Kerry Gold
Sun

CREDIT: Steve Bosch, Vancouver Sun Jeff Herrera (left) has a drink with his friend Needle Kineval while hanging out in the Tokyo Lounge on Alberni street. The concert promoter says this is his favourite ‘alternative’ watering hole because of its ’80s kitsch and sparse lighting. Vancouver has plenty of options for people trying to avoid crowded and noisy trendy clubs.

If your idea of a night out does not involve a jam-packed space with sweaty bodies and thumping sound system, you might be the sort who takes pride in discovering mellow, out-of-the-way spots where the idea of checking your coat is as absurd as a fake set of boobies.

Vancouver‘s less-commercial alter-ego is where alternative music lovers tend to congregate. Every city has its alternative hot spots, the kind of places where, if there is a cover charge it’s usually cheap, in keeping with the low-rent ambiance of a typical indie pubhouse or coffeehouse scene. Ours is mostly scattered, with the exception of the long string of bistros and cafes along Main Street between Broadway and 29th Avenue.

With the Sugar Refinery now two years gone, the live indie music scene downtown has taken a heavy hit, and it wasn’t the only blow.

The Cobalt hasn’t had gigs in months. Ms. T’s Cabaret, the tiny, ultra-underground alternative club located next to a bathhouse on Pender Street was lost to a fire in 2003. Indie rock band the Cinch was just one of the many local bands to grace the cabaret’s gold-lame curtained stage. But that was then, this is now.

For every grungy hole-in-the-wall that dies, there’ll always be another for counter-culture types to call home — be they scary looking dives, art gallery gatherings, kitschy Japanese or retro haunts. They’re the kind of places where the only meat on display is the chunk being raffled off in the meat draw.

Bosman Hotel’s Side Bar on Howe is a classic David Lynch style backdrop for a motley crew of old-time lounge lizards and indie-minded youth. Sometime ago, it was the Marine Club that laid claim to the distinction of greatest worn-out watering hole. Now it’s Bosman’s.

CiTR music director Luke Meat recently discovered the place after attending a Ted Leo & the Pharmacists show. Bosman’s is best described as the kind of bar where a velvet painting of Monica Lewinsky is not out of place. Fake books line the wall. The staff are friendly in an old-school way, not in a way designed to get tips.

“It reminded me of the lounge in Jackie Brown, when she gets out of jail and she meets Sam Jackson there,” says Meat. “A really dark red-lit brown velvety 70s lounge. And the velvet painting of Monica Lewinsky is in the bathroom now,” he helpfully adds.

“I’ll go back there in a second. So far, in the last year or so that’s been the best place in Vancouver.”

The Main, and The Candy Bar Bistro are already well-trodden hangouts, good for a drink and live music, particularly of the indie rock variety. But in that part of town, it’s the Royal Canadian Legion on Main that is most in keeping with the boho spirit, a conflation of students who shop at Value Village and old-timers settled in for the night.

“It’s great for shuffleboard and conversation,” says Meat. “If you show up with a remotely attractive woman, you’ll have 18 codgers on you at once, that kind of thing. And there’s a husband-wife duo in their 50s or so who play Mersey Beat, Beatles covers and old Who on Fridays.”

Of course, no conversation about hanging out at old hotels and legions would be complete without an examination of the Canadian institution that is the meat draw. Shane Nelken, who’s been in just about every local band including A.C. Newman and Sparrow — and who is set to launch his solo project the Awkward Stage any time now — is a fan of the meat draw. One of his haunts is the British Ex-servicemen’s Association on Kingsway. Meat draws, pickled eggs, it’s all part of the decor.

“I go to the [male-dominated] Portuguese Club on Commercial Drive, as well. I bring girls there but they always feel uncomfortable and unwelcome. I might add I don’t agree with that policy. I’m the Norma Ray of the Portuguese Club.

“And the downstairs bar in the WISE club [on Adanac Street] is pretty cool, too.

