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Johnson "2 Bar J" C.'s Profile
A Compendium of Fine Establishments Serving Libations
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1. The Bayside Lounge
I'm pretty surprised I'm giving this place five stars. To be honest, it's not great in any particular aspect... it just doesn't have any glaring defects.
Up to a few weeks ago, I didn't know this place existed. Got a call to meet up for drinks at…More »
2. Paddlewheeler Neighbourhood Pub
If you watch as many Hong Kong action flicks/crime dramas as I do, you know all clandestine meetings are either done on (a) rooftops or (b) docks/harbour. It's fast becoming the cliche in Hollywood too. Want to flush out a mole in your criminal…More »
3. Fortune Sound Club
Vancouver, BC V6A 1T6
(604) 569-1758
Categories:
Venues & Event Spaces,
Dance Clubs
Neighbourhood: Chinatown
If I was to design a perfect club, I don't think I can do better than Fortune (well, except in my fantasy club, drinks would be free for me and it would never close).
I know clubs are very subjective - as it all comes down to the crowd and music. But…More »
4. R & B Brewing
Over the years, R & B has really impressed me. First encountered them at a convention years ago - eager and knowledgeable representatives generously pouring out tasty samplers and engaging in beer geek talk. Their range of brews are strong (their…More »
5. Galchae Karaoke
Galchae (or Gal Chae) is the regular karaoke spot for my group of friends. We are not 'karaoke stars' by any stretch of the imagination but we come here everytime we want to go butcher some songs.
The place may be a bit intimidating from the outside…More »
6. London Pub
Vancouver, BC V6A 2V4
(604) 563-5053
Category:
Pubs
Neighbourhoods: Chinatown, Strathcona
The skinny: pool (not free), pinball, darts, jukebox and $13 pitchers of house draught everyday (choice of lager, ale or bitter) and $4.50 for a pint. HST included. Sweet.
I was lurking around Chinatown on a reconnaissance mission and happened upon…More »
7. Black Frog Eatery
Vancouver, BC V6B 2M8
(604) 602-0527
Categories:
Pubs,
Canadian (Traditional)
Neighbourhoods: Downtown, Gastown
This place is officially dope in my book - let's say, you're at a stuffy restaurant in Gastown that you don't really want to be at - you go outside for a cigarette and the large red 'Black Frog' sign looks like lifesaver to a drowning man.
Run inside,…More »
8. Tobys Pub
Vancouver, BC V5N 4C5
(604) 879-2099
Category:
Pubs
Neighbourhood: Kensington-Cedar Cottage
Bumping this place to 5-stars due to my recent visit for a celebration. As mentioned before, it's probably the closest thing to a neighbourhood bar for me.
We grabbed a table upstairs by the bar as it was a 'shots-are-mandatory'/'drinks-…More »
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
12/19/2009
A good neighbourhood pub on Commercial strip - the closest thing I have to a neighbourhood bar. No… Read more »
9. St. Augustine's
Vancouver, BC V5N 4B7
(604) 569-1911
Category:
Pubs
Neighbourhoods: Grandview-Woodlands, The Drive
St. August-TEEN? Or St. A-Gust-Tin? My East Coast friend insists it's the latter when he recommended this place to me.
I was aware there was a busy little pub near the Broadway/Commercial Skytrain station - but I always scoffed and kept moving to my…More »
10. Fets Pasta Bar & Grill
Vancouver, BC V5L 3X4
(604) 255-7771
Probably one of my favourite "local" bars - I usually come here when I want to say in the 'hood and feel like drinking but not raucously enough for a loud bar. It's my "let's talk over some drinks" place - some of the most revealing conversations…More »
11. Libra Room Café
Vancouver, BC V5L 3Y4
(604) 255-3787
Jazz bar with a lively atmosphere - was pretty happening on a Saturday night. I usually avoid places with live music as I find that it makes for difficult conversation when the band is on, but the acoustics here are pretty good - so you can just…More »
12. Rogue Kitchen & Wetbar
Vancouver, BC V6B 1G1
(604) 678-8000
Categories:
Canadian (Traditional),
Gastropubs
Neighbourhood: Downtown
20 taps on selection - a dedicated section to pale ale and IPAs. Great daily specials and free drinks if you follow them on Twitter. Say what? This is awesome.
A co-worker recommended Rogue (when I used to work a hop and a skip away) for the free…More »
13. Guu Garden
"Gimme a litre-o-beer. A litre-o-beer."
