If you’re anything like us, there’s nothing like unwinding with a couple of drinks after a hard day’s work. Lucky for us, downtown Vancouver is the perfect place to do just that! 

It was pretty tough narrowing down our list, since there are plenty of good places to buzzed around this part of town. But with a little bit of thought (and a lot of booze), we managed to make this list of the best pubs in downtown Vancouver.

Ready? Let’s go!

Best Pubs in Downtown Vancouver

Pubs are a great place to socialize and meet new people. But before deciding on one, it’s best to do your research first and investigate the type of atmosphere and clientele that frequent each establishment.

Lucky for you, we’ve done the hard work and assessed the following pubs based on the criteria below:

Ambience
• Interior Design – We observed the interior  design of each pub to assess how welcoming and comfortable the atmosphere was.
• Facilities – We looked into the different facilities they offer, such as  entertainment, sports screens, and alfresco areas.

Variety of Food and Drinks – In this criterion, we evaluate their menus  to see if they offer a wide range of food and drinks, to ensure that customers can find something to satisfy their tastes.

Availability – We included pubs that are open throughout the week, to make sure that customers can enjoy them regardless of the day.

Customer Service
• Customer Feedback – We spoke with previous customers to ask about their experiences at each pub, giving us an insight into the level of customer service provided.
• Staff Feedback – In this criterion, we interviewed consumers to find out how satisfied they were with their staff interactions, as we understand that staff can make or break the experience of visiting a pub.

1. Smith’s Irish Pub

CRITERIA	RATING
Ambience	★★★★★ 5/5
Interior Design	★★★★★ 5/5
Facilities	★★★★★ 5/5
Variety of Food and Drinks	★★★★★ 5/5
Availability	★★★★☆ 4/5
Customer Service	★★★★☆ 4/5
Customer Feedback	★★★★☆ 4/5
Staff Feedback	★★★★★ 5/5

Smith’s Irish Pub is an Irish-owned bar in Vancouver that serves Irish-inspired drinks. They have a wide selection of draught beers, cocktails, and wine. 

We were impressed by the breadth of their menu, which includes pub classics such as fish and chips, bangers and mash, and chicken tenders. They also have a kid’s menu, making them an option for families.

We love this Irish-inspired pub, with its brick walls, dark wood furniture, and Guinness signs, among other things. We thought this helped set the tone for an authentic experience.

It’s also worth noting that they have live music in the bar for those who want to dance and sing along, making it a great spot for a night out with friends. 

But what we liked was that they didn’t dismiss customers who wanted peace and quiet while drinking because they have a separate lounge for them called “The Forge”. 

This cozy space can accommodate 60 people, and it has its own private bar and patio.That being said, we’re a little disappointed that this space is frequently booked, so it’s best to reserve a spot ahead of time. 

Stiil, we think Smith’s Irish Pub is one of the best pubs in downtown Vancouver for their wide selection of alcoholic beverages and food.

Customer Reviews

Great service and friendly bartenders

“It’s an Irish’s pub all right! Felt nostalgic of my past travel to Ireland. The place is beautiful. The service is very good. Very friendly and considerate…” -David G.

Best traditional pub

“The best traditional Irish pub I’ve been too, the food is great and the customer service is better! Dave Hynes the bartender was very professional, a must go to pub.” -Anthony N.

2. Malone’s Taphouse

CRITERIA	RATING
Ambience	★★★★☆ 4/5
Interior Design	★★★★★ 5/5
Facilities	★★★★★ 5/5
Variety of Food and Drinks	★★★★★ 5/5
Availability	★★★★★ 5/5
Customer Service	★★★★★ 5/5
Customer Feedback	★★★★★ 5/5
Staff Feedback	★★★★★ 5/5

Established in 1998, Malone’s Taphouse is an elevated pub with an upstairs lounge that features a wide selection of craft beer, wine, and cocktails.

Perhaps what impressed us the most is that they have 38 local craft beers on tap, as well as an extensive selection of imported beers. In our opinion, this makes them a must-visit for any beer lover.

Malone’s Taphouse also has a huge menu of food to go with their drinks, which we absolutely love. This includes light snacks like fries, onion rings, nachos, and poutine and full meals such as steak, pasta, and chicken pot pies.

Overall, we’re happy with what we’ve seen as far as food and drinks go. And we were even more impressed that they can accommodate various dietary restrictions, whether you’re vegetarian, vegan, or can’t eat gluten.

That said, we’re disappointed that they’re closed on Sundays, which we thought limited their customer base. We would’ve liked to see them open seven days a week.

They also required a CAD 5 deposit per person when you’re making a reservation, but we think this shows their commitment to managing their crowd capacity.

All in all, we thought to include Malone’s Taphouse on our list of the best pubs in downtown Vancouver, as they have a wide variety of local craft beers on tap and an extensive food menu.

Customer Reviews

Excellent service

“We were there during a busy time of trivia night and still the service was excellent!! Food was hot and tasty… -Levina J.

Wide variety of food and drinks

“Great bar to visit whilst watching the Superbowl. It was super busy but the staff didn’t break in their stride in serving 12 of us. Comfy seats, TVs everywhere and a wide array for food and drinks.” -David S.

3. The Morrissey

CRITERIA	RATING
Ambience	★★★★★ 5/5
Interior Design	★★★★☆ 4/5
Facilities	★★★★★ 5/5
Variety of Food and Drinks	★★★★☆ 4/5
Availability	★★★★☆ 4/5
Customer Service	★★★★★ 5/5
Customer Feedback	★★★★★ 5/5
Staff Feedback	★★★★★ 5/5

The Morrissey was founded in 1999, and they’re known for their handcrafted cocktails and their ever-changing beer list. 

