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Vancouver Gay Travel Guide
It’s not like anywhere else in North America. Some say it’s like San Francisco, only cleaner and cheaper. Some say it’s like Seattle, only gayer and with better weather. Regardless of what people liken it to, Vancouver is consistently chosen as one of the top ten best cities in the world by Conde Nast readers. And how can we argue? Nestled between the spectacular, glacier-clad Coastal Mountains and the clear blue waters of Puget Sound (with the distant snow-caps of Vancouver Island always visible beyond), there simply isn’t a more beautiful setting for a major city. (Seattle is close, but since it sits in the shadow of a major volcano, we dock several Princess Points from it. Gays and Lava do not mix.) Vancouver has one of the most temperate climates of any city in North America. It rarely gets above 70 in the summer, and rarely dips below 40 in the winter. Combine this with the wealth from a bustling trade with Asia (Vancouver is the largest port city on the west coast of the Americas), and you’ve got a city exploding with cultural diversity, a hotbed of tourism, and a prolific gay community. Vancouver is a very youthful city, with more than half of its residents in their 20s. Because of its location, amid thousands of square miles of wilderness, outdoor activities rule supreme. An hour’s drive up into the mountains is Whistler Blackcomb, consistently ranked the best ski resort in the world. Across the Sound is Vancouver Island, rich with hiking, kayaking, and climbing opportunities, and unique for its botany and wildlife which somehow escaped the last Ice Age. On the island is Victoria, the regal British colonial city that is world-famous for its magnificent Butchart Gardens. But back in Vancouver there are so many things to do, you’ll be lucky to escape the city at all. Stanley Park sprawls between downtown and the water, with plenty of hiking, biking, and roller-blading paths, beaches, gardens, and some of the oldest and largest trees in Canada. The Vancouver Aquarium is also here. Museums abound, like the Pacific Space Centre, Science World, the Vancouver Art Gallery, and the Museum of Anthropology. Granville Island sits underneath the Granville Street Bridge on False Creek. It used to be an industrial dump. Now it’s a busy area of shops and galleries, a public market, and a popular gathering place for street performers. Grouse Mountain is one of Vancouver’s top sights: an aerial tram to the top of a mountain which affords a jaw-dropping view of the city. It’s one of those “don’t come here unless you plan to do it” kind of things, especially wonderful at sunset. The city is divided into districts, several of which are delightful for strolling. Chinatown is North America’s second largest (just barely smaller than San Francisco’s). Gastown’s historic buildings and cobbled streets hide world-class shopping and clubbing venues. Getting around in downtown can be harrowing. There are no expressways, so all traffic must deal with stoplights every block. There’s no subway here, but a dense network of buses covers the greater metropolitan area. However, in downtown, it’s easy enough to get around on foot. We’ve found it’s a great idea to rent bicycles to navigate the city, and lots of people seem to agree with us. Vancouver’s gay district is in the West End. It’s called Davie Village or Davie Town, and it’s spread along Davie Street, all the way from Burrard down to the water at Denman. Here you’ll find almost all the gay bars and tons of restaurants and shops. In summer, the gay boys flock to Wreck Beach on the grounds of the University of BC. It’s the largest clothing-optional beach in North America. (Nude beach on a college campus. Need we say more?) The gay end is far to the left, when facing the water.
Gay Vancouver Bars, Restaurants and Clubs
You may find an interesting lack of gay bars in Davie Town, and elsewhere in the city. This is because gays tend to be very integrated into the community, and you’ll consequently find a higher percentage of them at “straight” bars than you may be accustomed to. Still, there are a few standbys in Davie Village which are all-gay, all the time. The Oasis, a piano bar, is always crowded, with a popular happy hour and a gorgeous roof-top patio. The Fountainhead is an upscale pub which is equally busy at lunch as it is at night. Sugar Daddy’s is a popular video bar. Outside Davie Village, the Hotel Dufferin has three gay bars offering karaoke, go-go boys, and drag shows. In the Heritage House Hotel, Lick is an exclusively-lesbian bar on Fridays and Saturdays. The leather crowd hangs out at The Pumpjack.
The Odyssey used to be the only big gay dance club in Vancouver, drawing a very young crowd to its relatively small space. It’s a little out of the bounds of Davie Village, but still within walking distance. These days, Odyssey is still just as crowded and just as popular, but a Davie Town bar recently renovated itself into a dance space. Now, Numbers draws the weekend dance crowds, as well, with a slight emphasis on Levis and leather (but not enough to get in your way, if that’s not your thing.) Following suit, another Davie Village bar is now a hot dance spot: Celebrities. Regardless of where you’re dancing, when the place shuts down around 2am, it’s time to head to The World. It’s not exclusively gay, but it’s gay enough, and it thumps until the sun comes up.
There are lots of restaurants in Davie Village. Elbow Room has been popular for decades, but they only serve breakfast and lunch. Café Luxy serves Old World Italian in a romantic atmosphere. And the ever-present Hamburger Mary’s dishes out its traditional plates of camp. Most of the gay bars have a menu, with The Oasis sporting an impressive Continental one. Sugar Daddy’s and The Fountainhead serve hearty pub food.
Gay Friendly and Gay Vancouver Hotels
Due to the past decade atop the world tourism charts, Vancouver has a plethora of chic boutique hotels, many of which have become popular with gay travelers. Perhaps the most beloved is the Pacific Palisades, with décor so stylish you’ll hurt, and stellar service to match. The hotel has been the location of many a gay marriage since Canada legalized the bond. If your wallet can’t afford their New York prices, try the Hotel Dufferin, popular for its three gay bars. If a B&B is more your pace, you’ve got lots to choose from. The Nelson House is, perhaps, the most popular, catering specifically to the gay and lesbian crowd. The Park Ridge is only for gay men, and its clothing-option hot tub is justifiably sought-after. Or check out the Union Street Studio, the Cambie Court, the Barclay House, or The Langtry.
Call an edirp.com gay travel specialist at 1-888-EDIRP-EZ (1-888-334-7739) or (214) 520-0345 (U.S.) to book any of the hotels mentioned above. Any hotels with links may be booked via our secure online booking system.
Vancouver Gay Pride and other Gay Events
Vancouver Pride is one of the largest celebrations on the west coast, and is held in early August. At the same time, Rapture Pride is a series of the wildest dance parties the city ever sees. The Out on Screen Queer Film Festival also takes place at the same time. (Vancouver likes it all at once.) Altitude: Out on the Slopes is a week of gay skiing and dancing in Whistler. No one gets any sleep because the powder on the slopes is too good to miss by day, and the massive dance parties held every night are once-in-a-lifetime fantastic. Held in early February, it’ll give you just enough time to recover before the massive Pride events in August roll around.
Travel guide by Benjamin Starr, a travel writer who claims the entire world as his home. When he's not at home, he can sometimes be found at a residence in Dallas, Texas. To contact Ben, email him at benjaminstarr@sbcglobal.net. |