A small part of me is stupidly anti-conformist - if it's a Vancouver 'favourite' I will always pick out the smallest flaw and brush it off. Japadog? Overhyped. Canucks? Get the fuck out of here. Tojo's?…More »
14. The Irish Heather
Vancouver, BC V6B 2J2
(604) 688-9779
Categories:
Irish,
Gastropubs
Neighbourhoods: Downtown, Gastown
Came here for the first time since the Heather moved across the street and some friends mentioned that they didn't like the feel of the new place - so I was a bit concerned. However, fate forced my hand as all other nearby bars were packed for the…More »
15. E Hwa
Nowadays, izakayas are popping up all over Vancouver eager to hop on the trend. This Korean joint is also subtitled as an 'izakaya' - traditionally, izakayas are Japanese pubs serving up 'good with drinks' tapas. However, having lived in Japan, I…More »
16. Relish Gastropub and Bar
Vancouver, BC V6Z 2H1
(604) 669-1962
Categories:
Gastropubs,
Canadian (New),
Asian Fusion
Neighbourhood: Downtown
$3 beers specials everyday - need I say more?
Well, I could - the beer glass is pretty small (12 oz), but a good deal nonetheless. There's also some pretty good cocktail specials as well - on the Friday we went, mojitos were $4 and Kokanees were $3.…More »
17. Village Taphouse
A beer-gourmand's dream with 20 brews on tap and a solid selection of bottled beers - from local microbrewies (including some from my favourite brewery, Unibroue) and quasi-exotic locations.
The interior is large and spacious with really high ceilings…More »
18. Zawa
Vancouver, BC V5L
(604) 255-0470
Category:
Burgers
Neighbourhoods: Grandview-Woodlands, The Drive
It was a sunny weekend afternoon and my no-good, degenerate friends wanted to get drunk and sing "Just A Friend" while sitting on a stoop. Since beer never lasts in my fridge for more than a day or two and I don't have a stoop, we went to the Drive.…More »
19. Shine
Vancouver, BC V6B 1B6
(604) 408-4321
Category:
Dance Clubs
Neighbourhoods: Downtown, Gastown
I'll be brief as there's nothing I can add that hasn't already been mentioned in other reviews:
- MUSIC - usually hip-hop, funk, soul & boogie and house and electronic in the smaller room (but I usually come on weekends, so this may change). Feels…More »
20. Steamworks Brewing Company
Vancouver, BC V6B 5C6
(604) 689-2739
Categories:
Canadian (New),
Pubs
Neighbourhoods: Downtown, Gastown
Rule #76: "No excuses. Play like a champion!"
This review is a bit strange - this was my first time going to Steamworks and it was for a wedding. My initial reaction was 'Whaaa? You can have a wedding at Steamworks?'.
But surprisingly yes -- and even…More »
21. Shenanigans
If Uncle Willy's was a bar... it would be something like Shenanigans. The decor is near the exact same - full with neon ceiling rails.
Okay - I must admit this was an old haunt of mine. The chapter titled 'Chan-nanigans at Shenanigans'. Cheap…More »
22. X-Site Grill & Bistro
Burnaby, BC V5C 2K6
(604) 298-7483
Categories:
Bars,
Canadian (New)
Neighbourhood: Burnaby Heights
Hasn't changed much since I stopped working/'studying' at SFU. I guess it's not really a 'college pub' per se but cheap food/drinks definitely attracts that crowd and some families as well.
Food is alright... it's really cheap for the quality and…More »
23. The Charles Bar
Vancouver, BC V6B 1G1
(604) 568-8040
Category:
Bars
Neighbourhoods: Downtown, Gastown
Bit of a surprise - this place looks hoity-toity from the outside, with the name and the decor. However, not sure how I'm missed the huge TVs - this place is more sports bar than anything else and they have mini TVs in the booths as well. More…More »
24. Old Admiral Pub
Hmm - coming back recently, I couldn't figure out why I liked this place so much last visit. I was in the same company, it was karaoke night again, similar drink specials and it was the same crowd.
Was it because of the Canucks game on TV? Was I…More »
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
12/25/2010
Old Admiral is kind of bittersweet for me. I used to come here all the time as a young man when… Read more »
25. G Sports Bar & Grill
Vancouver, BC V6Z 1M4
(604) 687-7684
Category:
Sports Bars
Neighbourhoods: Downtown, Granville Entertainment District
A pretty good joint on the Granville strip right beside Two Parrots - a semi-regular watering hole for me. I haven't really given their food offerings a fair shake (I just remember getting some obscenely salty fries here once) - but the drinks are…More »
26. Alibi Room
Warning - this review is written from a beer slut perspective. I had no idea they served brunch here until I looked over the reviews before writing this - brunch? I suppose that's alright as long as I can get a 'burr'.