“It’s small, and they let people smoke down there, and there’s darts, pool, a couple of TVs. There are a lot of sad sacks there. And a surly bartender named Monty, and he plays the harmonica.”

“It smells like mould,” adds his girlfriend Karin McIntosh.

Trendy alternatives aren’t necessarily steeped in the smell of mould, mind you. While certain gleaming bars in the downtown area are far too earnest and body-focused to draw an eclectic crowd, old 70s and 80s holdovers are becoming favourite spots to while away the late hours. Let’s just say, if Polynesian-themed ’70s institution Trader Vic’s was still alive and well at the Bayshore Hotel, the place would be hopping. But it’s not, so places such as Cloud 9 Revolving Restaurant’s lounge and the Keg have become cool chill-out places.

“You can’t beat it, the atmosphere is great, and it’s total suburban culture night, but it’s really fun,” says Coco Culbertson, front woman for local band Choir Practice, which recently opened for Antony and the Johnsons. She hangs at the Keg on Thurlow.

“And then there’s the piano bar at the Renaissance Hotel. It’s got a ’70s kitsch to it.”

Concert promoter Jeff Herrera ends every Friday at his favourite place, the Tokyo Lounge on Alberni. Herrera is into intimate out-of-the way watering holes, and he likes the atmosphere of ’80s kitsch and sparse lighting.

“I like to go top shelf there with some Cognac drinks. Most of my friends are DJs and promoters, so I’m going out to where they’re at. Tokyo always has a few familiar faces with dope hip hop, funk and soul, to close out my night.

“I’m not into super mainstream top-40 spots or college type bars. . . . And dingy bars are always on the radar. I need to have that balance between flossy and gully.”

Some places go in and out of fashion, such as the downtown institution that is the Railway Club. It’s where you will see former Sugar Refinery owner Ida Nilsen slinging beers.

“The Railway is back,” says Culbertson. “Wednesday nights at the Railway are a super hipster hangout.”

© The Vancouver Sun 2005

Kim Davis
Sun

Wouldn’t it be nice if we didn’t have to stop and question whether or not the products we buy are responsibly made and sustainable? What if products that protected human and environmental health were just the way things were done?

An idyllic situation perhaps, but fortunately, more and more people are starting to realize that the simple choices they make every day — and not just during holiday binges or large undertakings like a home renovation — can have far-reaching effects on such things as global warming, deforestation and social equity.

Unfortunately, being an eco-savvy consumer can prove challenging.

There is no one-stop shopping, no Canadian Superstore for the sustainably minded here in Canada. Also, few people have the time to wade through the ever increasing (and often conflicting) volumes of information about the who, what and where of sustainable products. While there are a growing number of online resources and product-certification programs, when it comes to many housewares, including furniture, the onus is still on the individual to ask the discerning questions.

So after considering the most important question of all, do I need it, what should the socially and eco-minded be asking?

I contacted Grant Wyllychuk, a designer and the owner of Ornamentum, a Vancouver manufacturer of sustainable furniture, and Shelley Penner, principal of Penner & Associates, a leading green interior design firm in Western Canada, to help me create a checklist. At the risk of overly simplifying what are complex issues in their own right, consumers looking to be savvy, chic and sustainable should ask the following questions while shopping for an item:

What is it made of?

One of the most important issues when considering furniture and other housewares is materials. Pieces that utilize salvaged or recycled supplies not only reduce the need for virgin materials, they also keep valuable resources out of the waste stream. If the product uses virgin materials, however, ensure that they originated from sustainable sources, and wherever applicable are third-party certified by such organizations as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Avoid using materials, such as vinyl, that have negative environmental impacts in their production and/or disposal.

How is it finished?

A whole host of adhesives and finishing products go into the making of housewares. Unfortunately, many conventional brands contain formaldehyde, VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and other toxic chemicals, that while designed to expedite drying times, improve longevity, etc., also contribute to indoor air pollution. Be wary of products that claim to be eco-friendly on the grounds that they are water-based. As Wyllychuk points out, water-based doesn’t necessarily mean eco-friendly. Look for low- and no-VOC options.

