The Alibi Room

The Alibi Room is the first stop for many beer lovers in Vancouver. It occupies a century-old building on Alexander Street in Gastown and pours craft beer from more than 50 rotating taps, mixing local brews with unusual imports. Because the line-up changes constantly, the beer menu is worth reading carefully even on a return visit.

Food is taken seriously. The kitchen serves ethically sourced comfort food, with a signature burger, charcuterie boards, starters and mains, and there are vegetarian and vegan options. A weekly specials menu adds something different, and the bar publishes separate menus for food, cocktails and wine, beer, and happy hour, so anyone in the group who is not drinking beer is well looked after.

Happy hour runs from 3pm to 6pm, with snacks and small plates, which makes the early evening a good time to arrive. The bar opens at 4pm daily, closing at 10pm from Sunday to Thursday and at midnight on Friday and Saturday; on special event nights times may change, so check before you go.

The Alibi Room suits groups of friends, beer enthusiasts and anyone looking for a relaxed evening in Gastown. Tables can be reserved through OpenTable, which is sensible for groups, and the bar also hosts special events and private bookings. Parties of eight or more, and private events, pay a 20 per cent service charge; the bar points out that this is not a tip, and tipping on top is optional.

A visit here fits well into an evening in Gastown, the district that grew from the saloon Gassy Jack Deighton opened in 1867 and that became a National Historic Site of Canada in 2009. Since a pilot in summer 2024, part of Water Street has been car-free or car-light, which makes walking between bars easier. Guilt and Company, the underground live music bar at 1 Alexander Street, is at the other end of the same street for music after dinner, and the Pourhouse on Water Street and the Steam Clock are close by. St. Lawrence, the Michelin-starred Québécois restaurant at 269 Powell Street, and Milano Espresso Lounge at 36 Powell Street are also within a few minutes' walk.