Vancouver
Vancouver's skyline drinks better than its postcards. A working editorial ranking, refreshed every quarter.
Chinatown · $$$
Vancouver's most internationally awarded cocktail bar.
Coal Harbour · $$$$
The Fairmont Pacific Rim's flagship bar.
Downtown · $$$
Hidden basement cocktail room beneath the Rosewood Hotel Georgia.
Mount Pleasant · $$
Natural wine bar with a small-format cocktail list.
Yaletown · $$
Distillery bar attached to the Long Table gin distillery.
Gastown · $$$
Upstairs cocktail room above Maple Tree Square.
Downtown · $$$$
Vancouver's largest rooftop terrace, with fireplaces and a daily cocktail hour.
Vancouver rewards drinkers who scout neighbourhoods, and the spread below reflects that. You'll find spots in Gastown, Chinatown, Yaletown, and beyond — each picked for what it does best, not how loud its marketing is. We focus on open-air decks, sunset cocktails, golden-hour photos; we ignore venues that prioritise volume over craft. The order is a working ranking, not a leaderboard — number one isn't always your number one. Read the notes and pick the room that fits the night you're planning.
Best for: sunset hour, skyline photos, special-occasion drinks. Most rooms here run from late afternoon until 1 or 2am; the busier ones lift their door policy on weekends and we've flagged those where it matters. Save the page, send it to whoever you're meeting, and let the rest of Vancouver take care of itself.
A working editorial ranking. Numbers are guidance, not gospel. Pick the room that fits your night.
Looking beyond Vancouver? See our guide to the best rooftop bars worldwide, or compare rooftop bars city by city. Or find rooftop bars near you.