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The Lamplighter Public House
Categories: Nightlife Bars Pubs Restaurants Gastropubs Pubs, Gastropubs [Edit]
210 Abbott StVancouver, BC V6B 2K8
Neighbourhoods: Downtown, Gastown
(604) 687-4424
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Music:
- DJ, Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- No
56 reviews for The Lamplighter Public House
Review Highlights
"...the roof was restored by Donnelly Group and was authentic..."
(in 9 reviews)
"...moody dim lighting, and pool tables as well as video games..."
(in 5 reviews)
"...great beers on tap (Rogue and Trad ale) and friendly staff."
(in 3 reviews)
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56 reviews in English
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Review from Daren D.
1/15/2012
I had somewhat of a small bar crawl going for myself and poked in here one late night after the kitchen closed.
"What's the Burdock Float like?" I ask.
"Kinda like a Roat Beer Float, it's good, you'll like it!" says the friendly & cool bartender.
"Gimme one of those."
No one addressed me when I walked into this black, screen lit, hip space so I went straight to the bar for my drink. It was actually quite like a RB Float! Cool. -
Review from Alkarim S.
1/8/2012
Two different nights with two different experiences. All on a Tuesday.
The first night we bumped into the Lighter and dropped in. It was a lively atmosphere and the music progressively increased in intensity as the night progressed.
I loved the happy hour specials that they put out, not to mention that the signatures drinks are solidly made. However, as a Californian I will always complain that the drinks are always weaker in Vancouver.
As the music roared, the tiny dancefloor opened up and we started rocking out and even pulled some 'fine' and fun women from their seats to boogie.
The next week, Canada lost gloriously to the Russians in the Junior League Championship that came to the wire.
It was trivia night, good fun, but it is going away so whats the point of talking about the loss now?
After trivia, half the place left and it started to get BORING!!!
I go to a pub to socialize not to stay in my 'click'.
So this is a fairly average place with better than average prices, still searching for something better. -
Review from Stephene C.
Vancouver, BC
12/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Waited in line for a bit, but we were determined! Thankfully the people in front of us, got annoyed and left the line so we shuffled to the very front. Truthfully, they didn't really leave the line, they just moved to the other less cool guest list line and unlucky for them, got in way sooner than us. I seriously need to make bouncer connections. Line waiting isn't fun at all.
But the wait was worth it and entertaining as well. There was a woman, from the back of the line, who repeatedly tried to get the bouncers to let her and her friend in. All I could think during the interaction was get back to the end of the line lady. There were also two dudes just behind us that were trying to convice us that we didn't want to wait any longer, that the wait was such an injustice. All I could think during that interaction was, seriously dude, you need to lay off the eye brow tweesing and fake tanning. You're brows are looking a little thin and its winter for goodness sakes, everyone knows you didn't just go to a warmer destination, not with brows like that.
Considering that its a donnelly club, I would say the cover, drinks and coat check were reasonably priced. The music was awesome, so me and my friends danced our little heinys off all night until just before 3 am. There was lots of interesting people and entertaining stuff to see. They even have a pool table and a foosball table, but it costs two bucks a game. Normally I rock at fooseball, but maybe I was a little buzzed. It was two on one, and I was in the team of two, and we got our butts kicked.
Overall, great night, awesome music, good dancing, fun times all around.
St3Fin -
Review from Kimberly W.
1/29/2012
Stopped in here to watch a football game and have some lunch. I tried three of the four dished at our table and loved them all. Poutine, fish and chips, mac and cheese. Service was fast and friendly. Highly recommend.
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Review from Melody M.
12/2/2011
I was expecting something, I don't know, just something yummy, something gastown cool. I go meh.
The staff was okay and so were the people. The food and drinks, could have been better. Nothing stood out, nothing at all.
Definitely not going back. -
Review from Mike K.
10/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
It was a gorgeous, sunny September day. We were hiking all around Gastown checking out all the tourist sights, and we were getting a little hungry as well as thirsty. This place looked to fit the bill.
