Vancouver bars and restaurants for warming cocktails
Nothing warms you up on a cold winter’s night quite like a boozy mixed drink. From mulled wine to hot toddies to Irish coffees, these Vancouver restaurants serve up hot cocktails that’ll have you feeling toasty in no time. [Photo courtesy of Yellow Pages]
THE LOBBY LOUNGE & RAWBAR
1038 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC V6C 0B9The Fairmont Pacific Rim’s Lobby Lounge is a swank spot for a drink whether you’re in town visiting or simply looking for that hotel bar ambiance. During the holiday season, stop in for a range of festive fireside sippers: try mulled wine, spiced apple cider or hot buttered rum. Looking for something a little different? Not exactly warm in temperature, but the chilli chocolate cocktail will be sure to warm you up. This adults-only chocolate milk is spiked with smoky mezcal, port, maple, hazelnut and spicy cayenne that’ll definitely leave a little heat on your tongue.
West Restaurant + Bar
2881 Granville St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3J4Seek refuge from the bone-chilling winter winds and grab a spot at the bar at this elegant South Granville restaurant. A classic hot toddy – made with your choice of scotch, rum or brandy paired with allspice, fresh lemon and hot water – is sure to help take the edge off. Known for its magnificent mixology and delicious pre-theatre menu, West delivers an upscale ambiance without feeling overly stuffy or pretentious. The staff here are incredibly courteous and attentive, whether you’re just stopping in for a quick drink or splurging on a three-course meal. Ideal for a wintertime date night.
Pourhouse Restaurant
162 Water St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1B2Glögg might sound like a piece of Ikea furniture, but it’s actually a delicious seasonal specialty on The Pourhouse’s cocktail menu. Served hot, the Scandinavian-style mulled wine features an intoxicating melange of red wine, liqueurs and flavourful spices. With hints of clove, orange peel and cinnamon, this fragrant drink is a great choice during the festive season (or on any dark and rainy night really). Pop in for a quick drink or go ahead and make a night of it; this popular Gastown haunt has a Prohibition-era speakeasy vibe and a notorious burger that definitely lives up to the hype.
Matchstick Coffee
213 Georgia St E, Vancouver, BC V6A 1Z6Add a little “Christmas cheer” to your coffee during the holiday season at Matchstick Coffee’s Georgia Street location. Nothing punches up that late-morning cup of joe like a shot of Amaretto or Bailey’s. Just give the folks at the till a little wink and a nudge (and an extra $3) and you’ll be feeling cozy and caffeinated in no time. Don’t miss out on this December-only menu special.
Grapes and Soda
1541 W 6th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6J 1R1Grapes and Soda, the spirit-focused sister spot to the award-winning Farmer’s Apprentice, is where you’ll find the ultimate cure to Raincouver’s damp winter season. Order up a Dante’s Handshake and prepare to be amazed with a tableside demonstration of flaming mixology. A sweet mix of Caribbean rums, salty caramel syrup, Amontillado sherry and a hint of peat, this novel cocktail is literally set ablaze and then poured between two copper pots in a stream of fiery blue liquid. The theatrical presentation alone makes this one of the hottest cocktails in town.
Burgoo Bistro Lonsdale Ltd
3 Lonsdale Ave, North Vancouver, BC V7M 2E4Burgoo Bistro’s North Van location might be the perfect spot to hit for a little après-ski fun after a day on the slopes at Grouse Mountain. The menu features an array of comfort foods (chicken pot pie, smokehouse chilli, beef bourguignon) and a heart-warming selection of spiked bevvies. Choose from five different boozy coffee options topped up with Grand Marnier, Kahlua, Jameson, Baileys, Frangelico or peppermint schnapps. If coffee isn’t your thing, there’s also blueberry tea with Amaretto and Grand Marnier. Visit on Just For Fun Fridays for $1 off all liquored-up coffees.
Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar
845 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2K6This luxurious restaurant and oyster bar at the Sutton Place Hotel takes hotel dining to new heights. The interior design is comfortably posh with tufted seating and polished brass details throughout, while the food menu showcases a dedication to sustainable, locally sourced fare. When it comes to cocktails, Boulevard is known for its signature drinks made with local spirits and house-made syrups. Their classic hot toddy makes a nice nightcap and is sure to help soothe a sore throat with its comforting blend of whisky, local honey, allspice, clove and lemon.
Aquilini Thierry Ltd
1059 Alberni St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1A1Not just a gourmet confectionary shop, this fully licenced downtown café is an ideal locale for sweet-toothed visitors who want their hot chocolate with an extra something. Thierry’s drink menu features classic Irish, Spanish and b52 coffees, as well as boozy blueberry or Madagascar teas. The former is a black tea topped with Grand Marnier and Amaretto, the latter is a creamy option made with Frangelico and vanilla tea. For a truly decadent indulgence, try a rich glass of liquid sipping chocolate, which can be spiked with everything from vanilla vodka to cinnamon liqueur and brandy.
1203881 Bc Ltd
185 Keefer St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1X3Spirited sips are the house specialty at Juniper in Vancouver’s increasingly trendy Chinatown ’hood. The cocktail lineup is whimsical, original and begs for repeat visits. From fun and fruity to serious and strong, these handcrafted drinks are sure to impress people of all varieties. If you’re looking for a drink to warm you up on a chilly night, try the Sazerac Tsui Hang – Earl Grey tea spiked with malt whiskey, lemon zest and honey. With a cool crowd and seasonal Cascadian-inspired food menu, this could easily become your new local.
Bel Café
801 Georgia St W, Vancouver, BC V6C 1P7When you’re looking for a chic spot to relax after a shopping spree at the Pacific Centre, there’s no better sanctuary than Bel Café. The pastries and coffee make a great afternoon pick-me-up, but if you need something a little stronger, check out the roster of boozy hot beverages. A classic Bel cappuccino is made all the more scrumptious with a shot of Baileys. Alternatively, try a TWA blueberry tea or a bourbon-spiked apple cider. And while it’s not exactly hot, the spiced rum and eggnog is sure to warm your heart during the holidays.
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