I've been here a couple of…More »
27. Public Lounge Eatery
Vancouver, BC V5V 3M6
(604) 873-5584
Categories:
Tapas Bars,
Lounges,
Tapas/Small Plates
Neighbourhood: Riley Park
Sunday special: $3 pints of draft and $6 double Caesars. Woot. I not only have to return to drink on the cheap - but I was sitting near the back of this tiny lounge near the register and I noticed some strange photos.
Like I always do when I enter a…More »
28. Three Lions Cafe - CLOSED
Vancouver, BC V5T 1V4
(604) 569-2233
Categories:
British,
Gastropubs
Neighbourhood: Mount Pleasant
Came here with a buddy to catch the England vs. Slovenia game with a vuvuzela in tow. With a name like 'Three Lions', it was a busy gathering point for English football fans - even for the 7AM kickoff - and it quickly became standing room only.
It's…More »
29. Falconetti's East Side Grill
Vancouver, BC V5N 4A5
(604) 251-7287
Category:
Pubs
Neighbourhoods: Grandview-Woodlands, The Drive
It took me a while before I realized this place wasn't called 'Falcon Eddie's'. I don't know why, but that disappointed me for some reason.
Anyways - an always packed, lively and popular joint on the Drive on any given night. This is the place to go…More »
30. Elephant & Castle
Vancouver, BC V6C 2G8
(604) 696-6730
Decent joint with a very classic pub vibe as other reviewers mentioned. It's a little plain vanilla - but that's the strong point. Tons of brews and pub food and a bar/dining area inviting you to soak the drink in front of you in your nook. No…More »
31. Republic
Vancouver, BC V6Z 1L2
(604) 669-3266
Categories:
Bars,
Dance Clubs
Neighbourhoods: Downtown, Granville Entertainment District
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.…More »
32. Raglans
North Vancouver, BC V7M 2E4
(604) 988-8203
Categories:
Breakfast & Brunch,
Canadian (Traditional)
Neighbourhood: Lower Lonsdale
Not bad - tiki-themed joint near Lonsdale Quay with a laid-back surfer vibe - tons of tiki drinks on offer from reasonable to a $20+ huge fishbowl sized fruity drink along with some massive burgers and Tex-Mex food.
They had a 100 oz. beer tower on…More »
33. Six Degrees Ultra Lounge Bar & Grill
Vancouver, BC V6G 3H1
(604) 568-4606
Categories:
Canadian (New),
Lounges
Neighbourhoods: Coal Harbour, Downtown
As a trained criminologist, I wince and roll my eyes at things like CSI and its pseudo-science - and to be honest, I probably avoided Crime Lab as long as I have due to that same knee-jerk reflex. Looking back, it was a bit silly - do I expect…More »
34. Spirit of Howe Liquor Store
Vancouver, BC V6Z
(604) 682-2586
Category:
Beer, Wine & Spirits
Neighbourhoods: Downtown, Granville Entertainment District
The cold beer & wine is conveniently located across from the 7-11 on Granville. I think to make the clients feel welcome, the interior looks like a drunk tank at the local jail - everything is under lock and key.
However, if you're walking in here at…More »
35. Two Parrots Perch & Grill
Vancouver, BC V6Z 1M4
(604) 685-9657
Categories:
Pubs,
Restaurants
Neighbourhoods: Downtown, Granville Entertainment District
Two Parrots is a dive bar with a tiki theme on the south end of the Granville strip. For my friends and I, this is a normal hangout if we're in the area. Not because it's anything special but just because it's a laid back joint that's open late and…More »
36. Guilt & Co
Vancouver, BC V6A 1B2
(604) 288-1704
Categories:
Music Venues,
Lounges
Neighbourhoods: Downtown, Gastown
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…More »
37. The New Bohemian
Vancouver, BC V6K 2H3
(604) 736-7576
Category:
Canadian (New)
Neighbourhood: Kitsilano
Very chic and modern - although playing 'Lost in Translation' in black and white was a bit pretentious. Part of me wished Suntory was on the menu. Bill Murray: the ORIGINAL most interesting man in the world.
