Skip the Shamrocks
The Irish Heather, often touted as Vancouver’s only authentic Irish pub, recently relocated to a space across the street from its original Gastown location. What it changed in its address, however, it did not change in atmosphere. The Heather remains expectedly genuine: den-like and full of nooks, crannies, separated rooms, red brick and shiny brass taps. A huge copper wall gives this gastropub an industrial feel, while a swaying crystal chandelier adds a hint of old-world glamour. Hop up on one of the plush stools by the bar for a pint, or settle in at a table with friends to enjoy the top-notch menu’s fare.

Pub Grub Refined
While many of us associate pub food with nachos, wings and cheap beer, don’t expect the same predictable grub at the Heather. With the kitchen in the capable hands of an acclaimed chef, the food remains authentically Irish and well past decent. Try the bangers and mash, which comes with a trio of tasty handmade pork sausages and sweet onion gravy. Instead of breaded fingers, the chicken arrives on a bed of jasmine rice smothered in Thai green curry. Traditional battered fish and chips are substituted by hot-smoked trout with a side of mashed mint peas and golden, deep-fried shallots. The pot pie (which changes weekly) is always rich, gooey and baked in a thick, chewy crust - each massive portion comes with buttery double-mashed potatoes. Burgers are available, but are far from ordinary, as is a selection of vegetarian-friendly dishes.

Whisky Listing
A top-notch watering hole, whisky fans will rejoice at the Heather’s bottomless list, which even includes a single malt from Japan. The beer selection is wide and varied, and features Vancouver’s only cask-conditioned ale every day of the week, as well as an expanded bottled beer list, which now offers more than 20 varieties. An excellent, B.C.-heavy wine list rounds out the bar menu.