This weekender is all about partying it up and laying low for recovery as we ring in a Notable New Year in true West Coast style.
Save your liver for Saturday’s festivities and spend Friday night celebrating with a low-key night out with a bite at Burgoo Bistro on W 4th Avenue in Kitsilano, or a dig into more comfort food at Les Faux Bourgeois situated in the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood.
If you haven’t had a chance to check out any of the many Holiday-themed festivities, we urge you to make some time on Friday night to catch the tail-end of the twinkling creations showcased by Capilano Suspension Bridge’s Canyon Lights and Bloedel Conservatory’s Jewel Box of Light, on for a few more days. It’s the perfect end to the festive season and a mellow way to wind down pre-NYE.
Saturday calls for New Year’s prep. Grab some BC bubbles at Swirl Wine Store in Yaletown, or head over to peruse other brewed goods at Legacy Liquor Store and stock up on pre-party nibbles bound to come in handy. Not sure about what to wear? Avoid the crowds and head to Gastown for last minute style-savvy shopping where you’ll score boxing week deals. We love shops like LYNNsteven and Neighbour. Looking for more? Click here for more store listings.
Though we’ve rounded up some of the hottest spots around town to ring in the New Year, we’ve got a few more standouts to add to our notable list. Check out FMA’s NYE Cabaret, complete with Burlesque dancers, art exhibits (courtesy of Pamela Masik Studios) and circus acts.
One of our favourite venues for live music, Electric Owl, is hosting its own NYE bash with one of the finest collections of DJ talent we’ve seen in town in a while.
Catch a light show on New Year’s Eve in between ducking into pubs and bars in the Chinatown/Gastown area and head over to Edgewater Casino to catch their pyrotechnic display accompanied by live music, courtesy of Celebration Fireworks.
Another noteworthy NYE party that we’re thinking might be worth checking out is set to take place at the Science World in False Creek. With several massive rooms, incredible light and sounds courtesy of top DJs, and nearly a half dozen bars to help get the party started, this one is guaranteed good times.
Start 2012 off right with a stiff cup of coffee and brisk plunge into the Pacific Ocean. Take part in the 92nd annual Polar Bear Swim taking place at the English Bay Bathhouse, benefitting the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. Don your most ridiculous outfit, pack an extra thermal towel and join thousands of other crazy Vancouverites starting at 12:30pm.
After you’ve dried off and recovered, we think it’s high time you headed out for brunch at any of these picks in the West End; Central Bistro, Raincity Grill or nurse that hangover at Hamburger Mary’s Diner.
Take the rest of the day easy, cozy up at home, head to the gym or head out to catch a flick and enjoy a great start to 2012!