- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Backstage Lounge
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Nightlife Bars Lounges Music Venues, Lounges [Edit]
1585 Johnston StVancouver, BC V6H 3R9
Neighborhood: Granville Island/False Creek
(604) 687-1354
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 12 pm - 2 am
Sun 12 pm - 12 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Tue, Wed, Thu
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
29 reviews for Backstage Lounge
Review Highlights
-
"small cozy dance floor." In 5 reviews -
"Every Tuesday the drink specials here can't be beat." In 4 reviews -
"Holy mother of Christ I had the BEST poutine here." In 2 reviews
Loading...
29 reviews in English
-
Review from Chad P.
4/30/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I've been here twice and both on Thursday and it's a blast! Every day Backstage Lounge has good deals, especially on Thursdays with $1.59 beers and a great band that comes on around 1030.
Around 8 its fairly busy and the seats are taken but no lineup outside so you can kind of mozy about the bar until you see some people leave to grab a seat. By 10 though there is a lineup of about 20 people outside so make sure you come before then or you'll find yourself waiting for awhile.
The band on Thursday is a lot of fun and play great songs that keep the energy up and has everyone dancing.
My only qualm is the server wasn't that great/attentive. Also, I had ordered edamame, had about half a plate left when I left for the bathroom, when I came back, it was gone and I asked my friends what happened and apparently the server just took it cuz she thought I was done. How was I done? There was half a plate left! I wanted more! I don't understand why she would do that. The bartenders on the other hand though are really nice and chill. There usually isn't too long of a wait for drinks at the bar either so you can get drunk quicker :-)
Overall, great place to come no matter what day it is because of all the great deals. -
Review from Ruth D.
Vancouver, BC
3/5/2012 1 photo
My go-to place to bring friends from out of town! Go on thursdays to listen and dance to The Phonix. I seriously want that band to play my wedding or birthday or every day anything. They play some of the most fun and easy to dance to music I have had the pleasure of seeing live. To top off thursday nights, beer is $1.59! Do you know how ridiculously awesome that is! AND it's not crappy beer; it's Bowen Island Lager! IS THIS EVEN POSSIBLE?
Oh yeah: did I mention the chairs are incredibly comfortable? -
Review from Angie G.
2/18/2012
I tagged along to this bar for a gal's going away party and was immediately struck by how pudish the place seemed to be. It's a bit classy to what I'm normally used to and I felt a bit underdressed with pants, sneakers, and a baggy tee. The door lady asked me for the $8 cover and I had to put it on my credit card to get in (I didn't realize there would be a cover on a Wednesday night.)
I walked to the bar and the bartender really didn't seem to give a care about his job that night. He'd walk over to us and kind of tilted his head and placed his hand out, palm up, and said "welcome...whaaaat?...can I get...you?" Immediately I felt like I was causing him a headache. We ordered our beers and I asked to keep my tab open and he said no and handed me the machine to swipe my card (mine is swiped because I have an American Visa.) He groaned and said that in Canada they have newer cards that don't take so long to deal with. I felt like I was really sent in here to bother this man...like it was my objective in life that day or something. I only ordered from him once and when I sent someone else to order so he'd not get upset, he did the similar to him.
Pushing all the service aside, the band was great, the patrons were friendly, and I had a pretty good time! The beers on special were only about $4 and to me, that price was right. I'll go back again and again because of the bands but I don't think I'd ever go there for anything other than that. -
Review from Justin L.
4/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
Located behind the Arts Club Theatre on Granville Island, this bar whiles away its weekend afternoons from 3-6pm with its "daily special" and something to wash it down. We enjoyed a plate of wings for half-off, and they were well-executed and tasty, albeit not the largest wings you've ever seen. Then again, they're probably not hormonally inflated either. Anyway, a great late afternoon snack if you're in the area.
-
Review from Emily S.
12/22/2011
I like Backstage Lounge because it is a GREAT spot to hang out at during happy hour. THere is a good selection of beers. Good variety of food. They even have poutine here!
