May 6 2025: Are these Vancouver's best bars?

Hey there. It might not be Victoria Day yet… but it’s basically summer, right? 

It’s shorts weather—and not just for that one guy on the bus who won’t put his legs away even when it’s snowing. That means summer, and that means beach sunsets, park hangs, and trying to figure out which public spaces it’s still legal to drink a frosty tallboy in. 

Second Beach? Gucci. Third Beach? Forbidden. Quilchena Park? Only after July 1. Happy shorts weather.

— V.
Associate Editor

— FEATURE — 

Sex//Work: All relationships are transactional, actually

According to sex worker Madelaine Horn, men often think of the idea of a client/provider relationship as “transactional”. But, Horn argues, all relationships are transactional: all involve some kind of exchange, be it energy, time, effort, or money. She lays out her thoughts in our latest Sex//Work column.

— CITY & CULTURE —

Will any Vancouver MPs get posts in Mark Carney’s cabinet?

New cabinet, who dis? Well, we don’t know yet—but Nathan Caddell ranks Vancouver MPs’ chances of becoming ministers. Most likely? Gregor Robertson.

• Kapwa Strong Fund launched to support victims of Lapu Lapu Festival tragedy

• Vancouver firefighters are hosting tryouts for the 2026 Hall of Flame calendar

• Whether you're an established enterprise or a scaling startup, find a coworking space that's right for you. Connect with a WeWork expert today.*

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SPONSORED BY SANDRA ENS RE/MAX

How's the market?

Vancouver home buyers, now is the perfect time to make your move! Market conditions are in your favour, with the lowest interest rates in two years, plus inventory levels are at their highest since 2019. This means you’ll face less competition, giving you a greater chance to secure your dream home. Whether you’re looking for your first home, upgrading, or investing, the market is ripe for the picking.

Ready to buy? Let’s make it happen!

Contact Sandra today! Or start your next home search.

— ARTS —

Vancouver Art Gallery marks Asian Heritage Month

Vancouver Art Gallery’s Asian Heritage Month programming includes a bold new performance by Hong Kong Exile, plus plenty more.

• Bard on the Beach opens with a Mediterranean-style Much Ado

• Legends Norma Winstone and Joe LaBarbera join Atlantic Jazz Collective, May 10, and singer and dancer Dobet Gnahoré's band performs West African blues and funk, May 11, at BlueShore at CapU.*

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SPONSORED BY ARTS UMBRELLA

Arts Umbrella Dance Presents Season Finale

Join Arts Umbrella Dance from May 22-24 at the Vancouver Playhouse for Season Finale, a series of performances that represents the art of dance as envisioned by some of the world’s greatest choreographers.

Tickets available now!

Season Finale, generously supported by the Wesik Family Foundation.

— FOOD & DRINK —

Two of North America’s Best 50 Bars are in Vancouver

We absolutely don’t have four percent of North America’s total population—but we do have four percent of the continent’s best bars.

• Langley Craft Beverage Week is back for a third year

• Paella Sundays are returning to Como Taperia

• Treat Mom to a memorable Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet at Dockside Restaurant. Celebrate with waterfront views, mimosas, brunch delicacies, and desserts. Book your table today!*

• Enjoy the world-renowned flavour of AeroPress, a velvety-smooth coffee without the grit or bitterness found in other methods.  Loved globally, with 55K+ 5-star reviews.*

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SPONSORED BY GRIFFIN ART PROJECTS

Griffin Art Projects celebrates 10 years!

Announcing Griffin Art Projects' 10th Anniversary! Celebrated through a public program series and two exciting exhibitions, TENXTEN & Christos Dikeakos: The Collectors, this project highlights Vancouver collectors and their impact on nurturing talent, community building and legacy to inspire a new generation of philanthropic support for contemporary art ecologies.

— ICYMI —

• 20 Filipino businesses in Vancouver to support

• Don Davies’ election win shows the power of incumbency 

• DOXA 2025: The Straight guide

• 30 can’t-miss local concerts this May

• And 30 more can’t-miss Vancouver arts events

— THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK —

FILM: UBC Asian Independent Cinema Showcase screens two documentaries for the first time in Vancouver. (May 6 @ Aquatic Ecosystems Research Laboratory, UBC)

MUSIC: Aussie rock band Teenage Dads plays a 19+ show. (May 6 @ Fox Cabaret)

COMEDY: Taylor Tomlinson’s ex Sam Morril discusses his Errors. (May 7 @ Vogue Theatre)

VISUAL ARTS: Derry Lubell and Jeidn Winkler explore the human form in The Expressive Body. (May 7 to June 1 @ Silk Purse Arts Centre, West Vancouver)

BOOKS: Booker-nominated author Madeleine Thien is in town to release her new title, The Book of Records. (May 8 @ The Annex)

COMEDY: Sketch comedian Julie Nolke mines humour from the uncomfortable in Dying on the Outside. (May 8 @ Hollywood Theatre) 

THEATRE: CTORA’s production of West Side Story glides onto stage. (May 8 to 24 @ Granville Island Stage)

—

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

That’s it!

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