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Guilt & Co
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Nightlife Bars Lounges Music Venues, Lounges [Edit]
1 Alexander StVancouver, BC V6A 1B2
Neighbourhoods: Downtown, Gastown
(604) 288-1704
- Hours:
Tue-Thu 7 pm - 1 am
Fri-Sat 6 pm - 2 am
Sun 7 pm - 12 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Wed, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Trendy
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
85 reviews for Guilt & Co
Review Highlights
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"The board games are a fabulous touch." In 25 reviews -
"I love the giant Jenga they have." In 13 reviews -
"...oldest buildings) and a "chunk of cheese" from the wheel..." In 5 reviews
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85 reviews in English
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Review from Tristan R.
Vancouver, BC
1/31/2012
Tuesday nights are the funnest times to hit up Guilt. Every week a different themed performance group takes the stage from tribal fusion bellydance to burlesque with live band. It's a good place for a first date with cocktails and boardgames. Nothing like playing Jenga on that awkward first date to substitute small talk before the make out session kicks in. It has a old-school speakeasy feel to it. I recommend the Death And Ressurection cocktail. It's unique and playful.
And the place would be an ideal setting for a stolen kiss. Just saying'. -
Review from Judy H.
Richmond, BC
5/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
The few times I've come here, it's always after the live band finished. One day I do hope to catch it in time. The staff are friendly if you can spot them, usually wearing hats. Can't comment on the food as the kitchen is always closed by the time I get here. But their cocktails are delicious and they have Unibroue on tap! They have my heart for that reason already. Patrons are a nice mix, from couples to after work business men, to out of town-ers to hipsters. If you don't feel like playing a board game, it's a great place to people watch. Maybe I should try to get here earlier next time.
Off topic, but I noticed now cars parked along Water St. after midnight on weekends get towed. This must be something new... -
Review from Doug G.
4/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
I'm impressed. Basement hide-away with great food, excellent service. We were there for a fund-raiser so Guilt & Co was closed to the public and we had their undivided attention. A constant stream of tasty appetizers followed by an excellent meal and wonderful selection of deserts, the food was excellent.
The tables are probably a bit small and low for dining, but I think this place is probably more for hanging out with a few drinks and enjoying some great live music. For that, Guilt & Co is perfect.
I kind of felt like years ago this place might have been a haven for bootleggers and rum-runners with hidden passages and tunnels. Very cool atmosphere. -
Review from Stephene C.
Vancouver, BC
3/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
Definitely no guilt about coming to this place, especially when they have apples to apples on hand to entertain and amuse. I only wish we came here earlier as I was only able to have one drink before they closed for the night. But I guess that's my fault for milking my chocolate beer too long. Or maybe I was just to engrossed in our game of apples to apples.
I love the dungeonous feel of the place, its dark and dank atmosphere, it makes me appreciate fresh air all the more. Was only able to have the one beer in the limited time we had, so I don't have much to say other than they have great service, with very informed servers who explained the intricate tastes of whiskey and scotch, of which I don't remember a word that was said, but none the less made the server seem very smart. It was really one of those nod and smile moments, making it seem as if I had clue what was being said lol.
I'll definitely have to come back to try their grub and other drinks on the menu, at which point I will re-review. Games and drinks, always a fun combo!
St3Fin -
Review from Melissa E.
Vancouver, BC
2/28/2012
ME LIKEY!!!
First of all, let me just say Vancouver is lame-balls when it comes to trying to plan a medium sized group events. Alibi room won't accept groups of more than 10 and Salt/Irish Heather group can't take resos over 20. Seriously lame. So i opted for a "come as you are, no reso" venue and figured those who are late can kiss it.
I was told by the manager to arrive "before 7" and she was definitely right on the money. I got there at 6.45 and there were only about 3 tables left! If you are a larger group...I suggest getting there by 6.15 at the latest. People who were late (around 8 or 9ish) had to wait in line but not that long...around 20min.
