So what’s The Boozecan all about? It’s about bringing you the low-down on the best (and worst) places to booze it up, plus other related nonsense from around Vancouver, the Lower Mainland, around the web and wherever else we see fit.
Why? First and foremost, we just got tired of frequenting the same old watering holes. We decided what the people needed (especially us) was a resource of places to drown your sorrows, and places to avoid – everything from holes-in-the-wall to high-end cocktail joints. Which brings us to our second reason.
We were sick of crap bars serving crap drinks at crap prices. We figured you deserve someone who’s going to tell it like it is when it comes to dropping your dough on drinking. And by God, we will.
So The Boozecan blog is now live. Check it out at http://www.theboozecan.com (which you’re at right now). We’re transitioning from a monthly newsletter to a much more immediate blog. We owe it to you to bring you the best in booze. Bottoms up.
Falconetti’s East Side Grill
1812 Commercial Drive - 604-251-7287 - www.falconettis.com - Map
Huge kudos to Falconetti’s in this issue. This, in our opinion, is what a bar should be like – small, dark, and cramped. And we mean that in the best way, ‘cause a dive it is definitely not. Falconetti’s is more reminiscent of bars and pubs you’d find in the older neighbourhoods of Toronto or Montreal – a place where you can grab a drink and have a conversation with a total stranger with no weird “ulterior motive vibe”. Which, let’s be honest, is a bit of a rarity in our awkward teenager of a city.
On to the drinks. Falconetti’s serves up a small, but affordable selection of local brews. Pints of Granville Island Lager & Pale Ale, R&B Raven Cream Ale, and Storm Scottish Ale & IPA, all for under a fiver. Even the draught Guinness squeaks in under the $5 mark.
There’s a good selection of cocktails, most hovering around $6, a respectable choice of scotch from $7.50 to $11, and pitchers of knock-you-on-your-ass Sangria for $18. If you’re up for a martini, try the Mango Tango or signature Falconetti for $8.50.
But here’s what really caught our eye – Bombers ($6 to $6.50). We’re not really fans of these explosive (pre and sometimes post-consumptive) concoctions, but you have to admire a place that slaps them right on the menu - because it’s always good to know what you’re in for.
And as a last word, you’re doing yourself a real disservice if you don’t have one of the famous Falconetti’s grilled sausages. So go hungry too.
“In our opinion, what a bar should be like”
Chow
3121 Granville St. - 604.608.2469 - www.chow-restaurant.com - Map
“While some establishments seek to keep up with trends, our goal is much simpler - to build drinks that are well balanced and taste good. We feel that the difference is in the details, and we labour over them to make sure everything is just right when your drink arrives at the table.”
Well fellow drinksters isn’t that a refreshing take on bartending? Straight from the horse’s mouth and we couldn’t agree more. I guarantee you will be impressed with the care and detail that goes into every drink poured, mixed, mashed, stirred or shaken at Chow. In our minds Chow has set the bar for all others to follow. This is an establishment with enough class to be elite, yet you can still saunter in and have a casual drink.
May we suggest the following:
“We take a great deal of pride in the drinks we make. We hope you enjoy them.” - Chris
The Cascade Room
2616 Main St. - 604.709.8650 - www.thecascade.ca - Map
You know, we had high hopes for this place - great location, nice room, good vibe, and of course our favourite - an extensive selection of cocktails. But then we tried one.
Sorry, but to put it politely, the signature Cascade Room Cocktail tasted like someone wrung out the bar rag, strained it through their armpit and added a dash of Pine-Sol. Mmm … disinfecty. But seriously, did anyone actually think to try this drink after inventing it? Because as one of our co-boozers put it - “I’d rather have been punched in the face”.
So after that palate-mashing experience we opted for simple, classic dry martinis. Not great, not awful, but served in wide-bowled “coupe” style champagne glasses, which is fine - if you’re a foppish 18th century dandy. Sorry Cascade Room, but you get a sober thumbs down this time. But since we believe in second chances, and we’re always game for another round, we’ll be back.
“I’d rather have been punched in the face” - Guest Drinker
