MARCH 6-10, 2022 Presented by
BOTANY BRUNCH March 6
CINQ À SEPT SERIES Daily
SPIRITED SEMINARS Daily
VCW EVENTS Daily
FUN CIT Y GAL A March 10 1
M A D E W I T H T H E C O C K TA I L E X P E R I E N C E I N M I N D
D I S C O V E R R E C I P E S & M O R E AT S E E D L I P D R I N K S.C O M 2
VANCOUVER COCKTAIL WEEK 2022
GASTOWN A COCKTAIL FOR EVERY WORK DAY The Diamond Guilt & Co. L’Abattoir Water St Cafe Smith’s The Local Steamworks The Greedy Pig
Pourhouse Tacofino MeeT Gringos The Greek La Casita Twisted Fork Guu
Clough Club Jules Bistro Six Acres The Flying Pig Portside Di Beppe Blarney Stone Kozak
3
PUBLISHER, FOUNDER AND EVENT PRODUCER: Gail Nugent gnugent@glaciermedia.ca 778-240-4010 EDITOR AND CO-FOUNDER: Joanne Sasvari jsasvari@glaciermedia.ca DESIGN & PRODUCTION MANAGER: Tara Rafiq SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR: Valeria Remizova PHOTOGRAPHER: Jana Bizzarri VANCOUVER COCKTAIL WEEK COMMITTEE: Co-Chairs: Gail Nugent and Joanne Sasvari Consultant: Dana Lee Harris Max Borrowman Kevin Brownlee Sabrine Dhaliwal Adam Domet JS Dupuis Robyn Gray Katie Ingram Trevor Kallies Casey MacKay Gez McAlpine Lucas Paven Grant Sceney Kaylyn Storey TheAlchemistMagazine.ca @TheAlchemistBC @TheAlchemistMag Published by: Glacier Media Group © Vancouver Cocktail Week 2022
4
Dan Toulgoet photos
R
aise your coupes and Nick-and-Noras: The Alchemist magazine is delighted to present the first ever Vancouver Cocktail Week, March 6 to 10, 2022.
Vancouver has long punched above its weight when it comes to the art of making, serving and creating world-class cocktails, and no one knows that better than the team at The Alchemist, British Columbia’s first magazine dedicated to craft cocktail culture. “I wanted to support our amazing culinary and cocktail culture in Vancouver, the people behind it, the bartenders and brand ambassadors, who really put Vancouver on the world map,” says Gail Nugent, publisher of The Alchemist and founder and event producer of Vancouver Cocktail Week. “We need to celebrate that. And coming out of these hard times, this is an important time to support our community.” Working with over 35 brand sponsors, The Alchemist invites everyone to celebrate the artistry and hospitality of the cocktail community with five days and nights of seminars and events across 50 venues, including the city's top cocktail bars and most celebrated restaurants. The week kicks off with an elevated cocktail-paired brunch at the Fairmont Pacific Rim, then follows with a series of events that include: ARC After Dark Cocktails—Drag Edition, featuring some of the city’s most popular drag performers; a special happy hour that’s sure to make a splash at Vancouver Aquarium; a boozy Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tour through Gastown; and more cocktail-paired dinners than you can shake a cobbler at.
VANCOUVER COCKTAIL WEEK 2022
Those who want to learn more about cocktails and spirits should sign up for seminars that range from a Diageo World Class how-to to spirited master classes. And everyone should take part in the Cinq à Sept series of elevated happy hours that celebrate food, drink, art and community.
INSIDE:
The week wraps up at one of the city’s most historic venues—The Roof at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver—which will be renovated just in time for the Fun City Gala. This marquee event travels through the city’s drinks culture, serving up everything from pre-Prohibition classics to farm-to-glass, tiki and contemporary creative cocktails, as well as live entertainment and gourmet nibbles. (Note that those who want to indulge responsibly can take advantage of special hotel rates.)
The Garden Club:
Finally, no celebration of community can go without supporting those who make it possible, especially when they need it most, so Vancouver Cocktail Week is proud to announce that a portion of proceeds will go to our charity partner, the BC Hospitality Foundation and its scholarship program. We look forward to raising a glass with you at Vancouver Cocktail Week 2022. —Joanne Sasvari, editor, The Alchemist
Drinking Vancouver ����� 6
A Botany of Brunch ����� 8 Seminars ������������������������ 9 Cinq à Sept Happy Hour Series ������12 VCW Events ����������������16 Fun City Gala �������������20 Our Charity Partner �������������������������21 Our Sponsors �������������� 23
5
DRINKING VANCOUVER LOOKING BACK AT 160 BOOZ Y YEARS OF THE CIT Y’S HISTORY by Joanne Sasvari
E
ven back in the 1860s, when Vancouver was just a logging camp cleared from the rainforests of Coast Salish territory, this was already a place that enjoyed a good drink. At the heart of the action was a joint called the Globe Saloon. This tavern located at the corner of Carrall and Water streets was owned by one “Gassy” Jack Deighton, a barkeep so popular they named the settlement for him.
