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Travel Article	Travel Article Archive

By Michael J. Darton

At Celebrities We Have 155 Photos From Vancouver! View Thumbnails View Slideshow

Click on the link for a handy PDF version of our September 2008 Vancouver travel feature!

Vancouver

Consistently rated among the world's most livable places, this 'City of Glass' on Canada's Pacific coast boasts towering condos and stunning architecture. There's both a relaxed vibe and high-energy buzz -- and a plethora of options to keep you busy, from top gay clubs to any outdoor activity you can imagine.

Well known for its "gayborhood," with rainbow banners and pink bus stops, Vancouver's West End is home to the Davie Village, where can be found most of the city's gay clubs, bars, lounges, cafes, and restaurants.

Cruising is ample in the village at almost any time of year. This is not a city that's in the closet! Handsome, well-dressed guys are easy to spot holding hands and smiling right back at you.

Getting oriented, going shopping

For a good all-over-the city tour to get oriented, take the hop-on / hop-off Big Bus, where the 90-minute tour includes 22 highlighted stops.

XTRA! West newspaper is the local GLBT bi-weekly in Vancouver (and sister publication to The Guide !), with excellent up-to-date and current events, news and club listings. It's easy to find in street boxes and most local businesses in the village. Their lively office is managed by Dennis, who could be recently be seen judging the pride festival parade contest.

Getting around is made easy with excellent public transit running up and down Davie Street, as well as access to the SkyTrain and SeaBus that will take you to scenic North Vancouver and the North Shore mountains. For travel needs in Vancouver and beyond there's Choji Travel (1300 Robson Street). Manager Gary knows the ins and outs of Vancouver gay life in Vancouver and surrounding areas, with special smarts around things leather and bear!

Little Sister's Book And Art Emporium (1238 Davie) is recognized internationally as one of the biggest gay and lesbian book stores in Canada. Little Sisters has it all, including the best selection of adult toys, condoms, lube, and erotica. The bookstore's fight against Canada Customs censorship is the stuff of legend. Friendly and knowledgeable staff are ready to help. This really is an emporium -- there are clothes and fashion accessories, gifts, cards, wraps, and fancy decorative items. You could spend endless hours browsing here -- so the places they offer shoppers to sit are appreciated.

Top Drawers (1030 Denman #115) is gay man's shopping paradise, with top brands, including home-grown Vancouver designer underwear from Sweat, not to mention Calvin Klein and 2xist. They stock the innovative Bambou line -- made from 92 per cent bamboo fiber and eight percent spandex. Loose yourself in the vast array of Speedo's, sweatpants, jeans, t-shirts, vests, sunglasses, bags, and wallets. The staff here is laid back and helpful; try as much as you like on and get their personal shopping advice, or shop online.

Priape (1148 Davie) is another favorite location to pick up sexy underwear for a night out -- or in. Right in the village, it's a convenient stop with a good selection of porn at the front of the store, with swimsuits, underwear, and a leather gallery at the back.

Ju Ju Salon and Spa (823 Davie) lives up to its name, which means "magic" or "karma." This high-tech spa opened its doors in July and has quickly become a popular grooming palace at the foot of the village. Highly experienced hair stylists and colorists give a full consultation before they begin. They stock Dermalogica products at great trade prices. Also available are waxing and facials and a re-energizing therapy called ear-candling -- it's fun and great for clearing the head on a hazy day.

Bars and restaurants

Celebrities (1022 Davie) is the place to find big-name DJs from around the world, and great resident ones who kick it up a few levels. Jump in the central dance floor and be seen on the large video displays behind the open floor-level DJ booth. A well-designed upper level circles the entire club and provides a good place to catch the action, or find some of your own. If you need to chill, check out the ultra comfortable lounge behind the DJ booth. They host weekly events with go-go boys, the best sound system, and hot bar staff. Check out their website for Celebrities' calendar and photo galleries. Second Wednesdays is Twinkies, which packs in college kids who get in for free before 11 p.m.

Majestic Restaurant & Lounge (1138 Davie) is the newest edition to Davie Village. Exceptional menu and drink specials go well with regular dinner drag shows by top-ranked performers. The patio is the place to be on a sunny afternoon, and you still have a great view of the stage. Inside, the Majestic is a well-appointed open space with a warm decor and friendly staff. Catch DJ Escape here playing New York-style hot house.

Thursday night is Shower Power at Odyssey (1251 Howe). The hottest strippers take it off and get wet for you while you dance. Open seven nights a week, there are morsels for every appetite. Drag shows and contests make the Odyssey a local favorite. Come in through the men's-only entrance in the alley and enter the very private back patio -- it's full of men here, but the women like to come watch those shower boys, too. Squeeze through the throngs of younger guys and a mixed crowd of men for unbeatable drinks prices on Industry Mondays. Two bars serve the sunken dance floor, where you can dance all night to DJ Jules's tunes and a superb sound system. Or hang out above and watch the action.

