Vancouver at night is ridiculous. Not because of over-the-top clubs or fancy rooftop bars – but because where else can you watch the sunset from a beach, hit a world-class sushi spot, and then party in a warehouse district all with snow-capped mountains as your backdrop?
Want to know the best things to do in Vancouver at night? From slurping ramen at midnight in neon-lit izakayas to bar hopping through Gastown’s cobblestone streets, this city cranks up after dark. Trust me, skip the early night and watch this city transform when the sun dips behind those mountains!
- 👉 Pro Tip: I HIGHLY recommend this wild pub crawl through Gastown! They take you to Vancouver’s best party spots with free shots and line skips, plus you play a crazy bingo game for boozy prizes along the way. You also get to complete hilarious challenges with travelers from around the world. This pub crawl is absolutely a must-do on a Vancouver itinerary in my opinion.
Best Things to Do in Vancouver at Night (Updated 2025)
Are you ready to explore the most unique things to do in Vancouver at nighttime? As mentioned earlier, there’s a wide range of exciting activities in Vancouver after dark. Keep reading to find where to go in Vancouver at night!
1. Party on Granville Street
Granville Street at night is honestly where Vancouver gets wild. You’ve got everything from dive bars to upscale clubs packed into a few blocks, and I’ve spent way too many Saturday nights bar hopping here. The Roxy is still the go-to spot if you want to dance until 2am – it’s been around forever and somehow never gets old. Studio Nightclub at 919 Granville has become the new hotspot, especially if you’re into EDM and want that Miami vibe.
Cover charges usually run $10-20 on weekends, but it’s def worth it for the scene. Most bars stay open until 2am weekdays and 3am on weekends. The street food here is actually pretty decent too – I’ve grabbed more late-night tacos from the food trucks than I care to admit. Just be prepared for crowds on Friday and Saturday nights. The energy is infectious though, and there’s something for everyone whether you want craft cocktails or cheap beer. Fair warning: it gets touristy, but that’s part of the fun.
2. Walk Stanley Park at sunset
Stanley Park after 6pm is completely different from the daytime chaos. I actually prefer it when all the tour buses are gone and you can walk the seawall without dodging cyclists every five seconds. The sunset views from Second Beach are insane – you’ll get the city skyline with the North Shore Mountains in the background.
Entry to the park is free, but parking is $2.75/hour in winter and $3.75/hour in summer (October to March vs April to September). I usually park near the Teahouse and walk from there. The seawall is well-lit until about 11pm, so you’re good for evening walks. What I love most is how quiet it gets – you’ll hear owls and see raccoons, which sounds weird but it’s actually pretty cool. The 9km seawall walk takes about 2 hours if you’re taking your time, but honestly, just pick a section and enjoy the peace. It’s Vancouver’s best free therapy session.
3. Visit Science World after hours
Science World has this thing called “Science World After Dark” on the third Thursday of every month, and it’s actually awesome for adults. You can drink beer while playing with all the exhibits – which sounds ridiculous but somehow works perfectly. Regular admission is around $31 for adults, but the After Dark events are $25 and include access to everything plus a cash bar.
They’re open until 9pm during summer Twilight Tuesdays (July through August), when tickets drop to just $15 after 5pm. I went last month and spent three hours there, which surprised me. The current feature exhibit “Extreme Sports: Beyond Human Limits” runs until May 2025 and is way cooler than it sounds. Just a heads up – the OMNIMAX theatre is still closed for renovations, but there’s enough to see without it. The building itself looks incredible at night with all the lighting, so grab some photos outside too.
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4. Take an evening cruise on English Bay
Harbour Cruises runs their original Evening Dinner Cruise from May through October, and I finally did it last summer after years of saying I would. It’s touristy as hell, but the sunset views of the city from the water are legitimately spectacular. The dinner buffet is actually decent – Pacific Northwest stuff with salmon and local ingredients.
Tickets start around $75 for adults, and the cruise runs about 2.5 hours. They launch from near Stanley Park at the Harbour Cruises dock. You can also do their basic 1-hour harbor tour for about $35 if you just want the views without the meal. I recommend the dinner cruise though – having a drink on the deck while watching the city light up is pretty special. The MV Harbour Princess holds up to 275 people, so it’s not exactly intimate, but the windows are huge and you get great views from everywhere on the boat.
5. Join a ghost tour in Gastown
Forbidden Vancouver‘s “Lost Souls of Gastown” tour happens every night at 7pm from spring through October, and it’s way better than your typical ghost tour. The guide is actually an actor who stays in character the whole time, telling one person’s story while walking you through Gastown’s backstreets and alleys.
It costs $33 for adults ($30 for seniors and students) and runs about 90 minutes. You’ll meet outside Monaco Coffee at 356 Water Street and end up at Maple Tree Square. What makes this different is it’s not just “this building is haunted” – it’s actual Vancouver history about fires, smallpox, and murders from the 1800s. I learned stuff about my own city that I never knew. The actor guides are really talented, and they keep it entertaining without being cheesy. It’s perfect if you want to see Gastown at night but with some actual substance to it.
