What are the best gay bars in Vancouver?

Head over to the gayborhood for stiff drinks while taking in everything from a drag show to a hockey game

Mark

Jan 14, 2025 - 19:00

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Davie Street, Vancouver (Photo: Tourism Vancouver/Nelson Mouellic)

Nicknamed “Hollywood North,” Vancouver is not only the largest production hub in Canada, but is also the third largest in North America, after New York and Los Angeles. As such, performers and production staff from across the continent flock to this British Columbian city for both work and play. While not filming, queers in entertainment, as well as every other industry, can head over to the Davie Village gayborhood for stiff drinks while taking in everything from a drag show to a hockey game.

PumpJack Pub

A staple of Vancouver’s gay community for the past 25 years, PumpJack is inclusive to all segments of the queer community. During the day, bromos can catch a Canuck’s game on one of their large projection screens or TV. Then, once the sun sets, party boys can hit their dance floor to the beats of their many local DJs.

Numbers Cabaret

As the city’s oldest gay bar, Numbers is a reliable, rainbow-festooned destination for queer travelers to grab a drink and play a few rounds of pool. And if you find yourself in Vancouver on a Friday, their weekly ‘Drag Show XXX’ is a must-see spectacle.

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1181 Davie Street

This small space packs a lot of attitude. Known for its handsome bartenders serving strong drinks, 1181 is always a reliable entertainment venue. Every Wednesday and Thursday, they host weekly drag shows, while the weekend is home to Pop Fridays, Soundroom Saturdays, and Sanctuary Sundays hosted by Alma Bitches.

Junction

Describing itself as “Vancouver’s premier Queer entertainment destination,” Junction combines the hominess of a local pub with the theatricality of a nightclub. Their pride and joy is their A/V set up, including an HD projector screen, six large TVs, and a series of Funktion One speakers, perfect for viewing everything from BC Lions Games to episodes of RuPaul’s Drag Race Canada.

Score on Davie

For those looking for brunch options, be sure to hit up this award-winning queer hotspot. Its signature menu item is the Caesars, a bloody mary capped with burgers, pulled pork sandwiches, and other guilty pleasures. It’s perfect for a Sunday-Funday cheat day binge.

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