Vancouver

Granville Street

Overview

Located in the heart of Vancouver, Granville Street is where you'll find Vancouver's main downtown entertainment district. Countless restaurants, bars and nightclubs make this a popular late-night hangout, particularly on the weekends. Stretching from the start of Granville Street by Waterfront Station, south to the Granville Street Bridge, the downtown portion this street is fairly sleepy by day, but buzzing at night. Many of the city’s bus lines transit through Granville, making it a main thoroughfare for the city.

 

Seeing and Doing

The Granville Street strip was once believed to have the highest concentration of neon in the world behind Shanghai, and you can still see evidence of this in the dazzling way the street comes to life after dark. This area is the city’s cultural hub, whether your definition of “culture” means concertos or clubbing. The art deco Commodore Ballroom has been hosting from Dizzy Gillespie to Snoop Dogg since it opened in 1929. Catch a live act there and experience the venue’s legendary sprung dancefloor. A little further south on Granville is the Orpheum Theatre, home of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra among other companies. If you’re looking to hit the dancefloor, there’s nowhere in the city like Granville Street, with its popular clubs and bars, this is the place to be, especially on a Friday or Saturday night.

The Roxy

Photo: vancityhotshots / Flickr

Eating and Drinking

There are plenty of smaller restaurants, cafes and lounges to stop in at for a pre-show fueling, but the emphasis in this area is definitely on what’s in your glass, not what’s on your plate. Still, there are no shortage of hidden spots, especially for those looking for casual pub-grub or a burger. In the summer, some of the spots offer street-side patios—the perfect perch for people watching.

Nordstrom

Photo: Cadillac Fairview

Shopping and Souvenirs

The comprehensive Pacific Centre shopping mall sits on Granville Street, with much of the retail action taking place underground. With three department stores (including the exclusive Holt Renfrew and new Nordstrom), high-end brands and more, it’s a major Vancouver shopping destination, and a great place to pick up a souvenir for the fashion-lover on your list (or maybe yourself!) The rest of the strip includes electronic goods, popular North American brands, and smaller specialty stores.

For more information visit the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association online.