Archie MontroseWe all know of Commercial drive as a vibrant and eclectic neighborhood filled with an array of unique shops, restaurants, and other entertainment options. But let us tell you, the bars here are something else.
We’ve loved getting shitfaced in these places. We’ve made tons of memories, chuckled until our bellies ached, and grooved into the wee hours of the morning.
Vancouver’s Best Bars on Commercial Drive
Bars are a dime a dozen. Here in Vancouver, we’re lucky to have a vibrant and diverse bar scene, and Commercial Drive is where it’s at.
We’ve gone to almost every single one, and we picked ones that have that awesome vibe, variety of food and drinks, and many more. Check out the criteria below that we’ve used to assess these bars on Commercial Drive:
1. Junior’s Pub & Grill
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Atmosphere | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Variety | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Food Menu | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Drink Selection | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Seating | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Customer Service | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Bartender Skills | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Customer Feedback | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
Junior’s Pub & Grill is one of those classic 2000s bars with a laid-back atmosphere accentuated by dim to dark lighting, huge TVs all around the place, and a wide selection of beers on tap.
What’s cool is that they’ve got a pool table, which we thought was a nice little extra. Plus, there’s plenty of room to spread out, and they’ve spaced things out nicely, so you’ve got your own private nook.
We loved the fact that the menu specials here change every day. We went here on a Thursday, and they had this killer “steak sandwich” on the menu. The steak was all jazzed up with their own special spice mix.
We also enjoyed many of their appetizers—chips and salsa, popcorn shrimp, chicken wings, mozzarella sticks, yam fries, onion rings, and basically everything you expect from a classic sports bar.
They’ve got a solid lineup of drinks and some tasty beers on tap. The best part? A pint of beer is just 5 bucks, and it’s damn good! And you know what’s really fun? They’ve got these shooter specials that we totally got a kick out of.
This selection includes tequila, JD fireball, buck shot, king kong, and a whole lot more unique and exciting shooters.
All in all, Junior’s Pub & Grill is definitely a place where you meet your friends and slowly make new ones over a sports game.
Pros
- Classic 2000’s vibe bar
- Rotating menu
- Cheap beer selection
Cons
- Some complaints about staff service
Customer Reviews
Great atmosphere and tasty food
“Great atmosphere, awesome staff, food is tasty! Played pool, shot some skee ball, listened to some rad tunes, all-in-all.. amazing time!…”
-Mish P.
Really good menu
“They have good music, plenty of TV, a really good menu and food is good. Beer is cheep and delicious. Servers are very nice and fast…”
-Philip I.
2. The Dime
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Atmosphere | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Variety | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Food Menu | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Drink Selection | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Seating | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Customer Service | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Bartender Skills | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Customer Feedback | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
The Dime has this chill and down-to-earth atmosphere that totally won us over. They’ve got stickers all over the walls, skate vids on the TVs, great tunes playing (not too loud, though), and some cheap bar grub.
In our opinion, you can come here hungry or full, but not too full to not have room for appetizers. Lucky for you, we’ve sampled the entire starter menu—chicken fingers, nachos, poutine, wings, and cauliflower bites.
The real standout for us were the burgers. They’ve got a fab five to choose from: maple bacon and cheese, jalapeno, steakhouse, falafel, and spicy chicken. And our absolute favorite? The steakhouse burger, hands down.
This hefty one’s a 6 oz. all-beef patty loaded up with sautéed button and crimini mushrooms, swimming in peppercorn gravy, and smothered in cheese.
When it comes to drinks, they’ve got the classics covered: mojito, margarita, corona, mule, and gin. But if you’re feeling a bit fancy, they’ve got some swanky cocktails in the lineup.
We went all out and tried some of the fun ones, like “The Floor is Guava,” “Feeling Peachy,” “Drunk Arnold,” and “Jalisco Pick Me Up.” And don’t miss out on their wine selection, especially the “See Ya Later Pinot Gris”—it’s a winner.
Ultimately, the Dime is the perfect spot to swing by for a pint on your way back from the Skytrain station. But if you’re rollin’ with your crew, it’s the kinda joint where you can kick back and hang out for a good while.
Pros
- Chill and down-to-earth atmosphere
- Wide selection of drinks
Cons
- Can get crowded during peak hours
Customer Reviews
Good, cheap, and friendly place
“Something I’m missing in my hometown is a good, cheap, and friendly place to grab bar food. The dime checked all my boxes and I had a great experience…”
-Noah M.
Great food and atmosphere
“The food was great ,atmosphere was awesome. But watch the waitress and tips. She already added gratuity and expected another tip on top, made things very awkward for us.”
-Cynthia E.
