® Best of Vancouver 2016

Looking for a specific question or winner?

Best of Vancouver winners

Best neighbourhood

  1. Kitsilano
  2. Mount Pleasant
  3. West End

Best community centre

  1. Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews
  2. Mount Pleasant Community Centre, 1 Kingsway
  3. Hillcrest Community Centre, 4575 Clancy Loranger Way

Best local employer

  1. VanCity Credit Union
  2. lululemon athletica
  3. University of British Columbia

Most environmentally responsible local company

  1. MEC
  2. TELUS
  3. VanCity Credit Union

Best car-share service

  1. Evo Car Share
  2. car2go
  3. Modo

Best local TV newscast

  1. Global News
  2. CTV News
  3. CBC News

Best local TV news anchor

  1. Tamara Taggart (CTV)
  2. Chris Gailus (Global)
  3. Ian Hanomansing (CBC)

Best radio host(s)

  1. Nat & Drew Show (103.5 QM/FM)
  2. Janice + Cory (Roundhouse Radio)
  3. Stephen Quinn (CBC Radio One)

Best neighbourhood movie theatre

  1. Cineplex Fifth Avenue Cinemas, 2110 Burrard St.
  2. Cineplex Marine Gateway and VIP, 452 South West Marine Drive
  3. Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver, 900 Burrard

Best local casino

  1. River Rock Casino, 8811 River Rd., Richmond
  3. Hard Rock Casino Vancouver, 2080 United Blvd.

Best place to make a bet

  1. Hastings Racecourse, Hastings Park
  3. Hard Rock Casino Vancouver, 2080 United Blvd.
  4. River Rock Casino, 8811 River Rd., Richmond

Best lawyer when an accident strikes

  1. Warnett Hallen LLP
  2. Tim Louis & Company
  3. Krista Simon (Hammerberg Lawyers)

Best criminal lawyer

  1. David Karp Law Corp.
  2. Patrick C. Fagan
  3. Jonathan J. Israels Law Corporation
  4. Mines & Company Criminal Lawyers

Best immigration lawyer

  1. Catherine A. Sas (Sas & Ing)
  2. Zool Suleman (Suleman & Co)
  3. Larlee Rosenberg Barristers & Solicitors

Best immigration consultant

  1. Fred Y-F Li (FP Immigration & Associates)
  2. Best Place Immigration
  3. Sterling Immigration Ltd..

Best lawyer/notary when buying/selling real estate

  1. David Watts Notary Public
  2. Leonard Atwood Notary Public
  3. Spagnuolo & Company Real Estate Lawyers

Best real-estate agent

  1. Paul Toffoli (Paul Toffoli Personal Real Estate Corporation)
  2. Tim Neame (Royal LePage Sussex)
  3. Scott Carpenter (RE/MAX Select Properties)

Best independent mortgage broker

  1. Birgit Holm (Mortgage Alliance)
  2. Tony Marchigiano (Mortgage Alliance West)
  3. Gina Best (Mortgage Alliance West)

Best place to get a mortgage

  1. VanCity Credit Union
  2. RBC Royal Bank
  3. TD Canada Trust

Best place to buy RRSPs

  1. VanCity Credit Union
  2. RBC Royal Bank
  3. TD Canada Trust

Hip Bank or Credit Union

  1. VanCity Credit Union
  2. TD Canada Trust
  3. Coast Capital Savings

Best New Condo Development

  1. 8X on The Park (Brenhill Developments)
  2. Navío at the Creek (Concert Properties)
  3. Vancouver House (Westbank Corporation)

Best public-relations firm

  1. Murray Paterson Marketing Group
  2. Talk Shop Media
  3. Yulu Public Relations

Best professional Photographer

  1. Randal Kurt Photography
  2. Emily Cooper
  3. Karolina Turek Photography

Best college/school/university for continuing education

  1. University of British Columbia
  2. Langara College
  3. Vancouver Community College

Best college/school/university for training in film or media

  1. Vancouver Film School
  2. Capilano University
  3. Emily Carr University of Art + Design

Best culinary school

  1. Vancouver Community College
  2. The Art Institute of Vancouver
  3. Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts

Best local video-game/animation studio

  1. Electronic Arts Canada
  2. Big Bad Boo Studios
  3. Nitrogen Studios Canada
  4. Rainmaker Entertainment

Best Place For Casual Cooking Classes

  1. The Dirty Apron Cooking School & Delicatessen, 540 Beatty St.
  2. Well Seasoned, 117-20353 64 Ave., Langley
  3. The Gourmet Warehouse, 1340 East Hastings St.

Best restaurant (independent)

  1. Chambar Restaurant, 568 Beatty St.
  2. Savio Volpe, 615 Kingsway
  3. Ask for Luigi, 305 Alexander

Most romantic restaurant

  1. Hawksworth Restaurant, 801 West Georgia St.
  2. Brix & Mortar, 1138 Homer
  3. Seasons in the Park, Queen Elizabeth Park (W. 33rd at Cambie)

Best all-day breakfast

  1. Denny's Restaurant, Various locations
  2. Sophie's Cosmic Cafe, 2095 West 4th Ave.
  3. Bon's Off Broadway, 2451 Nanaimo St.

Best brew pub

  1. Granville Island Brewing, 1441 Cartwright St.
  2. Truck Stop (Red Truck Brewery), 295 East 1st Ave.
  3. Steamworks Brewing Co., 375 Water
  4. Yaletown Brewing Co., 1111 Mainland Street

Best brewery tasting room

  1. Brassneck Brewery, 2148 Main St.
  2. Big Rock Urban Brewery & Eatery, 310 West 4th Ave.
  3. 33 Acres Brewing Company, 15 W. 8th

Best local brewery

  1. 33 Acres Brewing Company, 15 W. 8th
  2. Parallel 49 Brewing, 1950 Triumph St.
  3. Granville Island Brewing, 1441 Cartwright St.

