Vancouver Weekender: July 26 through 28, 2013

If you’re opting for a mellow start to the weekend, sorry, we’re not on the same page. 

This Friday, we’re thinking that post-work conundrums call for a definite cocktail session at one of our new favourite Yaletown haunts, West Oak. Get ready to battle your way to a patio perch – this place is packed with the city’s pretty people, great music and a case of good-time vibes we dig.  

After starter drinks and dinner, we think you ought to make your way over to Hooker’s Green for a few more bevvies and circle back to the always-popular Parlour in Yaletown (they’ve just recently added a patio to the mix too). There’s just something about their resident DJ’s selection of sounds that keeps us coming back (not to mention the stellar people-watching).

On the other hand, if you’ve got a hankering for a bit of adventure that’ll take you out of town, then grab your passport and make your way down to the Capitol Hill Block Party in Seattle. They’ve got three days of indie music fun planned (though the multi-day passes are long sold out). You can still score single day access here and get geared up for some serious beats. Did we mention there are a lot of indie up and comers being featured? It’s going to be a packed party! Oh, and if you can’t make it down, don’t worry; we’re heading there and will have a full report heading your way next week.

This weekend marks the return on of summer’s spiciest and hottest festivals: the Caribbean Days Festival that takes the North Shore by storm. Grab your camera, bring your appetite and head to Lonsdale Quay for several days of fun. Always a packed venue, you’ll score some serious eats at the international food fair while perusing goods at the clothing and art market. Enjoy chilling out to Calypso beats – or opt to partake in this year’s Caribbean dance party. 

Pack a picnic and smuggle a brew down to English Bay to catch the return of some stunning pyrotechnic artistry at Saturday night’s Honda Celebration of Light fireworks performance. Fittingly enough (and perhaps to celebrate the birth of a new British heir), the U.K. is set to start the colourful competition off – and will likely attract a record crowd. Canada is set to steal the show on Wednesday, July 31st with Thailand ‘Thai-ing’ things up on August 3rd. 

Come Sunday, be sure to make your way over to False Creek and the site of the ever-expanding Food Cart Festival for an afternoon of eating. With more than 20 different participating food carts and vendors dishing up their tasty creations, you’ll be salivating… especially when you consider options like Mom’s Grilled Cheese, Yolk’s Breakfast, Aussie Pie Guy and Taco Fino will be there.

Now that you’ve gorged your way to near food-coma state, it’s time to work off the excess by hitting the North Shore bike trails, or cruising over to UBC’s matrix of tracks that make up the Pacific Spirit Park. Note to readers: ladies, play it safe and grab a friend for the ride. 

Not totally inclined to pedal your way around town? Then park it… at the Stanley Park Tennis Open, that is. We know it’s not quite Wimbledon, but hey, next best thing in our backyard. Conveniently, Mahoney & Sons has kindly secured a permit to serve icy cold beer at this year’s action-packed tournament that winds down on Sunday Funday.

Top photo courtesy The Parlour Yaletown