6. Night ski at Grouse Mountain
Grouse Mountain has 15 night runs open until 8pm on weekdays and weekends. And let me tell you…skiing above the city lights is pretty incredible. Night lift tickets are available on-site after 3pm on weekdays and 1pm on weekends. A single lift ticket runs about $80-100, but night tickets are cheaper – usually around $60.
The Skyride up costs $49 for adults after 5pm (kids $29), which includes mountain access. I’ve done this a bunch of times and the views are absolutely insane – you can see all of Vancouver lit up below while you’re skiing. They’ve got gear rentals on-site if you need them, and the Grouse Mountain Chalet at the top has food and drinks. Fair warning: it gets cold up there at night, so layer up. The snow conditions are usually pretty good because they have extensive snowmaking, and it’s only 15 minutes from downtown. Way better than dealing with Whistler traffic.
7. Bar hop on Commercial Drive
Commercial Drive (locals call it “The Drive”) is where Vancouver gets real. This isn’t polished downtown drinking – it’s neighborhood bars, quirky cafes, and the kind of places where you end up staying way longer than planned. The Charlatan has this old-school vibe and decent cocktails, while Havana brings the Cuban flair with strong drinks and live music.
Most bars here are open until 1am weekdays and 2am weekends, and drinks are way cheaper than downtown. I usually start around Broadway and work my way up toward Venables, hitting 3-4 spots. The crowd is super local – artists, students, people who’ve lived in the neighborhood for decades. You’ll find authentic Italian, Vietnamese, Mexican, and pretty much every other cuisine represented. It’s not fancy, but it’s got soul. Plus you can actually have a conversation without shouting over terrible DJ music.
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8. Stargaze at H.R. MacMillan Space Centre
The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre does evening programs and telescope viewing sessions that are actually pretty cool. Regular admission is around $18 for adults, and they often have special evening events for $25-30. Their planetarium shows run throughout the evening, and on clear nights they set up telescopes outside.
I went for one of their “Astronomy Nights” and got to see Saturn’s rings through their telescope, which was way more impressive than I expected. The building itself is right in Vanier Park, so you get great views of English Bay and the city. They also do monthly “Dark Sky” events where they talk about light pollution and show you what Vancouver’s night sky would look like without all the city lights. It’s educational but not boring, and perfect if you want something different from the usual bar scene. Just check their website for specific evening programs since they vary by season.
9. Browse art at Vancouver Art Gallery
The Vancouver Art Gallery is open until 8pm on Fridays, and honestly, it’s way better in the evening when it’s less crowded. Regular admission is $35 ($29 for BC residents), but here’s the insider tip – first Friday of every month from 4-8pm is completely free. You need to reserve a spot online though.
I always recommend going during their “Art Party” events, which happen a few times a year. It’s basically the gallery after hours with DJs, drinks, and live performances – way more fun than it sounds. The current exhibitions include some cool contemporary stuff and they always have Emily Carr’s work on display. The building itself is gorgeous – it’s the old courthouse designed by the same guy who did the Empress Hotel in Victoria. Even if you’re not huge on art, walking through the galleries at night has this peaceful, almost meditative quality to it.
10. Hit the bars in Yaletown
Yaletown at night is where Vancouver gets fancy, and I mean that in the best way. This used to be all warehouses, but now it’s upscale bars and restaurants in converted heritage buildings. Yaletown Brewing Company is the classic spot – good beer, solid food, and it actually feels like a neighborhood place despite being in the heart of everything.
Blue Water Cafe is pricey but the seafood is incredible, and their raw bar is perfect for a late dinner. Most places here stay open until 1am weekdays and 2am weekends. The crowd skews older and more professional than Granville Street, which honestly can be refreshing. I love walking along the waterfront here at night – the converted warehouses look amazing lit up, and you get great views of False Creek. It’s definitely more expensive than other neighborhoods, but sometimes you want to feel fancy while you drink.
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11. Catch comedy at Yuk Yuk’s
Yuk Yuk’s Vancouver is now at the Red Room on Richards Street downtown, and they’ve got shows Wednesday through Saturday nights. Tickets usually run $15-25 depending on who’s performing, and they often have drink specials. Wednesday is amateur night, which can be hit or miss but is always entertaining.
I’ve seen some genuinely funny comedians here, including touring acts from Toronto and local Vancouver comics. The room holds about 200 people, so it feels intimate even when it’s packed. No dress code – jeans are totally fine. Thursday night showcases are actually the sweet spot according to locals – less crowded than weekends but better acts than amateur night. They assign seating for groups of 4 or more, which is nice. Just book online because showing up hoping to pay cash won’t work. It’s a good time even if comedy isn’t usually your thing.
12. Watch sunset at Kitsilano Beach
Kitsilano Beach (everyone calls it Kits Beach) at sunset is one of Vancouver’s best kept secrets. It’s way less touristy than English Bay but the sunset views are just as good. Free to access obviously, and there’s usually street parking available in the evening.
I come here when I want to decompress after work – the sand, the mountains, the water, it’s all ridiculously pretty. You’ll see volleyball players until the sun goes down, and there are always people having beach bonfires (which are allowed in designated areas). The Kitsilano neighborhood right behind the beach has great cafes and casual restaurants if you want to grab dinner after. It’s got this laid-back, local vibe that’s perfect when you don’t want to deal with downtown crowds. Bring a sweater though – it gets windy once the sun starts setting.
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