Where was it made?

Whenever possible buy local. This not only supports local businesses and economies, it also helps conserve the energy used to transport products long distances. As Penner points out, “you may also be able to find something more unique that cannot be found anywhere else.”

Who made it?

Unfortunately, sweatshops and child labour are a growing problem, particularly in developing nations that desperately need foreign investment. Furthermore, unlike the Fair Trade Federation, which helps ensure that farmers and artisans throughout the developing world receive a fair price for their products, no overarching “sweatshop-free” label exists. “Be wary of exceptionally low prices,” Penner says. “Your bargain may well mean someone else is paying the price.”

What is required to use it?

Fortunately, water and energy conservation has come to the forefront of many manufacturers’ priority list. With such a rapidly growing number of options (both in cost and performance), water and energy efficiency labels and ratings are quickly becoming the status quo. Also, it is only a matter of time before water becomes metered. Planning ahead now will ultimately save both water and money. Look for labels like Energy Star, Energuide, and low-flow.

How long will it last?

Both Wyllychuk and Penner emphasize the importance of choosing products with longevity of use in mind. As Penner says, “buy less and buy better.” Consider the cost of the item over its lifespan as in the case of compact fluorescent bulbs. While they cost significantly more than dollar store incandescent ones, not only do they save you money in their use, but they also last for years.

Where does it go?

As designers and the general public become more aware of the need to keep materials in the loop and out of the garbage as long as possible, an increasing number of products are being designed for easy disassembly, reuse, recycling, and lastly safe disposal (biodegradable). Be aware though, that just because something can be recycled doesn’t mean YOU can actually recycle it. For example, some carpets are being touted as recyclable, but there are only a handful of facilities in the world that can do this. It is also important to dispose of old products responsibly. The Recycling Council of B.C. can provide advice, as well as help connect unwanted items with people who need them.

For more information on responsible shopping, the following are just a few of the resources available:

Co-op America, coopamerica.org/

Environmental Choice Program, environmentalchoice.com

GVRD BuildSmart, gvrd.bc.ca/buildsmart/

© The Vancouver Sun 2005

These are not online travel agencies, but powerful search engines that troll the Net for bargains in trips, hotels and airfare

Andy Riga
Sun

The Christmas travel rush is more than two months away, but many of the cheap airline seats already are taken. The busiest sun vacation period, including winter/spring break, is even farther away, but great deals are already hard to come by.

What to do if you’re a procrastinator or you have a sudden itch to travel — and you’re on a limited budget?

These websites may be just the ticket. They provide one-stop shopping for discounted airfares, rental cars, hotels and vacation packages.

We’re not talking about sites like Expedia.ca, Travelocity.ca and Destina.ca, which act as online travel agencies. Instead, the online services we’re zeroing in on this month are essentially search engines for travel deals.

These sites don’t sell anything. They help people find deals, then refer them to the vendor’s website — or to call centres in cases of small outfits that aren’t online.

Note that most of these sites are American, so prices tend to be in U.S. dollars, even if your departure city is Canadian. (To convert prices, try XE.com, a currency convertor.)

Also, remember some of these sites do not include fares from smaller Canadian airlines like WestJet and CanJet.

Here’s a look at a few key discount-travel search tools:

Travelzoo.com taps into sales and specials from more than 400 different travel sites.

There is no specific site dedicated to Canadian deals, and showcased airfare offers depart from U.S. cities. But Canadians can still partake.

For airfares, click on SuperSearch. Type your Canadian city in the From box, another city in the To box, then enter details about your trip. Next, click “Show Recommended Sites.”

You are presented with a page that lets you zip through several sites to check fares — Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, and CheapTickets among others. This saves you from having to jump from site to site, re-entering all your travel details each time.

Travelzoo also helps find hotel rooms and car rentals. And many cruises and vacation package deals can be booked starting from Canadian cities.

