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Republic
Categories: Nightlife Bars Nightlife Dance Clubs Bars, Dance Clubs [Edit]
958 Granville StVancouver, BC V6Z 1L2
Neighbourhoods: Downtown, Granville Entertainment District
(604) 669-3266
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 9 pm - 3 am
- Music:
- DJ
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Sun, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Ages Allowed:
- 21+
- Ambience:
- Trendy
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
35 reviews for Republic
Review Highlights
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"...the upstairs patio room, there's more classic hip hop songs." In 9 reviews -
"...at this club, watched a live band and met beautiful woman." In 4 reviews -
"The Republic has a different music night every day of the..." In 4 reviews
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35 reviews in English
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Review from pauline c.
9/19/2011
ra raaaaaaa ra
if you are a girl, no cover and no waiting.
if you're a guy, you're outta luck! better get a table.
raaaaaaaaaaa get drunk and go raaa rararaaaaa -
Review from Ashley C.
10/15/2011
1.5 stars, but you can't give 1.5 stars. Okay, so part of this rating might be based on personal experience not related to said Republic; however, this was less than a stellar night. We arrived and waited an hour and a half to get in. This place is certainly not worth the wait at all for a Saturday night. Yet, we had to go because certain people in our party "had to dance." I've realized that this just isn't my scene and for that reason I decided not to give it the one star.
An hour and a half later, we got in through the ridiculous security line. We paid cover (although my fiance didn't pay since it was his birthday which was very nice of the lady and I give them credit for that). We get in and try to go find a bar and get a drink. It is so crowded that we wait 15 minutes. The drink was good but not as strong as you might expect. The space is really modern and has the potential to be an awesome place.
We were looking forward to some good beats, but the DJ was AWFUL. You just couldn't dance to it. Apparently, in this little side party room there was a different DJ who was supposedly better; however, it was just too crowded to get in there and really enjoy the space.
We hung out out on top and try not to get shoved and pushed. Also, I found that the girls in there are real pieces of work: entitled, snobby, rude and lets just say that they are a frat boy's wet dream. I'd prefer something with a little more class, better music, and more of a lounge-y feel.
I would go back on a different night or under different circumstances because I've heard and music and crowd can change drastically. -
Review from Siri W.
6/21/2011
Ugh this place has me conflicted. On the one hand, it's a cool bar. They often have really rad music playing, and I love the distribution of dj and band on the top and bottom floor. The bands they bring in are among the best in the city for live music. It's an awesome looking place too, very sleek and sexy and muted. Bartenders are quick and efficient and courteous for the most part.
On the other hand, as a Donnelly Bar it's completely and utterly pompous and ridiculous. The bouncers think they're God and are quick to let in cute girls, but slow to let in their boyfriends too, especially if they can find some silly reason for not letting them in. I've had a friend of mine be turned away because the bouncer didn't like his hair. Seriously.
Also cover is absolutely stupid. On a Thursday we paid $12 cover to see a friends band - there was almost no one in the club at the time. Then coat check is an additional $5. So after paying almost 20 bucks to get into an empty club to support a friend's band, we were significantly less than psyched. Drinks are ridiculously steep as well.
That said - if you have money to burn, this is a great place to go - if they'll let you in the door that is :)Listed in: Oh, Oh the Places I Go
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Review from Susie H.
8/28/2011 2 Check-ins Here
NOTE: some days here are 19+ though business details says 21+.
This was my first time clubbing in Vancouver, and I was pretty impressed with Republic.
Unfortunately, I had to wait in line for 45 mins because it was already busy. Not such a big deal as it was warm and I was with friends to occupy the time. The entrance security is far beyond what I have ever seen in Toronto. They swipe your ID to make sure it's real AND they use a camera to check really well that it's actually you. This means no annoying 16 year olds in the club! Hurrah.
HUGE BONUS: you're allowed in and outs! I am sure this is normal for the Granville district but again, I've never been to a club in Toronto that offers this. This means if it isn't so hot inside, you can explore other options around the district and re-enter later if you want. Also, if you're in the area just before nightlife begins (8-9 PM) there are promoters handing out tickets for no or reduced cover (usually $18), but even if you go really early there is a big line (they probably hold it to make the place look busy).