This local pub leans toward being a gastropub sans cocktail lounge. It focuses on craft beer and spirits and has a wide range of seasonal and classic cocktails. 

We found it impressive that their staff has substantial experience making world-renowned drinks, and they can also accommodate special drink requests. 

In our opinion, this sets them apart, as they’re able to create a unique drink for each customer.

We also noticed how traditional it felt as soon as we entered this pub. They have chandeliers and other vintage decorations, which we think gives their pub a stylish atmosphere.

It also adds to their ambience that they host rock bands, which we think helps them to combine a classic atmosphere with contemporary music.

Unfortunately, they only offer hamburgers, sandwiches, and a limited selection of desserts. 

On a whole, if you’re looking for one of the best pubs in downtown Vancouver, we think The Morrissey is worth the try. They can customize your drinks and have a great selection of drinks, from craft beer to classic cocktails.

Customer Reviews

Cute, dark atmosphere with good music

“Cute little bar in downtown Vancouver that actually stays open pretty late. They have cute little dark atmosphere with good music. Staff is friendly as well!.” -Abigail T.

Friendly waitresses and waiters

“Love places with an older crowd and older music.  This was the place.  Probably the only place i regularly go to on Granville.  All the waiters and waitresses had a smile and great attitude…” -Jazzy J.

4. Donnellan’s Irish Pub

CRITERIA	RATING
Ambience	★★★★☆ 4/5
Interior Design	★★★★★ 5/5
Facilities	★★★★★ 5/5
Variety of Food and Drinks	★★★★★ 5/5
Availability	★★★★☆ 4/5
Customer Service	★★★★★ 5/5
Customer Feedback	★★★★★ 5/5
Staff Feedback	★★★★★ 5/5

Donnellan’s Irish Pub is a classic pub that serves Irish comfort food and hosts live music and other sports events. This pub opened in 2017, and they serve Guinness and classic Irish dishes.

First and foremost, we were impressed that they’ve received a recommendation from Restaurant Guru. we think this establishes the quality of their food, drinks, and services.  

We also enjoyed that they have live music every night, and we think you would too. These live performances range from traditional Irish music to more modern tunes; however, those desiring a quieter environment may wish to consider The Balcony.

The Balcony is located on the second floor of Donnellan’s Irish Pub, and it can accommodate up to 50 people, making it perfect for special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, and corporate celebrations.

It’s also a nice touch that they offer full catering options. We thought this was convenient, so customers won’t have to find these services elsewhere.

Now, we’re not big fans of the fact that they don’t have an online reservation system. We think this is inconvenient as it would’ve been nice to be able to reserve tables ahead of time.

If you’re looking for one of the best pubs in downtown Vancouver, we think Donnellan’s Irish Pub is worth visiting.

Customer Reviews

Great atmosphere and crowd

“Live music, great beer, great craic. Stayed here longer than expected due to it being so much fun. Great crowd in here too.” -Andy B.

Large portions of food

“We had a very good time & the food was great! The 2 piece fish & chips was enormous!Great service from our true Irish waiter…” -Tammy L.

5. Lions Pub

CRITERIA	RATING
Ambience	★★★★☆ 4/5
Interior Design	★★★★★ 5/5
Facilities	★★★★★ 5/5
Variety of Food and Drinks	★★★★★ 5/5
Availability	★★★★☆ 4/5
Customer Service	★★★★☆ 4/5
Customer Feedback	★★★★☆ 4/5
Staff Feedback	★★★★★ 5/5

Lions Pub is a pub grub restaurant that features carpets, a fireplace, and a jukebox that really brings out the traditional British pub culture.

We think this establishment is an ideal place to grab drinks and watch sports, as they have four high definition flat screen TV’s above the bar.

We also appreciated how convenient this pub is as it’s located in Vancouver’s Coal Harbour. This makes it accessible for both public transit and private vehicles.

This English-style pub offers traditional British food, including bangers and mash, Yorkshire pudding, truffle and parmesan potato fries, and many more.  

Additionally, the bar is stocked with a variety of craft beers and ciders to accompany your meal. 

However, if there’s one drawback we’ve observed with them, it’s that they’re closed on Sundays. Even so, we liked that they have an indoor seating capacity of more than 60 guests.

Moreover, most of the customers we’ve talked to highlight how spacious their pub is and that it isn’t too loud inside.

Ultimately, we think they’re a solid choice because they offer an authentic British pub experience and a great selection of craft beers and ciders, making them one of the best pubs in downtown Vancouver.

Customer Reviews

Spacious pub

“Great pub by the sea wall. We had a few drinks and some food and there was a nice vibe. It wasn’t too loud here or anything and the pub was also spacious so you don’t feel crowded inside…” -Free E.

Nice staff and diverse menu

“Good place to eat. Staff was really nice and waitress was great. Diverse menu and the food was really tasty…” -Joe M.

FAQs about Pubs in Downtown Vancouver

---

In the end, downtown Vancouver is a great place to go to pubs because it has a lot of places to have fun and a lively nightlife. Remember to always be safe and responsible when out drinking and exploring the city.

Now, in order to get to know the city’s downtown core, we highly recommend you read our article of A Local’s Guide to DT Vancouver.

Related Blogs

See more

brunch places downtown vancouver

Read

sports bars vancouver

Read

High Tea

Read