Quality coffee is daily ritual for most men about town, and Revolver is a popular spot to rub elbows with cultured coffee drinkers. Masters of the slow brew, Revolver offers five different brew methods along with a curated selection of high quality beans from world-class roasters, and Zeppelin tunes on the stereo. Take it all in from their suspended bench booths and make your way to the expanded room next door to geek out on their Dewey Decimal System artwork.
Every man needs to let out some steam. Get yourself to one of the neighbourhood’s barbershops. Gastown grooming establishments double up as man caves where gents can chew the fat with convivial barbers. Sit back with a glass of Scotch in hand while skilled barbers treat you to an expert fade at JD’s Barbershop, or head to the newly opened, 18th Amendment for ‘stache and beard trim.
FortKnight (above) is a men’s lifestyle boutique housing an in-store barbershop along with a curation of GQ-worthy finds from Italian-made fountain pens to Czechoslovakian crystal whiskey decanters. Perch yourself on the 1950’s Belmont chairs and request the complete grooming experience: a classic haircut followed by a hot towel shave and shoe shine.
Searching for sartorial threads? Gastown has earned the reputation as Vancouver’s best menswear shopping district. After you’ve been groomed by the city’s finest, head to Aflie Italia and scope out their collection of Italian-made suits, tailored button ups and silk ties. Niftydo is another independent shop offering quality men’s goods focusing on Japanese raw denim, Italian-made footwear and genuine leather goods.
Premium men’s shop, Roden Gray (above) caters to a fashion savvy following purveying a premium selection of design labels like A.P.C and Thom Browne, while Neighbour has a more intimate, curated collection of men’s fashion by lesser-known brands from Brooklyn, Paris and beyond.
Feeling famished? Take a lunch break at Water Street Café (300 Water St) to enjoy a quintessential classic dining experience. This Gastown fixture is a busy meeting spot for local businessmen, and provides an elegant backdrop for sophisticated conversation along with superb service and delicious West Coast Italian dishes. Request a table at their sidewalk patio for people watching, or a table by the window for a prime view of the Steam Clock.
Continue your hunt for new menswear items at Haven. Featured on the racks is a thoughtful selection of upscale workwear and premium raw denim by emerging brands from all across the globe. Menswear boutique, Motherland, carries casual suiting and button ups made locally under their in-house line. For quality shoes, visit Rowan Sky, a chic footwear boutique housing trendy and classic styles by established international brands like Camper, Ted Baker, and Red Wing Shoes.
Once you’ve conquering the menswear scene, head to Pourhouse (below), a prohibition-style establishment with sophisticated craft cocktails and homestyle comfort food. An old fashioned will get things off to a good start, paired with a tasty appy and entrée – perhaps the roasted bone marrow to start followed by bangers & mash? For an original concoction, ask one of their tenders to whip up a custom cocktail.
After a few rounds at Pourhouse, it’s time to wind down the evening. Make your way to Clough Club for barrel-aged tipples and Southern-inspired tapas. Its dark and mysterious atmosphere is enhanced with optical illusions that make for an intriguing icebreaker when striking up a conversation with a special lady.