The club itself is pretty big, there are 2 floors and a little patio thing (it's not really a patio but there are big windows everywhere) where they play hip-hop instead of the regular top 40/mashup business. There are 3 bars, but two of them are really big and staffed by at least three bartenders. Didn't ever have to wait too long for a drink (average club drink price of $6.50/$7 or something). Bathrooms were clean, lots of stalls that were very private and there was a bathroom attendant. There are also a couple of VIP booths but they didn't look extremely special or nice or anything - they were actually mostly empty because people had gotten up to dance.
So basically, if you don't mind waiting in a bit of a line-up and forking over a bit of your money you'll probably have a great time here. -
Review from Gina I.
4/26/2011
Least douchiest club I've ever been to. I went on a Sunday night - it was Reggae night, which is probably the best music out of all the nights. The double drinks were the same price as single drinks, so that was awesome. I highly enjoyed the live band, but they need to play more faster songs than slower. No one slow dances at a club. OH WAIT, they do, and they shouldn't.
All I wanted to do was dance with my girlfriends and not get hit on. Pretty successful, if I do say so myself.
It was pretty packed and there were a lot of tardo's lifting their drinks in the air and pumping their fist, but hey.. can't win them all. -
Review from Faye S.
Vancouver, BC
8/18/2011
Republic is a nice sizey club with multiple dance floors and bars. There are always free tickets being handed out outside to pull people in...can't complain about getting free stuff.
The decore is great and the staff are good to look at.
It is just a shame is completely deserted until 1am and then when it does fill up...the crowd is less than average. Mean people and mostly men.
Not my kinda place at all.
I had avoided going since my 1st visit and will make last night my last visit.
No good. -
Review from Matt C.
Vancouver, BC
5/5/2011
Even though getting into Republic can be tough, since DHM is widely known for having the toughest clubs in the city to get passed the doors, even on the guestlist expect a wait you will love the vibe in this club once you are in.
Immediately upon entrance you are faced with a set of stairs, you can go up or walk passed them, I always walk passed them, on the main level is the dance floor, which is usually pretty crowded but its nice to see what kind of faces are there, even if just a quick walk by. Keep going through and don't bother stopping for a drink at the bottom bar, Ill bring you to a less crowded spot.
Go up the steps on the other side of the lower level passed the dance floor, at the top you will see the semi sectioned off bottle service area, chances are if I'm in the spot that night you'll see the team in this area.
Keep going and you'll see the upstairs bar, usually very crowded, don't worry, I'm not walking you into a trap, trust me, keep going.
Passed the upstairs bar in the back corner it will look empty, follow it, you will enter the glass patio room with a separate DJ usually spinning hiphop, but who cares what's playing (for right now) I've lead you to the empty bar. Bang Bang. Drink up.
Republic is one of the hottest clubs in the city, for a good reason - the crowd is very upscale and sexy, the venue is gorgeous, its right on the strip and it runs 7 days a week....you can't beat that. -
Review from Johnson C.
Vancouver, BC
5/17/2011
Wow - considering that it's a club on Granville and owned by Donnelly - it wasn't actually all that bad. I mean - I didn't want to shoot myself in the face by being here. And I'm not completely ashamed I partied here. So it didn't completely suck.
I honestly don't remember what we paid for bottle service - but I remember it being a good deal at the time. But of course, your mileage may vary during negotiations. As with most Vancouver clubs - they take your bottle away as soon as the waitress are done pouring and they bring it back. But meh - what can you do?
Music is pretty typical Top 40 stuff with a bit of a harder hip-hop edge on a Saturday night. Any club that plays a Biggie and 2Pac set is alright with me. Multiple levels and the DJ booth and main dancefloor is situated over Granville with floor to ceiling windows. Cool spot - just wished more people were dancing. It's more of a 'hookup' joint with a pretty mixed and older crowd.
Friendly ladies if you spit game correctly. Open until 3:30 AM. I would probably never come back - but it's better than most of the other disaster zones on Granville a.k.a. Douchebag Central. -
Review from Barry M.
4/24/2011 25 Check-ins Here
They have a couple of cool staff here but there are a several unforgivable serious issues that I can't overlook.
