Post-work Friday, make your way down to Gastown for some pre-holiday weekend beverages with your buddies and grab a beer at the Ascot Lounge. This quaint NYC-style spot is tucked away off W. Pender, conveniently located close to the main sports arenas, and serves up plenty of British-style bites (and brew).
Given that you’re in Gastown, why not check out the inaugural #SafeFest (presented by BESTiE as a benefit to the Safe Amplification Society and The Music Tree). On for the duration of the weekend, this festival is centered around our local music scene and features a mix of underage bands as well as more established acts like the Boom Booms. Shows are by donation. Learn more here.
Friday or Saturday night, we think you ought to put on your dancing shoes and head out to Vancouver’s latest lounge to open along Granville Street. Cabana Lounge Vancouver is celebrating its first weekend with plenty of reasons and ways to get your groove on. Check out amazing DJs, order up inventive cocktails, and take in the see-and-be-seen surroundings of this chic South Beach-style urban retreat. Doors open at 9pm until late.
If you’re not already stocked up for Thanksgiving, score a chance to check out the latest seasonal offerings at the Trout Lake Market (located at John Hendry Park’s North Parking Lot). With fall in full swing, they’ve got a fantastic selection of fresh produce, artisan items and baked goods to add to the holiday mix. Heck, skip out on making your own pumpkin pie and grab one pre-made courtesy of Mix the Bakery, or head to the Kitsilano Farmers Market on Sunday and grab one at French Made Baking.
The infamous Whistler Blackcomb Turkey Swap and Sale is taking place (for the 9th year in a row) up at the base of Blackcomb nd provides young professionals the perfect reason to cruise up the Sea-to-Sky for some sports-minded retail therapy. If you’re in the market for a new board, skis or accessories, this is definitely something to note.
While in Whistler, you might even want to consider checking out their Fall Farmers Market come Sunday. October 13th marks the final date for the season and is a great opportunity to score some locally-made finds, freshly harvested (and baked) goods, and plenty more in the alpine setting.
Now that we’re inching closer to Halloween, why not use the holiday long weekend to start prepping yourself for a ghoulish night out on the town and head out to Fright Night at the PNE (kicks off this weekend until November 2nd). Get cozy and steel your nerves as you make your way through one of six different fright houses, take in a freak show and more. Tickets start at $25.
If you’re up to it (and the turkey hangover has subsided) come Monday morning, head down to Granville Island for at the Turkey Trot 10k walk/run with a sweet and savoury finish. Work up your appetite alongside a few thousand other participants as you make your way along a gorgeous course. Rather than the typical Gatorade and bananas upon finishing, organizers have planned a huge gourmet spread for racers. Party with your comrades and chill out to the house ban,d who’ll be on site too. Don’t wait to register – they’ll cap it soon.
Top photo courtesy Ascot Lounge