Anyway, we were very kindly greeted by the hipster doorman and then approached by our hipster waitress re. how many we would be etc. They were both VERY pleasant and accommodating and even asked my name and remembered it for the remainder of the evening! Very impressed with that one (ya i know it doesn't take much). We had about 4-5 tables taken up at any one time and everyone seemed to have a great time mingling, drinking and jenga-ing. Just don't bring in baked goods cause their gonna think your a hippie-freak taking pot brownies (do people still do that!!??!).
At about 10pm or so the band came on...they were good but I have the same geriatric complaint as I did for the London Pub...why do loud!??! Even when I was younger I never understood this need to deafen people and render conversations almost impossible... Anyhoo, we still had a great time and wandered off around midnight for drunken burgers and fried foods at A&W. Totally gross but hit the spot!
All in all, love the ambiance of this place as it seriously reminded me of Montreal...one good addition might be a communal table but that's minor suggestion. Definitely don't plan on dinner here...food is limited and just looked so so. Cocktails are in the medium price range but you can get pints for $6 which counters the fancy drink wallet hit.
All in all I am really looking forward to going back. Now if only men would freakin flirt up in here!!Listed in: Gastown Goodness, Drinks anyone?
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Review from Tessa B.
2/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
I've been hearing about this place for ages, so I was pretty excited when our group decided on it as a pre-concert meeting place. Oh, the tales of board games, exposed cement underground walls, co-ed bathrooms! I could barely contain the excitement over such a carefree, unique place!
Except, oh wait, it's just another trendy, modern bar with overpriced drinks? I see. What I stepped into was NOT what I was expecting. I guess you have to order the board games, but I certainly didn't see a single person playing them. The crowd were more middle-aged business folk than young and spirited. The decor is exactly what you see at every other bar of it's kind.
It gets stupidly crowded, and even had a line-up out the door, which is apparently the usual - what?
I ordered the tofu chili, which came cold. I didn't even bother ordering an alcoholic beverage as I wasn't in the mood to spend $10 on a drink when my food was so lackluster. They DO have some awesome, unique looking drinks on the menu though.
The staff were pretty nice, and when one of the gals messed the order up she had a really good sense of humour about it.
All in all, you'd have to do a lot of convincing to get me to go back. I'm giving it as much as three stars because I recognize that overpriced, pseudo-push is a certain niche that a lot of people like, and for what it is I guess it's okay. -
Review from Daren D.
1/14/2012
I had planned on spending more time checking the place out and the games but fell short. So one night, I swung by for atleast a drink and peek, just made Last Call:
---Whoa! Dim and dark. Music. Stage band. Mingling and noisy. A giant jenga set somewhere getting played with. And full bar. I guess they're only missing a talking mirror for extra social fx. o_O
So onto the bar I go. And ask for the cool cocktail menu. My eyes settle on the East of Eden... clean, refreshing and yum. Great bartender, cool guy. He said don't worry about the tip. That was nice.
I wander across the lovely brick-paved Gastown streets back to my hotel in the quiet, chilled evening. -
Review from Yelp R.
Greater Vancouver Regional District, BC
5/10/2012
Cozy, friendly, and staff seemed happy. I loved the food! I had stew (super hearty), bread, butter and beer. Yum! Server forgot about my order three times, but I didn't mind that much and she had a terrific manner in apologizing/following up each time. The stew and bread was offered at an excellent price. We were a group of 10 or so, but couldn't reserve, which is tricky -we had to send ambassadors super early and wait for the rest. Was super fun to eat, meet, hang, talk, play board games there. We were too near the stage -when the live music (which I didn't like) started up, it drowned out any possibility of conversation in our corner. Overall, though, I liked this place very very much up til 10pm.
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Review from Nicole F.
12/12/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Guilt & Co is quickly turning into one of my favourite drinking spots. I've been coming here more and more, and suggesting it to pals. Everyone I bring here seems to have a good time.
The location is perfect, just far away enough from the douchebag Granville crowds, and just hidden enough to ward off obnoxious drunks stumbling through Gastown.
I have yet to try the food and I already love Guilt & Co. The beer selection is amazing and I always feel slightly overwhelmed with choices, which is better than gazing sadly at a list of Molson and Kokanee at sports bars. Aside from beer, the wine list looks incredible, and they make some killer cocktails.