The coat check is $5, at the back of the club, and too much for one poor girl to handle on a busy weekend night. It took at least half an hour to retrieve my coat the last time I was there and I had to endure a couple in front of me playing find the cavity with their tongues and trying not to be sick.
Crown and coke are $9.25. Unbelievable.
Cover $15 on Saturday. That plus a coat check and your already up to $20 before buying a single drink. -
Review from J K.
9/2/2010 2 photos
Overpriced meat-market.
We decided to come here on a Saturday night. It seemed like a good idea at the time. It was okay at first. But then it got really crowded with the sort of people I don't normally wanna hang out with. -
Review from Danah D.
9/11/2009
Lame, lame and more lame.
Waiting in line for an hour sucked. Even worse was the $21 cover. The crowd was packed with hormonal, drunk men - perfect for the insecure, needy girl types...not so perfect for me and my friends.
Though the wait to get in is super long, you don't have to wait at the bar long for a drink. There are plenty of bartenders ready to make your order. That's a plus.
I wasn't feeling the music, techno rave stuff.
Definitely wouldn't return. It's sort of like Tijuana, Mexico without the threat of getting kidnapped by a drug cartel. -
Review from Melissa F.
Toronto, ON
8/16/2010
*sigh*, ok, I admit. IT's one of the nicer looking bars on the granville strip.
It's a really hit or miss night.
Music is decent because there are different floors with slightly different vibes which work.
This bar sucks considerably less than I thought it would.
This is likely the closest thing to a comfortable + slightly flashy bar if you're from california. It's got that vibe.Listed in: Donnelly Group FAIL
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Review from Reena M.
7/5/2010
Music is decent, and when you're trashed you tend to over look other flaws.
What did stand out to me is the ridiculous cover charge, ridiculous mandatory coat check for each item, and 1.5 hour wait in line, even though we were in the front. They kept letting people by from the side. Okay, i get the guest list and the VIP thing... but an hour and a half without moving???? -
Review from Jennalyn M.
11/16/2009
I've been here twice:
1st Time: I came here in August for a bachelorette party. It was a Wednesday night and there was no line and I don't remember paying a cover. Drinks were on the pricy side and not that strong. Took me a few more than my usual to get a good buzz. It also happened to be a Playboy Party that night we went so there were lots of scantily clad women and overly eager men. The inside is actually pretty nice and I like how there are two levels. Dance floor was on the first floor main level. DJ wasn't bad although it was a little too house/techno for my liking at times.
2nd Time: Didn't actually make it inside. Came on a Saturday night around 11pm. The line wasn't excessively long but it was not moving AT ALL! In 40 mins we managed to move 2 steps. Then we overheard that there was a $21 cover. HELL NO! So we left and just got drunk at a nearby bar on Granville St.
The time when I actually was inside the club, it was pretty cool. Maybe because I went with a bunch of girls for a bacherlorette party. 2nd time around I DID NOT like waiting in that damn line one bit! And I don't understand how chicks in Vancouver can wear next to nothing while waiting in line for the club in 45 degree weather in the middle of Novermber! Seriously, at least put some damn stockings on! -
Review from Kristina C.
Vancouver, BC
12/12/2010
My friends and I came to this club on a Friday night, with DJ Spider and a video dance party, playing top 40 mashups. Upstairs in the patio, it was hip hop/rap/old school etc.
Dancing in the patio was pretty cool because you can look out over Granville St, there are fewer creepy guys, and it's not as hot as downstairs on the main dance floor.
Being a Donnelly club, Republic tries to gouge you in any way that they can. Cover is $21, coat check is $5 per jacket, and drinks are also on the pricey side (not to mention pretty weak). Be sure to bring cash: my friend was going to pay for drinks with credit card, but was told by the bartender that there was an additional 15% charge on top of the price. (Are all clubs like this? We usually pay with cash).
The venue itself is pretty nice inside: the main bar downstairs, plus the main dance floor. Upstairs, VIP seating, and a second bar. Along the hallway leading to the patio, there is more VIP seating and a third, smaller bar. Lastly, the patio, which plays different music from the rest of the venue and has a few tables and seats, plus a small dance floor.