By 1870, Gastown had rebranded as a slightly more respectable townsite named Granville, and in April 1886, was incorporated as the city of Vancouver. Just a couple of months later, it burned to the ground. During the blaze, a bunch of rowdies took over the untended bars and the young city created its first police department to rescue barrels of whisky from the harbour. Priorities, right? In subsequent years, there were numerous attempts to ban alcohol, but as a frontier town, Vancouver wasn’t having any of it. Not until 1917, when B.C. made the sale of alcohol illegal. Not that Vancouver was ever all that dry. During Prohibition, only nine of the city’s 69 hotel bars closed. Dozens of speakeasies popped up. In Chinatown, “cold tea” (that is, a teapot filled with whisky or beer) was a thing. Or, for a couple of bucks, you could get a prescription for liquor. Heck, even the Prohibition Commissioner was caught illegally importing whisky into B.C. With the end of Prohibition in 1921 came the creation of of the Liquor Control Board and a crackThe Sylvia Hotel was granted Vancouver’s first cocktail lounge licence in 1954. Rob Newell photo
6
VANCOUVER COCKTAIL WEEK 2022
The Hotel Georgia (above), the Sylvia and the Waldorf all created signature cocktails circa the 1950s. Hotel Georgia photo down on fun that made it illegal to, for instance, eat and/or listen to music while drinking—as if things weren’t grim enough during the Depression. But by the 1950s, fun was back in town. In 1954, Vancouver’s first cocktail lounge opened at the Sylvia Hotel. Granville Street was awash in neon light and the city was ready to party with fancy cocktails and glitzy nightlife. The arrival of tiki culture just kept the party going with a gardenia garnish. Then, by the 1970s, the counterculture arrived and all that excess was considered déclassé. One neon sign after another dimmed and the cocktail began its slow decline, largely replaced by beer and wine. The rebirth of the cocktail began sometime in the 1990s with ’tini drinks such as the Appletini, Saketini, Espresso Martini and Cosmopolitan. Some menus featured as many as 100 ’tinis. Many were dreadful. But they opened the door to the cocktail resurgence of the 2000s. Today, thankfully, Vancouver is home to one of the world’s most vibrant cocktail, craft beer and wine cultures. But we’ve never been a city that didn’t enjoy a good drink. Or, to be fair, any drink at all.
Laura McGuire photo
THE VANCOUVER COCKTAIL Reportedly created at the Sylvia Hotel in the 1950s, then lost for decades and rediscovered in 2006, this bittered drink is one Vancouver can be proud to call its own. 1.5 oz London Dry style gin 0.75 oz sweet vermouth such as Punte E Mes or Odd Society Bittersweet Vermouth 0.25 oz or “a good splash” of Bénédictine liqueur 2 dashes of orange bitters Place all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice and stir well. Strain into a chilled Martini glass. Garnish with a twist of lemon peel. Serves 1. 7
T H E G AR DE N CLU B: A B OTANY O F B RUNC H March 6, 2022 11:30 am to 2 pm Botanist Restaurant at the Fairmont Pacific Rim
J
oin us for the second Vancouver Cocktail Week brunch at Botanist featuring cocktails created and handcrafted by the city’s top bartenders and paired with courses from executive chef Hector Laguna’s revived brunch menu. Playing on the senses and paying homage to the Pacific Northwest’s bounty, each bartender will be challenged to forage and find unique ingredients locally grown in Vancouver for their cocktail concoctions. A portion of sales from each reservation will be donated to the Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood House.
Tickets on sale at thealchemistmagazine.ca/vcw
TH E G ARDEN CLUB: A B OTA NY OF B RUNC H I S S P O N S O R E D BY:
8
VANCOUVER COCKTAIL WEEK 2022
S E M I NA RS There is serious education and training that goes into every cocktail. Learn about spirits, their history, cocktail techniques and more from some of Canada’s greatest experts in the field. Note that some seminars are designed for industry professionals only, while others are open to everyone. To purchase tickets, go to thealchemistmagazine.ca/vcw.
SUNDAY, MARCH 6 MIXING IT UP WITH FEVER-TREE H2 Rotisserie and Bar at The Westin Bayshore 1601 Bayshore Dr. Industry only: 2 to 3 pm Everyone welcome: 4 to 5 pm We all know the importance of a quality spirit, but what about the mixer? If three-quarters of your cocktail is the mixer, shouldn’t we be mixing with the best? Join Fever-Tree Canada’s own Alexis Green as she takes you through the history of the brand, the importance of high-quality ingredients, pairing suggestions, common misconceptions, an eye-opening tasting, and more! We will be mixing cocktails with Ketel One vodka, Tanqueray gin and Seedlip non-alcoholic spirit, paired with food prepared by H2 Rotisserie and Bar.