When we walked inside we were greeted by several large screen TVs showing American college football (it was Saturday), similar to most any sports bar you would find in suburban USA. Unlike most US sports bars, the menu here features poutine, sort of a french fry/rib/gravy/cheese concoction that is quite frankly really damn good with beer. There are other interesting things on the menu, but most of it is pretty standard pub fare. The selection of beers was decent.
What brought my rating down to 3 stars were the high prices and slow service. Neither was terrible, just not good enough to merit 4 stars. -
Review from Ashley C.
10/15/2011
Pretty good. We came here for some afternoon bloodys and drinks during our visit of Gastown. Our waitress was friendly and prompt although she seemed a little unfamiliar with some of the menu/drinks. We got some fries to munch on and they were nicely seasoned.
The ambiance is rather neat and the ceiling is very pretty and antique looking. They had some nice music in the background but it wasn't too loud that you couldn't chat. Overall, it was okay. I'd go back if I was there, but I wouldn't go out of my way.
My one complaint and caveat - the bathrooms were not very clean and it was in the middle of the afternoon! The floors were a bit wet, there was some garbage on the floor, and the sinks were dirty. Last impressions stick. -
Review from james m.
Vancouver, BC
11/22/2011
Another one of these bars that once had some charm, some character, some atmosphere that wasn't forced. When I first went to the Lighter it was for karaoke, a few years back, what a great night, singing, drinking and laughing. Now there's not that same vibe in the room. Yes there's a line up every Friday and Saturday but look at the people in line.
Maybe I'm in the same place as Dan J., maybe I have outgrown the Lighter.
I will say that the mussels are tasty but the service sucks, slow, uninterested and shallow. -
Review from Siri W.
10/10/2011
As far as Vancouver Donnelly Club bars go, this one is just fine. If you go in during the week, there's plenty of space to sit down and some pool tables at the back. If you go during the week, there's plenty of people - the line is always big - Donnelly Club's are a license to print money after all. Overall though...door staff is friendly and fairly accommodating, music was decent, drinks were average - didn't pay cover so not sure how much it is - I'm assuming par for the course with this group, likely around 12-16 on weekends?
Not a bad place to spend (at least part of) a Friday night. -
Review from Amanda H.
Vancouver, BC
12/17/2011
The hubby and I have been here several times. He claims it is his favorite place in Gastown, but we only end up going here because we have been walking around for a long time and end up thirsty and pekish. We always have either nachos or wings and a pitcher of beer. Luckily we never end up going when it is too busy so the service is decent. I kinda like the decor in there too. It is a nice way to kill an hour or two during the heat of the summer, that is if they aren't too busy.
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Review from Neil C.
Ottawa, ON
10/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
Decided to have lunch in here on a Sunday afternoon after my first exploration of Gastown. First choice was Six Acres, but it was closed.
NFL was showing on all screens so the usual jersey clad NFL fans were enjoying loud banter with each other. TV's were nice and loud if you wanted to watch the game, but if not, you had to nearly shout to enjoy a conversation.
GIB was on offer so was the obvious choice of beverage, along with fish and chips. Service was prompt, food was adequate, atmosphere was good. Would definitely come back for an evening to see how it jives.
NB they do not take debit.
PPS - home of Man Utd - big big negative, I hate Man U!! -
Review from Sarah D.
8/19/2011
I know it's annoying when people say "[x] used to be SO much cooler," but I'm going to go ahead and say it anyway: the Lamplighter used to be SO much cooler. I remember spending many beer-fueled nights here listening to local rock bands play on the minuscule stage with the neon green "live at the Lamp" sign shining behind them. Ah! Barbara Streisand comes to mind: "memories of the way we were...."
Alas, the Lamplighter has grown up, toned down, and gotten hitched to the old ball-n-chain, the Donnelly Group. While it's not as horrific as some of their other public houses (the DG has ruined the term "public house" for me), you can expect to see the exact same menu. Yup, the menu is EXACTLY the same as Library Square, Cinema, the Academic, et al. I guess the executive chef ran out of ideas, or something.