All in all, my friends' and I had a so-so experience here: we enjoyed the music for the most part, but did not enjoy the steep prices and the creepy guys who just cannot take no for an answer. If the crowd had been different , we may have had a 4 star night (-1 star for the prices). We may be reluctant to come back, but we won't rule it out. -
Review from Pauline L.
3/26/2009
DJ Kenya rocked the house the night my friends and I were there, getting our taste of Vancouver, Canada's downtown night life. We intended on going bar/club hopping through Robson and Granville, but with the rain and all of the other clubs acting pretentious with their standstill lines, we had a blast staying at Republic dancing the night away. Sorry boys, but you'll need to pay up for the cover. But well worth it, I assure you.
A classy, minimally chic place with two stories, fancy strobe lights, and two bars. Upstairs is mainly for folks to chill, watch the scene below, or ordering drinks. The bartender girls are not only gorgeous and smoking hot; they also make a mighty tasty "baked apple pie" shot and lemon drop.
The $3 is well-worth the coat check so that you can dance away, especially if DJ Kenya is at the turn-table. That Friday night, he bumped some classic 90s RnB, hip hop, and pop: be it Mase, 112, Michael Jackson, or Madonna - stuff that I used to jam to during my awkward teenage years. Only this time, you can rock to it looking a lot more stunning and classy than you did at 13. One of the best clubbing experiences I've had in a long time, including in the States! Ladies, great place to relax, let your hair down, and get down on the dance floor - without the elitist snobbery.Listed in: Pacific Northwest Tour
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Review from Vineet T.
3/28/2010
Waited in line for about 20 minutes before checking in our coats.
This was by far the best club we went to on our trip to Vancouver, I believe we were there on the night that it was Reggae night and they had musicians with live instruments and a DJ mixing all at the same time. The music was quite frankly BRILLIANT! Everyone was having a smashing time.
It was nice to have two separate levels and 2 DJ's spinning different music, one downstairs and one on the patio/smoking area upstairs. Drinks were great. Only annoyance was some guy trying to sell Cocaine in the restroom, he did'nt last very long and was eventually manhandled out of the club by the authorities. There is decent seating upstairs if you need to take a break from the dance floor.
The clientele were mature except for some guy that wanted to start a fight at the bar because some girl did'nt want to talk to him but wanted to chat with my friend instead.
I will definitely go back on my next trip to BC! -
Review from Josh C.
1/7/2010
3 friends and I got a table at Republic from Johnny the host. Later on the night there was a creepy fellow that sat on our table and was kicked off by my friend Brian P. The fellow apologized and went away. 10 minutes later my friend couldn't find her chole bag with a passport and everything else that doesnt matter since its a US passport! The helpful Republic staff found it 20 minutes later cuz the same fellow that sat on our table somehow creeped his way in again to steal the purse. Thanks Republic staff!
The dude was an idiot. When cops asked whose purse it was, he said it was his gf. Cops asked what ethniicity she was, he answered caucasian. Hey dumbass, if you steal a purse with asians sitting at the table most likely the purse belongs to one of the asian girls. firsthand experience with a vancouver douchebag.
I have to say i met some awesome people at this club, watched a live band and met beautiful woman. it was a great way to end my vancouver trip. -
Review from Tina H.
8/25/2010
Music isn't bad on Tuesday after the Lady Gaga concert. They had an "unofficial Lady Gaga after-party." They changed up the songs pretty quickly after about 20 seconds, which is a bit weird and hard to get into anything. We got in free with a "VIP" card and didn't really have to wait very long. We got a complimentary shot if we give them our contact info and let them spam us via email and text message, but didn't get to choose our shot.
My main concern is that it's pretty crowded with really drunk people bumping into you all the time, not caring about trampling others and only worried about getting their dance on with sloppy drunk girls. Lots of creepy guys to avoid but that's like anywhere. I would not have come here if I had to pay but for free entry it's not too bad.
Not many bathrooms for the capacity of the club. On the plus side, the club has a very nice decor. -
Review from Anita T.
Toronto, ON
8/26/2008
This place is one of the best bar/lounge/nightclub in Vancouver. The atmosphere is upbeat and posh; and they play MORE than just top 40 and hip hop. Every night is different at Republic - along with a different crowd. They have techno, house, reggae, you name it!