Although I have not personally done this, friends of mine have. You can order a chunk of cheese from the bar. I'm under the impression this cheese changes daily. I'm definitely going to order up some of their fancy cheese when I'm there eventually.
THE GAMES!! Oh the games. I love that there is not only a human sized Jenga you can play, but also little table jenga. I am the jenga master, and I challenge YOU to challenge ME.
Come early if you want to avoid a line on weekends! -
Review from Annie W.
12/9/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Alright, I'm ready to break up with all my other bars and pledge undying love for Guilt & Co. After just one night - and a Wednesday at that - Guilt has ruined me...no other bar's gonna be able to do it for me the way G&C does.
For one thing, the people that work there are the coolest, most down to earth people I have ever come across in this city. I say "people," and not "servers," because by our second round of drinks we were all ready to pull up a chair for our new best friend.
When we arrived it was an empty room and It felt like I was walking into an old western saloon - all dark & dangerous....until someone mentioned Jenga. The games are a stroke of genius, nothing bonds people together like politically incorrect Apples to Apples responses.
We were having so much fun, that I didn't even notice the room filling up with a fabulously diverse and eclectic crowd. I loved it! There were suits, tattooed vixens, emo skinny jeans, scruffy jocks, and of course our little mish-mash pod. It takes a special kind of place to bring such a mix of people together and have it feel so....right.
I do have one regret...that I didn't find this place sooner! Thankfully, winter is the perfect season for boozy game nights, plus if there's one thing I'm good at - it's making up for lost time :)
This time Giant Jenga....I'll be ready for you! -
Review from Chelsey H.
Vancouver, BC
3/16/2012
First, let me pre-warn you, *bathrooms are co-ed*, so ladies, don't be alarmed as you're walking out of the stall and see a dude there. Guys, you are in the right bathroom. You may be tipsy, but not THAT tipsy.
You can get some great beers here. If I remember correctly, my blanche de chambly, a Quebec beer, was served in a huge glass with an orange slice. Just had their special on tap again last night and it was divine. Regardless, I love the variety. Even their non-alcoholic drinks are cute!
So, what's all the hype about Guilt & Co.? Well, if you haven't heard already, they have giant jenga! Okay, it's not life-size or anything, but is significantly larger than the original game. You definitely don't want to be standing near the jenga tower as it falls if you're wearing open-toed shoes! OUCH.
They have a variety of games, but sometimes you're left gameless because everyone else is playing them. It's also really loud in there. Taboo was a screaming contest. The place was really cool and hip (prepare to see lots o' hipsters). No cover, but long, long line ups. The place is always packed on Friday and Saturday nights.
Great live music. -
Review from Meana k.
11/13/2011
I was struck by the great drink prices and tickled by the cocktail names on their menu. I opted for an "I wanna be adored" which seemed fitting for this single gal but also was a great light and refreshing option for my final drink of the night after quite a few before it. Soho, lime, soda, and cucumber. Just lovely.
Bartenders were adorable, quick, and friendly. Since I'm new to Canada, I'm not quite sure if this is typical here, but it certainly isn't where I'm from so I was a bit amazed.
There was a band performing on stage upon my arrival which was quite enjoyable. But then they stopped. And I was sad. Then there was the people watching. Mostly hipsters. That's cool, whatever. I was with a couple girlfriends so of course we had some guys flock to our table to hang out and chat us up, but they were sort of cramping our enjoyment of our night out so we opted to "escape" into the back alley for a game of giant Jenga. Um, yeah. That's right.
We joined up with some new friends we'd made in the line outside who weren't drunk and weird, and we suddenly were in a whole new world. About twenty people just hanging out and seriously enjoying a game of Jenga. That was fun, as much as it's stressful to watch someone pick a block you'd never choose and try to squirm it out of its spot without teetering over the entire tower, and somehow they place it up on top while everyone watches with bated breath. So much fun.
I don't see myself frequenting this bar, but I'd like to come here again, probably with a mixed group of friends for some casual fun and games and music enjoyment. I liked the vibe here. Might be too low-key of a place to start your night, but the right setting to end it where you can have some laughs and conversation. -
Review from Josephine G.