Best B.C. wine/winery (white)

  1. JoieFarm Winery, 2825 Naramata Rd., Naramata
  2. Blasted Church, 378 Parsons Rd., Okanagan Falls
  3. La Frenz Winery, 740 Naramata Rd., Penticton

Best local distillery

  1. Odd Society Spirits, 1725 Powell St.
  2. The Liberty Distillery, 1494 Old Bridge Rd., Granville Island
  3. Long Table Distillery, 1451 Hornby St.

Best sports bar

  1. Red Card Sports Bar + Eatery, 560 Smithe
  2. Shark Club, Various locations
  3. Library Square Public House, 300 W. Georgia

Best juice bar

  1. The Juice Truck, 28 W. 5th
  2. Glory Juice Co.
  3. Nectar Juicery, 102 W. Hastings

Best hotel bar/lounge

  1. The Lobby Lounge and RawBar, 1038 Canada Place

Best B.C. wine festival

  1. Okanagan Wine Festivals

Best hotel bar/lounge

  1. 1927 Lobby Lounge, 801 West Georgia St.

Best B.C. wine festival

  1. Cornucopia

Best hotel bar/lounge

  1. Notch8 Restaurant & Bar, 900 W. Georgia

Best B.C. wine festival

  1. Naramata Bench Wineries Tailgate Party

Best place for cocktails

  1. The Blackbird Public House, 905 Dunsmuir
  2. Clough Club, 212 Abbott St.
  3. Pourhouse, 162 Water St.

Best food truck

  1. Tacofino, 2327 E. Hastings
  2. Mom's Grilled Cheese, Mobile locations
  3. Soho Road Naan Kebab, 800 Smithe

Best grocery store

  1. Whole Foods Market, Various locations
  2. Urban Fare, Various locations
  3. Save-On-Foods

Best produce store

  1. Kin's Farm Market
  2. Whole Foods Market, Various locations
  3. Donald's Market, 2279 Commercial Drive

Best specialty grocery store

  1. Urban Fare, Various locations
  2. Pomme Natural Market
  3. Meinhardt Fine Foods, Various locations

Best organic-produce store

  1. Whole Foods Market, Various locations
  2. Choices Market
  3. Pomme Natural Market

Best place to pick up premade dinner

  1. Urban Fare, Various locations
  2. Whole Foods Market, Various locations
  3. Meinhardt Fine Foods, Various locations

Best Independent Bar Lounge

  1. The Keefer Bar, 135 Keefer St.
  2. Pourhouse, 162 Water St.
  3. The Diamond, 6 Powell St.

Best Restaurant Wine List (B.C.)

  1. CinCin Ristorante + Bar, 1154 Robson St.
  2. Hawksworth Restaurant, 801 West Georgia St.
  3. West, 2881 Granville St.

Best Wine Bar

  1. UVA Wine & Cocktail Bar, 900 Seymour St.
  2. Salt Tasting Room, 45 Blood Alley Square
  3. Vancouver Urban Winery, 55 Dunlevy Ave.

Best Pub

  1. Doolin's Irish Pub, 654 Nelson
  2. Irish Heather & Shebeen, 210 Carrall St.
  3. The Charles Bar, 136 W. Cordova
  4. The Blarney Stone, 216 Carrall

Best New Brewery

  1. Doan’s Craft Brewing Company, 1830 Powell St
  2. Off The Rail Brewing Co., 1351 Adanac St
  3. Powell Street Craft Brewery, 1357 Powell Street

Best Locally Brewed Beer

  1. Gypsy Tears by Parallel 49 Brewing
  2. Four Winds Nectarous
  3. Granville Island Lions Winter Ale
  4. 33 Acres of Sunshine

Best B.C. Beer Brewed Outside Vancouver

  1. Driftwood Fat Tug IPA
  2. Hoyne Dark Matter
  3. Whistler Brewing Co. Grapefruit Ale

Best Canadian Beer Brewed Outside B.C.

  1. 100th Meridian by Mill Street Brewery
  2. Steam Whistle Pilsner by Steam Whistle
  3. La Fin du Monde by Unibroue La Fin du Monde
  4. Grasshopper Wheat Ale by Big Rock Brewery

Best B.C. Wine/Winery (Red)

  1. Burrowing Owl Estate Winery, 500 Burrowing Owl Pl., Oliver
  2. Red Rooster Winery, 891 Naramata Rd., Penticton
  3. Road 13 Vineyards, 799 Ponderosa Road, Road 13, Oliver
  4. Quails' Gate, 3303 Boucherie Road, West Kelowna

Best Private Wine Store

  1. Okanagan Estate Wine Shop, 3669 West 4th Avenue
  2. Liberty Wine Merchants, Various locations
  3. Legacy Liquor Store, 1633 Manitoba St.

Best Private Liquor Store

  1. Legacy Liquor Store, 1633 Manitoba St.
  2. Granville Liquor Store, 2658 Granville Street
  3. Coal Harbour Liquor Store, 1218 W Pender St.

