Guilt & Company

Guilt & Company is an underground bar in Gastown, at 1 Alexander Street, and live music is its reason for being. The venue promises two shows every night, so whichever evening you visit there is something on. Its music calendar on the website lists who is playing, and musicians can apply to perform through its artist booking page.

The setting adds to the atmosphere. Being below street level gives the room an intimate, club-like feel, and the bar serves cocktails and beer to go with the music. With two sets each night, you can catch an early show and still move on to dinner, or arrive later for the second set after eating elsewhere.

Opening hours suit a late night out. The bar opens at 6pm every day and stays open until midnight from Sunday to Wednesday, until 1am on Thursday and until 2am on Friday and Saturday. The venue has a reservations page on its website for those who want to plan ahead.

Guilt & Company suits couples, groups of friends and solo travellers who want live music without the scale of a concert hall. If you want something bigger, the Commodore Ballroom on Granville Street hosts touring acts for crowds of about 990, but this is the more relaxed choice for discovering local talent.

The bar sits at the start of Alexander Street, close to Gastown's other evening spots. The neighbourhood hosts events through the year, including Vancouver Cocktail Week and summer Thursday nights, which can make the area especially lively. The Alibi Room's craft beer taps are further along at 157 Alexander Street, the Pourhouse cocktail bar is on Water Street near the Steam Clock, and St. Lawrence on Powell Street is a short walk away for dinner before the show. That makes Guilt & Company an easy final stop on a night in the city's oldest neighbourhood.

Gastown itself is a National Historic Site, and its heritage buildings now hold many of Vancouver's best bars and restaurants. Since a pilot project in 2024, parts of nearby Water Street have been car-free or car-light, which makes walking between venues easier. Check the music calendar before you go, as the line-up changes every night.