Coquitlam, BC
1/31/2012
I'm a fan of this place simply for their board games!! Didn't get to play the giant jenga at the back, but it looked fun and will def return.
The food was alright, I must have been really hungry when I went and their portions are on the smaller side, next time I go will be during happy hours probably just to chill n hang out. Def not a dinner place if you're hungry and want a proper meal. -
Review from Christine R.
New Westminster, BC
10/11/2011
Love love love. This basement bar with boardgames and booze is much hipper than my rec room will ever be, exposed pipes, brick and low ceiling and all. In case you didn't already read it 50 times, there's a Jenga cave in the back, and a boardgame menu from which you can request old faves like Uno, Scrabble, Boggle, crib, Taboo, etc.
I only had a glass of wine (tip: watch out for falling Jenga blocks) but the drinks seemed reasonably priced - compared to Chill Winston upstairs.
This was all part of a masterplan CMYE, so extra fun points scored there. I'm glad we got there early-ish, as the place really filled up, with enough flannel and fake eyeglasses to outfit a legion of ironic surf punk bands.
Special bonus star for our waiter who got our names not only for check-splitting purposes, but to personalize the service. Uh, and now I've forgotten his name. But I do know a few boardgame geeks, so I'm sure I'll play again at Guilt & Co.Listed in: Good times and great drinks
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Review from Michelle C.
Delta, BC
1/15/2012
Don't get me wrong, this place is fun. We were there for girls night out but it was a little on the loud side. The food was so so - portions were on the small side, we had the meat plate and the hummas and it just seemed like something was missing.
Service was ok. Nothing special.
The games are cool twist, we just found it was hard to play any game that required talking of any kind. Stick to easier games that don't take a lot of explanation like JENGA. -
Review from Sarah Y.
Vancouver, BC
1/7/2012 1 photo
Hipster-central, need I say more?
If you don't like the clubbing scene and you just want to chill out and chat, this is definitely the low-key place to be. You can even play board games and life-size jenga in the back of the establishment, it somewhat resembles a cave. There's also live music. -
Review from Emily H.
12/30/2011
What an unexpectedly fun night!
We visited the joint after Salt Tasting Room down the street on a Friday night. Luckily it was not yet packed when we got there, and managed to get a table and a game of Jenga! Initially, we didn't get table service because the servers were confused on coverage but after our first round, she quickly came and apologized. She really took care of us the rest of the night.
Their drink selections were alright and fairly priced for gastown, but can't comment too much on the taste because we mostly stuck to beers. Their selection of board games were a little limited but I don't blame them on a Friday night. We got some good plays out of our little Jenga set anyway. The atmosphere of the bar got better and better as the place started filling up (and as we started filling up), and we were all really surprised at how much fun we had by the end of the night.
Tip: the co-ed bathrooms will trick ya!
Atmosphere - 5/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 3/5 -
Review from Katie S.
Vancouver, BC
10/10/2011
Giant Jenga? Board games? Card games? Count me in.
Drinks? Food? Music? I'm there baby.
Guilt and Co. is a funky, hip (arguably hipster) and fun bar in Gastown. Located justt beneath Chill Winston, Guilt and Co, fits right into Gastown with bare brick walls and dark lighting. I've had some great times with my friends playing games and creating our own dance floor.
The music is hit or miss; sometimes it is a great live band, other times the music is just too much for the small space. I also find it a little pricey, but not exorbitant.
It's a great place if you're looking for a night out with friends that's a little different.Listed in: After Hours
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Review from Rich E.
11/29/2011
Friend brought me here after a rough day a few months ago. Hidden away from the hustle and bustle of tourists, it was like going into an unfinished basement. Loved it!
This is my kinda place to chill and chat. The appies and beer was solid and the band in the background added a nice vibe to our chill night! -
Review from Hilda L.
8/10/2011 ROTD 10/12/2011
Oh Guilt, how do I begin to profess my love for you?
It's the sexy exposed brick walls, it's the board games, it's the free cover, it's the criminals-on-the-run-need-a-hideaway-feel because you're underground, it's the unisex bathroom & two-way peek-a-boo mirrors, it's the live bands.. I could go on and on. These ingredients always lead to easy conversations and good times.
