As decided by me, of course. In no particular order:
1) The Yale Hotel
www.theyale.ca
This blues club has been around since the 1880s. For the last 20 years or so, it has been a concert venue and recording studio for blues artists from around the world. 7 days a week, a cover charge of $10-$20 gets you sweet live blues and an even sweeter atmosphere. Don't be alarmed by the rough looking crowd, it's actually one of the safest places I've visited. Grab a double rye and a barstool and watch the crowd and the band until you've built up enough dutch courage to brave the dance floor. The floor is filled with cougars, hipsters, truckers and guys straight out of one of the grittier wild westerns getting their groove on like it's nobodies business. Some of my best memories include watching Guitar Shorty (one of Jimi Hendrix's mentors) play guitar with his tongue, and watching a two hip guys in wheelchairs hit the dance floor with their partners. Definitely one of a kind.
2) Cafe Deux Soleil
http://www.cafedeuxsoleils.com
This little restaurant/nightspot is a place that always feels like home when I walk in. It serves veggie burgers, delicious baked goods, giant mugs of tea and delicious beer. It's always filled with artist, poets, hippies and general iconoclasts. Every night features a different event including Monday poetry slams (vancouvers best) and open night Thursdays. Friday and Saturday nights feature an eclectic mix of musicians and a rowdy dance floor. One night a redneck rockabilly folk act was followed by what appeared to be a eastern european gypsy party band, much to the bemusement of my husband.
3) The Railway Club
http://www.therailwayclub.com/
Cheap delicious food, great drinks, live rock bands, friendly crowd, an interior that looks like a railway carraige? How can you lose. Has been around since the 1930s. Probably the friendliest place on my list, so the best place to visit if you're alone or in a small group.
4) The Commodore Ballroom
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_Ballroom
Simply the best place to watch a concert in Vancouver. Large sprung dancefloor, art deco design, comfy booths and tables, lounge areas, 1000 person capacity, and great food if you want to get there early and eat a preshow dinner. Some of the bands I've seen there: The Reverend Horton Heat, Tom Morello, OAR, Gogol Bordello.
5) Richards on Richards
http://www.richardsonrichards.com/
Another great place to watch a show. A bit more clubby and a little less friendly than the commodore, it still has a really cool design to the floor and surrounding balcony. Also features some great reggae and rock shows. Has a cool underground vibe if you pick the right show.
6) The Jazz Cellar
www.cellarjazz.com
This is one of my favourite places to go when I want to dress up and have a romantic evening. The crowd is a little older (I ran into my old english teacher from high school one night for example), and the atmosphere sedate and elegant. But the music! Nothing better that sipping a fabulous martini, closing your eyes, and imagining yourself languishing gracefully at a Great Gatsby weekend party while the music washes around you.
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