3. Park Drive
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Atmosphere | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Variety | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Food Menu | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Drink Selection | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Seating | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Customer Service | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Bartender Skills | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Customer Feedback | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
Park Drive has that cool industrial feel with its raw walls, wooden tables, barstools, and an open kitchen where you can watch the chefs and bartenders work their magic.
We suggest you get a seat right at the bar so you have full access to the TVs and can see all the delicious cocktails being crafted. Another good choice is the outside patio, so you get that view of Commercial Drive.
We had an absolute blast when we swung by because, lucky for us, they were hosting a trivia night. We had a blast sipping on our drinks and racking our brains with those brain-twisting trivia questions.
All that brainwork sure got us hungry! So, we dove into some steak frites, a crispy chicken burger, a turkey melt, and these delicious 10-inch pizzas with some pretty playful names.
They’ve got names like ‘Blah Blah,’ ‘Ace of Spades,’ ‘Teenage Wasteland,’ and ‘Want to be Sedated’ on those pizzas, so of course, we couldn’t resist and had to give them a shot.
The tap beer selection at Park Drive is a mix of the familiar, with options like Granville Island Lager and Lion’s Winter Ale, and they’ve also got international names like Guinness, Heineken, Budweiser, and Lonetree.
But if you want to catch the best deals, make sure to swing by during happy hour—it’s an all-day thing on Mondays and from 3 pm to 6 pm from Tuesdays to Fridays, plus from 6 pm until closing on Sundays.
Pros
- Industrial bar vibe
- Great happy hour deals
Cons
- Relatively slow serving time
Customer Reviews
Great atmosphere and service
“Great atmosphere and service. Their food and pizzas are awesome and at a reasonable price. Everytime I’m there the servers work hard to accommodate everybody..”
-Michael H.
Fast service and great chat with servers
“Had a lovely experience at Park Drive with a friend after work. Our server Camilla was on point, fast service great chat and great food! Thanks again! 10/10!”
-Taylor B.
4. The Charlatan
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Atmosphere | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Variety | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Food Menu | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Drink Selection | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Seating | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Customer Service | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Bartender Skills | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Customer Feedback | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
The Charlatan is a beer spot with these huge windows that really bring out the cozy leather vibe inside. They’re not big on TVs, but it’s a great spot to just chill, grab a bite, and have a good conversation.
But if you’re up for a quiet chat, grab a seat on the back patio. It’s super quiet there with no music speakers, and you’ll catch every word of your conversation without any distractions.
We have to say that the food is very solid here. We came for lunch and got a plate of nachos and fries, and it’s quite possibly one of the best pub food we’ve had in a while. The nachos were loaded with toppings, and the fries were perfectly crispy.
The combo of those crispy tortilla chips, well-seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and guacamole was a real winner for us. The chicken breasts here were also large and did not slip out of the burger, which we liked.
The beer selection was fantastic, but the options were primarily centered around different flavors of IPA. Wine is also extensive, but the selection of whiskey is definitely hard to beat.
We’re just a bit iffy that the servers were a bit unattentive. They’d check on us, but before we could request another drink, they’d vanish. Nevertheless, we think the Charlatan is one of the best bars on Commercial Drive Vancouver.
Pros
- Many spaces for conversations
- Generous food portions
Cons
- Limited beverage selection
Customer Reviews
Great food
“Very solid food here. Came for brunch but instead got lunch. Had a Cajun chicken burger with poutine and was very happy with the quality. Chicken breast was large and not slipping out of the burger like a lot of places…”
-Tailor M.
Good selection of food and drinks
“Good selections of different food and drinks. Really enjoyed the grilled Halloumi & Prosciutto salad. Nachos was good too. The Interior was kinda retro and classy. Service was good too. I would go again for sure.”
-Carlos P.
5. St. Augustine’s
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Atmosphere | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Variety | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Food Menu | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Drink Selection | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Seating | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Customer Service | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Bartender Skills | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Customer Feedback | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
St. Augustine’s is a laid-back pub with a constantly changing lineup of local craft beers. The interior may have the vibe of an upscale restaurant, but don’t be fooled—there’s definitely beer here, we promise.
They’ve got this lengthy communal table right in the heart of the joint, ideal for bigger groups. However, if you’re flying solo or on a romantic date, grab a spot at the bar for a cozier chat.
What really won us over were the generous portions of sandwiches and burgers. They come with hand-cut fries, but if you prefer, you can swap them out for mixed green salad, kale salad, yam fries, or poutine.
But let’s be real, the pizza here was the bomb. We went for the margherita, and that housemade tomato sauce? It’s like a burst of tangy goodness. Topped with basil, mozzarella, asiago, and fior di latte, it was out of this world.
They’ve got a bunch of healthy choices too, like the Thai chicken salad, kale Caesar, mixed greens, and the grilled avocado bowl.
