This edition of our YVR weekend guide is loaded with ghoulish treats, given that we’re betting most of you will be gearing up for a night (or two) of Halloween fun. We’ve also got plenty of other options and happenings to help fill up the drizzle-filled days ahead. Read on to get our must-do scoop.
If you’re like plenty of other young professionals stuck at the office until the wee hours, you’ve likely left finding the perfect costume for all those Halloween parties until the last minute. Fear not, you can still find a standout, last-minute look at one of a number of pop-up costume shops around town. Avoid the endless lines at places like Dressew Supply or The Party Bazaar and head to Halloween Craze located at 309 West Broadway instead. They’ve got a huge variety of costumes for guys and girls at prices that won’t break the budget. Another option is to pop into the Halloween City store that has taken up temporary space at 1160 Robson Street (the old Esprit location). They are fully stocked with all your Halloween needs – we took a peek inside and were impressed with the pricing and variety. If you’re closer to Gastown, be sure to pop into Gastown favourite Community Thrift + Vintage (41 West Cordova) and get a little creative with your costume.
Post shopping, reward yourself with a quick beer and bite at Pourhouse where you can take in some live jazz to unwind before heading home to prep for a big night out. Here’s what’s going on around town for Friday and Saturday: The Waldorf is hosting yet another two-day Halloween extravaganza, complete with haunted maze, costume competition and an endless supply of awesome DJ’s cranking tunes. Step aboard the SkyTrain for the 2012 Halloween SkyTrain pop-up party (with after-party taking place at a secret location).
If you haven’t already had a chance to check out the latest retailer to hit town in a big way, plan on perusing the 33,000-square feet of space now home to Topshop and Topman (at The Bay). Next, we urge you to make your way over to Granville Street for a bite at the Glowbal Group‘s latest addition to their restaurant collection: The Fish Shack (the old Sanafir spot has been completely transformed). We love the bright, open-air concept of this casual-cozy new seafood eatery (that has all the fixings and none of the pretention). Tuck into a bowl of chowder, enjoy classic fish and chips and plenty more. They boast an impressive line-up of beer on tap, cocktails, and killer Caesars to boot.
If you’re planning on heading out for some Halloween partying on Saturday, it’s worth noting heading out to the Beaumont Studio for their 2012: A Space Cowboy Odyssey. Also taking place Saturday evening, the Anza Club is hosting Subversive: Haunted House complete with music, several spook-filled rooms for thrill seekers, and more. Still looking for more Halloween-themed parties? Check out this site for a full rundown or go check out the 8th Annual Night for All Souls at the Mountain View Cemetery for a truly creepy experience.
We’re betting you’ll be in need of a bit of a slow start to recover from the weekend’s festivities (and decidedly late nights out). What better a thing to do than grab some brunch at Tableau (at the Loden Hotel), or head over to Granville Island’s Sandbar Restaurant. Grab a seat on their cozy (and covered) patio and tuck into some Eggs Benny as you check out the waterfront views.
Enjoy the rest of a relatively low-key day, dry out your liver and gear up to get back to work feeling refreshed.
Photo courtesy Tableau