“If you don’t love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?”
― RuPaul
Let’s face it, the pandemic has been taxing to say the least. It’s time to hit the brakes for a minute. It’s easy to feel isolated right now, so let’s take the time to focus on ourselves. When all you want to do is yell “Stop the ride, I want to get off!”, let Gastown help you unwind. Sit back and relax this month, we got you.
Shop + Style
Self-love is the name of the game this Valentine’s Day. Dating might be near impossible during a pandemic, but that just means more time for me-time. Celebrate yourself with a decadent self-date in Gastown to get your mental and physical health right.
Nothing says “I love myself” like a boozy brunch! Treat yourself to a short stack with caramelized banana, maple syrup, vanilla whip, preserved fruit jam (we know you’re drooling but try to contain yourself) and an Irish coffee from Pourhouse.
https://gastown.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/119968919_335324394371436_3957197792538361898_n.mp4
VIDEO BY:@thattravelingyogi
Provided you didn’t go too hard on the pancakes, the Float House is the next step in your self-care journey. Feel your worries melt away as the tension leaves your body, mind and soul.
Now that you’re good and relaxed, head over to Brush Salon for a fresh look to accompany your fresh outlook. Don’t worry guys, we didn’t forget about you. The house of handsome Victory Barber will get you a clean shave and dapper dreads.
Who says you need a reason to get dolled up? Time to get out of those sweatpants and into a spicy little number from Honey Gift’s. That’s right, dress up for your damn self.
Finally, finish the night off strong with a beautiful Avelyn Forever Rose, a Salt Box from Salt Tasting Room and wine of your choosing. While this delicious spread is enough for two, we advise against sharing.
Food + Drink
Dine Out Vancouver
Dine Out Vancouver invites you, food and drink lovers, to safely savour Gastown’s best. Show love to your local favs by showing love to your taste buds! Click the link to each participating restaurant & see what tantalizing specials await you.
February 5 – March 7, 2021
Participating Gastown restaurants include:
Di Beppe
Frying Pan Kitchen & Bar
Ignite Pizzeria Express – Gastown
Jules
L’Abattoir
Pourhouse
Tacofino Taco Bar
The Flying Pig – Gastown
The Greek Gastown
The Lamplighter Public House
Twisted Fork
Water St. Cafe
Al Porto Ristorante
Bambo Cafe & Deli
Steamworks Brewing Company
The Old Spaghetti Factory – Gastown
photo taken prior to covid-19 restrictions.
Hot Chocolate Fest
Make February even sweeter with a tour of Gastown’s best hot chocolatiers.
East Van Roasters is offering up The Phony Negroni, a luxurious house made white chocolate infused with juniper and orange. For something on the darker side, try the Licorice Parlor, a Dominican Republic dark drinking chocolate infused with black licorice, made with oat milk.
Nelson The Seagull created The White Lion, a white hot chocolate infused with rooibos tea for the tea lovers out there. For true chocolate flavour, try the Kiff Kiss malted hot chocolate served with a house-made oat & walnut cookie and a kiss on top.
Nothing cures Westcoast winters like chocolate, so get it while it’s hot! Available until February 14th.
Business
https://youtu.be/9lRXaGJg31U
music: You & I by Soyb & Amine Maxwell
Don’t sleep on the hidden gems that make up Abbott street.
The eclectic mix of fine dining, local artisans, chic design houses and dapper barbershops sets Abbott street apart from the rest. Not to mention the beautiful canopy of stars that light up the night, perfect for that iconic Gastown gram. From top to bottom, Abbott is stacked with gems just waiting to be discovered.
Click here for the full story.
Arts + Culture
Love Your City
February 1 – February 28, 2021
Find love in Gastown for a chance to win daily prizes PLUS a grand prize valued at over $5000!
We’ve teamed up with 15 other beloved Vancouver neighbourhoods because we all can use a little more love. Visit our ‘hood throughout the month of February and look out for the Maple Tree (it will be lit up pink to give you the warm fuzzies). Snap a picture for your Instagram feed and tag @loveyourcitycontest & #findlovegastown to be entered to win.
Full contest rules available here.
People
https://youtu.be/T9a7OuSs6_A
Founder of Tantra Fitness Tammy Morris worked as a professional dancer for 11 years until she reached her self-proclaimed “best before date”. As she debated her next career move, Tammy struggled to find a form of fitness that kept her dancer’s physique.
When nothing could quite compare, Tammy bought a pole to get back in shape. Then the light bulb went off. Tammy took her experience in dance, got a formal fitness education and opened a studio.
Flash forward to now, Tantra Fitness has four studios across BC, including one in our very own hood’, offering everything from Lyrical Pole and Polefit to Silks, Aerial Hoop, and Aerial Yoga.
We sat down (over Zoom) with Tammy to learn more about what got her into the fitness biz, why Gastown, and where to find her dancing around the ‘hood.
We can’t pour from an empty cup people! It’s okay to be a little selfish and indulge ourselves in the things that bring us joy. Remember to have fun, be safe, and enjoy our community. We can only be good to others when we are good to ourselves.
For mental health support, visit Gastown Vocational Services. GVS is a hub for mental health support and provides a range of vocational and educational services.