But comfortable seating, $3.99 Red Truck…More »
38. The Charlatan
Vancouver, BC V5L 3X8
(604) 253-2777
Categories:
Canadian (Traditional),
Pubs
Neighbourhoods: Grandview-Woodlands, The Drive
Dark and dank pub on the Commercial strip with a small outdoor patio. There are a lot of beers on tap (about 15 or so) and usually around $5 - $6 a pint. Good prices on beer. They seem big on hybrid Guiness (i.e. Black & Tans, Black & Velvet,…More »
39. Coppertank Grill - CLOSED
Vancouver, BC V5V 3P1
(604) 569-2494
Category:
Canadian (Traditional)
Neighbourhood: Riley Park
Came here to meet up with some friends that were watching the Canucks game. I don't really care for hockey, but any excuse to drink is cool with me.
$3.99 sleeves of Russell Cream Ale and shots of Jagermeister are the everyday specials along with…More »
40. The Commodore Ballroom
Vancouver, BC V6Z 1K3
(604) 683-9413
Category:
Music Venues
Neighbourhoods: Downtown, Granville Entertainment District
Having seen a few shows at Commodore and catching the KiD CuDi show this weekend - here's my review:
The Commodore is probably the best (general admission) venue to catch a concert in Vancouver - with it's thumping sound system, massive dancefloor and…More »
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Recently updated lists from Johnson C.
East Van Eateries (79)East Van is the place to be when you want to get your grub on. Especially if you're into Asian cuisine - come venture east of Ontario Street. |
Quest for Intercontinental Champion J-Curry (7)I don't profess to be a foodie at all (at least I don't think I'm a pretentious snob) - but I do know Japanese curry. Here's my quest for the perfect Japanese curry... on the wrong side of the Pacific. Notable exceptions: Hurry Curry & Curry House in LA - been over two years since I've been... and neither were remarkable. |
East Van Life (37)Random drinkholes, coffee shops and businesses in East Vancouver. Basically anything east of Ontario Street that didn't fit in my list of East Van Eateries. |
"You're the best! Around!" (46)"Nothing's gonna ever keep you down!" Requisite listening while reading this: http://www.youtube.com... - a.k.a. "Johnson's Favourite Things"... there will be no giveaways. |
Yum Cha (13)Let's face it: "dim sum" is overplayed -- let's call it what real Cantonese people call it... and here's a rap song about "Yum Cha" (and you can learn your dishes too):http://www.youtube.com... |
Yelp Events (19)I write for free booze. And I booze so I can write. |
Nam-couver (18)Some Vietnamese spots in Vancouver |
Get Your Grown Man On (12)For when you realize you can't live life like a manchild all the time - when you're 'growns' up and you're 'growns' up and you're 'growns' up. http://www.youtube.com... |
Un garçon de Vancouver à Montréal (22)Some highlights from my week-long bender in Montreal. |
Sneakerhunting in NYC (18)"[Sneaker hunting] requires research, travel time, daring, money, know-how, street smarts - you know all these things wrapped into one..." - Bobbito Garcia //My starter list of various shoe and streetwear boutiques in Manhattan - if you're quick enough, you can cover all these stores in one day (I did). Not an exhaustive list - but some of the most memorable. And yes - there are tons more shops but you'll have to discover them on your own. Happy hunting. |
See all 18 lists »
"Believe me, sweety / I got enough to feed the needy / No need to be greedy"
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Review votes:
1020 Useful, 1052 Funny, and 694 Cool
Vancouver, BC
Yelping SinceOctober 2009
Things I LoveIPAs, Japanese curry, banh mi, pho, cheesecake, xiao long bao, BBQ, roasted duck and pig, zarusoba, wagyu beef, sneakers, hats... lamp... chair.
Find Me InEast Vancouver
My HometownEast Vancouver
My Blog Or WebsiteMy Fan Club: http://www.facebook.co...
When I'm Not Yelping...I'm smoking post-meal cigarettes and/or swearing.
Why You Should Read My ReviewsI'm not a foodie.
My Second Favourite Websitehttp://www.postsecret.... http://rapgenius.com/
The Last Great Book I Read... the one where Batman goes apeshit and drives a tank...
My First ConcertI don't know.
My Favourite MovieChungking Express
My Last Meal On EarthGo! Go! Curry's Grand Slam (*NOT* the Vancouver one)
Most Recent DiscoveryAdanac (as in the street)... is 'Canada' spelt backwards... Mind. Blown.
Current Crush