Win a copy of John Lee's newest: Drinking Vancouver
Written by: Julie Ovenell-CarterYou know that New Year’s resolution–the one about never drinking again? No, John Lee doesn’t know that one either.
The Vancouver-based Lonely Planet author has just released Drinking Vancouver: 100+ Great Bars in the City and Beyond (Touchwood Editions; $19.95). Must have been hell to research.
Lee’s arch writing style is a good match for a book about booze pits–one gin joint resembles a ”museum of mismatched melamine tables,” another is like “a grinning, functional alcoholic buddy curling his sticky arms…around you at a party.”
There’s no breathless PR bumpf in these pages: just great advice about where to get a drink to match you mood. My favourite section, “Ambience: Best bars for…”, is a handy cheat-sheet of the Top 3 Vancouver bars for night-owls, music lovers, ex-pats, and more.
With the Winter Olympics just around the corner, this is another one for the guest-room bedside table (I also recommend Lee’s new Walking Vancouver).
Win a copy of Drinking Vancouver
Leave a comment below about your favourite Canadian watering hole. I’ll do a random draw on Sunday, January 3 at 8 pm PST for a copy of the book. Tweet this contest for a second entry!
Update, Jan. 4/2010: This contest is now closed. Congrats to Surrey, BC resident Chris Poon, drawn at random! Check your email so I know where to send the book…
Martha
on December 30th, 2009The best place to get a drink in St. John’s is the Duke of Duckworth — great ambiance, friendly staff, and lovely food if you need to nosh. My next favourite is the Ship Inn — the fish cakes at lunch are to die for.
Ben Vadasz
on December 31st, 2009Tough call, there is a pub on Vancouver Island in the village of Cumberland called The Waverley. This pub gets a great mix of ski bums, hippies and red necks, basically you can be who ever you want to be, which is refreshing! Plus it gets an amazing class of live music through regularly. Worth checking out if you are on VI.
Is Vancouver: Abigails Party in Kits, sssh secret.
Jason
on January 1st, 2010Tavern United. Next to the MTS Centre, and always a lot going on.
Chris
on January 1st, 2010The Alibi Room in Vancouver is my hands down favourite!
Peter
on January 2nd, 2010Favourite Canadian watering hole? That would depend on the city! Halifax has the Lower Deck, ideal when I was an undergrad, and Saint John has the Three Mile Tavern. Le Pèlerin is a standby in Montreal. Edmonton offers The Next Act, just off Whyte (but the range of beers on tap made the Sugar Bowl a close second on my last visit). Vancouver has the Alibi Room and Railway Club among many other fine joints (as Mr Lee documents), but I always find myself returning to O’Doul’s for good drink, good service, good atmosphere, good company.
Chris P.
on January 2nd, 2010Pub 340 rocks my socks off! Cheap drinks, and good times for all!
Noel
on January 2nd, 2010Cold Beer and Corned Beef Hash at Deacon’s Corner. Just the thing to start the day.