MILA COCKTAIL MASTER CLASS MILA 185 Keefer St. 5:30 pm and 8 pm Join MILA’s bar manager Alex Tognazzi at the bar as he guides guests through the making of two feature cocktails that showcase spirits from a number of local producers including Artisan Sake Maker, Sons of Vancouver, Legend Distilling and House of Funk. Learn how to create these carefully crafted cocktails with the accompaniment of an appetizer and dessert pairing.
MS. BETTER’S BITTERS PRESENTS: EXTRACTIONS, INFUSIONS, MACERATIONS AND POWDERS Queens Cross Pub 2989 Lonsdale Ave. North Vancouver 8 pm Learn all about the botanical ingredients that make your cocktails sing in this seminar featuring Vancouver’s own Ms. Better’s Bitters. Bartenders Robyn Gray and Tarquin Melnyk will also demonstrate how to get the most from bitters by using avant garde technique and molecular technology to create cocktails just for VCW.
Dan Toulgoet photo
9
MONDAY, MARCH 7 DIAGEO WORLD CLASS SEMINAR Published on Main 3593 Main St. 2 to 4 pm Learn tips, techniques and tales from the competition trenches taught by Diageo World Class bar stars Kaitlyn Stewart, Jeff Savage, Chris Enns, Grant Sceney and 2021’s Global Bartender of the Year, James Grant. Get educated over cocktails and small bites.
BETTER WITH BELVEDERE The Chickadee Room 182 Keefer St. 2 to 3 pm This fun and interactive tasting of Belvedere vodka demonstrates how this Polish rye-based spirit can make a difference in your next cocktail. The seminar will feature half-ounce pours of three vodkas over a one-hour tasting. Note that 100 per cent of proceeds from tickets goes toward Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre.
EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT GIN The Butcher & Bullock 911 West Pender St. 4 to 6 pm We’re excited to welcome Simon Ford, founder of Fords Gin to Vancouver for the inaugural Vancouver Cocktail Week! Please join Simon for a historical journey through gin’s truly colourful past. From the Ancient Egyptians’ use of juniper for medicine, to the gin craze in London from the 1690s to the 1750s, to the popularization of gin cocktails in the 19th century, to James Bond, you’ll walk away from this seminar with enough fun facts about gin to wow your friends at your next (very safe) dinner party. Plus, you’ll get to learn a little about all the different stylistic ways that gin is made, and why when Fords launched, it so quickly won over the global bartending community.
MILA COCKTAIL MASTER CLASS MILA 185 Keefer St. 5:30 pm and 8 pm Please see listing on page 9 for full seminar information.
10
VANCOUVER COCKTAIL WEEK 2022
TUESDAY, MARCH 8 CANADIAN WHISKY MASTER CLASS BY LOT 40 Clough Club 212 Abbott St. Industry only: 1 to 3 pm Join Lot 40 global ambassador and bartending icon Dave Mitton for a deep dive into the world of Canadian whisky. Participants will taste through a variety of Canadian whiskies and learn Canada’s storied history as a producer of this great spirit, as well as where the country sits in modern bar and cocktail culture.
BARONS, INNOVATORS AND PIONEERS Hy’s Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar 637 Hornby St. 2 pm A premium whisky tasting featuring pioneering malts from intrepid blenders—Dewar’s 18, Aberfeldy 16, Craigellachie 17, Deveron 18 Teeling Single Malt—hosted by Kevin Brownlee, Bacardi Portfolio Ambassador. From the Foggie Moss and illicit whisky trails to the grain trains that opened Scotland up to malt distribution and the Dublin distilleries during the peak of Irish whiskey, malt whiskies have
had a spirited, arduous journey from grain to glass. This session explores the early days of whisky making and covers barrel finishing, innovative blending, the uncompromising spirit that brought life to whisky in early 1800s Scotland and Ireland, and our modern-day fascination with the whisky’s characters and the malts they make.
MILA COCKTAIL MASTER CLASS MILA 185 Keefer St. 5:30 pm and 8 pm Please see listing on page 9 for full seminar information.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9 ALL THINGS ICE WITH KODAMA ICE Resurrection Spirits 1672 Franklin St. 1 to 2:30 pm Join Kodama Ice owner Jason Browne and Resurrection Spirits for a seminar about all things ice. Charting its humble
origins in the frozen farm ponds of Massachusetts to its rise as an indispensable global commodity, we will explore all aspects of what is possibly the most important but often overlooked ingredient in modern cocktails. Exploring history, science and practical application, Jason will demonstrate and guide participants into creating their own sphere or diamond to be used in cocktails provided by Resurrection Spirits.
THURSDAY, MARCH 10 MILA COCKTAIL MASTER CLASS MILA 185 Keefer St. Daily: 5:30 pm and 8 pm Please see listing on page 9 for full seminar information.