Best Private Beer Store

  1. Brewery Creek Liquor Store, 3045 Main St.
  2. Darby's, 2001 Macdonald
  3. Broadway Liquor Store, 1169 W. Broadway

Best Independent Coffee Shop

  1. Revolver Coffee, 325 Cambie St.
  2. 49th Parallel, Various locations
  3. Greenhorn, 994 Nicola

Best Coffee Shop (Local Chain)

  1. JJ Bean Coffee Roasters, Various locations
  2. Blenz, Various locations
  3. Caffè Artigiano, Various locations

Best Tea House

  1. Secret Garden Tea Company, 2138 West 40th Ave.
  2. DAVIDsTEA
  3. Neverland Tea Salon, 3066 W. Broadway

Best New Restaurant

  1. Savio Volpe, 615 Kingsway
  2. Nightingale, 1017 W. Hastings
  3. Pizzeria Bufala, 5395 West Blvd

Best Butcher

  1. Market Meats
  2. Jackson's Meats and Deli, 2214 W. 4th
  3. Pasture to Plate

Best Seafood Store

  1. The Daily Catch Seafood Company, 1418 Commercial
  2. 7 Seas Fish Co., Various locations
  3. Granville Island Public Market, 1689 Johnston St.,Granville Island

Best Specialty Cheese Store

  1. Les Amis du Fromage, Various locations
  2. Benton Brothers Fine Cheese, Various locations
  3. La Grotta Del Formaggio, 1791 Commercial Dr.

Best Bistro

  1. Tableau Bar Bistro, 1181 Melville
  2. Burgoo, 3 Lonsdale Ave., North Vancouver
  3. Les Faux Bourgeois, 663 East 15th Ave.

Best Brunch

  1. Café Medina, 780 Richards St.
  2. Yolk's, 1298 East Hastings St.
  3. The Wallflower, 2420 Main St.

Best Bread Bakery

  1. Terra Breads
  2. purebread, 159 West Hastings St.
  3. A Bread Affair, 1680 Johnston, Granville Island

Best Pastry Bakery

  1. Beaucoup Bakery & Café, 2150 Fir St.
  2. purebread, 159 West Hastings St.
  3. Thomas Haas Chocolates & Patisserie, Various locations

Best Ice Cream

  1. Earnest Ice Cream, 3992 Fraser
  2. Rain or Shine Homemade Ice Cream, Various locations
  3. Soft Peaks, 25 Alexander

Best Gelato

  1. Bella Gelateria, Various locations
  2. Amato Gelato Cafe/Mario's Gelati, 78 East 1st Ave.
  3. La Casa Gelato, 1033 Venables St.

Best Frozen Yogurt

  1. Menchie's Frozen Yogurt, Various locations
  2. Qoola Frozen Yogurt Bar, Various locations
  3. Pinkberry, Various locations

Best Fine Dining

  1. Bishop's, 2183 West 4th Ave.
  2. Hawksworth Restaurant, 801 West Georgia St.
  3. Gotham Steakhouse & Bar, 615 Seymour St.

Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant

  1. White Spot, Various locations
  2. Rocky Mountain Flatbread Co., Various locations
  3. Red Robin, Various locations

Best Chain Restaurant

  1. Cactus Club Cafe, Various locations
  2. Earls Restaurant, Various locations
  3. White Spot, Various locations

Best Restaurant Patio

  1. Tap & Barrel Restaurant, Various locations
  2. Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House, 777 Thurlow St.
  3. Keg Steakhouse & Bar, Various locations

Most Vegan-Friendly

  1. The Naam Restaurant, 2724 W. 4th
  2. MeeT, Various locations
  3. The Acorn, 3995 Main St.

Best college/school/university for health care

  1. University of British Columbia
  2. Simon Fraser University
  3. Kwantlen Polytechnic University
  4. Douglas College

Best place to learn a new language

  1. University of British Columbia
  2. Alliance Française de Vancouver
  3. Langara College
  4. Vancouver Community College

Bookstore with the most helpful staff

  1. Chapters/Indigo
  2. Pulpfiction Books, 2422 Main
  3. Banyen Books and Sound, 3608 W. 4th

Best women's clothing store (independent)

  1. Aritzia
  2. Spank
  3. Front & Company, 3772 Main Street

Best men's clothing store (independent)

  1. Boys'Co
  2. 8th & Main, 2403 Main Street
  3. Motherland

Best place to buy jeans

  1. dutil. denim, 303 West Cordova Street
  2. Aritzia
  3. Hudson's Bay

Best local designer clothing store

  1. Oak + Fort
  2. Nicole Bridger, 14 Water Street
  3. Devil May Wear, 3957 Main Street

Best shoe store (independent)

  1. John Fluevog Shoes, 837 Granville Street
  2. gravitypope, 2205 West 4th Avenue
  3. Umeboshi, 3638 Main Street

Best fashion accessory store

  1. The Latest Scoop
  2. Plenty
  3. Blue Ruby Jewellery

Best custom jewellery store

  1. Cavalier, 217 West Hastings Street
  2. Era Design, 1795 Venables Street
  3. The Sonja Picard Collection

Best eyewear store

  1. Bruce Eyeware, 219 Abbott Street
  2. Bailey Nelson
  3. Eyes on Burrard/Eyes on Twelfth

Best department store

  1. Hudson's Bay
  2. Nordstrom Pacific Centre
  3. Holt Renfrew, 737 Dunsmuir St.

Best shopping mall

  1. Pacific Centre, 701 W. Georgia
  2. Park Royal Mall, 2002 Park Royal South
  3. Oakridge Centre

Best furniture store (independent)

  1. Moe's Home Collection, 1728 Glen Drive
  2. INspiration Furniture, 1275 West 6th Avenue
  3. Inform Interiors, 50 Water Street

Best speciality-furniture store

  1. Montauk Sofa Vancouver, 228 Abbott
  2. Inform Interiors, 50 Water Street
  3. INspiration Furniture, 1275 West 6th Avenue

Best antique/reproduction furniture store

  1. Antique Warehouse, 226 Southwest Marine Drive
  2. Antique Market, 1324 Franklin Street
  3. Moe's Home Collection, 1728 Glen Drive