In any case, the Lamplighter isn't all bad. I came here for a friend's bachelorette party, and we had a decent time dancing to some 80's tunes and other cheesy classics. Just be forewarned that if you enjoy attending interesting and creative events, you're not going to find it here. Nowadays, the Lamplighter makes a better venue for post-work drinks than an evening destination. -
Review from Christine D.
9/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
This was a nice stop on Saturday after walking around downtown. We just stopped in for a drink and a snack.
We got caught up with some American Football and eating some delicious fries.
There wasn't much of a crowd, however, the few people that were in there were there primarily to watch the game.
They had a variety of beers as well as a full bar. The cosmopolitan I had was very small and not much to it.
The service was good and they tended to every need without prompting.
All in all a good place to hang out and enjoy the game. -
Review from Tabatha Anne Y.
Richmond, BC
8/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
I convinced my boyfriend to wander into the Lamplighter based on the ceiling. I'd learned on a Beer Tour lead by the lovely Jessica O that the roof was restored by Donnelly Group and was authentic handcrafted tin. So I was drunk and wanted to look at the pretty ceiling.
We came in for a pitcher and to hang out. We didn't want any food, so I guess our waitress decided not to check in on us very often, which was too bad because I was in the mood for shots.
I filled out a comment card which pretty accurately described how I feel about the Lamplighter. Where it asks "How did you hear about us?" I simply wrote "You own every bar in Vancouver." -
Review from gretchen c.
Vancouver, BC
11/9/2011 2 Check-ins Here
you either have to get here super early (like before 9 pm) or super later (like after 1 am) if you want to get in and avoid a massive line-up.
once you're inside though, it's a great time. the music/dj is awesome - they play the best top-40 inspired house remixes of all time, and i find myself dancing until i'm sweating buckets (literally).
i've also actually been here for breakfast/brunch, and their menu is pretty standard/uniform since donnelly changed it so that all of their bars had the exact same menu (bad move donnelly). it's okkkkkk but nothing special and it's too bad all the food in all the donnelly pubs/clubs are exactly the same (trying to become mcdonalds or what?). -
Review from Chrissy Z.
Vancouver, BC
1/16/2012
Although the staff was very friendly and attentive overall I was a bit disappointed. The crowd was lacking (an odd mix of people that didn't mesh well). There was a line up when I arrived with my friends--this was before 10pm on a weekend night. After waiting in line for about 20 minutes we were let in to a half empty bar! There was absolutely no need for a line-up. We waited behind about 10 people for a good 15 minutes before the line even started moving. The music was quite good though, and the drinks were decently priced for the type of venue.
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Review from J N.
Vancouver, BC
6/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm only rating the atmosphere, etc. since we didn't eat.
We were in a group of at least 20, and we got there by 730. Luckily there was no cover, although they did try to charge us at first. But seriously, do places like this charge cover at 730 now? Is this what the city is coming to? Please enlighten me.
It was fun to play pool--even for a self-professed non-pool player.
I liked that the crowd was everything from 19 to people in their 50s and 60s sitting at the bar. Kinda cool. :)
If you like bands, the band was pretty good, and so was the rest of the night. Admittedly, my perception is a bit skewed.
I hated having to yell the entire time, however. Is that really necessary? My ears still hurt today and inevitably one ends up being a spitter/spittee in trying to hold a conversation.
The bathrooms weren't too gross, all things considered.
Also, def. go to the schwarma place next door afterwards. The lines are big and I tried studying the sign for at least five minutes so that I could review that place today, too. Alas, the name escapes me. :) Great food to eat and spill in the cab on the way home.Listed in: The Overrated Drinks/Dinner…
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Review from Kas D.
Vancouver, BC
9/18/2011
One word: Ugh
Typical Donnelly Group fare. The line-ups are ridiculous (often unnecessarily I might add), the music and food are typical of what is found in the lower mainland, and the "fun" factor is meh.
This placed used to be a lot more fun, but it's certainly gone downhill. I now avoid it at all costs unless I have a necessary engagement to go to (ie:// birthday, bachelorette, etc).
Although I must say that Richie the bouncer is always a delight! -
Review from Dan J.