BOWMORE AND BRINE Blue Water Cafe 1095 Hamilton St. 6 to 8 pm A tasting of the Bowmore lineup with an Islay breakfast. Experience the maritime feel of the Atlantic Ocean with amazing oysters and the sea salt air that permeates the Bowmore Distillery.
MILA COCKTAIL MASTER CLASS MILA 185 Keefer St. Daily: 5:30 pm and 8 pm Please see listing on page 9 for full seminar information.
11
CI NQ À S EP T SERIES Nightly, March 6 to 9, 2022
Once the workday is done, head straight to one of these elevated happy hours based on the French concept of the “cinq à sept”—5 to 7 pm, the playful hours between work and family life. (Event times vary, though, so check below!) Expect VCW signature cocktails, snacks, entertainment, socializing and more. Don’t forget to enter your photos in the Instagram contest, and you might win a Gastown prize package featuring gift cards for select venues to enjoy at your leisure. Note that these events are not ticketed; however, some establishments may recommend reservations, so call ahead to secure a seat. ANCORA WATERFRONT DINING AND PATIO #2-1600 Howe St. 2:30 to 5 pm Take a journey through Peruvian piscos. This Cinq à Sept event showcases the unique flavours of this South American brandy through cocktails and flights, served with delicious bites that embrace the harmony of Peruvian and Japanese cultures while incorporating the bounty of the West Coast. ancoradining.com
ARC RESTAURANT AT THE FAIRMONT WATERFRONT 900 Canada Pl. 3 to 5:30 pm This elevated happy hour experience features signature cocktail flights celebrating Wayward Distillery’s Unruly Gin. Dave Brimacombe, Wayward’s founder and CEO, will be on hand to lead cocktail demonstrations with the award-winning, honey-based gin. arcdining.com
12
BAR CORSO 1566 Commercial Dr. 4 to 5 pm
CAPO AND THE SPRITZ 350 Davie St. 3 to 7 pm
Bringing the real Italy to you in Vancouver’s “Little Italy.” Come escape with grappa and amaro flights and classic European cocktails. Served with imported and local meat and cheese boards and aperitivo hour snacks. barcorso.ca
Drawing inspiration from classic Italian flavours and using only the finest ingredients, our bar manager Jessica Hoffman has created a selection of vibrant cocktails. Pairing with these specially created drinks, chef Evan Morgan is offering an array of delicious cichetti. capoandspritz.com
BRASS FISH TAVERN 385 Burrard St. 3 to 7 pm Enjoy a selection of $8 classic cocktails (2oz): Old Fashioned, Margarita, Negroni, Brass Fish G&T, Classic Martini. donnellygroup.ca/brass-fish-tavern
VANCOUVER COCKTAIL WEEK 2022
CARLINO 1115 Alberni St. 2:30 to 6 pm A celebration of vermouth. We’re designing a special cocktail menu all around vermouth, to be enjoyed during our aperitivo hour, 2:30 to 6 pm daily. carlinorestaurant.com
CLOUGH CLUB 212 Abbott St. March 8 and 9, 5 to 7 pm
GUILT & CO. 1 Alexander St. 5 to 7 pm
Enjoy a selection of $8 classic cocktails (2oz): Old Fashioned, Paloma, Negroni. donnellygroup.ca/clough-club
Notes & libations, underground. Enjoy featured cocktails and small plates for Cinq à Sept followed by a night of live music. guiltandcompany.com
CUCHILLO 261 Powell St. Savour Latin American small plates and unique and classic cocktail creations in industrial chic surroundings. cuchillo.ca
HAVANA VANCOUVER 1212 Commercial Dr. 3 to 5 pm Enjoy a tasting flight featuring three of Havana’s signature cocktails: the Cuban Old Fashioned, The Governor Sour and Santiago. havanavancouver.com
GIOVANE BACARO 1028 Canada Pl. Bacaro is focused on lighter, aperitivostyle drinks, so expect to enjoy the delicately bittered flavours of vermouth or amari in cocktails or on their own. giovanebacaro.com
GOTHAM STEAKHOUSE & COCKTAIL BAR 615 Seymour St. 3 to 6 pm Celebrate social hour in the fabulous Art Deco-inspired Gotham Lounge. Sip sophisticated cocktails and savour small bites in the seductive atmosphere of this award-winning downtown favourite. gothamsteakhouse.com
HAWKSWORTH RESTAURANT 801 W. Georgia St. 4 to 6 pm During our Cinq à Sept celebration, Hawksworth Restaurant will offer tableside cocktail demonstrations featuring colourful twists on two classic cocktails, the South Side and Blushing Negroni. Each features garnishes that transform the colour of the drink as it is poured and/or stirred—as appetizing for the palate as for the eye. hawksworthrestaurant.com
HOMER STREET CAFE AND BAR 898 Homer St. 2:30 to 5:30 pm “Bitter is better” at Homer Street Cafe and Bar. The Cinq à Sept will feature classic and contemporary cocktails featuring our favourite amaros from our friends at Campari. Come and enjoy some delicious cocktails and spritzes and get your appetite started! homerstreetcafebar.com
HY’S STEAKHOUSE & COCKTAIL BAR 637 Hornby St. 5 to 7 pm Join us for happy hour with highlights from our outstanding whisky bar. Enjoy both classic and contemporary cocktails featuring amber spirits from around the world, paired with chef’s specially matched bites. hyssteakhouse.com
These events are not ticketed. Cinq à Sept times vary and are subject to change. Please double check with individual venues for specific happy hour times.
