Keefer Coktail Bar - Vancouver Date Ideas

Keefer Bar

A Vancouver Date Idea

What We Loved

Some of the best cocktails in the city and very cool atmosphere!

Insider Tip

If you're a cocktail newbie no worries - grab a spot by the bar and get to know one of the bartenders, they're a great crew with lots of tips on the large cocktail menu.

Our Date Experience

This was definitely an unplanned adventure. We were walking form DT to Pidgin Restaurant for dinner and had some time to kill. I’ve never been to Chinatown so Keefer Bar was a great introduction to the neighborhood.

The bar has a cool, dark, hospital-inspired atmosphere and offers an impressive list of cocktails. The space is pretty narrow and super-tight so good luck getting seated on Friday or Saturday night. We were lucky as we walked in on Thursday just after 5 pm and even then there were only a few seats left. Since we were not planning on staying long, we chose the bar and honestly speaking, this was the best decision as we got to watch the “Keefer Cocktail Wizards” in action. P got Rosemary Goblet followed by Corpse Reviver #2 (which is kinda ironic :)) and I went for the Skeleton Kiss, Smokey and The Bandit. The drinks were excellent and very well presented.

All in all, the Keefer Bar impressed me and I will definitely keep coming back here to try more cocktails. I also heard they have live music during the week so it would be exciting to check it out.

Keefer is the hidden gem of Gastrown and my favourite spot for drinks. This wasn’t my first time so I was going there in great anticipation of my favourite Rosemary Goblet and Corpse Reviver #2 🙂 I love everything about this place, starting with the dark, swanky atmosphere, great live music during the week and delicious fusion appetizers. I would definitely recommend this place for the first date, if you’re a ‘lets grab a drink’ kinda guy/gal. The cocktails will loosen you up a bit and the hospital inspired decor will spark a weird conversation if you’re struggling to find something to talk about 😉

I've spent the last 10 years or so living in Toronto and since P and I met I've been talking about the cool cocktail bars I've been to there. When I first arrived in Vancouver I was told Keefer Bar is the be all and end all of cocktail bars in Vancity. People weren't wrong and this bar definitely competes with some of the best in New York and Toronto.

The bar itself has a speak easy vibe and the cocktail list is awesome. Smoky and strong cocktails are my achilles heel - there's a few on the menu that deliver a kick. Talking to the bartender they change up their menu every season so make sure to check back regularly. Will give you and your date a reason to keep coming back to this Vancouver gem.

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