NAVIGATE
Vancouver International Jazz Festival
in the summer. www.yaletowninfo
.com Map 1: D5
USEFUL INFORMATION
HOLIDAYS On the following dates,
businesses in BC may be closed or have
reduced hours.
Victoria Day: May 23, 2016
Canada Day: Jul. 1, 2016
BC Day: Aug. 1, 2016
Labour Day: Sep. 5, 2016
Thanksgiving: Oct. 10, 2016
Remembrance Day: Nov. 11, 2016
Christmas Eve: Dec. 24, 2016
Christmas: Dec. 25, 2016
Boxing Day: Dec. 26, 2016
New Year’s Eve: Dec. 31, 2016
New Year’s Day: Jan. 1, 2017
Family Day: Feb. 13, 2017
Good Friday: Apr. 14, 2017
Easter Sunday: Apr. 16, 2017
Easter Monday: Apr. 17, 2017
Sean Heather, RESTAURATEUR AND OWNER OF HEATHER
HOSPITALITY GROUP
“Its buildings and spirit remind me of the Europe that I grew
up in. I tend not to stray very far, but thankfully I don’t have
to—dinner is at PiDGiN or L’Abattoir, lunch is at Bestie or
Peckinpah, and Gringos is for after-hours eating. There’s cool
stuff at Örling & Wu, and everything else can be found at
the Army & Navy. We don’t compete with Gastown’s other
restaurants, we complement them—[my restaurants] Salt
Tasting Room and The Irish Heather, while great for a night
out, are also equally good to drop by before or after dinner or
a movie elsewhere.”
the 2010 Winter Games. Whistler and
Blackcomb mountains offer skiing and
snowboarding on more than 200 runs
in winter, and mountain biking, golf
and hiking in summer. The Peak 2 Peak
Gondola, the highest and longest lift of
its kind, connects the two mountains.
The Village is largely pedestrian-only
and the hub of the community, offering accommodations, restaurants,
shops and spas. The après scene
spans from patio beers to craft
cocktails to dancing the night away.
The area has repeatedly been voted
the number one resort for après-ski
festivities. 1-800-WHISTLER (9447853). www.whistler.com
YALETOWN This stylish district had
more humble beginnings as the centre
of Vancouver’s warehouse industry
but has undergone a renaissance
to epitomize urban cool. Galleries,
boutiques and cafes are full of fashionistas during the day, and the many
restaurants and bars are buzzing at
night. There are over 80 eateries in
the three-block radius, and the area
also boasts the highest number of
patios in the city. Yaletown’s perimeter
is condo central, gathered along the
scenic north-side seawall of False
Creek. There are tennis and basketball
courts at David Lam Park along with
an open playing field that hosts the TD
TIPPING In Canada, tipping for good
service is customary in certain situations.
Restaurant Server: 15% to 20% of the
total bill, before taxes. If you’re dining
with a group, the restaurant may add a
gratuity of 15% or more.
Bartender: 10% to 20% of the total bill,
before taxes.
Hairdresser/Aesthetician: 10% to 15%
of the total.
Parking Valet: $1 to $3.
Taxi/Limo Driver: 10% to 15% of
the fare.
Tour Guide: 10% to 15% of the total.
Concierge: At your discretion.
Porter: $1 to $2 per bag.
Housekeeper: $2 or more per day,
paid daily.
Hotel Doorman: $1 to $2.
CLIMATE Vancouver enjoys mild
weather year-round. Winters can be
wet, so carry an umbrella. Snowfall
is rare, except on local mountains. In
summer, expect warm temperatures
with cooler evenings.
DRINKING The legal drinking age in
British Columbia is 19. Bars, restaurants and liquor stores may ask to
see a government-issued piece of identification as proof of your age before
selling you alcohol. Most government
liquor stores and beer-and-wine stores
are open seven days a week.
Continued on page N15
SUNSHINE Vancouver may boast one of Canada’s wettest climates, but the city’s hardly
water-logged: there are 166 measurable days of rainfall per year, compared to 289 days of sun.
N6
where.ca
PHOTO OF SEAN HEATHER AT THE IRISH HEATHER BY KK LAW
WHY I LOVE GASTOWN