Best / Worst club setups in Vancouver, BC Canada

[sNyx]

Okay so I was taking a thought about how I liked the Stone Temple
because it separates the dance floor and the 'lounge' area with two rooms. I may not be fond of the crowd but then again I don't much know of the regular nights or music. One of the downside would be the silly little bar. The entire back wall should be a nice long bar. Also I don't think I have had to ever wait in line on my few endeavors. I can't comment on the bathrooms, never been.

So what would you consider good and bad points on other clubs you have visited? Not to say they are your favorites or frequents but perhaps you visited on a wobbly eve. Keep the criticisms constructive and on topic. No need for drunken rants of misfire nights.

[sNyx]

I liked West 23! It was a pretty neato club, the staff was cool shit and the drinks were slamming cheap. $10 for a pitcher of beer on a Friday. Not the best brew but good in a pinch. The crowd on the night I went was very tropical! Freaks and geeks, travelers and the odd crzy. Nice long wide back deck area for smoking and watching the rats scurry around Blood alley a story below. The dance floor was on the main floor and the upstairs had open seating and pool table. Lots of neon art and psychedelic paintings around gave the place a very out of the normal atmosphere, very cool for a change. I much care for the music the night I went it. It was pretty hard Trance.

[esoter1c]

Republic>Atlantis>Richards>Plaza>Commodo re>Sonar>Cyber>Lotus>Shine>Met>Undergrou nd.

IMHO!:D

[veN]

I really dislike the setup at Caprice. You have to push your way either through the bar crowd or the dancefloor crowd to get to the bathroom... And that isn't easy. The bar lineups get rough because there's only so much room for customers and moving traffic between the bar and the railings that outline the dancefloor. I've been there for both regular nights, and special shows, and it's usually a zoo to say the least. (N)

On the other hand, I really dig Library Square's layout. The bathrooms are tucked away at the end of the long coradore, accessible when you first come in, and from another cpl ways. There's an upper (sort of raised) area where you can sit, lounge, people watch... which I find limits people standing where you would like to be walking or dancing. The dancefloor is a decent size, and not really enclosed. People seem to get the unwritten "dance here, stand there, and pass by along that side" understanding. There's a long bar, so there's many spots to grab a drink. And they have arcade games, fooseball and table hockey. SCORE!

[liquidblue]

I havent been to many places in Van, but Plaza gets my vote. I like how it feels like a nice long oval. The stairs going up form the dance floor on either side are good escape routes from the crazies. Long bar in the middle looks cool. Although I do wish the seating was better thought out.

I DO NOT like Plush or 686 at all.

[Guineveire]

west 23 sounds good i should check it out sometime

[prozac]

Originally Posted by 3507321C

Republic

I agree. Someone asked me what the nicest bar in Vancouver was and I told him this. I've only ever been twice, on Wednesdays (Elsewhere). I find the staff to be really cool. Chill and friendly but still very competent.

I like the layout, big pretty bar downstairs, couches, huge marble (maybe?) staircases, great round bar upstairs and an enclosed patio thingy in the back that they REALLY should make into a smoking area.

The first time I went it was busy and they had security at the tops and bottoms of the stairs stopping people from taking their drinks between the two levels. I understand the reasoning, but it was annoying.

I like that the bathroom stalls have mirrors in them. Privacy while you check to make sure there's nothing in your teeth lol.

Plaza

Something about Plaza just does it for me. Nice staff, huge bar, comfy booths, amazing sound. I'd like to go on a busy night, I've only been inside when it was dead.

>Sonar>Cyber>Lotus>Shine

I have a real problem with this ordering!!!! Sonar is crap. Feels rundown, bathrooms are always gross, lineups at the bar all the time...I've only been on mainstream hip-hop nights but am not a fan at all.

Cyber, I'm sorry to say, is also crap. I hate the spraypaint on the walls, and the floor and fixtures look really old and ghetto all painted black. It sprawls out too much and the sound hurts my ears. Staff is ok, decent security and the bartenders are quick but often mishear or just plain fuck up my order.

Lotus is very dear to my heart and is still a great "regular". Cosy downstairs, perfect dancefloor setup (feels too small some saturdays, though) and just enough seating. Sure it's kind of ghetto, but it does ghetto in the good fun way not the eww nasty way. My one complaint is those bloody bar lineups. It is baaaad some nights. And the staff is slowly shifting their vibe. I used to feel really comfortable there but it's been kinda weird lately.

[prozac]

Originally Posted by Guineveire

west 23 sounds good i should check it out sometime

I forgot to address this. EW. See above where I talked about eww nasty ghetto. Place is gross. I didn't want to sit down, the door people are really sketchy seeming. I've been there twice and the music on Fridays sucks (personal opinion clearly) That big back patio is pretty cool though.

[dj_soo]

>Sonar>Cyber>Lotus>Shine

you should have your club-going license revoked

[MC Hammered]

In Vancouver the best venue would be Gorgomish.

Sweet layout and the best sound system West of Guvernment in Toronto.

The best club setup would have to be Celebrities. Great sound and very Euro feel.

All the other clubs are just old and owners are too cheap to put any money into them.

