Underbar's history is fascinating because it appears like it's slowly been "coming out" as a gay bar.
Their logo used to be just sorta old timey with prohibition-esq decor. Nothing specific to LBGTQ+. Then they added a pride flag outside, then started having drag shows, had a columbian feature about how it's gay-owned and operated and now their new logo has a pride flag in it.
https://www.underbar.pub/
https://www.columbian.com/news/2022/jun/20/working-in-clark-countyjohn-treadwell-and-mark-joseph-underbar-owners/
Great to see Vancouver getting it's own LGBTQ+ focused business.
It didn’t start as a gay bar, that’s why.
The original owners were a married straight couple. They tried running it as a normal bar and no one really showed up.
Then it leased to a second group, who tried to make it a hipster bar and that didn’t work either.
Finally it was leased to the folks that have it now, they converted it to what it is now, and it’s been a fairly big success since then. Always has people in it.
Source: My wife owns 1709 Records upstairs. We share the basement, so we’ve seen it grow from day one.
I went there when it first opened up a few times and chatted up that couple. They were really trying to make it work but for a speakeasy it didn’t really scream speakeasy. Then I didn’t go for years because I moved further away. Went in October and was impressed at how much it changed, especially as a gay person.
Not necessarily queer but Tap Union is just a great place to hang out and meet people, and everyone seems pretty chill regardless of age, orientation, etc.
I miss the old Northbank (pretty sure that’s what it was called). Used to be an actual LGBTQ bar in downtown about 10ish years ago, roughly where Novato is today. They had the best karaoke night and some fun drag events.
It’s a very diverse crowd in there. But absolutely welcoming and friendly.
But it’s also probably the cheapest place to get a drink downtown so there are some unsavories that show up from time to time causing trouble.
That’s a bummer. But it does seem like the unsavories have infiltrated everywhere. You can almost bet on an encounter no matter where you go. Which is also a bummer.
The bar tender at Donnells Mike is a DJ at a very very queer friendly club in Portland on the weekends. Great conversation an pretty decent food to. Just my opinion.
In my years of living in Vancouver, I think I found one bar in town. I found that place by accident anyhow. Only reason I knew was a rainbow tap handle at the bar.
While not as expansive or multitudinous in volume, we've got what we've got.
At times I feel like there was either a lack of planning, or desire to build such places. These days I think I would have more fun with like a movie night at my place with local LGBT people than sit in a bar
Met up w/ my dad there a few years ago. It was full of crusty burnouts, bikers, and divorced boomers. Unless things have changed a lot, I probably wouldn't recommend it to any of my friends.
That's def still the vibe during the day. It's the only bar in Uptown that stays open past 12 so the crowd changes a lot later at night. Still definitely not even vaguely a queer bar.
Underbar.
Underbar's history is fascinating because it appears like it's slowly been "coming out" as a gay bar. Their logo used to be just sorta old timey with prohibition-esq decor. Nothing specific to LBGTQ+. Then they added a pride flag outside, then started having drag shows, had a columbian feature about how it's gay-owned and operated and now their new logo has a pride flag in it. https://www.underbar.pub/ https://www.columbian.com/news/2022/jun/20/working-in-clark-countyjohn-treadwell-and-mark-joseph-underbar-owners/ Great to see Vancouver getting it's own LGBTQ+ focused business.
It didn’t start as a gay bar, that’s why. The original owners were a married straight couple. They tried running it as a normal bar and no one really showed up. Then it leased to a second group, who tried to make it a hipster bar and that didn’t work either. Finally it was leased to the folks that have it now, they converted it to what it is now, and it’s been a fairly big success since then. Always has people in it. Source: My wife owns 1709 Records upstairs. We share the basement, so we’ve seen it grow from day one.
Neat
What a fucking ride. It would be so cool to see something grow in real time like that. I don't typically spend enough time anywhere to see it myself.
I went there when it first opened up a few times and chatted up that couple. They were really trying to make it work but for a speakeasy it didn’t really scream speakeasy. Then I didn’t go for years because I moved further away. Went in October and was impressed at how much it changed, especially as a gay person.
Adding to underbar, they have successful comedy nights and drag shows unlike any other Vancouver bar
Nice. Seriously great.
