Dec 16, 2025: Where to get your holiday cocktail fix

Plus: Remembering Rob Reiner

Author

Jessica Bernard
December 16, 2025

MRG LIVE

Hey there, hope you had a great weekend. I had my first sip of eggnog this holiday season. It absolutely ruled. I haven’t done any actual research on this, but my general thought is that noggers and non-noggers are split somewhere in the 50 percent range. I could be wrong. For those that don’t get it, I’m just sorry for you, I really am. 

Granted, there was that one time in my 20s when I tried to drink only eggnog and rum at a holiday party. I think I got three deep and, um, stopped. I guess this is all to remind everyone to practice moderation at your upcoming holiday parties and get-togethers. You’re welcome.

— Nathan
Editor-in-Chief

— FEATURE — 

Remembering Rob Reiner

Tragedy struck this weekend as legendary film director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead in their home. The Straight has covered Reiner a few times during his illustrious career. Here we look back at a few of those instances and remember the man: 

RIP to a legend who changed movies and TV forever.

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MRG LIVE

ELEVATE Music Project Advances with Semi-Finals on Jan 8, 2026

The ELEVATE Music Project heads into the Semi-Finals of the competition at the Biltmore Cabaret on Thursday, January 8th at 7:00 PM.

ELEVATE champions Vancouver's next generation of artists. Don't miss the chance to witness the culmination of hard work and dedication as the top 6 bands from the preliminary rounds strive to progress to the highly anticipated Finals on January 22nd at the Vogue Theatre!!

— FOOD & DRINK —

Five places for festive cocktails in Vancouver

Whether you’re drowning your sorrows or cheersing to the holidays, Mike Usinger has you covered with a list of five places to get festive Christmas cocktails in the city this holiday season. He’s also hopefully going to entertain you with his take on a classic Christmas song. No partridges for Mike, apparently.

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— CITY & CULTURE —

Trade Grades: Quinn Hughes goes Wild

Winning a Quinn Hughes trade was always going to be an impossible task for the Vancouver Canucks. Now that it’s happened, we sort through the rubble and examine the return that the team got from the Minnesota Wild for the franchise defenceman.

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SPONSORED BY VIFF
VIFF

Watch the best cinema of 2025 at the VIFF Centre

The Best of 2025 series gives you a chance to catch up on the cinema you missed this year, or relive your favourites on the big screen. From the blockbusters to the underdogs, this series showcases the movies that are going to stand the test of time. Watch the series at the VIFF Centre from Dec 26 – Jan 8.

— LIVING —

Local holiday markets for last-minute shoppers

Panicking about getting everything crossed off that shopping list? We’ve got some holiday markets that are worth checking out across the city. (And also in North Van because, come on, the Shipyards just does a lot of things right.)

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— ICYMI —

— THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK —

KIDS: Be nice and take the kiddos to the Dear Santa Letter Writing Event. (To December 21 @ 4033 Cambie Street)

BOOKS: The Vancouver Writers Fest launches its digital version. (December 16 to February 2 @ Online)

BOOKS: Shhh. The Giant Silent Reading Party is in session. (December 16 @ VPL Central Branch)

FILM: Take in Maudie, the story of Canadian folk artist Maud Lewis, played by Sally Hawkins. (December 16 @ VIFF Centre)

THEATRE: A Very Merry Motown grooves onto the stage. (December 17-28 @ Firehall Arts Centre)

THEATRE: The Horseradish Theatre brings its Slavic-accented flavour to the Cultch. (December 18-19 @ the Cultch)

Want to know what else is happening in Vancouver? Check out our events listings.

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