Best vintage/retro furniture store

  1. Attic Treasures and Mid Century Modern, 944 Commercial Drive
  2. ReFind, 4609 Main Street
  3. Fullhouse Modern, 1545 W 4th Avenue

Best contemporary-furniture store

  1. INspiration Furniture, 1275 West 6th Avenue
  2. Crate & Barrel, 650 West 41st Avenue
  3. Urban Barn

Best local home improvement store

  1. Home Hardware
  2. Windsor Plywood
  3. Kerrisdale Lumber
  4. Dunbar Lumber

Most reliable home internet provider

  1. Shaw
  2. Telus
  3. Novus

Best kitchenware store

  1. Ming Wo, Various locations
  2. The Gourmet Warehouse, 1340 East Hastings St.
  3. Cook Culture, Various locations

Best home-appliance store

  1. Trail Appliances
  2. Midland Appliance
  3. Coast
  4. McIver’s Appliances

Best home-accessory/decor store

  1. Country Furniture / The Other Room
  2. The Cross Decor & Design, 1198 Homer
  3. Old Faithful Shop

Best florist

  1. Celsia Floral
  2. Posy
  3. Flower Factory, 4285 Main

Best gift shop

  1. Bird on a Wire Creations, 2535 Main Street
  2. DragonSpace, 106–1551 Johnston Street
  3. Room6

Best musical-instrument store

  1. Long & McQuade
  2. Tom Lee Music
  3. Tapestry Music

Best local toy store

  1. Toybox
  2. The Granville Island Toy Company, 3298 Main Street
  3. Kaboodles Toy Store

Best sex-toy store

  1. Womyns' Ware, 896 Commercial Drive
  2. Honey Gifts Sex Store, 3448 Cambie
  3. The Art of Loving, 369 W. Broadway

Best fetishwear store

  1. Honey Gifts Sex Store, 3448 Cambie
  2. Womyns' Ware, 896 Commercial Drive
  3. Deadly Couture, 317 Cambie Street

Best tattoo studio

  1. Adrenaline Professional Body Piercing & Tattoos, 1014 Granville Street
  2. Gastown Tattoo Parlour, 105 W. Cordova
  3. The Fall Tattooing

Best cellphone service provider

  1. Telus
  2. Bell
  3. Virgin Mobile

Best snowboard shop

  1. The Boardroom
  2. Pacific Boarder, 1793 West 4th Avenue
  3. North Shore Ski and Board

Best ski shop

  1. Comor, 1766 West 4th Avenue
  2. Skiis & Biikes
  3. Destination

Best ice-skate shop

  1. Cyclone Taylor Sports
  2. Sport Chek
  3. Larry's Sports, 2029 Lonsdale Avenue

Best skateboard shop

  1. Antisocial Skateboard Shop, 2337 Main St
  2. The Boardroom
  3. PD's Hot Shop, 3734 West 10th Avenue

Best sports apparel shop

  1. Arc'teryx
  2. MEC
  3. RYU

Best sporting-goods store

  1. MEC
  2. Time Out Source For Sports
  3. The Sports Exchange

Best used-sporting-goods store

  1. Sports Junkies, 102 West Broadway
  2. Cheapskates, 3644 West 16th Avenue
  3. North Shore Sports Swap, 1433 Pemberton Avenue

Best store for buying exercise/fitness equipment

  1. Fitness Town
  2. Fitness Depot
  3. Flaman Fitness

Best sustainable-goods/gifts store

  1. WALRUS

Best kayak/canoe rental store

  1. Deep Cove Kayak Centre, 2156 Banbury Road

Best sustainable-goods/gifts store

  1. Murata, 15 East Broadway

Best kayak/canoe rental store

  1. Ecomarine Paddlesport Centres
  2. MEC

Best sustainable-goods/gifts store

  1. Oh My Gift, 2039 West 4th Avenue

Best neighbourhood/community bike store

  1. Dunbar Cycles

Best gardening store

  1. Art Knapp, 1401 Hornby Street

Best neighbourhood/community bike store

  1. Simon's Bike Shop

Best gardening store

  1. GardenWorks

Best neighbourhood/community bike store

  1. Obsession: Bikes

Best gardening store

  1. Figaro's Garden, 1896 Victoria Drive

Best neighbourhood/community bike store

  1. Steed Cycles

Best local bike store (chain)

  1. Reckless Bike Stores
  2. Denman Bike Shop
  3. Bicycle Sports Pacific

Best bike shop to get a tune-up/repair

  1. Ride On Again Bikes
  2. Bike Doctor, 137 West Broadway
  3. Our Community Bikes, 2429 Main Street

Best scooter dealer

  1. Motorino, 336 West 2nd Avenue

Best music store

  1. HMV
  2. Zulu Records, 1972 W. 4th

Best scooter dealer

  1. Vespa Metro Vancouver, 590 Clark Drive

Best music store

  1. Red Cat Records, 4332 Main

Best scooter dealer

  1. Daytona Motorsports

Best motorcycle dealer

  1. Trev Deeley Motorcycles, 1875 Boundary Road
  2. Carter Motorsports, 1502 West 3rd Avenue
  3. British Import Motorcycles

Best art-supply store

  1. DeSerres

Best hybrid car

  1. Toyota Prius

Best art-supply store

  1. Opus Art Supplies

Best hybrid car

  1. Ford Fusion

Best art-supply store

  1. Michaels

Best hybrid car

  1. Accord Hybrid

Best new-car dealer

  1. Brian Jessel BMW, 2311 Boundary Road
  2. Kia Vancouver
  3. Carter Motorsports, 1502 West 3rd Avenue

Best used car dealer

  1. Dueck Auto Group
  2. autoform performance inc, 1885 Clark Drive
  3. Mile's End Motors

Best auto service (independent)