13
LAND & SEA 1864 W. 57th Ave. 5 to 7 pm Here at Land & Sea, we like to explore and push cultural boundaries by highlighting seasonal ingredients and putting our spin on our favourite dishes and drinks. Join us and enjoy immersive cocktails curated by bar manager Juheon Lee paired with elevated small bites by chef Kevin Lin exclusively for VCW. landandseayvr.com
LAVISH LIQUID 43 E. 5th Ave. 3 to 7 pm Enjoy fun modern classic cocktails made by the Lavish team and delicious appetizers and mains by Blaze Gourmet Burgers. If you like what you try, you can also purchase retail items to take home with you and up your home bartender game! lavishliquid.com
MAXINE’S CAFE & BAR 1325 Burrard St.
PUBLISHED ON MAIN 3593 Main St.
Come and join us at Maxine’s Cafe & Bar for a journey inspired by the classic cocktails of La Belle Époque. Let our bar team take you through our creations inspired by the classics that shape the cocktail world. maxinescafebar.com
We’ll be offering one or two feature cocktails that are inspired by the season, harnessing locally foraged ingredients that present new flavours in an approachable and sustainable way. We’ll also be offering small bites that play with similar flavours designed to pair with the cocktails. publishedonmain.com
MILA 185 Keefer St. 2 to 5 pm MILA was created to prove that doing good for the planet doesn’t have to come with compromise. Through trusted culinary innovation and a focus on internationally-inspired flavour, MILA delivers on elevated, yet approachable, plant-based dining experience. Sip on MILA’s two feature cocktails while you enjoy savoury plant-based bites. milaplantbased.com
POURHOUSE RESTAURANT & COCKTAIL BAR 162 Water St. 3 to 6 pm
These events are not ticketed. Cinq à Sept times vary and are subject to change. Please double check with individual venues for specific happy hour times. 14
Happy hour features VCW cocktails curated by bar manager Adam Domet plus snacks including Pourhouse classics such as the single smash burger, Pourhouse caesar salad and Truffle Tots. Live music nightly from 7 to 10 pm. pourhousevancouver.com
VANCOUVER COCKTAIL WEEK 2022
ST. REGIS BAR & GRILL 608 Dunsmuir St. 2 to 6 pm and 8 to 10 pm Say “cheers” to happy hour at the St. Regis Bar & Grill. This neighbourhood favourite features the one of the best casual snacking and sharing menus in the city, along with traditional cocktails, expertly elevated. stregisbarandgrill.com
TABLEAU BAR BISTRO 1181 Melville St. 2:30 to 5:30 pm Come and join Tableau Bar Bistro’s bar manager Nich Box and his team in a spirited tour of cocktails and spirits from Provence through Normandie. Explore the popular, the obscure and the forgotten spirits of France through fun cocktails created by our exceptional bar team. tableaubarbistro.com
TUTTO RESTAURANT & BAR 901 Homer St. 4:30 to 7 pm
QUEENS CROSS PUB 2989 Lonsdale Ave. North Vancouver
UVA WINE & COCKTAIL BAR 900 Seymour St. 2 to 5 pm
Enjoy Milanese aperitivo-style cocktails and food while learning about Italian aperitivo culture. The “Lounge Aperitivo Series” will feature craft cocktails, classic antipasti (prosciutto, olives, cheese, salami, grissini, crackers, canapés) and our signature creations (such as funghi pizza, buffalo mozzarella salad and vitello tonnato). Plus our sponsors from Campari (Sunday and Monday) and Select Aperitivo/Montenegro (Tuesday and Wednesday) will be on hand to entertain guests with stories about their brands. tuttorestaurant.ca
Enjoy cocktails designed especially for VCW by Robyn Gray and Tarquin Melnyk using avant garde technique and molecular technology featuring Ms. Better’s Bitters. Accompanied by classic pub fare in a historic environment. queenscross.com
This tour of the Amalfi Coast will be a mouthwatering experience like no other as bar manager Stephen Sherry and chef Jesse Zuber take you to one of Italy’s most famous food and drink regions. With a flight of four cocktails and four bites all centralized around the famous cliffs of the Amalfi Coast, this event will take you on a journey from ocean to grassy clifftop. uvavancouver.com
TH E CI NQ À SE P T SE RI E S I S SP O N S O R E D BY:
From
14900
$
Enjoy carbonated craft cocktails on tap. Craft beverage storage optimized for mobility. Perfect for cocktails, sparkling wines, craft sodas, kombucha, cider, and craft beer. Available now at growlerwerkscanada.com
VCW E V E NTS These ticketed events range from master classes to cocktail-paired dinners to drag shows, and represent the wide world of cocktail culture in Vancouver and beyond. Many feature global brand ambassadors and the city’s top bar stars, and offer exciting new tastes for those thirsty for new experiences. To purchase tickets, go to thealchemistmagazine.ca/vcw.