I'm a hopeless romantic and live jazz on Wednesday's makes me melt. Makes me wish a handsome man in an army uniform would ask me to dance. I also love the burlesque show on Tuesday's (Pandora and the Locksmiths), which I prefer over Biltmore's (Burgundy Brixx and the Purrrfessor). Pandora has live jazz accompaniments and I find their style sexier whereas Burgundy is cheekier, injected with humor. Pandora just fits so well in the Guilt atmosphere. I felt like I was transported to the 1920s. The show goes from 9~10:30 and there was a line at 9 so get there early. Cover on Tuesday is by donation (suggested $5) but the staff will stand there and wait till you pay up so unless you have the balls to look like a cheapskate you really have no choice.
Eat before you go as the prices are atrocious and they are not famous for their food.
If you don't like this place, we can't be friends. Kidding. Maybe. -
Review from Siri W.
9/11/2011
How fun was this place? I went on Friday night with a group of friends and had way too much fun. It's got a very underground, prohibition era speakeasy feel to it - you descend down some stairs to get in and the walls are all stone around you. The only problem with that - it's HOT down there!
You can choose from a wide variety of board games, which is super fun and a great idea as it is an immediate conversation starter. The drinks are fairly priced for downtown - $5.00 for a single hi-ball. They also had an "improv band" which was one of the raddest things I've seen at a bar in a while. A drummer, guitarist and standup base guy putting together an impromptu, yet wicked-awesome show? Ace in my books.
The bathroom is also funny, because it's unisex but you don't actually find that out until you get in there, which was initially a little surprising and fun to watch as you would see person after person go in, then back out again thinking they'd entered the wrong door. For sheer comic value alone it's good.
Also...in the cool beer cellar-y hallway out back? Giant underground jenga!! It also kind of felt like a fight club - but with Jenga haha. I saw the hallway upon entering and nobody I asked knew what was in it, so naturally I was very curious so made my way back there only to find a huge circle of people yelling tips at the poor soul trying not to topple the giant structure. The first rule of giant underground Jenga club? Apparently you don't talk about giant underground Jenga club. It was so much fun and a great way to get to know the people around you.
Food was great too - cheese, beef jerky all of it yum. Also the fries upstairs...best I've had in a long time!
All in all had a fab time here and will certainly be back.Listed in: Post Five With Friends
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Review from Isabelle G.
Vancouver, BC
12/16/2011
I am not much of a drinker, however, from what I read on the menu they seem to have a very extensive array of alcoholic beverages.
As for the tapas selection, it was common and unimaginative. Not enough pizzazz that would set them apart from any other tapas establishment. I had a bite of the red velvet cheesecake, a very small bite and the cake was dry.
The cool thing about the place is that it is small, underground and as another yelper mentioned, very prohibition feeling which serves it nostalgic intention.
They hit the mark with trying to be nostalgic and modern without compromising one feel for the other. The place maintained modern relevance.
The staff were awesome and super friendly. They were dressed like hipsters without the hipster attitude.
Speaking of hipsters, the music was your typical hipster music which I have learned to enjoy and appreciate.
The unisex bathroom adds to the extend socialization element in an odd way without being too invasive. It is very well constructed to look like an extension of the club rather than a bathroom. -
Review from Nicole T.
Vancouver, BC
12/6/2011
Ugh! A very frustrating experience.
I'm giving this place two stars, even though I think they barely deserve that.
Went there to see a friends show a short while ago. Showed up early to purchase tickets and asked them when I should come by to ensure I get a seat. The man at the door said 8, so an hour later. Casually stroll in at 7:45, and this place is packed. And by packed I definitely mean over capacity. No seats left, so they expected paying customers to stand at the back, blocking other's view.
We found a few free chairs at the back, however couldn't see a thing sitting in them, so tried to move them up. We were stopped saying it was a fire hazard. A FIRE HAZARD? You have at least 50 more people than you legally should have, I think that's more of a fire hazard.
