Where to have a quirky night out in Vancouver

If you’re tired of the same old night out drinking at The Pit or partying at Koerner’s, check out some of these quirky spots around Vancouver where drinking is permitted and encouraged, but not the main event. Give your liver a little break from binge drinking and check out these places around the city.

Storm Crow

Vancouver’s original “nerd bar” has two locations around the city with multiple summer events, board games, trivia Tuesday’s and viewings of sci-fi TV shows. If you need a break from drinking — or even if you don’t because they claim to serve the best craft beer on Saturday’s — head on over to West Broadway or Commercial Drive for some eccentric fun.

Commodore Ballroom

One of my favourite spots in Vancouver is the Commodore Ballroom on Granville. They have several bowling alleys, dozens of pool tables and decently priced pitchers of beer. It's a great place to head with a couple of friends when you’re feeling a little competitive and maybe need a little liquid luck.

 

Pizzeria Ludica

This is a place you can go with anyone and have a great time with a good bite to eat. The restaurant is packed with donated games and they’re colour coordinated based on level of difficulty to make picking the right game even easier. With over 600 games to choose from, you’re bound to spend a lot of time here and keep heading back.

 

EXP Restaurant and Bar

With game events every Tuesday and Thursday, and their video game inspired menus, EXP Restaurant and Bar is calling every gamers’ name. Shout-out specifically to The Ubyssey staff — they have a Super Smash Bros. tournament that could be more infamous than our office shenanigans.        

 

The Manchester Public Eatery

While this is also a good spot to go for a couple drinks, The Manchester has Trivia Tuesdays and live music on Wednesdays. Just a quick bus ride from campus, this place always promises a good time. Also on Wednesdays — while this isn’t quirky — they have 39 cent wings. Wings are always a bonus so I thought I’d throw that in there.

 

Fresh Air Cinemas

Located in Stanley Park is an outdoor movie theatre with movie screenings every Tuesday night. It is free, which is an added bonus, and they sell blankets in case you don’t have your own. It seats 5,000 people and they have a contest with 103.5 QMFM to upgrade your seats to VIP every week — definitely an addition to your summer bucket list.

E-Exit Escape Room

With many locations around the city, E-Exit Escape Room is Vancouver's most popular chain of terrifying, but thrilling, adventures. With a success rate of one per cent, the escape rooms have varying levels of difficulty — prove to Vancouver that you and your friends are the ultimate escapees. On Mondays, they have a 20 per cent off student deals, so bring your UBC student card with you and receive a discount off your purchase.   

Put down all of your overpriced cocktails and pick up some friends to hit these spots with. These nights will definitely be ones to remember.  

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