Davie Village
Davie Street, West Vancouver, BC
A combination of Vancouver’s laidback atmosphere and the gay community’s eclectic style.
Category:
Shopping & Services
What:
Where:
| Neighbourhood | | West Vancouver |
Profile Last Updated: January 06, 2009
Attractive Destination
Vancouver has always been a tourist attraction and the city’s gay district is one of its top draws. The city is known to be gay-friendly and even boasts the largest gay population in western Canada. Since the provincial government’s 2003 decision to allow same sex marriage, more and more gay couples from around the world have decided to make Vancouver their destination of choice.
In the Heart of Downtown
The Davie Village is key to Vancouver’s active and vibrant gay community. The area, which is centered around Davie St. in the West End, is both trendy and eclectic. More than 100 years ago, the street was named for the city’s first known gay politician. Since then, Davie has become synonymous with gay pride and a relaxed gay-friendly atmosphere. The village features stylish condos, beautiful green space and a wide variety of stores, restaurants and nightclubs. Set against a backdrop of mountains and a gorgeous span of beach, the Davie Village is the perfect place to enjoy a patio or bring the night alive at one of the nightclubs.
Shopping, Dining and Dancing
The Davie Village is definitely a place to see. There is plenty of gay-themed shopping as well as cafes, restaurants and bars. Start the day off by perusing the stores such as Little Sister’s Book and Art Emporium, which doubles as a resource centre. Alongside a vast selection of gay literature, the bookstore has a community bulletin board that announces events and activities in the GLBT community. Take a break at one of the street’s café patios and people-watch while sipping on a latte. By nightfall, wrap up the day by stepping into one of the village’s lively bars or clubs. Whether you’re looking to pick up, enjoy a couple pints or dance the night away, there’s something for you on Davie. The crowd is friendly, trendy and often young. If you’re from out of town, there’s even a list of gay-friendly hotels in the area that are TAG approved. TAG (Travel Alternatives Group) is a San Francisco-based initiative that approves gay-friendly hotels.
A Street with Pride
Davie Street boasts gay pride all year round. The rainbow flags that line the street’s storefronts and brightly-coloured street decorations show off such spirit. But one week each summer, the Davie Village and the rest of Vancouver have an extra surge of pride. The annual Pride Week is one of the largest and most popular gay and lesbian festivals in the world. The week features exciting events ranging from parties and galas to picnics and concerts. The pinnacle of the week is the famous Vancouver Pride Parade. Each year, over 130 floats and 185,000 spectators line the streets along Denman St. as the parade crosses Davie towards Pacific. It’s a loud, lively and colourful parade that brings out members from every community in the city. Come early and grab a seat on the sidewalk so you can enjoy all the costumes and dancing.
Vancouver has always been a tourist attraction and the city’s gay district is one of its top draws. The city is known to be gay-friendly and even boasts the largest gay population in western Canada. Since the provincial government’s 2003 decision to allow same sex marriage, more and more gay couples from around the world have decided to make Vancouver their destination of choice.
In the Heart of Downtown
The Davie Village is key to Vancouver’s active and vibrant gay community. The area, which is centered around Davie St. in the West End, is both trendy and eclectic. More than 100 years ago, the street was named for the city’s first known gay politician. Since then, Davie has become synonymous with gay pride and a relaxed gay-friendly atmosphere. The village features stylish condos, beautiful green space and a wide variety of stores, restaurants and nightclubs. Set against a backdrop of mountains and a gorgeous span of beach, the Davie Village is the perfect place to enjoy a patio or bring the night alive at one of the nightclubs.
Shopping, Dining and Dancing
The Davie Village is definitely a place to see. There is plenty of gay-themed shopping as well as cafes, restaurants and bars. Start the day off by perusing the stores such as Little Sister’s Book and Art Emporium, which doubles as a resource centre. Alongside a vast selection of gay literature, the bookstore has a community bulletin board that announces events and activities in the GLBT community. Take a break at one of the street’s café patios and people-watch while sipping on a latte. By nightfall, wrap up the day by stepping into one of the village’s lively bars or clubs. Whether you’re looking to pick up, enjoy a couple pints or dance the night away, there’s something for you on Davie. The crowd is friendly, trendy and often young. If you’re from out of town, there’s even a list of gay-friendly hotels in the area that are TAG approved. TAG (Travel Alternatives Group) is a San Francisco-based initiative that approves gay-friendly hotels.
A Street with Pride
Davie Street boasts gay pride all year round. The rainbow flags that line the street’s storefronts and brightly-coloured street decorations show off such spirit. But one week each summer, the Davie Village and the rest of Vancouver have an extra surge of pride. The annual Pride Week is one of the largest and most popular gay and lesbian festivals in the world. The week features exciting events ranging from parties and galas to picnics and concerts. The pinnacle of the week is the famous Vancouver Pride Parade. Each year, over 130 floats and 185,000 spectators line the streets along Denman St. as the parade crosses Davie towards Pacific. It’s a loud, lively and colourful parade that brings out members from every community in the city. Come early and grab a seat on the sidewalk so you can enjoy all the costumes and dancing.