To top it all off, they actually asked a table at the back of people who'd been there since 7 to drink up their drinks because they told the server they only intended to stay for drinks. What if they changed their minds? Apparently that's not allowed. They actually got kicked out to give chairs to people who showed up over an hour later than them.
And no, we did not even get the chairs. That table sat empty because no one could see the show from there and no one was allowed to move the unused chairs.
And of course, they did not give us a refund. -
Review from Robin M.
8/14/2011 11 Check-ins Here
I've got mad love for Guilt & Co. Is it the brick walls? The burlesque? Rumour has it that some of their dangerously delicious drinks have aphrodisiac qualities. Coincidence? Could this be the source of my love? Maybe. But it doesn't matter, because this place has it going ON.
From their secret-society undergroundish vibe to their rad board game schtick to their unisex bathrooms, this vintagey Gastown bar feels like one massive communal table. The point of it all is to make friends - to be social. Whether I'm playing a game of Clue with strangers, or am the centre of attention as I show off some mad Jenga skills in the infamous back room (don't hate), a night at Guilt will almost always be about collaborating, socializing and having a wicked-good time.
In a city that is at times a bit... how can I say... reserved, Guilt is an intensely refreshing change of pace. Live music, board games, killer drinks, rad people. Favourite Gastown spot. Vancouver needed this. -
Review from Brittany W.
North Vancouver, BC
9/25/2011
Game up! Ice breaker cards, scrabble and jenga are just a few options from the games menu. Oozing with originality in concept, this Gastown lounge is a great choice to go with a group of 2-4 friends for appys and drinks, any day of the week. Like many of the bars and restaurants surrounding it, Guilt & Co is buzzing right now.
What's more:
- has a creative food/drink menu
- live music and lineups on weekends
- it gets hot. Bring a light sweater
- games are free
- same owner as the Chill Winston (lounge above)Listed in: Worth Experiencing in…
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Review from Malloreigh M.
Vancouver, BC
8/10/2011 5 Check-ins Here
Guilt is Chill Winston's little brother, with a very limited, snacky, charcuterie-style menu of food, a great but pricy menu of drinks, and an additional menu of board games. Their music improv, burlesque, comedy, and other events are absolutely fantastic. Unique in the city, as far as I know, especially when paired with the board game thing.
I would be here more often if a) they had ANYTHING a vegan could eat (aside from crackers with pickles), and b) the prices were a bit more reasonable. While I appreciate the totally killer drink list, I can't afford more than one or two even if I'm splurging, so I tend not to come here at all most times.
Still, this is an incredibly cool place in the city. I'm glad we have it.Listed in: Just One Drink, Exceptional Vancouver
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Review from Michael F.
10/29/2011
I was brought here drunkenly by a couple of lesbian strippers I had just met in the West End. One of them said they had something to show me in the back alley, and wouldn't tell me what. I thought I was going to be stabbed, but instead, giant Jenga!
Beer list was very good. Cool looking interior. Lots of board games. Busses running at 1:30am a block away. I enjoyed myself. -
Review from Bobbin W.
9/19/2011
One of the innumerable reasons why my vacation in Vancouver was unbelievably amazing was walking into Guilt & Co. expecting to buy an afternoon ale and randomly stumbling into a La Fin du Monde tasting, getting invited to drink free high-gravity beer.
Based on its rosy hue, I chose the Éphémère Blackcurrant, the most refreshing, fruity beer ever. I spun with aftertastes of grape, somehow strawberry, somehow peace, somehow love.
I will never drink a Yuengling in a dark smoky bar with a sense of contentment again. -
Review from Chuck T.
Vancouver, BC
2/22/2012
Had the chocolate porter. Great! Had the bison brisket. It was alright. Giant Jenga game in the back area. Very cool. Service was good. Live band was about to start when I was leaving...
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Review from Linda V.
8/21/2011
I love this bar. The vibe is dark, intimate, and cool. There was a live band playing at the time, and the waiter was SO nice.
It's hipstery, yeah, and the stuff is pricey, but if you can get over that, then you have to check it out.
PROS:
- Our server was so friendly. Afterward he helped us find somewhere to eat by personally walking out the door and pointing down the street.
