfying experience. Our large group was handled well, and the vibe and atmosphere was perfect for hanging out and just chilling after a really long day. A bit on the pricier end for my liking but I would come back. Their set up, complete with couches, pillows, and brick walls featuring projections of old films, is so cozy. Love the music they play by the way, I couldn't stop dancing in my stool. -
Review from Andy Y.
Vancouver, BC
9/19/2010
To misquote George Bush, "Trick me once...er, shame on you. Trick me twice, shame on me."
The last two times I've been to Chill have been disappointing. Chill has gotten too complacent with their service and attitude.
It all started wrong at their quasi-hostess booth at the front. We expected it to be busy and got to Gastown early to walk up to look for availability, and put our names down. The hostess, in a 'I'm better than thou' attitude, declared that they were busy and could not accomodate a party of 6 for at least an hour. I thought, ok sure fair enough, and we walked down gastown to find another location. With so many great eateries, we didn't mind.
So, the two of us walked down the street. 10 minutes later (I am not lying), the other 4 in our party arrived at Chill; thinking we were there already. They walked up and got a table for 6 right away. This was only the start, but for brevity........
1) The food, as good as it was, took an extremely long time to arrive.
2) We had two drinks returned to the bar (even the waitress admitted it was very off)
For their level of service and attitude, this place is overpriced. I am not going back. I'd rather eat at a street side hot dog vendor - at least i get a friendly thank you. -
Review from Malloreigh M.
Vancouver, BC
12/17/2010 14 Check-ins Here
Chill Winston is a very special restaurant/bar. It's not cheap, but you wouldn't expect it to be - it's got very attentive, well-trained servers, high quality food, an amazing address, and decent decor. The menu is mostly organic with a focus on locally purchased ingredients, and they've got a couple of options for little old vegan me - including the fried root chips with tomato and eggplant homous, $9, which I get every time I go.
The service staff at Chill Winston look like East Van hipsters, but they're not pretentious or snide. They're great at their jobs, and everyone seems genuinely happy to work there - plus they wear great, but not fancy, outfits. It makes the place seem a lot more comfortable, I think. There are plenty of upscale Gastown and downtown bars that I feel weird getting a drink in because I've got a facial piercing, but this isn't one of them.
One more thing I love: the restrooms. It's one common room with a sink and seven smaller toilet rooms coming off of it. There are three marked "man", three marked "woman", and one that's not marked at all. I always love it when washrooms aren't marked by gender - after all, it's kind of an arbitrary distinction and makes a good segment of the population, especially in Vancouver, rather uncomfortable.Listed in: Just One Drink
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Review from Rick C.
11/14/2010 6 photos
Great place to - yes, chill - and hang out with a beer. I like how they offer a slightly larger serving than a pint for a dollar more.
It's a cool, casual, wide open, friendly place to sit back, relax, and have a drink. The Gastown location with a large outdoor dining area is really coolListed in: Casual Drinks
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Review from Lunch Lady S.
8/20/2010 2 photos
Before I start, let me say this:
"Give Chill A Chance."
I know, I know, Vancouver. It's touristy, I'm touristy and altogether we're this sloppy, touristy sandwich posing around Gastown. I am sorry for that and I understand your disdain: I live in LA and we get that touristy crapola all the time.
But,but...hear me out. Chill Winston wasn't that bad, in fact I didn't think it was touristy at all. Shout out goes to the cute Hostess rocking a shaved head and the curvy girl indulging cheap fashion spots around Vancouver; you made an LA girl feel at home.
Look, the poutine was crazy good, all gooey and savory with a hint of Jack Daniels. The beer list, heavy with microbrews, were fantastic and Winston's Earl Grey Creme Brulee'? Say whattttt? My dining companions had the blueberry coffee cake which disappeared after a 5 minute trek to the bathroom.
Stop that, Winston. Delivering good food on a warm summer day.
Shame on you.
Look, I know it may seem pretentious, but that vibe wasn't there at all. Our servers were on the ball, a mix of white apron crisp and urban cool, and no one caused any dramatic, touristy scenes. So, locals...give this place a chance...it's honestly a pretty cool spot to nosh. -
Review from Ed U.
Chill Winston sounds like the name of a pimp in one of those 1970s blaxploitation films in which the violence-laden script calls for him to slap Pam Grier around only to face the business end of a .44 magnum held by Shaft. Who is the man that would risk his neck for his brother man? Shaft!... Can you dig it? But I digress, as Chill Winston is actually a tourist magnet of a restaurant and lounge located right at the beginning of historic Gastown. It's down the street from that steamy, overrated clock.
Space is what this place offers, whether it's the large-size patio out front or the lounge inside where there are couches and large bar tables all around. It's a place to take a load off as you plan the next section of your Vancouver itinerary. Bar food dominates the menu, so we were there at the perfect time to have at it since it was about 4:30PM when the lunch hour officially escaped us. Meantime, who's the cat that won't cop out when there's danger all about? Shaft!... Right on!
Jamie W. and I decided to split two dishes. One was the $14.50 Daily Pizza, which was actually a medium-size flatbread with a drizzle of melted mozzarella and big chunks of venison covered with pea sprouts (see photo). It was decent enough, but the venison was a tad too chewy to be conveniently eaten on a fragile wedge of toasted flatbread. Our other order was more successful simply because it didn't veer too far from formula, the $16 bowl of mussels in white wine and garlic covered with a few fries and a splooge of red pepper mayo (see photo). Tasty 'cause you see this cat Shaft is a bad mother-- (Shut your mouth!)... But I'm talkin' about Shaft (...then we can dig it!)
You can take in much of Gastown depending on where you decide to sit. Or you can hang out in the restrooms since they actually consist of individual rooms with a central sink. Such a luxury, especially for the anal-retentive you should pardon the expression. After all, he's a complicated man, but no one understands him but his woman (John Shaft!) That Chill Winston is one bad muthaf-- Shut your mouth!
FOOD - 3 stars...passable bar food seems secondary to the lounging
AMBIANCE - 4 stars...spacious and a panorama of Gastown at your beck and call
SERVICE - 3 stars...serviceable indeed
TOTAL - 3 stars...not that many choices in Gastown so park it here if you need toListed in: Vancouver, Victoria, Veni,…
