Late night options in Richmond have become sparse nowadays, but thanks to some local insight, my…read moregroup of dining companions and I found ourselves at Spark after midnight during the midweek. Parking is normally a hassle during the daytime, but at night it's a breeze. Strangely, there was still a sign up for paid parking, yet signing an iPad near the bar will somehow negate the charge for 3 hours. Just outside the door, there are also "guards" who patrol the lot on foot (#1) and many cigs are disposed of in the process. It's likely they'll end up at the bar patrolling their own drinks instead. Most Richmond nightlife is very Chinese and Spark is no exception. The staff is multilingual, but most patrons here are Mandarin speaking. Folks have known the place to be a haven for karaoke and nightly food specials, but we were here for cocktails and cocktails only. There was plenty of space and abundant seating in very intimate lighting with a prominent stage. Coming here on a Tuesday, it was a relaxing evening. The wait staff was prompt, and most of our drinks came out quickly. The osmanthus oolong ($19) was semi-refreshing, but not nearly sweet as the white rabbit ($17) or berrily ever after ($18). The moscow mule ($17) looked decent, though I wonder if the zombie ($22) was worth it. The times to be here are absolutely the weekend. All weekend they have live music and more food specials. I think it would be an interesting time to take advantage of one of their private only areas for group time, and while I suspect the food is mid at best, I will likely be back to sample everything they do well. I look forward to this, along with some really quality amateur singing (#1). ____________ (#1) This might be one of the only venues that offer public karaoke

2 Mains & 2 Appetizers for just $39.99 was a combo meal that I had to check out here. The menu is…read moreonly available until Oct 31st 5pm-12am. Choose 2 Appetizers from: -Fried Gyoza -Takoyaki -Spicy Edamame -Truffle fries -Onion rings -House Salad Choose 2 mains: -Spaghetti meatballs -Carbonara Pasta -Alfredo Wagyu Pasta -Truffle mushroom burger + fries -Chicken burger + fries -Wagyu burger + fries ($3 add on) -Lobster Bisque Pasta ($5 add on) -Steak Frites ($6 add on) My friend and I also tried their Jealousy $20 (refreshing & fruity) & Tiramisu drink $19 (legit tasted like tiramisu). Both were really good!! I enjoyed our meal overall. It's not like mind blowing food but good for the value. My fave was chicken burger as it was fresh & crispy. The lobster bisque pasta was decent but I wouldn't mind more sauce. The takoyaki was okay but I would opt for something else next time.Fried gyoza was yummy. Ice cream sundae was okay but nothing special Worth going for the combo deal though! It's a nice space where you can watch sports and there's live music on certain days. I

We found ourselves wandering around Vancouver and the fun neon signs caught my friends attention…read more. he pulled open the front door and found a great little moody gothic bar. The decor is very cool and the music was good! We grabbed seats at the bar and were served by a bartender from Australia.. he made delicious drink & other bar recommendations. This should be on your list of places to visit.

This is a hidden gem of a bar located near Gastown. We went around 9pm and we didn't need to wait,…read morebut it got busy quickly as the night progressed. We got seated at the bar where we got to see all the action. We got various drinks where the bartender made an impressive show while making the drink, and the flavor profiles are fairly unique. I don't remember all the drink names but the one that I really enjoyed that I got was the Lovers which had in house made gummy bears and was fairly fruity. You won't be disappointed in any drink here! Service was also amazing as water refills are consistent

During the weekend, my wife and I were out for a walk on Main Street keeping an eye out for places…read moreto try for Happy Hour. As we walked by Anh and Chi, we saw Good Thief. I've certainly heard about this place before, but peeking-in, we only saw one table of customers eating, so I was a little unsure about it. But we starting to get hungry, so we gave it a try. This place is not big, but feels very stylish and lush. The host was super friendly and gave us open choice where to sit. The kitchen menu was very limited at that time, which made it easy to pick a few items to sample: - Sun Seeker Oysters: Excellent. Foam has not been popular food trend for awhile, but when used smartly, it works, and it certainly worked well here. - In-House Cured Skewer (Veal Tongue): Excellent. I was blown away by this one. I guess I've never had veal tongue before. It was so incredibly tender, it almost melted in my mouth. About the same tenderness I would expect from a A5 wagyu. - In-House Cured Skewer (Pork Belly): Excellent. This is a little more traditional, but perfectly prepared, so it was bubbly/crispy on the outside and great caramelized flavour. - Canh Spot Chua Tom: Good. I found this dish hard to judge. The server explained that the dish is inspired by Vietnamese Hot & Sour Soup (Canh Chua) but served cold. I'm not sure I could connect the two. The combination of spot prawn, burrata, sorbet, fennel and basil oil was unusual but good, and got better with each bite. I really have nothing to compare it to because its so different to the original inspiration and anything else I've had. But I still enjoyed it. Service was really good. Being only 1 of 3 customers helped, but our server was friendly and interactive, and took the time to explain all the dishes served. I really enjoyed this visit. I always worry that some places gets lots of social media attention, and once the hype is gone, they fade away because they can't meet the hype. But the food and service really hit above my expectations. It's definitely pricey, but I think you get really high level imagination and execution in the food they serve.