- The drinks were unique
- Live music topped everything off nicely
- Had some of their home made beef jerky. That was pretty good too. We might've gotten some other food item, but I don't really remember it so it must not have been that memorable.
- Lots of different games you can play.
- Loved the atmosphere: so dark and intimate. There's no word to describe it. I feel like I'm in a cave. But a rad one
CONS:
- Things are expensive
- The bathroom is very confusing. I don't like sharing the restroom with the other gender!
WORTH TRYING:
- House made beef jerky
- I don't recall the name..the chocolate beer?
- Cocoa and absinthe
Will def come back again when I'm in the area. -
Review from Sy M.
Vancouver, BC
7/5/2011
I agree with the other yelpers - I also almost don't want to write this review because I'm afraid this place will get even busier!! However, how do you NOT write a good review when the people at Guilt & Co truely deserve it?
Good drinks (I especially like their version of the Caesar, the Devil Inside), great service and awesome idea to have board games for people to play!
The best part of Guilt & Co has to be the jumbo Jenga sets in the back room. There are only two sets so get there early. What a great idea! The only problem I have with it is that I wish someone had gone and sanded down the sides so I wouldn't get splinters while setting the jenga up. Anyway, although you are in the backroom and it may seem like they will forget you're there, they won't. In fact, they keep coming back to the jenga room to make sure you are doing alright for drinks.
My advice: Go on a weeknight or a Sunday night if you want to go there to have drinks AND fully enjoy the boardgames without the crowds. And DON'T wear a fedora - someone might confuse you with the staff as that seems to be part of their "uniform" ;) -
Review from Melissa J.
Vancouver, BC
5/12/2011
I almost don't want to write this Yelp review because it is one of Vancouver's best kept secrets! The underground atmosphere, intimate seating, live music every night, stock of my two most favourite beers (St Ambroise Apricot Wheat Ale and Longboat Chocolate Porter). And choose any game you'd like off their "game menu" - connect 4, settlers of catan, jenga, you name it, they've got it!
No cover, so there may be a bit of a line, but don't worry - it moves fast and the wait will be well worth it! -
Review from Liza B.
Vancouver, BC
12/20/2011
I like it! Drinking, eating, board games, Gogo dancers? Great service. Not much more to say!!
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Review from A K.
Vancouver, BC
1/6/2012
Went here a week ago for my friend's birthday. There was a big lineup at 9:00 (yes, nine in the evening) even though there was lots of room in the place. Waited for 20 minutes and nobody got in, so we left -- about 20 of us, three quarters of whom had been inside. The whole thing was just a pathetic representation of Vancouver nightlife "hotspots" and filled me with regret for having moved back here.
Comment from Jody B. of Guilt & Co 1/9/2012
Hi AK, I just wanted to take a moment to respond to your… More » -
Review from Joanna F.
9/1/2011 1 photo
Dark, sexy, and cozy!
Guilt is a pretty awesome and chill place. It's a bit hipster-ish too. I went there with no expectations or idea of what this place is like. When I walked in, the place was dimly lighted and people seemed to be having a great time. Music was playing the whole time, and it was great.
Their drink selection was really good. I didn't try any of their mixed drinks, but according to my friends, they are awesome. We had a meat, hummus, cracker, and bread sampler, which my friends and I devoured. If i had more time (and money), I would have liked to explore their menu a bit more.
Games! Board games, card games, and giant Jenga. C'mon, you know you wanna play giant Jenga~!
This place is on the expensive side though, but it's a great place to hang out with some friends. Please, go check it out. -
Review from Alicyn C.
4/5/2011 3 Check-ins Here
What a great concept for a drinking establishment. Drinking and classic games.. How can you go wrong. How can this not be a fun place. They have great live music and a great selection of games you can choose from on their game menu. We played UNO while sipping on our bevy's.
They had a great beer selection and I love the fact that on their menu they have a cheese platter as well as just a chunk of cheese from the bar. Of course we opted for the chunk of cheese. It was a smoked gouda. Yum!
This place gets super busy. We got lucky finding a table for 2 that had a bench seat so we were able to actually sit 3 of us. Otherwise we would have been waiting a while for a seat.