And if you're dining outside in the patio, there is an excellent view of the marina. Life doesn't get better than this. -
Review from Edward L.
Came here to check out their West Coast Wednesdays, and to watch a live performance.
Parking around Granville Island wasn't too bad today. Of course, being the slowest day of the week totally helps.
The lounge itself is quite small. There are a few tables, with a small stage and dance floor. I don't think this place can even hold 100 people. The stage is off to the side, placed in such a way that only about half of the seating area can view it.
The place was totally packed due to one of the singers having her record label crew there as well. The rest of the place wasn't too crowded. There was no lineup at the door.
They have a wide selection of local brews. With that said, there was nothing exotic about the variety.
The one thing I wasn't too happy about was the accoustics. The equipment is undersized. You can hear the speakers saturating. Maybe if they just turned it down a notch it wouldn't be so bad.
Overall it's a good place to watch some loud music and enjoy a drink, but not the best place to chat with your friends. -
Review from Thor K.
Vancouver, BC
4/8/2012
Went on a Saturday an arrived around 8 pm. Paid a $10 cover to the cooler-than-thou hostess. Sat next to the gas fireplace which, we were informed, was broken. The server came by 15 mins later to say that table service would be stopping by 9 pm. By 10 pm the DJ had not started. I went to the bar and asked the bartender what one of the beers on tap was like. He said "It's good" (most helpful advice. Sadly it was not good, but I don't blame him for this).
At the end of the night, I was left wondering: what, exactly, did I pay the cover charge for?! -
Review from Daisy C.
11/4/2011
The $7 cover is totally worth it, especially since they have $1.59 beer specials on Tuesday/Thursdays ($1.75 after tax). I didn't eat anything here so I can't say much about the food, but the place is quite clean and well decorated with comfy booths and even giant flat screen TVs to watch the hockey game :)
Also can't really go wrong with live music and a dance floor.
The patio area is right next to the water and I'm really digging the artsy surrounding and small snow-village vibe.
Yay I'm definitely a fan! -
Review from Rachel P.
Vancouver, BC
6/8/2011
Great place to watch the Canucks game - loads of TV screens (including a large screen), plenty of seating and not too crowded.
Drink specials were good - $4 Bellini's.
Awesome view of the waterfront and passing sail boats. Nice service.
We didn't eat much, except for the spinach and crab dip, which was super cheesy and creamy (yum!) served hot with corn chips.
Great for soaking up some beer. -
Review from Karen R.
12/19/2010 2 Check-ins Here
$1.75 for a glass of beer? Yes please!! Thursday night draft beer is $1.75/glass. Word.
I booked our staff Christmas party at the Backstage Lounge a couple of weeks ago after having some trouble getting a reservation at another restaurant on Granville Island. I just made a phone call, talked to the manager and he booked us in right away without any hassle - no fixed menus, no minimum charge...I just had to give a credit card number to hold the booking.
We had the back room to ourselves - it was great because we were all in the same place and he music was at the right level where we could talk. Our waiter was new but he seemed to keep it together - our drinks were refilled the food came out quick and half of us settled the bill without issue. The other half weren;t so lucky - I think his lack of experience showed when he mixed up bills and cards.
The food was good - I had a burger with brie and pesto -it was cooked perfectly and the fries were delicious. Actually all of the burgers looked good as did the pizzas. SOmeone ordered the tuna bites and for $13-14 it seemed a little overpriced as the person who ordered the tuna ordered a caesar salad after she was done because she was still hungry. I would say that the burgers and the beer are the best deal here.
This is a great place for a casual dinner, a cheap glass of beer or appies before a show. -
Review from Trish T.
Vancouver, BC
7/4/2011
I like this place. I think the food and drinks here are priced fairly considering its location. Patio seating is plentiful, and the views are great. It is a good place to just chill for a few hours, and leave not feeling ripped off.
The food is okay - pretty standard pub fare, so nothing special, but it is perfectly fine especially because it is not overly expensive.