I love their drinks and food, it's always good. Beautiful restaurant and nice ambiance. However,…read morehostess and bartender both don't seem like they wanted to be there. Ou waitress was nice.

The happy hour and Monday pasta menu are awesome!…read more The portions are just right for smaller eaters--you can enjoy a satisfying meal without feeling overly full. The Monday pasta special is especially worth trying, and the happy hour options make it even better for a casual dinner or catch-up with friends. Great value, delicious food, and just the right portion size for light eaters. Definitely a spot I'd come back to!

Stumbled upon this place via Yelp (thanks fellow Yelpers) when we were in town for a cruise. So…read moreglad that we found it as the establishment was a gem. The owner and staff were so welcoming / made our dinner even more special. Restaurant has classy, modern, and hip decor. There's also a bar area for drinks. We had several of their pasta dishes and all were very good. Nice selection of wines, which we enjoyed with our meal. We had a large party (9 people) and they did a great job of serving us - meals came out quickly and efficiently. They really added to the specialness of our group vacation.

I've been here at least twice in the past month. We like it because it has a good happy hour menu,…read moreit's laid-back, and has quality food and service. And this last visit didn't disappoint. The space has changed a few times over the past few year, previously being a bakery and a vegan restaurant. it's nice two high ceiling room that looks elegant and welcoming. We had reservations, which is recommended because it does get busy. We were seated immediately. We sampled the following: - Whipped Burrata & Prosciutto - Very good. Can't go wrong with burrata, but whipped burrata is even better for spreading on bread. Their focaccia is perfectly heated/grilled. Just the right amount of prosciutto. - Steamed Clams - Good. Small though. - Duck Wings - Good flavour. Small serving of four pieces. - Harissa Carrots - Very good. Looks a bit overcomplicated with all the ingredients, but it works well. - Braised Beef Cheek - Excellent. Beef cheeks is ultra tender. Delicious dish I will order again and again. Service was very good. Friendly and attentive, and know how to come in and out with interruption conversations. Overall, another great meal. Happy hour pricing makes it reasonably priced, matched with great service and a great atmosphere.

Been to The Watson a few times for happy hour (daily until 6pm, all day Sundays). The HH menu has…read more10 small plates and cocktails. Chill vibes that get more intimate when the sun goes down. There's patio seats outside and even seating upstairs. - "Amaretto" sour ($14.00) - tasty foam - The Watson ($11.00) - slightly medicinal - Watson's margarita ($13.00) - smooth - Paloma ($14.00) - well balanced, slight tang - Blue pony club ($11.00) - touch sweet - Watson's gimlet ($10.00) - liked the basil - Chorizo in red wine ($10.00) - best of the three dishes. Tasty chorizo in a flavourful sauce - Potato bravas ($8.00) - not crispy, dry - Wild boar tacos ($12.00) - average

We visited Bar Corso during happy hour. It was nice ambience and service was very good…read more What we ordered: Crostini - Wagyu(Wagyu tartar Smoked bone marrow emulsion, onion ash and pickles) Tonnato(Confit Albacone tunnel belly Fried capers) Stacciatella(house stracciatella, balsamic,Perl's and basil) Tapenade(olive, sun dried tomatoes, roasted pepper and Calabrian chill) Wagyu was the best. It was full of flavor and wagyu was tender. Great item. Tonnato was also good. Very solid item. I did not have stacciatella. Tapenade was sour side, with strong olive and roasted pepper flavors stand out. Vongole(savory clams, fermented Taragu mares chilli white wine and parsley, squid ink linguine) Highlight! Clam and Vongole sauce were very delicious! Squid ink linguine was also good. It was good to have sauce with bread. Bistecca(Babette steak, Amaro jus, garlic scapes, frisee and hazelnuts) This item was also very delicious. Medium rare steak was tender(a bit chewy) the garlic scapes, hazelnut and frisée combination was excellent. i really enjoyed having together with meat. Overall, I really liked this restaurant. I would like to visit late night next time.

What a lovely discovery. I had walked by this place a number of times and never stopped. Foolish…read moremistake! Four of us went for dinner and had the tasting menu. We weren't sure what to expect especially because the price was so reasonable. The food was absolutely delicious. Each course was innovative and delicious. The service was fantastic. Finn and our waitress both made it a memorable experience. We all thoroughly enjoyed it and will be back. Highly recommend.

Cool bar in the hotel lobby. Interesting drinks. Live music…read more Hotel was pretty busy and a bit noisy but a cool place.

Located in the lobby of the Rosewood Hotel this bar was the perfect pit stop, before and after…read moreevents. They truffle fries were crispy and delicious, ketchup not needed. The margaritas were consistently good, I have no complaints. The only downfall is the flimsy bar chairs. Although they are beautiful, I was nervous sitting in them and kept praying I didn't fall.

