THE SCENE

Going on sheer volume, Vancouver's nightlife can be defined by its dance-club culture. Rain or shine, (and despite the fact that the former describes the weather for the majority of the year), most nights will find long lines of immaculately-dressed, umbrella-toting Vancouverites queuing in front of their favourite downtown dance-party establishments. There's generally a tempo for any taste, whether you're planning on waving a glow-stick to some house-beats, waving your hands to some phat beats or anything in between. Bottom line? You've got choices. Lots of them...

THE ESSENTIAL VENUES

Caprice Nightclub

967 Granville Street Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1L3 tel: (604)681-2114

This large and very popular club is renowned for its ever-changing roster of DJ talent who spin ever-exciting sets from around the world of electronica. Caprice also caters to special events including holiday parties, stags, stagettes, birthdays, and fundraisers. If you're planning on letting your hair down and kicking it up a notch, this famous night-spot at the epicentre of the Granville Entertainment District is an obvious choice.

Caprice Nightclub

Club 23

23 West Cordova Vancouver, BC V6B 1C8 tel: (60) 688-5351

A Gastown gem, Club 23 plays host to some of Vancouver's more underground nights in a relaxed, house-party atmosphere. Features include a lounge area, spacious dance-floor and above all, an amazing back patio overlooking the famous Blood Alley. Numerous TV's provide wicked visuals, pool tables provide the chance of a little competition and a secondary lower room provides the space to really make a night of it when it gets busy!

Club 686

686 West Hastings Vancouver, BC, V6B 1P1 tel: (604) 633-3988

With its newer design, this nightclub boasts supremacy in the area of special-events hosting. Open Tuesday through Saturday, it offers feature DJ's and styles, depending upon the particular night. "Casual Fabulous" is the order of business here, so dress to impress, but don't try too hard!

Crush Champagne Lounge

Crush Champagne Lounge

1180 Granville Street Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1L8 tel:(604) 684-0355

A sexy, luxurious Miami vibe awaits at Crush, one of Vancouver's latest and greatest nightclub establishments. This space effortlessly transforms from electric hotspot to cater to any number of themed feature nights as well as private functions and parties. Want to add a little privacy to your evening? A swanky VIP lounge and immaculate service provide you with that cut-above experience. Crush is famous for its wide selection of top-shelf spirits as well as maintaining the largest champagne selection in downtown Vancouver.

Element Sound Lounge

801 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 1A4 tel: (604) 669-0806

If it's sophisticated beats, luxurious ambience and edgy attitude you're looking for, Element is the place for you. The décor is lavish, the drinks are premium and the bar-staff are flare-aficionados. Decorated with lavish fabrics and materials, the room attracts and caters to a discerning clientele. Whether dancing or lounging, you're likely to enjoy a veritable who's-who of the Vancouver music and film industry on any given night here. Killer martinis, deadly DJ-ing... this is your answer to a decadent night out.

Ginger 62

1219 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1M6 tel: (604) 688-5494

The essence of the Vancouver lounge scene, Ginger 62's unique atmosphere can only be described as 60's chic redux. Small plate offerings provide some of the most unique tastes the nightlife has to offer while inspired cocktails provide the exquisite fuel for late-night dancing. A night worth repeating, baby, yeah!

Ginger 62

Plaza Club

881 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1K7 tel: (604) 646-0064

The Plaza Club offers a good time for everyone, Wednesday to Saturday. Top 40, Hip-Hop, R&B, Dance, Punk, Reggae, Mashups... it's all here, courtesy of a roster of top-notch DJ talent. Look for occasional live-music events, too.

Plaza Club

Purple Onion Cabaret

15 Water Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 1C8 tel: (604)-602-9442

Located on the historic Water Street in the heart of Gastown, this establishment, with its diminutive entrance, is surprisingly spacious once you reach the top of the stairs. The expansive dance floor and atmospheric bar play host to a series of nights that cater to every taste, depending on which night you make it your destination. Mondays bring the best Britpop from across the Pond, Wednesdays are budget booze all-request nights, Thursdays belong to the Alterative Rock crowd and weekends provide the best chart-topping R&B and House Music. Take your pick.