The drinks are priced fairly, and sometimes really good, considering where this pub/lounge/bar is located. I do not know of any other place in this city with a patio and waterfront view that still serves $4 glasses of wine (fine, its the cheap plonk, but whatever), and under $2 draught specials (and this place is far from the Ivanhoe of the '90's).
Service is a little inconsistent - ranging from bad to average - so it's hard to give it a rating higher than 3*. Definitely a solid 3*, though. -
Review from Delilah B.
4/25/2011
Paid a visit primarily to try their Poutine. Since we heard through research that their Poutine was supposedly the best around.
We visited Vancouver for a couple of days for vacation and one of the things we had on our list to try is Poutine.
Unfortunately, it left us searching for the next best place to try Poutine. The gravy tasted as if it was from a package and the cheese curdles didn't seem to melt the way we've heard it should. :/
The service was awesome though and I'm sure the drinks are great. -
Review from Gretchen C.
Vancouver, BC
9/8/2011 3 Check-ins Here
i absolutely love this place. you can't go wrong with $1.50 beers on tuesdays and thursdays. $4 drink specials all the time. $5.50 double high-balls on tuesdays as well.
on the tuesday that i went, there was a really chill dj playing house music all night.
thursdays are always so much fun. they clear out the tables in the middle to creat a dance floor and a live band comes to play and they're amazing. they sing everything from old classics like "shout" to "senorita" by justin timberlake. they're funky and awesome, and i always have a great time out on the dance floor.
the patio during the day/afternoon is pretty nice too - right by the water on granville island.
the only downfall of this place is the overpriced food (which isn't that great) and the service really sucks sometimes. also, they stop serving tables at a certain point and everyone has to go to the bar to order drinks, so you might have to stand in line for quite some times (i advise getting two $1.50 beers at a time).
otherwise, it has a great atmosphere, cheap drinks, and is always a good time. -
Review from Dave M.
4/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great venue, lots of space and a good hangout spot.
The service is meh-to-average and not particularly personable at any junction. The menu didn't overwhelm me with awesome, but it wasn't bad. The beer selection was good. It's a good enough venue to go back to, but I wouldn't make a habit of hanging out here. -
Review from Mark H.
11/7/2010 1 Check-in Here
Forget waiting in line for an hour to get into a crappy club playing crappy music, Backstage Lounge is the place to be.
With upscale digs, no line-ups, killer Granville Island waterfront view, and live bands, can you ask for more?
Okay, so the food isn't the greatest, but this is definitely a great place for some boozing and dancing (or if you're like me, just head bobbing).
The Phonix (http://www.thephonix.ca) was the band of the night. They were superb, playing old classics. The female and male vocal leads were stellar. Soul filled passion throughout every song.
Crowd was a friendly mix of old, young, and in-between. You gotta love watching 50 year old+ couples doing the funky dance.
Definitely going to be a regular weekend hang out place. -
Review from Kristen F.
Vancouver, BC
9/6/2008
Holy mother of Christ I had the BEST poutine here! No wonder they proclaim to have the best because damnit they're right!
The fries were crispy, the cheese was melty (is that even a word? Oh well) and the gravy was delicious. It was like having an orgasm in my mouth. The only conversation my friend and I could have was how great the poutine was. So you can imagine every sentence was "mumble, mumble, chew, mumble, orgasm, ahhhhh..." They should rename it "The screaming, orgasm poutine."
Even though it was cloudy my friend and I were the only ones enjoy a nice, cloudy day outside. You get to people watch, check out the scenery and have a beer or seven. The employees are friendly, the foods great and the service is fantastic. I only wish this place was closer to me so I could free base off of their poutine 24/7.
Do they have a rehab clinic for poutine addicts? Thank god they don't because I don't want to check myself in.
I hear this is a great place to check out bands yet I haven't had the chance. The Backstage Lounge is a great place to chill after all that shopping on Granville Island. -
Review from Crystal H.
Vancouver, BC
Updated - 4/6/2010 3 Check-ins Here
I hadn't been Backstage in a while, and after hanging out with some friends I commented about how it felt different. More modern, less grimy, more comfy, less dark and dated. Ah, the renovated some time ago.