SUNDAY, MARCH 6 A BOTANY OF BRUNCH AT THE GARDEN CLUB Botanist Restaurant at the Fairmont Pacific Rim 1038 Canada Pl. 11:30 am to 2 pm See page 8 for full event information. TIPSY TEA Notch8 Restaurant & Bar at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver 900 W. Georgia St. 12 pm and 2 pm seatings This “tipsy” update on Notch8’s traditional afternoon tea will feature a special selection of liquor-infused savouries, sweets and other bites paired with Fairmont’s Lot35 selection of quality teas. Those looking to give the experience a little extra kick can add on specialty “teatails” (tea cocktails made with Fairmont’s Lot35 teas) created by the Notch8 bar and beverage team.
UNDER THE SEA WITH MOUNT GAY Vancouver Aquarium 845 Avison Way 1 to 5 pm Dive into an immersive under-the-sea happy hour with Mount Gay Rum and the inhabitants of the Vancouver Aquarium. With over 300 years of island heritage, the Barbados-based Mount Gay is the world’s oldest rum distillery. Spend the afternoon enjoying the newest expressions from this historic producer while visiting friends furry, finned, scaled and legged and learning how to preserve the ocean’s precious mysteries. Your ticket includes access to all 30 exhibits and the 65,000 animals who inhabit them, along with sustainable snacks and two delicious rum cocktails from some of Vancouver’s best bartenders. Mount Gay is proud to partner with Rugged Coast Research, a Vancouver Island-based organization dedicated to cleaning up local shorelines; as you tour the facilities, learn more about this partnership as well as the Aquarium’s
Marine Mammal Rescue Operations programs.
SPIRITED WALKING TOUR THROUGH GASTOWN Meet at E.C. Rare Books 323 Cambie St 4:30 to 6:30 pm (arrive 10 min. early) Get a not-so-dry taste of Prohibition, when underground drinking dens made Gastown Vancouver’s original nightlife district. In this walking tour, Forbidden Vancouver’s storytellers uncover secret venues and hidden history, partnering with local establishments Pourhouse, The Forge and Guilt & Co. to present 1920s-style cocktails—with a modern twist. Drinks educator Charlene Rooke will sip you through the history of two iconic pre-Prohibition cocktails in secret-speakeasy style.
These are ticketed, reservation-only events. Please visit thealchemistmagazine.ca/vcw to purchase tickets. 16
VANCOUVER COCKTAIL WEEK 2022
HIGHWAY TO HELLISCO Cuchillo 261 Powell St. 7 pm
GIVE IN TO GIN Gotham Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar 615 Seymour St. 6:30 pm
Season ticket on a one way ride—one night of party time. Encounter the ungerground of Cuchillo, the promised land of ’70s vinyl, culebras, and authentic tequila. Be sure to come dressed in your finest fringe—as things will no doubt get unhinged.Hosted by Tequila Cazadores and Patrón ambassador, Caledonia Wright. Tickets include live entertainment, welcome drink and light refreshments throughout the evening. Prizes for best vintage attire!
Celebrate the nuances and unique styles of this revered, mercurial and sophisticated spirit. Our bar masters will highlight gins from Bombay Sapphire and The Botanist lineups, blending creativity and craft to pair cocktails with chef Jean Claude Douguet’s carefully curated menu. This event is led by brand ambassadors Kevin Brownlee and Gez McAlpine, along with Gotham bar manager Taylor Smith.
MONDAY, MARCH 7 WEST COAST BBQ DINNER Whiskey Six BBQ 826 Renfrew St. 6 pm Whiskey Six joins BC Distilled, the province’s premier artisan distillery festival, to host a five-course BBQ dinner, with each course paired with a cocktail made with spirits from one of our fine B.C. distilleries. Whiskey Six BBQ brings together traditional barbecue and organic ingredients from local farmers and suppliers to challenge the traditional view of barbecue without compromising on ingredients, reinventing what can be created on the grill and smoker. This is West Coast BBQ.