The downstairs bar is beautiful and really a sight you just have to see. The staff are pretty friendly for the most part and I've never really had to wait more than a few minutes to get the bartenders attention to order a drink.
It is pretty much one of the major hot spots in Vancouver, so if you can, send in a guest list to ensure that you won't have to wait in line for hours! -
Review from Matt F.
6/21/2010
This place has a ton of potential. Its a very modern looking place with two stories. Upstairs there's tables tucked away in the corners for a little privacy, the bars up there, and it provides a nice overview of the dance floor. Theres also a bar downstairs thats right by the DJ and dance floor.
When i went there with a few friends there was no wait in line even though they were handing out coupons for no cover with a free shot as well right outside the door. I go in head upstair to the bar and get my shot. I take a look around and the place and there is nobody there. The 20 people that were there looked like they were ut for their 19th birthday.
Lame atmosphere, no people, but a really cool venue. Like i said it has potential but overall i didnt really like it. -
Review from Samantha G.
7/4/2010 1 Check-in Here
Originally, my friend and I were supposed to go to Barcelona. When we found out cover was $20, we just decided to walk around Granville and look for a bar/club that didn't have cover. Somewhere along that walk, a guy gave us tickets to Republic so we didn't have to pay cover. I'm not sure if $20 cover is the norm around Van City but I must have been super spoiled in Seattle with dealing $10 max for cover.
Anyways back to the review, my first reaction when I got in Republic was that I wouldn't have gone here. I'm not a big fan of techno but I can tolerate it enough to go with the flow. I ordered a crown & coke and that had to be one of the weakest drinks I've had. At one point of the night, a fight broke out but the guys were kicked out by security.
Technically, I would have gave this 2-3 stars. I decided to give this place 4 stars because we made some new friends here and we all went for some late night timbits at Tim Horton's afterwards.
I probably would go back here if I could get away with not paying cover again. But I am glad that this place led us to meet some cool people. -
Review from Vincci L.
1/7/2010
Reggae Sunday nights!! Another Donnelly production, this is always a place for good times. A 21+ club, so an older clientele visit this place. Line ups can get long and will not move if you are not on the guestlist. Arrive early!
Cover is $12 on Sundays and coat check is $5.
Overall, this is a nice venue, with two levels. I like two levels clubs because it allows patrons to spread out more. A high ceiling with a gothic feel chandalier hangs in the center. There's a main dance floor downstairs of moderate size, and then another patio room upstairs, which overlooks Granville Street. There's minimal seating along the walls of this place, which, compared to other venues, there's already more than nothing. A sectioned off VIP section is upstairs. I personally like it this way more because many VIP sections now border the dance floor, which can get crowded.
Sunday nights there's a live band "Retrofit" playing Reggae tunes. The live music creates a different atmosphere, and I like the interaction between the band and the people on the dance floor. In the upstairs patio room, there's more classic hip hop songs. The room is very small though, so it gets jam packed at times.
Drinks-what you expect to pay at other clubs, plus a martini list. There's a large bar downstairs, as well as upstairs, and another small one inside the patio room. Coat check is upstairs...so you will have to line up again to check in your coat.
Cool people, cool place. A great way to spend a Sunday on a long weekend. Just be prepared to wait in line. -
Review from zell c.
9/12/2009
"$18. Look in the camera. Smile."
Totally did not expect to pay so much for cover, especially with only 2 hours left before closing. There goes our money for our last round of drinks!
People: Guys leaning on the walls with a drink all trying to look hip, girls in mini dresses leaning on the bar trying to look sexy. A diverse crowd. Some were dressed up like they were going to prom and some were dressed down like they just came straight from class. I don't think there's a strict dress code.
Music: Hmm... MGMT, Flo Rida, Weezer, T.I., Kings of Leon, BEP, Drake, all in a span of 2 hours.
But we tried our best to have a good time. It was past 1am, the drunkies were going home (or getting arrested on Granville- yes we saw some of those), the girls' feet were hurtin' from struttin' in their stilettos, the dancefloor was clearing up, and we were all sobering up, so it was all ours! Met some interesting characters on the dance floor too. Haha. Fun times. -
Review from Randolph A.