Vancouver, BC
3/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
Dear Lamplighter,
It's not that I'm too old for you. Sure I'm a little older but it's you who've changed. And I don't like it. No sir. When we first met you were edgy and eclectic. You were far from sophisticated and I liked that. You had my respect as a battle hardened avuncular Gastown institution. But you fell in with the wrong crowd.
You got involved with the Church of Donelly. Sure you got yourself cleaned up but you were so much more interesting when you were on the sauce. Your eyes are vacuous and glazed where once there was a twinkle of wisdom and mischief. The strong shots of whiskey that coursed through your veins have been watered down and replaced with generic over-priced Vodka.
Witty, inspiring and engaging conversation has given way to dime-store philosopher DJ's throbbing sermons from the pulpit.
Your bouncers were friendly though, maybe because I was with a bunch of models and fashionistas. But everyone was disappointed with the new you. If you can't entertain a bunch of coked-out fashionistas in their twenties then I know I'm right. You've changed.Listed in: Watering Holes.
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Review from Malloreigh M.
Vancouver, BC
5/31/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Oh, look! It's another Donnelly Group pub! I remember going to the Lamplighter back in the grungy Gastown days and getting embarrassingly drunk watching bands play on their elevated stage. While the "new" Lamplighter has retained some of the classic decor that we'd enjoyed in its previous, more historical incarnation, that's about all that has stayed the same.
The food here looked lovely. There wasn't anything I could eat as a vegan, but everything is served on wood cutting boards and I heard good reviews from the friends I was dining with. Service was great, as with every Donnelly place I've visited. Unfortunately, not much else stood out.
I'm giving it three stars because I wouldn't go back. There's just nothing special about it. It used to be special. I'll go have a nostalgia-cry now. -
Review from Kathryn N.
Vancouver, BC
1/21/2012
Arrived here at 9:30pm on a Friday night. Me and a couple friends got in right away but cover was $12!!! It was still set up as a pub and there were no tables available. Finally found a table and about 30 mins later they asked us to settle our bill because they were moving the table for the dance floor.... We did and wanted to find the coat check so that we could dance... but they said that it was not open tonight. Servers were the usual Donnelly Group type... too cool for school and very rarely smile. The crowd was a mix of 19-27 year olds I would say... It was an alright vibe but they said that the $12 were for some really awesome DJ's... So the usual Apple computer came out and it sounded like we could have just been listening to one of those sattelite radio stations... I didn't even know that it switched from the music they were playing before to the DJ. Anyways all in all it was an ok night... but $12 is way too much to charge for what it is.
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Review from Andrea C.
8/7/2010 3 photos
I can't go shopping for long periods of time without cocktails. I'm not girly enough to handle that.
I wandered around gastown with my girlie and ducked into the first place that had the word 'bar' painted on the side.
It was pretty empty, and we got a gigantic party table to ourselves.
Now, keep in mind, there were probably two or three other tables in the restaurant, two servers and a bartender.
Service was SLOW.
I was completely unimpressed by that.
Drinks were decent, we shared the brownie which was AWESOME, but bad service gets you knocked down a star. REALLY bad service is minus two.
Thus, three. Yelp math, FTW. -
Review from Barry M.
7/20/2010 1 Check-in Here
Very friendly staff. One of my more favorite bars right now. A bit sad they lost one of their pool tables.
I did have a bad experience with a friend where they lost her credit card, but they seemed apologetic enough and tried to resolve things by giving out 2 for 1 brunch. That has been the only negative experience I've had here in the times I've gone. -
Review from Melissa F.
Toronto, ON
7/19/2010
You know those places that just get better and better the more you go to them? yeah, well THIS is NOT the case for the lamplighter.
I just keep on coming back here and I have NO freakin idea why.
Notice that NO yelper has given it five stars yet. It's because it's completely devoid of what makes a place perfection. It's not even a LIKEABLE bar!
*sigh*
so why do people go?
-it is a good mix of food, bar, and dance. you're generall all in one nightlife
-it's convenient, big, always draws a crowd if you're in the schmoozing mood.