We also thought it was nice that they have over 60 choices of beer on tap, and the best part is, if you head to their website, there’s a percentage where it shows the remaining amount of each beer. So you can see what’s available before you go.
Pros
- Upscale vibe
- 60 varieties of beer on tap
Cons
- Some complaints about sound system quality
Customer Reviews
Great variety and nice plate presentation
“Everything about this place is enjoyable. Great variety in the tap list. Food is exceptional in quality, plate presentation, and taste…”
-Neil B.
Go-to for nachos and beer
“The nachos are a must and the beer selection is phenomenal! This is our go-to place for awesome and adventurous flights…”
-Jinny C.
6. Bar Corso
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Atmosphere | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Variety | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Food Menu | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Drink Selection | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Seating | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Customer Service | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Bartender Skills | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Customer Feedback | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
Bar Corso over on Commercial Drive is where you’ll find that perfect blend of romance and coziness. They serve up some Italian tapas and drinks. It’s like enjoying a fancy dinner in a friendly pub, but be prepared, ’cause it can get real packed.
It’s a real cozy, intimate joint with a sidewalk patio—the ideal spot for a laid-back afternoon. Inside, it’s all sleek and stylish, giving off those trendy, modern vibes.
The menu here is under the watchful eye of Executive Chef Luke Boswell, and let us tell you, he’s a real pro at tweaking things just right. They take Italian ingredients and whip up some creative dishes, like crostini, pasta, and even a wagyu beef tartare.
Now, we must warn you: the drinks here are quite pricey. But we thought it’d be reasonable given the selections they offer—negroni, wine, lambrusco, prosecco, and cider.
They’ve also got non-alcoholic drinks made with fresh citrus and house syrups. We loved the peach and cardamom Italian soda; it was very refreshing and had a unique flavor combination.
If you’re looking for a little slice of Italy along Commercial Drive, Bar Corso is definitely the place to go.
Pros
- Delicious Italian tapas
- Wide selection of fancy drinks
Cons
- Relatively pricey
Customer Reviews
Good quality and aesthetic of food
“We came in on an evening visit and I was delightfully surprised at the quality and aesthetic of the food that came out. “
-Fletcher M.
Cozy and intimate bar
“Bar Corso has a small but tight menu that they serve up in a cozy and intimate restaurant space plus a sidewalk patio space (when weather permits)…”
-Ceci C.
7. La Mezcaleria
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Atmosphere | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Variety | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Food Menu | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Drink Selection | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Seating | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Customer Service | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Bartender Skills | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Customer Feedback | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
La Mezcaleria is this cool joint on Commercial Drive, and it’s all about serving up those classic Mexican flavors. Inside, you’ll find a bunch of barstools, neon signs, and a whole bunch of booze lined up on the shelves.
It’s worth mentioning that it’s a pretty snug spot, and the tables are kinda crammed together. On the bright side, the music isn’t cranked up so high that you can’t have a decent conversation with your crew.
Their menu is extensive and offers a good variety of choices, including some boozy beverages. We’d suggest giving the spiked horchata a try, or go for the spiked dirty horchata if you’re in the mood for a coffee twist.
They’ve got a hefty brunch selection too, and you absolutely can’t miss out on the queso. It’s like a delightful, melty mess of pure deliciousness – just a heads-up: you might wanna grab a bunch of napkins ’cause it can get pretty messy.
We also found it pretty cool that they make their own hot sauces in-house, and they’re packed with some awesome flavor.
And when it comes to margaritas, they’ve got some really unique and delightful twists that’ll give your taste buds a fresh experience, in a good way.
They’ve also got a whole bunch of other options too, like margaritas, cocktails, negronis, gin and tonics, and some brunch-specific cocktails including horchata, michelada, and mezcal caesars.
Pros
- Serves Mexican staples
- Extensive brunch menu
Cons
- No more happy hour
Customer Reviews
Great bartenders
“Came with two other friends but didn’t make a reso so we were sat at the bar. Not a bad spot actually as the bartenders were super busy and it was fun to watch!”
-Brittany C.
Variety of seafood and veggie dishes
“Enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere and warm service here. Food was typical Mexican style. We were happy they have choices of seafood and veggies in addition to carne. People also enjoyed their famous drinks which we didn’t try.”
-Mary S.
8. Community Taps + Pizza
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Atmosphere | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Variety | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Food Menu | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Drink Selection | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Seating | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Customer Service | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Bartender Skills | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Customer Feedback | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
Community Taps + Pizza is a lively bar, adorned with vibrant wall paintings that really set the mood. They don’t have a ton of TVs, but it’s got that snug and cozy feel that we kinda liked.