I still haven't eaten here, but the beer selection is really decent, with a lot of local brews. I went with Whistler Pale Ale, which was served in a Whistler pint glass. I love being served a beer in the proper stein! Other choices on tap included Red Truck, everything GI, R&B, Tree and many more.
Places for improvement: high top tables in front of the stage? They prevent some of the view for people on stage right. Sound guy: True that I'm no techie, but when drums sound like they're vibrating and the lead singer's voice is being drowned out by everything else, I think a tweak of some sort is needed.
It's still a great place to catch local talent and there are even pockets of the room (it's such an odd shape) that allow for quiet conversation. Case in point, a solo act was on stage and I was sitting stage right along the wall having a conversation with someone 4 seats and across from me. I could hear them pitch perfectly!Listed in: Baby It's Cold Outside, Granville Island Best Of's, Pubbing it up all around…, Vancouver Girl's Night Outs, Entertain Me Vancouver!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
2/22/2009
Feeling Lounge-y on a cold night? Stop in for a drink and you're likely to hear an open mike or a… Read more »
-
-
Review from Ken B.
Vancouver, BC
2/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great Beer, Great Prices!
I am a regular at the backstage lounge. It is not named as a pub in Yelp categories but I would call it a pub. The wife and I live in the neighborhood. We shop at GI and of course, we like to drop in to the Backstage Lounge to rest our feet. The beer selection is better than average. They have Red Truck, Bowen Island, Stanley Park, Whistler, Big Rock, and some lesser beers. The daily drink specials are awesome. The food is OK. The room is cool and the patio is one of Vancouvers best on a good day. -
Review from Sheila W.
BC
11/12/2008
It's called the Backstage Lounge because it is right behind the Arts Club Theatre on Granville Island, which makes it a great place to grab a drink before you head in to see the latest play. But that's not why I go there.
Backstage Lounge also has its own stage and features a weekly line-up of local up-and-comers who rock it out for patrons. But that's also not why I go there.
The bar backs on to False Creek and there is a fabulous patio where you can chill with your pals and watch the AquaBus come and go, enjoy the view to Burrard Bridge and across to the city and see rowers and dragon boaters exerting themselves while you throw back a cold one. Again, this is great but not why I go.
So what brings me back to Backstage Lounge? Definitely not the service - you are lucky to be able to flag down a waitress. It's the $3 pints of beer. It's really that simple: Bowen Island lager or cream ale (but choose the lager cause the cream ale is usually kinda warm). Every Tuesday the drink specials here can't be beat. If you're not a beer drinker, wine is $3.50 for pretty average house red or white. Or if you like your liquor harder, highballs are also $3.50.
As far as the food here goes, it's just pub food. If you like to munch something salty while you drink beer, nachos are your best bet. They're not the best, but they're probably the best thing on the appy menu for the price, size and taste. If you're hungrier, burgers are fine. It's not a foodie's destination - it's a great place to catch up with friends on a Tuesday night for $3. -
Review from Barry M.
12/9/2009
The food was good... however:
It took at least 30 minutes to arrive.. (pasta with chicken)
I felt like I was intruding when I was asked to pay a cover charge to eat dinner more than an hour before a salsa night starts. I want to give you my money, please let me, I'm not staying for that long (even though it ended up I almost did since my food took so long to arrive)
Took a few minutes for any server or bartender to actually notice I was there
I had to pee in a porta-potty outside the restaurant, there were no washrooms... good thing it was AFTER I ate, it was quite rank :(Listed in: Bar-ry's List of Bars and…
-
Review from Alexander Bromley Clark D.
Vancouver, BC
3/20/2009
That's right, y'all! FIVE stars. Crazy, right?
The main reason I am giving the Backstage five stars (instead of four) is due to the fact that it is close to both my home AND workplace. Thus, it is my local bar...and I love it.
I went there for St Patrick's Day, for the first time in several months, and was really impressed with the view, the drink deals, the food and the overall mojo of the place. They have a variety of seating options (big armchairs, stools, high bar tables and conventional dining tables), live music and nice washrooms.