GLENMORANGIE X MIX NIGHT Open Outcry 811 West Pender St. 7 pm Enjoy the newest expression from Glenmorangie’s lineup, X by Glenmorangie, a single malt made for mixing. Taste the whisky in creative cocktails using different ingredients representing B.C.— then help to choose a winner! Food prepared by Open Outcry and a DJ will make this a memorable night for all who attend. Ticket price includes three (1 oz) cocktails and complimentary snacks. Note: Open Outcry will be open for this event.
TUESDAY, MARCH 8 LOT 40 TAKEOVER Clough Club 212 Abbott St. 5 to 9 pm Lot 40 global ambassador and bartending icon Dave Mitton takes over the bar at Clough Club for an unmissable one-night event of whisky cocktails. The menu will include a mix of originals and classics, along with live music and an open kitchen.
NOUVEAU, NEW ORLEANS Straight & Marrow 1869 Powell St. Various seatings available between 5:15 and 9:30 pm Few cities celebrate cocktail culture with the joie de vivre of New Orleans and this dinner pays tribute to all the Crescent City does best. Each course will take a modern spin on classic New Orleans cuisine and cocktails. Each dish from chef Chris Lam will be fully balanced with its cocktail pairing by bar manager Chad Rivard—and vice versa. Because the five courses of sharing plates will be served with an accompanying cocktail split for two, tickets will be sold in sets of two.
17
SCOTCH MASTER CLASS AND PAIRING DINNER Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar 845 Burrard St. 6 pm
BITTER IS BETTER: MASTER CLASS AND DINNER Giovane Bacaro 1029 W. Cordova St. 6 to 8:30 pm
Join us for a guided tour through the higher marks of Johnnie Walker’s exceptional blended scotch whiskies, paired with chef Roger Ma’s elegant, boldly flavoured cuisine. With each dish comes an exciting new whisky serve, introduced by the Diageo World Class team. This is an extraordinary opportunity that is sure to appeal to all whisky lovers—and create new ones. Space is limited. Book now!
Bitter flavours whet the appetite, so arrive hungry (and thirsty!) for this exploration of Italian amari. Priya Shah, Campari Group’s senior portfolio specialist, will host this evening, which features four cocktails and a selection of cichetti followed by a three-course dinner. Also expect to enjoy tastes of four to six amari including Campari, Aperol, Averna and Cynar.
WHISKY & PRIME DINNER Hy’s Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar 637 Hornby St. 6:30 pm WEST COAST BBQ DINNER Whiskey Six BBQ 826 Renfrew St. 6 pm Whiskey Six joins BC Distilled, the province’s premier artisan distillery festival, to host a five-course BBQ dinner, with each course paired with a cocktail made with spirits from one of our fine B.C. distilleries. Whiskey Six BBQ brings together traditional barbecue and organic ingredients from local farmers and suppliers to challenge the traditional view of barbecue without compromising on ingredients, reinventing what can be created on the grill and smoker. This is West Coast BBQ.
Enjoy a memorable evening of curated whisky cocktails paired with Canadian prime steaks, in the classically elegant atmosphere of Vancouver’s most acclaimed steakhouse.
LOVE THE NIGHTLIFE AT D/6 D/6 Bar & Lounge at Parq Vancouver 39 Smithe St. 7 pm As you sip on specially curated craft cocktails and savour pairings from executive chef Garett Blundell, settle in for the kind of luxurious nightlife and vibrant events D/6 is known for. Along with cool tunes on the state-of-the-art sound system, there will be a “Goodbye Winter” fashion show that looks ahead to Spring/Summer 22 and an evening of sophisticated socializing.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9 TABLEAU TOUR DE FRANCE Tableau Bar Bistro 1181 Melville St. Cocktail reception 6:30 pm Dinner 7 pm Tableau Bar Bistro takes you on a journey to France with a four-course menu paired with French-inspired cocktails featuring the fine spirits of Maison Ferrand.
18
Discover the authenticity and character of Ferrand Cognac, Dry Curacao, Citadelle Gin and Plantation Rum—along with Tableau’s elevated bistro cuisine. The superb spirits from Maison Ferrand express the marriage of passion, terroir and passage of time. Santé!
VANCOUVER COCKTAIL WEEK 2022
DRAG AFTER DARK IN ARC ARC Restaurant at the Fairmont Waterfront 900 Canada Pl. 6 pm Join some of Vancouver’s top drag performers for a lively evening of high-heeled drama and garden-to-glass cocktails. In partnership with Vancouver
Island-based Wayward Distillery, the ARC bartenders have created a cocktail flight showcasing Wayward’s craft gin distilled from our very own rooftop honey. Paired with a menu of bottomless tasting plates, the evening will also feature a DJ spinning tunes and a divalicious drag show headlined by Carlotta Gurl. Let the fun be-gin!