-the donnely group USED to have one HECK of a good vibe.
why you should NOT go?
-the food is BAD. seriously. It's just so...below white spot standards. that's the only comparison I can make. like..really.
-the cover starts early, and stays earlier even if you're there to watch an early sports game and have dinner.
-there are SO many better options in gastown. In fact ALL options are better than this place.
Just say no to mediocre-bad bars. Teach the donelly group a lesson.Listed in: Donnelly Group FAIL
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Review from Drew L.
Vancouver, BC
6/1/2011
Unimpressive. The pub was empty and service was as slow (as a turtle). t Vancouver has wayyyyy too many awesome places (Guilt and Co) for me to go back to this place. If you are walking down the street, keep walking my friend.
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Review from Dara M.
10/18/2010
They have Delirium and Guiness on tap. Need I say more? Oh, and their french fries were cooked to perfection. There were plenty of tables, but we got drinks at the bar, and then sat down at a table and ordered some chips. They have a nice menu, but it wasn't really dinner time when I got there.
The area is nice there are plenty of places to choose from, but if you want some good beers on tap, and a place where you just want to relax and have a good time, go to the Lamplighter. -
Review from Crystal H.
Vancouver, BC
1/18/2010
On a night that got foggier and foggier as the drinks went on, there is one crystal clear revelation from this weekends frolics:
I'm just not down with sports bars charging cover. $10 to get in? For what? Why is there a line here? To drink cheap-ish beer and have a screaming conversation? I suppose 10...okay, maybe 5 years ago, I would have loved this place, but now...
I think this gal should have just stayed at Pourhouse for another yummy cocktail! -
Review from Peter S.
4/1/2009
I first went to Lamplighter on a dreary Thursday night for a Canucks game. I had a blast, definitely a 4/5. Wicked wings, great beers on tap (Rogue and Trad ale) and friendly staff. The second time I went it was a Friday night and another Canucks game, super busy, but still a 4/4. The most recent time I went for another Friday night Canucks game, it was barely a 2/5. Poor service, I finally realized that the Rogue beer was almost $8 a pint (holy GM place prices batman) and the wings were, Mehhhh.
There isn't a bar in Vancouver that is worth waiting in line for, let alone that you should pay to get in. So arrive early, beat the line and cover, and enjoy the show.Listed in: Post game bites, Best place to catch the…
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Review from Rachael T.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 3/2/2010
I like coming to Lamplighter to watch the games - the crowds are cool, the place is pretty rustic for a pub that is.. and there are large screens that everyone can watch the games on. The food is pretty good, although I wish that the Donelly Hospitality pubs had a bit of variety from pub to pub. I'm so relieved to know that there was only a $5 cover charge to walk an Olympic event and pints of beer still remained at $5.65 without additional gratuity charges.
However...... the service was just not to my liking. I felt like the server was flirting with my boyfriend and only paid attention to the boys. She was pushy and instead of asking if we wanted another drink - insisted that we get one. She sounded like she was asking rhetorical questions when our drink glasses were empty and I do not like people who try to be money grabbers.
I ordered a turkey breast sandwich with yam fries. I was super happy with the fries as they were not skinny and had some potato in them, but my sandwich had SLICED turkey breast. Is that legitamate? I thought I was getting an actual turkey breast in my sandwich. My buddy said that he got the actual meat although i think he was drunk.
I guess I will have to be a little more picky next time and ask the proper questions.Listed in: Let's go to Gastown Instead..., "I'll Substitute for Yam Fries…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/19/2009
Vancouver Canucks Playoffs Game 1 on a wednesday night..... I attempted to go to Library Square… Read more »
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Review from Shannon B.
Coquitlam, BC
4/24/2011
It had been a long time since I was here last, long before it was bought and renovated by the Donnelly Group. I was here last week with a friend for the Bartender's Appreciation Night. I actually really like this place. I mean, it was good before but it looks great after the renovations. I had a great time, and the drinks weren't even that expensive.
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Review from Graeme F.