6/22/2010
We had to check out the nightlife in Canada and see how they do it... One thing I really liked is how they closed off a street section of Granville St. (the section which had all the bars/clubs of course) so that if your drunk @$$ gets too tipsy, you at least won't get hit by a car when you start staggering in the middle of the street.
So anyways, after walking around a bit and checking out which club looked like it was poppin, we ended up at this spot. We waited about 10 mins or so to get in so it wasn't too bad. The place itself looked really nice. The overall layout of the club was decent... from what I remember, there were two dance floors and three bars... the main floor and bar downstairs and a smaller dance floor and two bars upstairs. The bartenders were so so in acknowledgement and speed of service... price for alki wasn't too steep either.
One thing I wasn't feeling though was the music... at least on the main floor. It was techno and house all night long. Music like that, I swear, you really can't dance to. Fortunately, the DJ upstairs was spinning some hip hop and other beats that you can get hyped and dance to. For me, it's about the music.
The club was aight, the guy/girl ratio wasn't too bad... and the girls looked cool... but hey, when intoxicated, who knows.. ha ha. -
Review from Ashley O.
7/5/2010
My friends and I were in Vancouver for a long weekend and went to Republic three nights in a row (Thur-Sat). My overall impression - interior decor is cool, bartenders are attentive, and music is decent. There's one main room that plays alright music, and there's a smaller room upstairs that plays hip hop / top 40 (at least the nights that we were there). We weren't particularly impressed by the crowd, but it was definitely one of the better places to hit up on Granville.
I would give it a better rating if they played better music, the crowd were better looking, and cover wasn't $18. My friends and I didn't have to pay cover, but still - the best clubs in Vegas charge $20. $18 for some mediocre club in Vancouver is borderline outrageous. -
Review from Dani B.
9/18/2009
Ok, I have crazy mixed feelings about this place. Overall, I'd say don't go, but they stole Soul Stream (an amazing live Funk band) who play there once a week, and they are amazing.
Overall, the crowd is chotzky at best. The aroma of mixed designer colognes is a bit overwhelming, however, it's multi storied and the ambiance is quite attractive. I went here to see a friend (Trevor) spin on Thursdays and he was great! There are a couple rooms to choose from with different music playing in each, so you get choices. So overall for a place on the strip its not that bad but its "meh" at best. -
Review from Bryan W.
Vancouver, BC
10/9/2010
This place isn't too bad if you go with the right people. I went with people that managed to get me in for free as well as 2 free drinks. This place is very nice inside with a good sized dance floor and a 2 bars.They have 2 floors and both of them get pretty crowded despite it being expensive. Definitely a good addition to granville street
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Review from Mercedes G.
Vancouver, BC
10/21/2008
After visiting the Republic for the second time, I can safely say that I like this joint! Friends from out of town joined me on a Sunday Reggae night here and we grooved to some delicious beats from the great live band on the downstairs dance floor. Between the live band and the main DJ, the music played ranged from old-school reggae, to reggae-tone and hip hop. The spacious interior of the Republic allows for you to move about with little worry about inadvertently feeling up your neighbors and the prompt and friendly bar service is nothing less than stellar. The Republic has a different music night every day of the week with drink specials to get you moving. Sunday night is $7.25 doubles...
Listed in: Par-tay!
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Review from Brian P.
1/2/2010
Just want to thank Johnny and his staff of security for helping us find my friend's purse! His staff was quick and responsive! Thanks a lot man!
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Review from Brian L.
Vancouver, BC
2/26/2011
Great music, but small dance floor. You get to see some cooky individuals here. Some of the girls are little stuck up! But overall a good scene for a night club. If you were to measure it with other clubs in LA or Las Vegas, it's probably pretty pathetic.
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Review from Darien C.
BC
11/18/2008 1 photo
Republic is the Flagship of the Donnelley Club Group. Unoffcially that is. I say this merely from the impressive interior. Two stories with two massive bars servicing both levels. The main floor bar has a stellar showcase of spirits which climbs the wall. After numberous attempts to feng shui the room, the management at Republic seems to have finally settled on the current design.