EXPERIENCE SELECT APERITIVO AT H TASTING LOUNGE H Tasting Lounge at The Westin Bayshore 1601 Bayshore Dr. 6 to 8 pm Join us for an evening celebrating Italian aperitivo culture with Select Aperitivo at H Tasting Lounge. Savour the rich and complex profile of Select Aperitivo cocktails complemented by Italian-style bites. Engage in a cocktail demonstration hosted by H Tasting Lounge’s premium bartenders and challenge yourself to make your own Select Aperitivo cocktails at home. Indulge in an evening of aromatic, well-balanced bittersweet concoctions made sweeter with live music. Experience the best of this iconic Venetian aperitif and rediscover life’s pleasures while drinks flow and canapés pass.
FORDS GIN PRESENTS: MARTINI MADNESS Brass Fish Tavern & Kitchen 385 Burrard St. 7 to 10 pm One of the fastest growing gin brands of all time, Fords was created by bartenders for bartenders. Join us at Brass Fish Tavern for a night of Martinis, gin cocktails and a gin tasting table when you can learn about Fords gin and its various botanicals. The event will feature a DJ playing Brit pop and mod rock, and the kitchen will be open.
must be booked in groups of six. We look forward to welcoming you to an evening of authentic Italian flavours and a dining experience under the stars.
THURSDAY, MARCH 10 FUN CITY GALA The Roof at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver 900 W. Georgia St. 7 pm VIP; 8 pm partygoers See page 20 for full event information.
DINE IN A DOME WITH SELECT APERITIVO AT H TASTING LOUNGE H Tasting Lounge at The Westin Bayshore 1601 Bayshore Dr. First seating: 5:30 to 7:30 pm Second seating: 8 to 10 pm Vancouver Cocktail Week is proud to partner with H Tasting Lounge to offer you an exclusive tasting dinner served al fresco in the city’s most sought-after dining domes. For one night only, enjoy a four-course Italian menu with thoughtful pairings to elevate each course. Relish a sophisticated Select Aperitivo cocktail to start, followed by two wine pairings and Montenegro Amaro to finish. Dome reservations
These are ticketed, reservation-only events. Please visit thealchemistmagazine.ca/vcw to purchase tickets.
19
F U N CIT Y GA L A March 10, 2022 7 pm VIPs • 8 to 11 pm Partygoers The Roof at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
T
ake the elevator up to one of the most storied—and newly renovated—party venues in Vancouver, The Roof at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, and prepare to forget anything you’ve heard about this being “No Fun City.”
Plus there will be food stations and passed canapés, as well as a VIP hour, live entertainment, live music, DJ and a silent auction with proceeds going to the BC Hospitality Foundation and its scholarship program.
The Fun City Gala is the marquee event of the week. It takes you on a glamorous journey through Vancouver’s tipsy traditions. Stations featuring local bar stars and global brand ambassadors will offer drinks representing different eras in Vancouver’s cocktail-culture past and present.
Prepare to party like it’s 1999 all over again, only with better cocktails. Note that Fairmont Hotel Vancouver will be offering special room rates for the evening. fairmont.com/hotelvancouver
Tickets on sale at thealchemistmagazine.ca/vcw
TH E F UN CI T Y G A L A I S SP ONSO R E D BY:
20
VANCOUVER COCKTAIL WEEK 2022
OU R C H AR I T Y PA RTNER BC Hospitality Foundation
V
ancouver Cocktail Week presented by The Alchemist is proud to support the BC Hospitality Foundation with a portion of proceeds and other donations. Since the BCHF was created in 2006, it has become a lifeline for those who work in the province’s hospitality industry and are facing financial crisis due to a health condition experienced by themselves or a family member. The BCHF “is based on the idea that we in the hospitality and tourism industry work together to help our own,” says outgoing executive director Dana Harris.
Over the past 15 years, the BCHF has provided over
$1 million in financial assistance to 254 beneficiaries. They include restaurant chefs, servers, hotel workers and baristas, as well as behind-the-scenes workers such as delivery drivers, sales representatives, writers, brewers and winery workers. In addition, the BCHF is investing in the next generation of hospitality workers by offering scholarships to further their education. So far, it has distributed over $230,000 in scholarships to more than 260 students. Among them are two that Vancouver Cocktail Week will be presenting to those who work in the spirits business. Whatever the need, the BCHF is here to help.
bchospitalityfoundation.com
21
22
VANCOUVER COCKTAIL WEEK 2022
T HA N K YO U TO O U R SP O NSO RS PL ATINUM SPONSORS
BRAND SPONSORS
EVENT SPONSORS
CIT Y SPONSORS
PRINT SPONSOR
23
WORLD CLASS CANADA AND GLOBAL BARTENDER OF THE YEAR 2021
PROUD PARTNER OF VANCOUVER COCKTAIL WEEK 2022
24
PLEASE ENJOY RESPONSIBLY.
VANCOUVER COCKTAIL WEEK 2022