Brand New [WEDNESDAY]

Drink & Be Merry

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

All that gift buying can make one awfully thirsty.  Well, tis the season to tip back libations with friends and family.  On that note, here's a little tour of our fave spots in Yaletown – go to one or two, or go to one after the other, and celebrate the season with a festive ‘pub crawl’. And of course we know you'll have someone who hasn't been doing quite so much carousing drive you home.

Opus bar – Settle into the sexy lounge chairs at Opus and order a cocktail and a few appetizers – we recommend the Korean bbq pork ribs and the salmon tempura roll – and sit back amongst the twinkly lights and floaty curtains for a good people watch and catch up with friends.  

Rodney’s – After Opus, mosey on down Hamilton Street to Rodney’s Oyster Bar.  Get a seat at the curvy bar – it’s the place to see and be seen – and ask the lovely fellas behind the bar for whatever your heart desires – or a drink. Munchies?  Try the mussels or clams, steamed with white wine and garlic, by those same lovely fellas, right in front of your eyes.

Coast – Feeling like dinner to stave off the effect of those cocktails?  Walk across Hamilton Street and you’re at Coast, ushered into tables with white tablecloths, excellent service, a beautiful Zen-inspired room and fabulous food.  Try the pan-seared halibut or the hand-harvested scallops.

Section (3) – Now you must be ready for some tunes, after all, you’ve really over-eaten tonight.  Get ready to burn it off.  Down the east end of Mainland Street, Section (3) oozes atmosphere – low red lighting, old school cocktails and DJ-spun tunes.  Not a bad spot to get your groove on.

George – Still want to party?  Cap the night off at George Lounge on Hamilton Street.  We’ve written about this place before, and its ‘secret’ room called the G spot.  Who knows what things naughty or nice you could get up to in there. . .

Opus Hotel, 350 Davie Street, (604) 642-0557, www.opushotel.com
Rodney’s Oyster Bar, 1228 Hamilton Street, 604-609-0080, www.rodneysoysterhouse.com
Coast, 1257 Hamilton Street, 604.685.5010, www.coastrestaurant.ca
Section (3), 1039 Mainland Street, 604-684-2777, www.sectionthree.com
George Lounge, 1137 Hamilton Street, 604-628-5555, www.georgelounge.com

If you missed our gift guides last week you can find them here:

• Cooks
• Gamers
• Beauty Addicts