Vancouver, BC
8/5/2009
I have mixed feelings about the Lamplighter - I remember back to the days when the Donnelly group didn't own everything in town. They seem to renovate all their spots in such a way that they all end up with the same feel, vibe and appearance. I liked it when the Lamplighter was a dive you could go see crappy bands at and have cheap beer. My last foray there saw me drinking 8 dollar Strongbows and eating something that was a bit overpriced in my opinion.
I think it lost it's character when it got taken over by the Donnelly group - and that is something I don't like to see. I am not at all against renovations - and making things a bit nicer - but when you lose the feel of the orignal - to me that takes away from it rather than add to it. -
Review from graham r.
1/21/2009
I have not reviewed any bars in Vancouver so I thought I would write about my night at the Lamplighter.
Usually when I see that a bar has a long wait and a cover charge it is an immediate sign that I want nothing to do with it. But I traveled across town for a classmate's birthday, so I waited for about 15 minutes to get in. While waiting in line I was bothered by panhandlers and people I was referring to as "commoners." There was a girl waiting to get in that was dressed like a fancy prostitute who talked her way into not waiting in line because she was cold (That moderately grinds my gears that the bouncers let her bypass the line). Ten dollar cover, really? And when I pay with a twenty dollar bill, why don't you just give me back a ten instead of a five and coins. Did you think I was going to tip you or something?
The inside of the bar was not really my scene. Half the bar is a dance floor, and the other half is tables (some for sitting, some for playing pool..). The DJ was playing generic "hits" and it was loud to the point you had to yell at someone sitting across from you for them to hear you. I opened a tab on my credit card and the server had a terrified look on her face when I handed her the card, like she thought it was going to be stolen or something. She was much more friendly when I closed out the bill.
The Lamplighter's strong points, which are preventing me from giving it a one-star rating are:
-The building itself is pretty bad ass. It is an old brick building and it has some pretty awesome pub decorations inside. The ceiling reminds me of something like the Avalon Ballroom or the Great American Music Hall.
-They were showing Fast Times at Ridgemont High on all the flat screen TVs. I thought it was considerate of them to not censor the scene with Phoebe Cates exiting the swimming pool. I also thought it was funny that the whole bar seemed to freeze with everyone's attention to the TVs during that scene.
-For being a place that has a huge dance floor it certainly does not have a club feeling, it's much more laid back.
I need to go to this bar when it is not Friday or Saturday night to get a better understanding. I have a feeling if I went there during happy hour on a weekday I would give it a four star rating. -
Review from Simon R.
BC
12/19/2008 1 photo
Everyone loves a tall stage, and this venue proves that it's rappers and djs who like it the most. Some bands brave the vertigo and cram their set-up onto the plateau of a platform, but the Lamplighter is more renown for it's hip hop nights, not to mention burlesque shows.
Despite it's location next to many of Vancouver's poshest nightclubs like Shine and Red Room, it's a trademark of Gastown, a club that still maintains its old man feel. A healthy mix between factory bar and nightclub, it's a good place to go to avoid the obnoxious overdressed teenagers and drink beer with less judgmental people. Like kids who can't afford expensive clothes and toothless elderly alcoholics.
The drinks are $5 a pop, but there are specials. Worth noting is that beneath the bar lies one of the last entrances into Vancouver's secret underground tunnel system, a long stretching series of wide catacombs built decades ago for use as bomb shelters. -
Review from Linda P.
Surrey, BC
2/10/2010
Good food, fine selection of beer and courteous service. I have been there late afternnon, and Friday evening. The same quality both times. Pre- and post-renovation, a pub is a pub, you go for the beer! cheers!
I didn't realize there was a cover, we must have got in just before it was active, phew... who pays a cover for a pub? I have never heard of that before. -
Review from Evilyn T.
4/10/2010 3 photos
It's 9am on Saturday morning, and my life has been spared by some vitamin water. I feel like a bag of shit. Could it have been the double highballs they have on special on Fridays for about $7.50? It's a good possibility. Could it have been our waitress, who kept my glass full all night? That could have been a factor too.