  1. Pawlik Automotive, 30–966 Southwest Marine Drive
  2. Lee's Transmission
  3. Tremblay Motors, 1505 West 3rd Avenue

Best auto service (chain)

  1. Mr. Lube
  2. AAMCO Transmissions & Total Car Care
  3. Kal Tire

Best auto-body repair shop

  1. Craftsman Collision
  2. Korva World Class Collision
  3. George’s Body Shop

Best local moving and storage company

  1. Bekins Moving & Storage
  2. You Move Me
  3. Crown Mountain Movers

Best home cleaning service

  1. AspenClean
  2. Cleaning With Love
  3. Life Maid Easy Home Cleaning Service

Best funeral home

  1. Amherst Funeral and Cremation Services, 1209–207 West Hastings Street
  2. Kearney Funeral Services
  3. Valley View Funeral Home & Cemetery

Best carpet cleaning service

  1. COIT
  2. Citrus-O Carpet Care
  3. Brisas Carpet Care

Best movie-theatre concession

  1. Rio Theatre, 1660 E. Broadway
  2. Cineplex Fifth Avenue Cinemas, 2110 Burrard St.
  3. Cineplex Marine Gateway and VIP, 452 South West Marine Drive

Best Art Gallery

  1. Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby
  2. The Museum of Anthropology at UBC, 6393 NW Marine Drive
  3. Museum of Vancouver, 1100 Chestnut Street

Best live performing-arts venue

  1. Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 650 Hamilton
  2. The Cultch, 1895 Venables
  3. Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, 2750 Granville

Best jazz/blues venue

  1. Blue Martini Jazz Cafe, 1516 Yew St.
  2. Frankie's Italian Kitchen & Bar, 765 Beatty
  3. Pat's Pub & Brewhouse, 403 E. Hastings
  4. The Yale Saloon, 1300 Granville

Best live music venue

  1. Commodore Ballroom, 868 Granville
  2. Orpheum Theatre, 601 Smithe
  3. Vogue Theatre, 918 Granville

Best local music festival

  1. Vancouver Folk Music Festival
  2. TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival
  3. West 4th Avenue Khatsahlano Street Party

Best private art gallery

  1. Rennie Collection at Wing Sang, 51 E. Pender

Best local street/community festival

  1. Car Free Day Vancouver

Best private art gallery

  1. Bau-Xi Gallery, 3045 Granville

Best local street/community festival

  1. West 4th Avenue Khatsahlano Street Party
  2. Greek Day

Best private art gallery

  1. Equinox Gallery, 525 Great Northern Way

Best artisan/craft fair

  1. Circle Craft
  2. Make It Vancouver
  3. Portobello West

Best literary event

  1. Vancouver Writers Fest
  2. Word Vancouver
  3. Jewish Book Festival
  4. Verses Festival

Best improv troupe or company

  1. Vancouver TheatreSports League (The Improv Centre)
  2. The Sunday Service (Fox Cabaret)
  3. The Fictionals

Best local performing-arts festival

  1. Vancouver Fringe Festival
  2. PuSh International Performing Arts Festival
  3. Bard on the Beach

Best local theatre company or theatre production

  1. Arts Club Theatre Company
  2. Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival
  3. Theatre Under the Stars

Best local professional dance company

  1. Ballet BC
  2. Kokoro Dance
  3. Kidd Pivot

Best local classical-music ensemble

  1. Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
  2. Turning Point Ensemble
  3. Pacific Baroque Orchestra

Best local classical vocal ensemble

  1. Chor Leoni Men's Choir
  2. Vancouver Chamber Choir
  3. Elektra Women’s Choir

Best local film festival

  1. Vancouver International Film Festival
  2. DOXA Documentary Film Festival
  3. Vancouver Queer Film Festival

Best local modelling/talent agency

  1. Trisko Talent Management
  2. Lizbell Agency
  3. John Casablancas International Model Management

Best local band (signed)

  1. Mother Mother
  2. Dan Mangan
  3. The Matinée

Best local band (unsigned)

  1. Sex with Strangers
  2. Two Apple Tobacco
  3. Redrick Sultan

Best independent label

  1. 604 Records/Light Organ
  2. Mint Records
  3. Neptoon Records

Best dance/DJ club

  1. Celebrities Nightclub, 1022 Davie
  2. Fortune Sound Club, 147 E. Pender
  3. Venue, 881 Granville

Best nightclub

  1. The Roxy Cabaret, 932 Granville
  2. Fortune Sound Club, 147 E. Pender
  3. Numbers Cabaret, 1042 Davie

Best place for karaoke

  1. Fantacity, 1133 Robson Street
  2. Funky Winker Beans, 37 W. Hastings
  3. Numbers Cabaret, 1042 Davie

Best pickup bar (m seeking f)

  1. The Roxy Cabaret, 932 Granville
  2. Doolin's Irish Pub, 654 Nelson
  3. Bimini Public House, 2010 W. 4th

Best pickup bar (f seeking m)

  1. The Roxy Cabaret, 932 Granville
  2. Caprice Nightclub, 967 Granville
  3. Numbers Cabaret, 1042 Davie

Best gay bar

  1. Celebrities Nightclub, 1022 Davie
  2. Pumpjack Pub, 1167 Davie
  3. The Odyssey Bar & Nightclub, 686 W. Hastings

Best lesbian club event/bar

  1. Hershe Bar, 398 Richards Street [Red Room]
  2. Cobalt, 917 Main
  3. Score on Davie, 1262 Davie Street

Best strip club

  1. Brandi's Exotic Show Lounge, 595 Hornby Street
  2. No. 5 Orange, 205 Main Street
  3. The Granville Strip, 1050 Granville St
  4. Penthouse, 1019 Seymour Street