Looking for the leather crowd? Get over to the Pump Jack (1167 Davie). The Pumpjack is host to annual leather events and the popular Best Chest contest, not to mention puppy parties and the famous underwear parties during Pride. Got a bike? Drive over on the first Wednesday of the month for the Border Riders Motorcycle Club (Borderriders.com) meet-and-greet. The bar is as friendly as they come, so shoot some pool in the back or sit up at the front window to see-and-be-seen.

One of the best patios in Vancouver is over at the Fountainhead Pub (1025 Davie) in the heart of Davie Village. Open to the sun, or covered (and heated) from the rain, the patio provides a comfortable spot to enjoy good company and check out guys on this busy part of Davie Street. Come and join a game of pool or darts, or keep up with the game on one of seven satellite TVs. Look out for the erotic art hanging on the walls. The menu includes soups and salads and Mexican and vegetarian fare. I tried the sweet chicken curry and the hefty Fountainhead Club triple-decker. Seafood fettuccini is a fish lover's dream. They have a good stock of wines and bubbly to complement, along with Canadian microbrews and domestic and imported beers. Try a shot of "Porn Star" or a "Blow Job" to start your night or day. They serve a cocktail called Absolut Madonna which is a fusion of Citron Vodka, Tequila and 7-Up. A to-go menu is available too, and there's an ATM inside.

Davie Village Cafe (1141 Davie) is an upstairs venue in the heart of the gayborhood, with indoor and some balcony seating. This venue is "on" day and night and often becomes a male playground in the evening with bear gatherings and private parties. They offer catering and party planning too, and visiting this cafe (or its website) is a good way to stay in the loop.

Darryl's Coffee & Native Art Shop (945 Davie) delivers a stress-free space for lunch, hot drinks, ice cream -- and fascinating art. Owners Derrick and Darryl hail, respectively, from the Lil'wat nation (at Mount Currie) and the Nisga'a nation (along the Nass River in northern BC). Within their communities, both are considered "two-spirited," and they joke that now they're just known as homosexuals. Visit here for a rich cultural experience -- and some tasty hand-baked bannock native bread. The space is decorated with hand-crafted paintings, pottery, masks, and jewelry -- for sale or for browsing. Derrick and Darryl, a couple of 20 years, happily share their wealth of knowledge.

Melriches Coffee House (1244 Davie) is your Starbucks alternative. This independently-owned, licensed cafe is the village choice for good coffee, homemade food, and meeting up with your blind date. In business for 14 years, you can trust the cute staff to be friendly and helpful. Rotating art on the walls keeps the environment unique.

Head up the stairs to Oasis (1240 Thurlow) for a unique dining experience in this visually appealing space. The menu is extravagant, and their impressive repertoire of martinis is famous in Vancouver. There is a cozy and warm outside patio with an adorable back bar, perfect for gatherings or a romantic evening. The calendar is packed each week with jazz presentation, live DJs, t-dances, and more. Formerly a piano bar, the changes at Oasis have spiffed up this longtime favorite. Don't worry -- Oasis still has great unisex bathrooms.

Numbers (1042 Davie) is still entertaining the Vancouver gay community like no other as it has since the 1980s! There are five levels to explore and three bars from which to choose. The crowd is diverse and mixed -- younger and older -- with a friendly staff. Whatever you're in the mood for, Numbers has it all under one roof.

The meeting place for those with style in mind is 1181 (1181 Davie). This low-key hotspot was conceived by designers and offers a boutique lounge environment unlike any other in Davie Village. There are three separate spaces to enjoy good company, including a chill zone with plush seating in the front, an ultra-sleek bar area in the center, and a more high-tech zone in the back for multimedia presentations, retro films, pop art, and local artists. The men at 1181 are hot, the staff even hotter, and no cover means you should get in early. Nightly events, DJs, and drink specials keep this fresh new space busy. There are a many distinctive drinks and cocktails to choose from, made with a flourish.

Score (1262 Davie) feels packed with a punch of testosterone. This lively, mixed bar and restaurant is great for day and nighttime fun. With a recent extension and refurbishing Score combines food, sports entertainment, and a lavish ambiance all in one. Managed by charismatic Jesse, Score serves a large selection of beers, even an alcoholic apple beer -- over 20 to choose from in all. For summer days and nights there's a large space outside that looks out on the street. Score is big on community events, and often throws "wrap" events for sports teams, so you may even fall onto a whole baseball team here -- and run into them again in the new unisex toilets. A new, improved patio is coming this fall.