A bunch of us went to the Lamplighter after work for some celebratory drinks around 6pm.... and then suddenly it was midnight, and I was drinking an Irish car bomb that someone bought me, and the rest of the night.... not so sure. When we first arrived they had a self serve coat-check, where you can just hang up your shizzle, but at 10pm (I think?) they have a girl who turns the little area into a coat-check booth and she will take care of your stuff for you. I am glad they made this adjustment, as I remember going here before and they had no coat-check at all.
I know I ordered some of the skinny fries, so I wouldn't be drinking on an empty stomach, they came with garlic mayo, which was strong enough to be a vampire killer, and just as delicious, and I can still taste the garlic on my breath this morning, along with that dry boozey mouth feeling. ugh...
The place gets packed fast, like lineup and $10 cover packed by 10pm. Strange that a pub would charge cover? Well apparently the tables get cleared away, to make room for a dance floor, making it a club, so that makes charging ten bucks okay. The music is actually really good, so be sure to thank DJ P Deady and Ernold Sane for their musical choices. I have to admit, for a Donnelly Group club, my standards were pretty low, so I was pleasantly surprised. I probably wouldn't wait in the line if I were to go back, but I would probably go back. -
Review from Christine R.
New Westminster, BC
10/12/2008 1 photo
Good old Lamplighter. They've given it a makeover, but it really hasn't changed a bit since I came here to see cover bands, drink domestic pints, and have drunken boys "fall" on me as a pickup method.
They've removed the pool tables and replaced the stage with a DJ stand, and the furniture is now darker and more modern looking, but it was still pints of Canadian on special here on a recent Friday night. We must have been there too early, because the place was pretty much dead and we had to try to talk over the baseball game playing on about a zillion TVs all over the bar. The Lamplighter is, and will always be, a dude's kinda bar. -
Review from Pookie B.
Vancouver, BC
6/10/2011
I only have one positive thing to say about this place. Their Guiness beer was acceptable. However, food was below par. Considering the fact that they brag about using organic and local produce, they don't really know what to do with it. Had their burger. How can you go wrong with a burger? But, it was over seasoned. The bread was stale. The meat didn't taste anything special. The side salad was anaemic. Maybe, I went there at the wrong time 'cause the Stanley Cup Final playoffs was on but first impressions last for me so I won't be going back.
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Review from Minder M.
Vancouver, BC
7/5/2011
Thursday June 31st 2011. After having to pay $20 to pass the lineup, I joined my friends at the patio for dinner and drinks. The patio got shut down before the waitress had a chance to give us our bill. We were forced inside by the agro bouncer. The security staff at this place seem to be looking to cause problems instead of preventing them. My friends disappeared on me and the Manager insisted I take care of the whole bill. Even though I had arrived to the bar alone and taken care of my portion of the bill. I went ahead and paid for the whole bill, so the waitress doesn't have to take care of the balance. The Manager was very thankful and I was rewarded with a drink on the house. I found the manager to be a true professional and very customer oriented. I wish i could say the same regarding your security staff.
Later on in the evening, the bouncers barged in on me using the bathroom and I was assaulted by several bouncers. I still do not know the reason for this violent behavior. I got choked out by one of the moron bouncers. It was a improper choke hold that resulted in me spitting out blood for a week.
My shirt was also ripped by the security staff, the complete lack of professionalism and disregard of customer safety seemed to amaze me. I e-mailed this incident to the Donnelly group but no one got back to me. Jeff Donnelly is a smart business man, yet he has no idea how the paying customers are being treated in this particular establishment. These bouncers need to be either trained or fired. -
Review from Barney B.
9/8/2009
If it weren't for the DJ playing derivatives of the same techno song for about 27 minutes, we might have lasted here a lot longer - huge open area with a suitably creepy chandelier as centerpiece. Sports on, but not overwhelming. Super friendly, super cute service.
Given the velvet rope, I assume this place can get busy. Deservedly so -
Review from Shayna D.
Vancouver, BC
11/8/2010
I love the lamplighter pub. The manager is amazing, the staff is super fun and the atmosphere(especially for a hockey game) is uncomparable :)