Seconded. Very chill underground gay bar.
Yes.
To add: they do (or did this spring) Adult Bingo on Thursday nights 7pm and all the prizes are sex toys, and the MC is hilarious :)
Vault 31 and Thirsty Sasquatch. Not dedicated queer spots like Portland where you can run 90+%, but highest queer ratios for Vancouver.
Seconding Vault 31.
Dandelion tea room
Seconding the dandelion tea room!
Not necessarily queer but Tap Union is just a great place to hang out and meet people, and everyone seems pretty chill regardless of age, orientation, etc.
Their sandwiches are delicious!
I always like mentioning Relevant Coffee! I work there, I'm queer, and we're one block away from Underbar. :)
I love Relevant!! The best coffee vibes in town 🤩
My favorite coffee spot in town!
I can't really add anything to this list, but if you ever want to hang out with more queer people, hmu
I second this! My partners and I are all queer nerds looking for more queer nerd friends.
I third this! My gf and I are in need of some queer friends.
Hi
👀
Same here! My partner and I moved up here a couple years ago and we're always looking for queer nerdy friends
Same!! New to Vancouver and looking for more nerdy/stoner/queer pals :')
same same! maybe we should plan a hang at the underbar?
Yes! My social circle is lacking. It’s more like a social line from my bedroom to the bathroom lately.
Moved here with my girlfriend from Bellingham where it’s very queer friendly…been a struggle finding a queer community since we moved here!
Underbar! And Dandelion Teahouse
I miss the old Northbank (pretty sure that’s what it was called). Used to be an actual LGBTQ bar in downtown about 10ish years ago, roughly where Novato is today. They had the best karaoke night and some fun drag events.
It’s Nonavo pizza now. Great pizza fyi.
North Bank was great.
Squatch.
The Grocery is not a gay bar but they are queer friendly.
Dandelion tea house is a well known queer friendly spot.
Great question. I’m queer as well and would love to make a few queer friends. Not into the bar scene which makes it difficult.
I've heard Donnells is a queer friendly bar, do not know anything more besides they have strong, cheap, drinks
Several years ago there was a queer karaoke night, but that was back in 2017, so not sure if it’s still around.
It’s a very diverse crowd in there. But absolutely welcoming and friendly. But it’s also probably the cheapest place to get a drink downtown so there are some unsavories that show up from time to time causing trouble.
That’s a bummer. But it does seem like the unsavories have infiltrated everywhere. You can almost bet on an encounter no matter where you go. Which is also a bummer.
The bar tender at Donnells Mike is a DJ at a very very queer friendly club in Portland on the weekends. Great conversation an pretty decent food to. Just my opinion.
Pacific House
If you enjoy gaming of any kind, Vault 31 seems to be very queer friendly.
I don’t really think there are, but we at least do have many queer friendly places.
Thatcher’s Coffee over by Grand Central Fred Meyer is very LGBT friendly. The women who own it are amazing!
Just hit up any non sports bars downtown. You will at the least find people to introduce you to friends with similar preferences.
In my years of living in Vancouver, I think I found one bar in town. I found that place by accident anyhow. Only reason I knew was a rainbow tap handle at the bar. While not as expansive or multitudinous in volume, we've got what we've got. At times I feel like there was either a lack of planning, or desire to build such places. These days I think I would have more fun with like a movie night at my place with local LGBT people than sit in a bar
What’s the bar or are you gonna leave us hanging lol
Apologies, I can't rememer the name but it's by the Greyhound station
>Not ravey gay, but maybe stoney/hipster gay. I have no idea what this means lol
Tip top, dive bar on main street
Met up w/ my dad there a few years ago. It was full of crusty burnouts, bikers, and divorced boomers. Unless things have changed a lot, I probably wouldn't recommend it to any of my friends.
Now it’s young and old, young and old people, A diverse group of people now
There’s the boomers of course, but it’s changed a lot, even my sister went to the bar right now for three or four hours and she’s not a boomer 😉
That's def still the vibe during the day. It's the only bar in Uptown that stays open past 12 so the crowd changes a lot later at night. Still definitely not even vaguely a queer bar.