Best burlesque show

  1. The Biltmore: Kitty Nights Burlesque
  2. Screaming Chicken Theatrical Society
  3. Geekenders

Best place to go dancing

  1. Celebrities Nightclub, 1022 Davie
  2. The Roxy Cabaret, 932 Granville
  3. Venue, 881 Granville

Best comedy club

  1. The Comedy MIX, 1015 Burrard
  2. Yuk Yuk's Comedy Club, 2837 Cambie
  3. The Improv Centre, 1502 Duranleau, Granville Island

Best party-boat cruise

  1. Harbour Cruises & Events
  2. Salsa Cruises
  3. Slow Jam Sundays

Best indoor-climbing gym

  1. Cliffhanger Vancouver, 670 Industrial Avenue
  2. The Hive Bouldering Gym, 520 Industrial Avenue
  3. Edge Climbing Centre, 2–1485 Welch Street

Best Running Club

  1. Running Room
  2. Forerunners, 3502 West 4th Avenue
  3. LadySport

Best Sports adventure centre

  1. Richmond Olympic Oval, 6111 River Road
  2. Extreme Air Park
  3. Origins Parkour and Athletics Facility
  4. Squamish Adventure Centre, 101–38551 Loggers Lane, Squamish

Best running race

  1. BMO Vancouver Marathon
  2. MEC Race Series
  3. SeaWheeze

Best spin studio

  1. Eastwood Cycle Sanctuary, 154 West Hastings Street
  2. Method Indoor Cycling
  3. TaG Cycling
  4. Ride Cycle Club, 881 Hamilton Street

Best Yoga Studio

  1. Yyoga
  2. Semperviva Yoga
  3. Bikram Yoga Vancouver (City Hall)

Best Pilates Studio

  1. Pacific Spirit Pilates
  2. Pilates Unlimited Fitness & Rehabilitation Studio
  3. Line 5 Studios

Best Dance Studio

  1. Harbour Dance Centre, 927 Granville, 3rd floor
  2. iDance Studios, 119 West Broadway
  3. Ballet Lounge

Best martial-arts studio

  1. Purple Dragon Kitsilano, 2939 West 4th Avenue
  2. Champions Martial Arts and Kickboxing Academy, 125 E. 1st St., North Van
  3. Elements Academy of Martial Arts, 4465 Dunbar
  4. Posener's Pankration

Best boot camp/outdoor-training program

  1. Survivor Fitness
  2. Ultrafit Bootcamp
  3. Orangetheory Fitness

Best Gym

  1. Steve Nash Fitness World & Sports Club
  2. Club 16 Trevor Linden Fitness
  3. Robert Lee YMCA

Best physiotherapist

  1. Physio Room, 3418 Main Street
  2. Treloar Physiotherapy Clinic
  3. InSync Physiotherapy

Best chiropractor

  1. Peakform Wellness
  2. Revolution Health
  3. Back2Health Chiropractic Clinic
  4. Dr. Randall Trester, West 1st Chiropractic Wellness Centre, 1864 West 1st Avenue

Best acupuncturist

  1. Acubalance Wellness Centre, 250–828 West 8th Avenue
  2. Glow Acupuncture & Wellness Center, 410-1008 Homer
  3. Acupuncture Vancouver

Best personal training gym

  1. Innovative Fitness

Best massage therapist

  1. Broadway Wellness, 2501 Spruce Street
  2. Synergy Massage Therapy Centre, 2035 Stephens Street

Best personal training gym

  1. Kalev Fitness Solution

Best massage therapist

  1. Burrard Massage Therapy, 406-808 Nelson Street

Best personal training gym

  1. Ted Loo Fitness

Best nutritionist

  1. Erika Weissenborn (Fresh in your Fridge)

Best independent gym

  1. Ron Zalko Fitness & Yoga

Best nutritionist

  1. Rich Ralph

Best independent gym

  1. Spartacus Gym, 1522 Commercial Drive

Best nutritionist

  1. Jennifer Hill (Foodie Nutrition)

Best independent gym

  1. Level 10 Fitness & Physiotherapy

Best integrated-health clinic

  1. Qi Integrated Health, 1764 West 7th Avenue

Best gym (women)

  1. She's Fit

Best integrated-health clinic

  1. Peakform Wellness

Best gym (women)

  1. Sweat Co. Workout Studios, 736 Richards Street

Best integrated-health clinic

  1. Westcoast Integrative Health

Best gym (women)

  1. The Bar Method Vancouver, 837 Beatty Street

Best naturopathic clinic

  1. Qi Integrated Health, 1764 West 7th Avenue
  2. Sage Clinic, 487 Davie Street
  3. Acubalance Wellness Centre, 250–828 West 8th Avenue
  4. Springs Eternal Natural Health Clinic

Best fitness supplement store

  1. Body Energy Club
  2. Popeye's Supplements Canada
  3. GNC

Best health supplement store

  1. Finlandia Pharmacy & Natural Health Centre, 1111 West Broadway
  2. Genesis Nutrition
  3. Whole Foods Market, Various locations

Best herbal clinic

  1. Gaia Garden Herbal Dispensary, 2672 W. Broadway
  2. Finlandia Pharmacy & Natural Health Centre, 1111 West Broadway
  3. Greenleaf Acupuncture & Herb Clinic