I used to love the Lotus pre renovation when it was dark and underground... now it is just cheezy feeling.

Best place to have a party? The Commodore hands down. I miss the Cargo parties there.

[liquidblue]

Club 23... you either love it, or you hate it. If Psy and Goa are not your things then dont bother. I love psy, and IMO club 23 is great because the music is phenominal.

Also if you cannot tolerate hippies I would also recommend not going.

Cleanliness is not on the top of that clubs list. Its not even in the middle of the list... but hey, some people will really go out of their way for the music they like. Club 23 is def one of my fav places to be if I want to hear some really good electronic.

[FireWire]

I'm surprised no one mentioned Club 816 (The Basement) yet. It's a badass venue... with TONS of lighting and with BIG, clear, and punchy sound throughout the whole venue.

[hardstylin]

hmm im always so fucked up when im down there i cant even really remember anything about the clubs i go to except theres booze and loud music :)

[galaxie]

I love the Plaza.
It's been my favourite club since the first time I set foot in it. I love the setup, the bar in the middle is cool, and you never really have to shove past anyone. My only complaint is severely drunk people falling down the stairs on to me because the washrooms are upstairs :(

I liked Pure back when it was Onyx and actually busy. It's a pretty club.

I hate the way the lineup for the downstairs bar at Plush turns into a giant, disorganized mob.

I loathe Shine. Especially because of the low ceilings.

The new setup at the Standard works for me. I like the seating and the location of the bars.

[liquidblue]

Originally Posted by FireWire

I'm surprised no one mentioned Club 816 (The Basement) yet. It's a badass venue... with TONS of lighting and with BIG, clear, and punchy sound throughout the whole venue.

you're kidding right?

Im trying to sense sarcasm in your post, but im not seeing it...?

[esoter1c]

Originally Posted by dj_soo

you should have your club-going license revoked

Ok there Castro.

How about you make your list and qft. :notrust:

Or did you not see the IMHO ?

Seriously lay of the Haterade. :suspicious:

[tiedye]

Originally Posted by veN

On the other hand, I really dig Library Square's layout.

I wholeheartedly agree. I love Library Square. The two times I was there were probably the most enjoyable club nights I've been to.

I also really dig the Met's setup. It's the right size for the crowd, very intimate vibe, and the bar is big enough that you're not squeezing between people to get a drink. The only complaint I have is the bathroom. Oh, and the restaurant serves decent food before 10pm.

[A-BOMB]

Setup at plaza is cool, most of the music is not.

[dj_soo]

Originally Posted by 3507321C

Ok there Castro.

How about you make your list and qft. :notrust:

Or did you not see the IMHO ?

Seriously lay of the Haterade. :suspicious:

The Lotus is like my good friend from high school that I used to spend all my time with but eventually lost touch with after graduation. Since then, we occasionally get together and hang out but it's just not the same as before - it's fun and all but only something I can deal with once in a while. Despite that though, he still has a dear place in my heart even though we don't have much in common anymore.

Sonar was that guy who was really cool in junior high and then fell in with the wrong crowd. After a while, you could see him metamophesize into a complete asshole who denied his previous friendships to stay with the cool crowd. After awhile, he just became a different person - someone who I just never wanted to be around.

[prozac]

Originally Posted by 3507321C

I haven't been back since and never will.

actually that's not true. :cheesy:

[Mr Ektion]

I like Sonar because of the layout. 2 rooms, there are 4 bars, it's kind of sectioned off into 5 areas and i've had a lot of great nights there. It's not quite the same lately, I do agree but i won't turn down a headliner there because of the venue. But i've seen the most fights at this club most definitely (with Plush, when it was called the cave, at a close second).

I like Cyber because of the layout and size. But I hate how there is only 1 bar. I've heard the sound be great on some nights and horrid on others. The club has different sound amp rigs for various styles of music. So if you don't work it out with the club you could be listening to house on a speed garage oriented system. And you're right. That graffiti HAS GOT TO GO.

But the commodore is tops for me. Good location, Clean, Many Bars, Great Staff, Great Sound, I love how the dance floor bounces from below you when the crowd gets going, it feels classy.

[FeelGood]

Originally Posted by FireWire

I'm surprised no one mentioned Club 816 (The Basement) yet. It's a badass venue... with TONS of lighting and with BIG, clear, and punchy sound throughout the whole venue.

you have to be kidding me?

you call that sketchy oldschool dirty ass venue that pumps out old techno and cheesy tunnel trance force discs all night a club?

[Lush]

I think Atlantis has a terrible setup, having to go up those stairs to go to the bathroom is just plain dangerous especially if you've been drinking.

Shine is such an excellent club, but the space is too small and the rooms aren't ventilated properly. Also, the ceilings are too low and on a really crowded night I find myself having to go outside constantly just to get some air.

Celebrities has a terrific setup, the upstairs is never too crowded so if it gets annoying and you just want to sit and chill you can go up on the platform behind the DJ's or go upstairs.
The smoking room (although small) is great, everything is setup so strategically at Celebs.

The Commodore is my favorite, everything about that place is excellent. It's spacy and the acoustics are great, you never have to walk too far to get to get a drink and it's always clean.