Bar Asra is a charming, innovative, intimate neighbourhood gem. The cocktails are inventive while…read morestill being familiar, and have really thoughtful touches. I'm also a big fan of any cocktail menu which dedicates a page to each cocktail and really explains the drink from inception to ingredients to glass. The food menu is also filled with a great selection for snacking and sharing and there are plenty of options for an array of dietraty restrictions. T he restaurant also has a lovely patio on a quiet street, and an even more beautiful restaurant inside -- I think everyone wants to dine and drink under fairy lights! Service was also prompt, engaging and knowledgeable -- you could tell the staff liked being there and even on a first visit, we felt like regulars. Top marks for ambience, service and taste!

Ambiance is good, and it is priced as such. But the food and drinks were unfortunately quite meh…read more We came on a Friday night at around 10pm for happy hour snack and drinks. For food, we got the karaage and meatballs. Both items were plated nicely but flavor were just okay. Particularly the meatballs where very crumbly. Can barely pick one up with fork without it falling apart. For drinks, we got the plum Spritz and the ginger old fashion. For a bar, with drinks mostly priced around $18-20, they are not even using clear ice. Then, for the old fashion, they are using a huge slice of grapefruit as garnish which 1. Is so big that it keeps hitting my nose every time I take a sip and 2. On the menu is should have been a slice of orange. Service was quick and friendly, but unfortunately quite disappointed with the food and drinks.

We were wandering around in the dark and happened upon Matthew's. We loved it! And how lucky for us…read morethat it was Happy Hour! Our wonderful server, Seth, immediately and proudly proclaimed (with smile) that they use premium liquors for all their Happy Hour pours (at a mere $5!) I ordered the Rosemary Gimlet from their Unique Cocktails list: House infused rosemary gin, fresh basil, lime juice, simple syrup--it was total perfection. Nate, our second server, joined in the fun as we toured the photos of young stars. Beautiful atmosphere, wonderful staff, delicious drinks. A fun time was had by all!

Great drinks, well informed bartender, and great windows!…read more Mojito was fresh and minty, I tried the experimental lager/liquor cocktail (crystal mourning) and it was funky but good. I'd go back ‍

We had the best time at Odd Society, and I am still smiling two days later. Initially perplexed,…read moresince our Uber dropped us off one block away, we had no idea where we were in the dark of the Canadian night. Surrounded by warehouses, did the driver want us to experience a "call of the wild?" However, Odd Society beckoned one block from the corner, and two seats were available at the strange bar. Strange because our view was blocked by a kind of ersatz plastic and wood wagon wheel blocking our view of the servers and bar. It was reminiscent of Utah's Zion Curtain. Later, I was told it was part of Odd Society's Covid protection and helped the bartenders stack things up. Okay, fine, but tear the damn things down. They're obnoxious. Odd Society creates an array of liquors made from ingredients sourced locally by law. It's required by their license. I tried almost all of them, and most were fantastic. Abby and Colin, our servers, were charming, fun, and educational, answering my questions, which became increasingly inane as the alcohol took effect. The distillery also mixes fantastic cocktails, and mine, named Midori, was friggen unbelievable. I had two of them along with my liquor tasting. My Midori was made with a special concoction called Portuguese Sweet Milk, or something like that. It was amazing. I want one for breakfast. The fun kept coming, and I didn't want to leave. Alas, we had reservations at Lunch Lady up the street. We should have stayed at Odd Society. Lunch Lady was a disappointment. Try Odd Society out as both a distillery and cocktail bar. You won't be disappointed about either one.

I have a friend who loves to drink so when he was back in town, I bookmarked this place to bring…read morehim to as I saw many great reviews and pictures. In summary, the place was ok, but noticed after the fact that we were overcharged for the drinks. It's a small space - about 3 high tables, one lower one, each seating 4 to maybe at most 5 people, plus a bar. I reserved a table for the 2 of us at 3:30 pm on a Sunday (earliest reservation they had as they open at 3 pm) and we were seated at 3 pm. They checked our vaccine passports and then seated us. Not long after we were seated, the remaining tables were all taken just after opening for 30 minutes so I would recommend reserving if you prefer tables over bar seating. The waitress brought over a drinks menu and food menu. The menu showed cocktails at $13. We chose our drinks and ordered, then the waitress came by with a second menu that she said was for Sunday only. She apologized and said she normally doesn't work Sunday's so she didn't know this promotional menu was available. This menu had some cocktails on promotion that I would have not minded to try, but I had already received my cocktail. Oh well. I had the Violet and Claire, which looked great and tasted pretty good for the first half. However by the second half of the drink, it started to taste too sweet. It was not bad for a cocktail, overall. My friend said the Smoke Between the Sheets cocktail was alright as well. We got our bills quickly as we had a second place to visit afterwards. After paying, I snapped a picture of the bill at the time but did not notice until I got home that to my surprise, each cocktail was listed on the bill at $14.95. I recalled their physical menu saying $13, and verified this with their menu online. Unfortunately, I did not notice the discrepancy until I was home, otherwise I would have mentioned something. Note that our visit was at the end of November 2021, and at the time I'm writing this review (December 26, 2021), their online menu still has cocktail prices at $13. So, I am not sure if this was a one time mistake when we paid, or if they have just forgotten to update their menu? Either way, this was disappointing. Because of the entire experience I probably won't visit again, especially with all the other options Vancouver has for cocktails.