My only criticism of this bar (is a five-star venue allowed to have any flaws?) is the service. Two of the barmen that work here are pretty grumpy, and not in a cute-oldman-curmudgeony way. The wait staff are so-so as well...depends who you end up with.
$3 pints on Tuesdays! Is that not wack? That's wack, yo. -
Review from Vimi S.
Vancouver, BC
3/1/2009
Go Backstage to get the full view of Granville Island's harbour. The venue is surrounded by windows allowing you to see the sights of our lovely city. Look out towards docks, boats, lights, water, birds and sky. You're gonna wanna join your friends to go outside for their smoke breaks!
The lounge offers eclectic music on various nights that create an intimate experience for its visitors. The bar offers a variety of Vancouver's finest brews and a mini dance floor if you feel energetic. You can see the main act from any point in the room (unless some dude is leaning against a pillar). A cool place to take a group of friends. Go see for yourself. -
Review from Christine R.
New Westminster, BC
10/27/2008 1 photo
This is a real nice little bar for anytime of day. It is industrial yet arty, so fits in perfectly with the general vibe of Granville Island. Well-behaved folks ordering microbrews and nachos; beer specials for every night of the week. Saturday nights they have Big Rock Grasshopper on special - my favourite beer!
I do believe that bands often play here; however, the server told us that since the wall is thin between the bar and the Granville Island Stage next door, they can't have anything being amplified until the plays are over. So, if it seems a bit quiet, or the show is running late, that's probably why.
I probably wouldn't make a special effort to go to the Backstage Lounge, but neither would I complain if we ended up there. It's just that kind of easygoing establishment, with good looks to boot. -
Review from Peter S.
4/9/2010
As a live music venue...
Backstage is hard to beat!
Yes, cover is a necessary evil. But with the combination of all the renos here with a decent band. It's totally worth the 8-10 bucks!
I do like the selection of beers on tap. A lot of the usual suspects, but I noticed a couple of Tree Brewing, R&B, and few others from the interior. -
Review from Chloë E.
Vancouver, BC
11/11/2008 1 photo
At the Backstage Lounge size does matter. As in the size of its dance floor.
Not only does the Backstage Lounge book solid jazzy and funky bands and ensembles here (yep, the word ensemble definitely applies), but they also provide ample room to move to that music.
On my last visit, we didn't even sit down (not that there were any chairs). Instead we migrated from the bar (where service was surprisingly great) to the dance floor. Good music and good beer makes me one happy lady. -
Review from Last action zero P.
Vancouver, BC
11/27/2009
I went here to watch a friends band, nooby rocked out! It was my first time here and I liked it. The place was a really nice set up, one of the nicest that I've seen in Vancouver. A couple of the bar tenders had attitudes but hey it might have been a bad day for them. The atmosphere of this place was really cool, the toliets were porta loos but we found that comical. I'd definately go back, hopefully the bar staff aren't
As grumpy next time. -
Review from Lee N.
Vancouver, BC
7/2/2009
It goes from a quiet beer on the patio on a week day afternoon to a progressive music venue at night. If you are going in the evening, check out the Arts Club Theatre's show times, and then plan your appearance as half the patrons head into the theatre and you're in for the evening. I think Tuesday nights are cheap beer nights with music.
-
Review from Lor B.
9/20/2009
My ears still hurt from two days ago at backstage lounge- this place is loud but worth the ringin in my drums.... Came for a drink and watched some local bands rock it out. Noobie n Pocket Kings were my fave. Lots of hipsters hanging here. Great selection of beers on tap. Interesting code of conduct for ordering drinks at a bar. There is an orderly line that is formed! Nuts aayy?!! Apparently this is how the Brits do it. Cool spot that is worth visiting. Would have loved to come during the day to sit out on the deck!
-
Review from Jeff M.
Vancouver, BC
3/28/2010
modern-ish class decor on the inside. small cozy dance floor. fairly good sound and excellent lighting. they even had hoegaarden on tap when i went.