The place is decked out with a mix of modern and eclectic decor. They’ve got some artwork on the walls, all crafted by local artists, and it really celebrates the rich diversity of the city’s neighborhoods.
They’ve got a bunch of shareable options on the menu, but we couldn’t resist the classic burger and fries. We also ended up ordering some onion rings, garlic rolls, and meatballs for good measure.
Don’t forget to check out their New York-style pizzas; they’ve got some unique flavors. We dug into the truffle shuffle with its sesame crust, the truffle pepperoni, and even the beet pizza, which were all pretty darn awesome.
We had a blast trying out their selection of beers on tap, which included lagers, pilsners, IPAs, wheat ales, blondes, stouts, porters, pale ales, and cider.
And for those who prefer other beverages, they’ve got wine, cocktails, and a range of non-alcoholic options like drip coffee, tea, and juices.
Pros
- Modern and eclectic decor
- Nice selection of beers on tap and non-alcoholic drinks
Cons
- Some complaints about service
Customer Reviews
Wide beer selection
‘Went on a Tuesday during happy hour and the beer selection/deal is pretty good! Good options at a great price…”
-Meesh
Fantastic service
“We sat outside on the patio on a sunny day. It was nice. The service was good. Our food was fantastic! Recommend taking advantage of happy hour for extra value! We will definitely come back.”
-Aaron D.
9. Social
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Atmosphere | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Variety | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Food Menu | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Drink Selection | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Seating | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Customer Service | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Bartender Skills | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Customer Feedback | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
The Social’s rooftop patio is what truly sets it apart as one of the top bars on Commercial Drive. Inside, the atmosphere is electric, thanks to the colorful decor, vibrant lights, and eclectic interior design.
We’re telling you, as much as possible, to try to get a seat on the patio on the second floor. It has great views of the city, and we really enjoyed the breezy ambiance up there.
However, it’s worth noting that we were a tad disappointed with the portion sizes, as they tend to be on the smaller side. Despite that, they managed to make up for it with their diverse range of shareable dishes.
Among all the options, our absolute favorite had to be the house fries with garlic. But a quick heads up, it’s loaded with garlic, so if you’re not a fan of garlic, you might want to consider another choice.
Another solid pick would be the truffle fries. They were quite tasty, although they didn’t really offer anything unique or out of the ordinary, but it’s nice that they come with generous amounts of truffles.
If you’re looking for drinks, we’d recommend trying out the Okanagan Valley chardonnay or merlot. Plus, you’re in luck if you visit during happy hour, which runs from 2pm to 5pm and again from 9pm until closing.
Pros
- Eclectic and colorful decor
- Diverse range of shareable dishes
Cons
- Some complaints about loud music
Customer Reviews
Cool vibes
“Love the atmosphere while sitting out front on the patio. The upstairs was full due to the cool vibes and view from the top. Food was delicious and the servers were friendly. Drinks were exactly like the photos and very yummy.”
-Samantha G.
Beautiful place
“Beautiful place to celebrate your birthday. The food is incredible and flavourful although the portions are small. Amazing patio. The second floor has a patio too with a good view of the city. Cocktails are delicious. The staff is friendly and helpful.”
-Lucy Y.
10. Alibi Room
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Atmosphere | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Variety | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Food Menu | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Drink Selection | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Seating | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Customer Service | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Bartender Skills | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Customer Feedback | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
Sitting snug in a heritage building, the Alibi Room has been a mainstay on Commercial Drive for more than a quarter of a century. The vibe in here is sweet, especially when you catch a glimpse of trains passing by outside the window.
The menu at Alibi Room offers a wide array of tantalizing options when it comes to both food and drinks. Feeling adventurous, we opted for the pork belly burger, and it was a flavor explosion!
And those fries that came with it were absolutely fantastic. I’ve also got to give a shout-out to the chickpea flour fried chicken wings; they were bursting with flavor, and the dinner tacos were just as scrumptious.
What really won us over was the whopping 50 choices of local and imported craft beer on tap. But that’s not all—they’ve got boutique wines and a lineup of ever-changing house cocktails that are really something special.
Overall, this spot is a real gem, especially if you’re a beer enthusiast. And don’t even get me started on the mushroom pate—it’s out of this world. It might be simple, but the execution is spot on. Definitely worth checking out!
Pros
- Located in a heritage building
- Wide array of food and drinks
Cons
- Limited seating for larger groups
Customer Reviews
Great happy hour
“Really friendly service, casual dining that’s great for happy hour, and great beer selection…”
-Aden T.
Delicious food that blends well with beer
“The trains passing by outside the window set the whole atmosphere for this place. Moreover, the friendly staff, delicious food, and beer perfectly completed the ambiance here. I recommend visiting this great restaurant in Gastown.”
-Jay P.
