For a great night out during the festival, hit the clubs!
Ouisi Bistro
3014 Granville St.
Serving New Orleans cuisine since 1994, the place to go to get your Cajun and Creole food fix. Or if it’s just a tasty beverage you’re looking for, choose from a vast selection of single malts and bourbons that will keep you happy for hours. To top it all off, they have live music every Saturday night and an out door courtyard for those warm summer nights. We prefer to sit at the corner bar, listen to the music, and indulge in spicy food and smooth liquor while admiring the funky jazz-centric décor. Nightly jazz guarantees every night will be a fun one during festival.
Hastings Mill Brewing Co
403 E Hastings St.
The original spot for all things jazz, they opened their doors as a jazz hotspot in the early 1900s. Now the favourite pub of many, their focus is on serving everyone’s favourite local beers along with their own house brew (micro brewed on site), and hosting Jazz Music Night every Saturday. We always say we’re just going for the fish and chips and end up staying all night. The place to be this Festival with shows in the afternoon AND in the evenings, so check the schedule and take a few really long lunch breaks that week.
Tangent Café
2095 Commercial Dr.
This chill but buzzy open space with lots of windows is one our favourite places to hang out, especially during the summer. They have jazz every Sunday afternoon, which means we have breakfast there pretty much weekly, and an impressive craft beer selection, which we like to sample constantly. Our plan this Festival is to eat from their Malaysian inspired menu, and camp out with a few friends for some nightly jazz while people watching on the sly.
Railway Stage and Beer Craft
579 Dunsmuir St.
The old Railway Club got a new facelift! Walls lined with old newsprint, various seating options like benches, delicious snack menu, and one of the best Moscow Mules in town. A fine selection of local craft beers can be consumed in mass quantities at the original bar, which was lovingly preserved from the old Railway Club, and everyone will be happy that see the near legendary train track is still there. The best tweak so far is the increased stage visibility. We’re looking forward to this being one of our new favourite hangouts during Festival!
Revel Room
238 Abbott St.
Southern dining, cocktails and all that jazz. A late night hotspot, their kitchen is open until the wee hours most evenings, which is the perfect time to toss back some oysters and short ribs and listen to jazz. The comfortable yet funky décor and upbeat vibe feels like you’re just hanging out at a friend’s house. Located in Gastown, they’ll be turning out seven nights of jazz during Festival and only a $2 cover charge so show up early.
Guilt and Co.
1 Alexander St.
You’ll definitely want to get here early and beat the long line-ups. This place puts an emphasis on fun in all its many forms, from board games to live music to comedic improve and beyond. It’s a downstairs venue so we appreciate the soft, dim lighting and long bar allowing for quick service. This is a really great place to dance, and when the music kicks in, you’ll be front-and-center bopping and bouncing with the rest of the crowd. This is your go-to place for a truly fun (and probably late) night out on the town.
Provence Marinaside
1177 Marinaside Crescent.
This venue offers a touch of elegance to go with your jazz, for nights when you’re preferring wine and white napkins to bar and beer. Nestled along False Creek, the floor to ceiling wall of windows lets the salty sea breeze waft in, and a heavily seafood-based menu gives you a taste of all that’s best in the west. They have year round jazz every Wednesday, and almost daily during festival. Space books up quickly so reservations are recommended.
For more information about the venues and show times, please visit our website www.coastaljazz.ca