Moxies Classic Grill (1160 Davie), under the Sandman Inn, features a modern look, street-side dining, a massive bar, and killer menu. Vera's Burger Shack (1030 Davie) is gourmet all the way, with delicious sweet-potato fries and turkey burgers. Cafe Luxy (1235 Davie) has the best pasta specials in the city, and Hamburger Mary's (1202 Davie) has a classic '50s diner feel with twists like their delicious calamari with Greek dressing.

Accommodations

Sandman Inn and Suites (1160 Davie; 604-681-7263), located right in the epicenter of the village, is one of the best options. This recently renovated property offers luxury suites and penthouses with designer hot-tubs. Balconies overlook the sea or the city. Short or long stay, the suites offer amenities including washer-dryers, kitchenettes, and internet. A large outside heated pool overlooks Davie Street, and they have a spa with an extensive beauty menu including Botox treatments and facials.

Pacific Palisades (1277 Robson Street; 604-688-0461) emanates a contemporary feel. There are two buildings with 233 suites. Rooms include microwave, coffeemaker, kettles, and TV. The mini-bars stock drinks as well as massage oils and chocolate bars. Room service is on offer, and they do a cooked-breakfast delivered between 8 and 11:30 a.m. Their dinner menu, available till midnight, is extensive. They have an indoor pool with a small spa which offers poolside therapeutic services, massage, manicure or pedicure, and facials, along with two fitness rooms -- one aerobic and one free weight -- a hot-tub, and a steam room.

Blue Horizon (1225 Robson Street; 800-663-1333) is in the midst of some of Vancouver's best shopping and dining, just a few blocks from Davie Village, downtown, and Stanley Park.

On a quiet tree-lined residential street in the West End, Sunset Inn & Suites (1111 Burnaby Street; 800-786-1997) is the perfect place to relax in peace, yet still convenient to urban attractions. The rooms are equipped for comfort and convenience and offer separate bedroom space and private balcony, and some have views of English Bay. The suites have TV and DVD players, cookers, microwaves, tea and coffee, and wi-fi. There's a laundry and a small gym with some weights and aerobic machines. They offer free gated parking. In the lobby each morning fresh coffee and biscuits and cakes are served.

Bathhouses and cruising

Fahrenheit 212 (1048 Davie) is located in the center of the gay community. There's over 6,500 square feet of play space to satisfy any craving. Close to all the clubs and bars, this is the place to meet after a night out, or rendezvous with a hot guy or guys. They're complete with a full gym, two sexy steam rooms -- one includes a huge hot tub. There is also an adult video room and TV lounge, three different room sizes, and lockers. Three-day memberships are only $3. You can pump up before you play in the gym, and internet is free.

Nearby is M2M Playspace (1210 Granville Street) at Davie and Granville Streets. Catering to an edgier, hard-core alternative jock leather-and-Levis crowd, M2M is a well-equipped space with lockers, rooms, slings, and a sexy steam room. Definitely check this out if you are looking for something out of the ordinary, a bit more explosive. A three-day membership is also only $3, and they are open 24 hours.

Steam 1 (430 Columbia Street, Westminster) is in the New Westminster area directly opposite the Colombia SkyTrain stop. This modern sauna includes rooms, communal showers, sauna, a multi-level play area, a comfortable TV space, and free internet. Did I mention the gym with free weights? There's a great mixed crowd here, with a non-scene feeling, maybe due to its discreet location. When I popped by, there was a crowd of mixed ages, ethnicities, shapes, and sizes all having a great time. Get great views of the city on your journey if you take the SkyTrain.

Friction (123 West Pender Street; 604-684-0314) is the city's new gay bathhouse and is located downtown, just on the edge of Gastown -- easily reached on foot or by transit. There are multiple room sizes, a maze of lockers, and a VIP sling room with TV, queen-size bed, and of course a sling. Friction boasts two levels and over 10,000 square feet of play space. The rates are reasonable, with daily lockers starting at only $10.

English Bay, a short walk from the village, looks out onto the ocean and has beaches, showers, and restaurants. Directly next to the bay is the 1000-acre Stanley Park where nature reigns in full glory, with giant firs, cedars, and many raccoons. This park is popular with gay men too, who often wander day and night (at your own risk!), especially along Lees Trail. On hot days take a trip over to the University of British Columbia, and head down to the world-famous clothing-optional Wreck Beach. Go south along the shore past the breakwater and find the gay section and popular cruising trails.

Annual events include the Vancouver Pride (Vancouverpride.ca), held annually in August, one of the largest gay fests in North America. Some 500,000 people turned out August 3 this year.