6 alleyway bars and restaurants to check out in Vancouver

If you love finding hidden gems around the city and spots off the beaten path, this list is for you. Believe it or not, Vancouver is home to a handful of intriguing alleyway bars and restaurants – all of them with their own distinct styles and menu offerings. From a speakeasy to a slew of unique bars and eateries in Gastown’s Blood Alley, here are 6 alleyway spots that take ‘hole-in-the-wall’ to a whole new level.

Chupito

Thanks to the outpour of community support and the efforts of their team, Vancouver’s favourite back-alley bar has officially reopened its doors to the public. Time to feast on tostadas and birria tacos, and wash it all down with a handcrafted cocktail.

Where: 322 West Hastings Street, enter through the back-alley

Is That French

This intimate spot is tucked away in Gastown’s Blood Alley, serving a rotating menu of freshly shucked oysters and BC wine. A hidden gem if there ever was one – Is That French offers guests a cozy, warm ambiance and stunning seafood plates that are almost too beautiful to eat. And from 6 to 8 pm every Thursday, you can enjoy some live jazz with your oysters.

Where: 45 Blood Alley Square

Gringo Gastown

Another Blood Alley spot, Gringo is Vancouver’s staple back alley taco shop, and its Instagram feed is just as funky & eclectic as the space itself. Come for the fun, tropical vibes, and stay because you can’t physically get up after eating too many “chippy dippies.” With tacos ranging from $3 to $4.25 each, their deals are pretty hard to beat.

Where: 27 Blood Alley Square

Recent Posts:
Bucket list trips: 12 stunning places to see in BC before summer ends
10 of the best adventures you can have on the water in BC this summer

Bagheera

Definitely the most secretive spot on this list is Bagheera, sister speakeasy to Laowai. Captioned simply “we hide, you seek,” the hidden spot is open from 5 pm to late from Tuesday to Sunday. Note that the venue only accepts groups of 6 and under, and is accessible through the fictional Happy Valley Turf Club, which is situated behind 518 Main Street.

Guests who wish to dine here must ‘place a bet’ on “King Louie,” and surrender their phones and cameras upon entering the lounge.

Where: 518 Main Street, behind Happy Valley Turf Club

Guilt & Co.

This one’s more of an underground spot than an alleyway, but we’re including it because it’s still tucked away from the main road. Guilt & Co is a quintessential venue for live music, hosting over 700 shows last year alone. From sax-focused shows to performances inspired by the blues, funk, and Caribbean/reggae scenes – there are always a ton of exciting local artists on stage here.

Where: 1 Alexander Street

And there you have it, Vancouver! If you’re looking to try something new and are up for an adventure, consider stopping into one of these alleyway spots.