I look forward to going again. -
Review from Allison F.
1/10/2011 ROTD 1/31/2011
Came here Saturday night for a birthday party. Thankfully the birthday girl had made reservations and so we not only had a table for our group, but were also told to come early to avoid any sort of lineup and cover. Definitely come early as the line-up was up the stairs all night and we saw a very low turnover of patrons.
The main area of the bar is nicely decorated and very homey feeling vs feeling like you're in a basement. Definitely a hipster crowd and we counted that just about every table had someone wearing plaid. An American friend brought it to my attention that Canadians wear more plaid than she had ever seen in any other country, and this place definitely proves that to be correct. We noticed that the background of the bar seating area is a reflective metal surface, and so ladies, definitely beware if you are sitting at it on a bar stool. People can see you and unfortunately your everything.
The board games are a fabulous touch. I didn't know anyone other than the friend that brought me to the party and these games gave us an excellent way to get to know the other party attenders. There is even crib if you want to flex your elderly man/woman skillz to impress those at your table. Double skunk, thank you very much! The giant Jenga game was entertaining, though the back room that they're in kind of freaked me out. Very low ceilings and water running along the side of one wall made me feel like I was in a basement that you urge people not to go in to in movies. Though instead of monsters and killers, you get Jenga and plaid. Win?
Drinks are fancy concoctions, though prices weren't too high. I had ginger beers and vodka and my ginger beer game in tiny 125mL bottles. 125mLs = half a cup. Therefore very small drinks for a large price tag of $8, which I didn't find out until the bill arrived. They also offer a light food menu. More than once, I found our table area smelling like chili or sausage, which to me was not something I wished to smell at a bar/lounge. Service started out very prompt but later in the evening when the place was packed, it was hard to rely on table service. You might be better ordering your drinks at the bar past 9pm.
Overall, Guilt and Co is a fun place to hit for an entertaining Saturday night. Live music, board games, and crazy drinks all while partying in a basement! Kinda like high school! -
Review from Johnson C.
Vancouver, BC
1/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
Kinda hipster for my liking - but there's nothing wrong with a basement drinkhole.
Only 6 taps but a decent selection of craft brews. And a long list of bottled beers - having nearly the entire catalog from Unibroue and Philips (my favourite breweries) was quite impressive.
The choice of board games were a nice touch. Note to self: Playing Scrabble while drinking will make your brain bleed.
However, 'food' was pretty damned expensive. Yes. *QUOTE*Food*QUOTE*. Really? You're gonna charge me $5 for a toasted bag of Warm Nuts & Bolts? Fucken' racketeers. For five bucks, you can eat some of DEEEZ NUTZ.Listed in: A Compendium of Fine…
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Review from Curtis R.
Vancouver, BC
What an incredibly cool space. Ventured over there for the first time a few weeks ago at around 6pm and was pleasantly surprised.
The cocktails were pretty good but not as good as some of the other Gastown haunts. However, the room was very interesting in a bohemian Gastown basement kind of way. The cavern behind the stage where they play Jenga also looked like a lot of fun after a few cocktails.
The really cool concept that intrigued me was - they have auditions for musicians and pair them in 3-somes every Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights based on the music genre the staff want that night. Apparently the talent is quite good. I still haven't been back on one of the music nights but will soon. They apparently have over 30 musicians on their list and each night is different. Sometimes there are people from the audience that come onstage and jam with them. Almost seems like a resurgence of the amazing Classical Joint of the 80's. Wow that would be amazing if that happened.
Check it out. They also have a variety of other games on their menu that looked fun. -
Review from Ewan S.
5/12/2011
I spent 2 nights in Vancouver BC and both nights drank here. The live performances are incredible. The Tuesday night had a burlesque show. The compare was energetic and funny, the girls could all dance, sing, strip and were HOT. Everyone enjoyed themselves. The Wednesday night had a ragtime jazz band. Young, cute, talented musicians entertained us with guitar, banjo, sax, and standup bass.
There was no cover other than donations. The drinks and food were good. Food was mostly tapas. Service was friendly.
This place is awesome. Highly recommend.