The dance floor is on the main level with a clear path to the dj. The VIP lounge is on the second floor. And the super VIP room, which is sort of like an enclosed patio protruding onto Granville is through a second, usually bounced, door. I've been in here many times for more intimate parties and I have always prefered it to the mainroom. The music tends to be more indie and electro in VIP, something I vastly prefer to the mainstream trash rocked out too by the first floor. Often times this venue within a venue will ne rented out for concert after parties. Thankfully a second bar exists in here and so you need only venture out for the funky washrooms.
When this place first opened up they clearly thought too highly of themselves. They actually elected to charge a second cover beyond the first one just to go upstairs. Thankfully this ill-conceived notion has since been refuted. I am rarely a fan of this club and even less interested in its normal crowd. For special events the venue is great. For club nights this is a more expensive version of all the cookie cutter locations on the strip. -
Review from Steven W.
Burnaby, BC
6/21/2010
Main reason for this 1 star is their false advertisement. Our group decided to hit up Republic on Friday because on their website it clearly stated that "ladies get in free before midnight" (http://www.dhmbars.ca/...) for Republic Fridays. So we went and guess what? It's not free for the ladies! They said its actually free before 11pm. Great.
Cover: $18; Coat Check: $5. You do the math.
The interior decor is nice, no doubt about that. The drinks are definitely on the expensive side. Worst of all, the DJ screwed up so many times throughout the night that the whole dance floor started clearing out before 12:30am.
Overall, not impressed and not recommended. -
Review from Greg G.
Vancouver, BC
1/27/2010
Never have to stand in line here so I like to pop in and annoy everyone else standing in line. Hah, sorry Yelpers. Annoying I know. But seriously the weekends have people going off. I like to stay up on the second floor or come on sunday's for Reggae nights.
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Review from beki L.
Vancouver, BC
11/23/2009 3 photos
never been here before....but twice in ONE week?! c'mon...?!?!
first time steppin foot here was for the most recent Megablends DJ contest last wed...had to be there to support a fellow friend rip it up on the turntables...(oh, yes, he did win....but of course)
the second time...2 nights later for my BFF's birthday bash.
im not gonna remark on line ups and waits...thats pretty much obsolete for a club (well...unless you're u got the hookups...and can cruise on by...) However, I will say, that the bouncer (it was the same on both nights that i went) was super courteous, friendly and nice.
first night it was pouring rain and i only had half my group with me so he was ever so accommodating and let them in first while i stood to the side to wait for my last friends to come. i also mentioned that a few are running really behind and he says its okay, they can still come in later no problem and to just inform the ladies inside with the list. (wow, that was easy!)
since i didnt pay cover the first night i didnt realize that it was $18!!! (does anyone else remember the good ol' $5 cover days?!?!) and coat check is $5!! i would NEVER pay that much to get into a club... ridiculous if you ask me! although...they still manage to have crowds arrive here...hmm
the inside is absolutely beautiful...the decor is very tasteful...the main bar upstairs is a big round circle in the centre of the room that is divided half into the normal area and the other in the vip section. theres also a smaller room tucked away in the corner with a tiny bar and 2nd DJ that looks out onto granville st, i thought that was super cool.
washrooms are very nice and clean! stalls are huge! wow, ive never been in a club bathroom that i didnt have to squeeze into and hold my hand up against the door so that no one would get in because the knob has been broken off. lol
the dancerfloor and 2nd bar is downstairs...surrounded by a wall of alcohol and mirrors (because we all know how much we love to stare at ourselves when we are doing our drunken dance)
cant judge the music since the first night was a special event.... but friday nights music was a great blend of top 40, hiphop and a bit of house.
LOVE LOVE LOVED the crowd....great mix of people...and no stupid pretentious bimbos or pervs prowling around! i was talking to everyone and anyone it seemed....making friends left right and centre.. having drinks and shots with people i just met...it was great fun. even all the staff were wonderful.
sorry republic, you lost one star for the ridiculous cover charge...and another for the silly coat check fee (and if you have a little bag u want to put with your coat...yah, that would HAVE to be separate..they wont even hang it on the same hanger!! thats $10 for coat and little bag!! wtf!)
but i will finish with: i had a frikkin blast both nights!Listed in: HOT spots