Shine

Shine

364 Water Street Vancouver, BC, V6B 1B6 tel: (604) 408-4321

Shine employs Vancouver's best MC's, DJ's and Promoters to bring this ultra-hip Gastown establishment some of the best music in the downtown core. The uber-contemporary décor and stylish staff bring a certain level of big-city glitz to this, one of the West Coast's favourite clubs.

Halloween in Stone Temple Cabaret

Stone Temple Cabaret

1082 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1L5 tel: (604) 488-1333

For over 11 years, The Stone Temple has provided Vancouver with a casual, party-'til-you-drop vibe. Affectionately coined, "Mexico without the Beach", this establishment provides the perfect combination of upbeat music, welcoming staff and unforgettable ambience. The layout includes 3 rooms, 2 dance floors, 3 bars, a stage, a lounge area and a mezzanine. Bienvenidos!

The Media Club

695 Cambie St. Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6B 2P1 tel: (604) 608-2871

If cutting-edge indie and up-and-comer acts are what you're looking for, Vancouver's premiere live-music lounge is the place to be. Situated below the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, this establishment provides fresh acts every night of the week. If you're lucky, you might stumble across an industry showcase, CD release party, fashion show, screening or product launch. The Media Club in one word? Cool.

Tonic Nightclub

919 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1L3 tel: (604) 669-0469

Tonic Nightclub

Every night of the week, Tonic brags massive crowds, amazing drink specials and an enviable sound-system while, above the main floor, two balconies provide a birds-eye view of all the action. One balcony features the popular Harley Bar while the other serves as the VIP lounge. As unique as it is renown, this establishment is never a disappointment, no matter how early in the week you're kicking up your heels.

Wild Coyote

1312 SW Marine Dr, Vancouver, BC, V6P 5Z6 tel: (604) 264-7625

Not for the faint of heart, Wild Coyote's reputation precedes it with prior slogans such as "Where the animals come to play" and "Where anything goes". The cutting-edge urban tunes and complete lack of any kind of dress-code make this a big-time favourite of the younger crowd. That, and drink specials that float around the 3 dollar mark...

Let's hear it for multi-tasking! Vancouver has numerous venues that cater to the cross-genre crowd depending on the night of the week you plan on painting the town red. These establishments feature some of the city's wickedest house nights despite repertoires that cater primarily to other tastes. Look for their respective details in the following Soundcheck Vancouver chapters...

URBAN ASSAULT

Atlantis Nightclub

1320 Richards St., Vancouver, BC, V6B 3G6 tel: (604) 662-7707

Au Bar

674 Seymour Street, Vancouver, BC V5L tel: (604) 648-2227

Bar None

1222 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 2S8 tel: (604) 689-7000

Fabric

66 Water Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 1A4 tel: (604) 683-6695

Lotus Sound Lounge

455 Abbott Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 1A4 tel: (604) 685-7777

Plush Night Club

750 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver, BC, V6B 2S8 tel: (604) 669-8980

The Columbia Club

303 Columbia Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 1A4 tel: (604) 605-1076

The Modern

7 Alexander Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 1A4 tel: (604) 684-3044

LOUD LOUDWEST

Richards on Richards

1036 Richards St., Vancouver, BC, V6B 3E1 tel: (604) 687-6794

The Roxy

932 Granville St., Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1L2 tel: (604) 331-7999

The Lamplighter

210 Abbott St., Vancouver, BC, V6B 2K8 tel: (604) 899-3229

SAX AND THE CITY

Cellar Restaurant/Jazz Club

3611 Broadway, Vancouver, BC, V6R 2B8 tel: (604) 872-5200

BACKYARD TALENT

Vancouver's dance-club culture is a breeding-ground for up-and-coming DJ talent and a mecca for established spin-doctors. These are some of the personalities behind the decks...

Brukout & Evafresh
J-Swing
DJ Adlib
DJ Cam Dales
DJ Damien Moor
DJ Dimitri
DJ J-Fresh & The Goodfellas
DJ Johnny D'Erico
DJ Johnny Omega
DJ Kelz
DJ Kutkeys
DJ Marvel
DJ Peter All Good
DJ Phil Hart & Zahf
DJ Rico Uno
DJ Seko
DJ Soulbeat & J Mellow
DJ Swick
DJ Tony Montana
DJ Trevor Risk
DJ Tyler Fedchuck
DJ Rico Uno
DJ Zeus
Sense 1, Maze Live & A Static
Stimulant J