Best medical cannabis dispensary

  1. Seymour Wellness Society
  2. Healing Tree
  3. Canna Clinic

Dispensary most knowledgeable for medicinal use of cannabis

  1. BC Compassion Club Society
  2. Canna Clinic
  3. Eden Medicinal Society

Dispensary with best strains

  1. Karuna Health Foundation
  2. BC Compassion Club Society
  3. Eden Medicinal Society

Best pipe, bong and accessory shop

  1. Puff
  2. Ignite Smoke Shop, 109 W. Cordova
  3. Marc Emery’s Cannabis Culture Headshop and Vapor Lounge

Best addiction recovery centre

  1. Edgewood Health Network, 1525 West 7th Avenue
  2. Orchard Recovery Center, 811 Grafton Road
  3. InSite

Best Natural Pharmacy

  1. Finlandia Pharmacy & Natural Health Centre, 1111 West Broadway
  2. Pure Integrative Pharmacy
  3. Kripps Pharmacy, 5413 West Boulevard

Best fertility clinic

  1. Olive Fertility Centre
  2. Genesis Fertility Centre, 300–1367 West Broadway
  3. Yinstill Reproductive Wellness, 3523 Main Street

Best dispensary customer service

  1. Canna Clinic

Best medical clinic

  1. Cross Roads Clinics, 350-507 W. Broadway

Best dispensary customer service

  1. Healing Tree

Best medical clinic

  1. Khatsahlano Medical Clinics, 2685 West Broadway

Best dispensary customer service

  1. Eden Medicinal Society

Best medical clinic

  1. Pacific Medical Clinic
  2. Vital Health

Best dentist/dental clinic

  1. Aarm Dental Group
  2. Arbutus North Dental Centre, 202–1926 West 4th Avenue
  3. Kits Family Dental Centre, 209–2223 West Broadway

Best dispensary in which to find a deal

  1. Eden Medicinal Society

Best laser eye centre

  1. Pacific Laser Eye Centre, 1401 West Broadway, 5th floor

Best dispensary in which to find a deal

  1. Canna Clinic

Best laser eye centre

  1. Coal Harbour Lasik Eye Centre

Best dispensary in which to find a deal

  1. Healing Tree

Best laser eye centre

  1. BoydVision Centre

Dispensary with the best mellow strains

  1. Weeds Glass & Gifts

Best Optometrist

  1. West 10th Eyes

Dispensary with the best mellow strains

  1. Eden Medicinal Society

Best Optometrist

  1. Performance Vision Optometry

Dispensary with the best mellow strains

  1. BC Compassion Club Society
  2. The Village Dispensary

Best Optometrist

  1. Vida Eyecare

Dispensary with the best potent strains

  1. The Village Dispensary

Best hearing-aid clinic

  1. Connect Hearing

Dispensary with the best potent strains

  1. Eden Medicinal Society

Best hearing-aid clinic

  1. Crystal Hearing Centre

Dispensary with the best potent strains

  1. BC Compassion Club Society

Best hearing-aid clinic

  1. Precision Hearing Clinic

Best place for cosmetic surgery

  1. Skinworks, 3578 West 41st Avenue
  2. False Creek Healthcare, 555 West 8th Avenue
  3. Fairview Plastic Surgery Centre

Best place for a nonsurgical makeover

  1. Skinworks, 3578 West 41st Avenue

Dispensary with the best variety of marijuana oils

  1. Eden Medicinal Society

Best place for a nonsurgical makeover

  1. The Vanity Lab

Dispensary with the best variety of marijuana oils

  1. BC Compassion Club Society

Best place for a nonsurgical makeover

  1. Sephora

Dispensary with the best variety of marijuana oils

  1. Sunrise Wellness Foundation

Best dispensary to just chill out

  1. Canna Clinic

Best place to get waxed

  1. Stripped Ladies & Gents Wax Bar

Best dispensary to just chill out

  1. Marc Emery’s Cannabis Culture Headshop and Vapor Lounge

Best place to get waxed

  1. Dona Lucia Esthetics, 2813 West Broadway

Best dispensary to just chill out

  1. Eden Medicinal Society

Best place to get waxed

  1. Sugarbox Waxing Boutique

Best dispensary to just chill out

  1. Healing Tree

Best laser hair-removal centre

  1. Arbutus Laser, 106-2025 West Broadway
  2. Skinworks, 3578 West 41st Avenue
  3. Urban Body Laser

Best barbershop

  1. Barber & Co.
  2. JD's Barbershop, 235 Abbott Street
  3. Man Cave Barber Shop

Best hair salon

  1. Suki's
  2. Brush Salon
  3. the dye lot

Best salon for a pedicure/manicure

  1. Pure Nail Bar
  2. Joy Ride
  3. Charm Nail Spa

Best place to get a facial

  1. Skoah, 1011 Hamilton Street
  2. Spa Diva
  3. Breathe Spa

Best spa (chain)

  1. Spa Utopia Health and Wellness Center
  2. Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Pacific Rim, 1038 Canada Place
  3. Absolute Spa

Best spa (independent)

  1. Spruce Body Lab Spa
  2. Pink Lime Salon & Spa
  3. Le Petit Spa, 4-3701 West Broadway

Best non-Internet dating-service company

  1. Executive Search Dating, 107-1529 West 6th Avenue
  2. Events and Adventures
  3. It’s Just Lunch, 323–409 Granville Street

Best pet supply store

  1. Tisol Pet Nutrition & Supply Store
  2. Bosley's by Pet Valu
  3. PetSmart

Best animal hospital

  1. Granville Island Veterinary Hospital, 1635 West 4th Avenue
  2. Anderson Animal Hospital
  3. Cypress Street Animal Hospital, 1893 Cornwall Avenue

Best doggie daycare/boarding facility

  1. Urban Puppy Shop, 1375 West 6th Avenue
  2. Rex Dog Hotel & Spa, 760 Terminal Avenue
  3. Release the Hounds, 194-3381 Cambie

Best pet grooming/pet spa

  1. Pawsh Dog Spa, 80 Smithe Street
  2. Spa Dog Organic Dog Spa, 3471 Commercial Street
  3. PetSmart

Best bridal store

  1. Bisou Bridal, 440 West 2nd Avenue
  2. Blush Bridal & Special Occasions, 1189 Hamilton Street
  3. Truvelle Bridal

Best vintage/consignment/second-hand clothing store

  1. Front & Company, 3772 Main Street
  2. Value Village
  3. Turnabout Luxury Resale

Best baby/toddler store

  1. West Coast Kids
  2. Crocodile Baby, 2156 West 4th Avenue
  3. Lusso Baby

Best local tourist attraction

  1. Granville Island Market
  2. Grouse Mountain
  3. Science World

Best hotel–Metro Vancouver

  1. Fairmont Pacific Rim, 1038 Canada Place
  2. Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, 900 W. Georgia
  3. Rosewood Hotel Georgia, 801 W. Georgia

Best boutique hotel–Metro Vancouver

  1. Loden Hotel, 1177 Melville Street
  2. Wedgewood Hotel & Spa, 845 Hornby Street
  3. OPUS Vancouver, 322 Davie Street

Best weekend getaway

  1. Whistler
  2. Sunshine Coast
  3. Harrison Hot Springs Resort, 100 Esplanade Avenue

Best romantic hideaway (besides your home)

  1. Tofino
  2. Whistler
  3. Harrison Hot Springs Resort, 100 Esplanade Avenue

Best winter destination

  1. Whistler
  2. Big White
  3. Sun Peaks

Best out-of-town spa getaway

  1. Scandinave Spa, 8010 Mons Road, Whistler
  2. Sparkling Hill Resort, 888 Sparkling Place, Vernon
  3. Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa

Best resort/hotel–Okanagan

  1. Sparkling Hill Resort, 888 Sparkling Place, Vernon
  2. Watermark Beach Resort, 15 Park Place, Osoyoos
  3. Delta Grand Okanagan Resort & Conference Centre, 1310 Water Street

Best resort/hotel–Vancouver Island

  1. The Fairmont Empress, 721 Government Street
  2. The Wickaninnish Inn, 500 Osprey Lane
  3. Black Rock Oceanfront Resort, 596 Marine Drive

Best resort/hotel–Gulf Islands

  1. Galiano Oceanfront Inn, 134 Madrona Dr., Galiano Island
  2. Poets Cove Resort & Spa, 9801 Spalding Road
  3. The Harbour House Hotel on Salt Spring Island, 121 Upper Ganges Road, Salt Spring Island

Best resort/hotel–Whistler

  1. Fairmont Chateau Whistler, 4599 Chateau Boulevard
  2. Four Seasons Resort Whistler, 4591 Blackcomb Way
  3. Westin Resort & Spa, 4090 Whistler Way

Best B.C. golf resort

  1. Predator Ridge Resort, 301 Village Centre Place
  2. Furry Creek Golf & Country Club, 150 Country Club Road, Furry Creek
  3. Nicholas North Gold Centre

Best local travel agency

  1. Flight Centre, Various locations
  2. Travel Best Bets , 201-3011 Underhill Avenue, Burnaby
  3. The Travel Group

Best B.C. wilderness resort

  1. West Coast Wilderness Lodge, 6649 Maple Road
  2. Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, 380 Main Street
  3. Tyax Wilderness Resort & Spa, 1 Tyaughton Lake Road

Best adventure-tour company

  1. G Adventures, 109-1965 W. 4th
  2. Landsea Tours & Adventures, 680 Industrial Avenue
  3. Sea to Sky Sailing

Best B.C. summer destination

  1. Okanagan
  2. Tofino
  3. Whistler

Best B.C. bike-tour company

  1. Cycle City Tours
  2. Great Explorations, 102-1529 West 6th Avenue
  3. Endless Biking, 1401 Hunter Street
Back to Top

POPULAR ON STRAIGHT.COM

  1. Was Vancouver park board's reaction to 4/20 overblown? It's a common view on social media

  2. B.C. ayahuasca researcher Sebastian Woodroffe lynched in Peru following murder of Indigenous shaman

  3. Riding a bike to work may be the secret to happiness

  4. Martyn Brown: There’s dumb, and there’s Alberta dumb—and Rachel Notley’s Bill 12 is both

  5. 4/20 Vancouver cannabis fest once again reveals differences between city's Green politicians

  6. Vancouver police arrest 48-year-old man in city's seventh homicide

  7. Martyn Brown: Pipeline polls are for fake news trolls

  8. Parent sounds alarm to Vancouver school trustees over lack of diversity in district's senior management team

  9. Trouble in the gaybourhood? UBC study finds straight discomfort with LGBT people underlying acceptance

  10. After 4/20, Vancouver park board announces closure of Sunset Beach Park field for up to 10 weeks

Hold the Moment

The Georgia Straight: A 50th Anniversary Celebration Book

This beautifully produced coffee-table book brings together over 100 of Georgia Straight's iconic covers, along with short essays, insider details and contributor reflections, putting each of these issues of the publication into its historical context.

BUY NOW

TODAY'S EVENTS

World Without Us

To Apr 29, 8 pm
 at 
The Cultch

The Blue Hour

To Jun 24, 12-6 pm
 at 
Contemporary Art Gallery

Sliver

To Apr 30, 2-11 pm
 at 
The Charles Clark Gallery
MORE EVENTS