Real discount hounds should subscribe to one of this site’s e-mail services. They include a top 20 list of the week’s best deals, and a NewsFlash alert that sends you a message when deals are announced.

Kelly Ford, Travelzoo’s marketing vice-president, said her company “constantly test-books the deals it publishes to be sure that advertisers are accurately reflecting what they promote, and that availability, features and price are as advertised.”

What’s in it for Travelzoo?

Travel companies pay fees to be listed on the site and featured in newsletters. They also pay Travelzoo when a user clicks on a result after the company’s deal pops up in a search.

Cheapflights.com is a good starting point for travellers ready to drive a few hours to save a few bucks. It looks for discounted deals, but only from U.S. destinations.

In the search box, punch in the name of a nearby U.S. city with an airport, and your destination city. Up pop the latest deals for that route, from several sources.

Cheapflights “carries a wide inventory from airlines, low-cost carriers, consolidators, agencies and destination specialists,” said company spokesperson Charis Heelan. Listings include fares from discount U.S. airlines, including JetBlue, unlike some online travel agencies.

Cheapflights “always recommends that consumers shop around,” Heelan said. “Going to one site like Orbitz is like going to one shop, so it is likely that you will miss out on the better deals.”

Unlike most online travel agencies, Cheapflights allows you to search by “destination, not date,” Heelan added.

“Searching by date limits your ability to find all the best deals,” he noted. “For example, if you input Oct. 7 as your flight date, how do you know that the fare sale on that route, with $200 off the price, ends on Oct. 6?”

How does Cheapflights make money? Every time a visitor clicks on to a supplier’s site, Cheapflights is paid a referral fee.

Cheapflights currently has a modest Canadian sister site (Cheapflights.ca) whose listings and search tools are limited.

The company is working on a bigger site for Canada. “Canadian users can expect more choice when looking for deals online” within six months, Heelan said.

Kayak.com is a sleek site with a powerful search tool to conduct comparison shopping for airfares, hotels, rental cars and vacation packages.

Yahoo! Farechase is a bare-bones but impressive site (http://farechase.yahoo.com) that lets you search for fares, hotels and cars.

Bookingbuddy.com searches through more than 50 travel sites to find everything from flights to hotels, cruises to all-inclusive vacations.

Airfarewatchdog.com, a low-budget site whose editors monitor airfare deals in the United States, looks for “hidden fare reductions,” including discounts that pop up for short periods to allow airlines to fill empty seats

© The Vancouver Sun 2005

Kate Zimmerman
Sun

Let’s forget that the try-too-hards want to hang this town with the pathetic name “Funcouver.” There is such a thing as Vancouver nightlife — you just have to know where to look.

1. Coast: Don’t succumb to loneliness just because you’re on your own downtown. Coast is more a restaurant than a bar; it positions many of its guests around a central square, where a chef dances attendance on them. Gobble down a platter of oysters, exchanging banter with fellow diners. Claim to be a secret agent, or a candidate for mayor; you’ll feel that important in this milieu, and they’ll never know the sordid truth. Sure beats a night in bed with The Da Vinci Code and a hot rum toddy.

2. George: This “London Ultra Lounge,” downstairs from the equally fabulous but longer-established Brix, takes special care with its cocktails. Smallish and darkish with a glowing yellow-topped bar, it’s the perfect starting or finishing spot for an evening in Yaletown. Watch for the giant “G” on the door. Cryptic signage always gives a place cachet . . . unless it’s so cryptic nobody can find the place. Not the case with George.

3. Lift: No longer fresh off the grill but still piping hot, Lift has a fantastic location — right on the waterfront in Coal Harbour, facing Stanley Park and the North Shore mountains. The ideal locale to induce envy in visitors from more wintry climes, it’s both loud and packed. A hefty wine list and plenty o’ martinis are big draws, as are Lift’s “whet plates,” sharable high-end appetizers. Try to get to the upper deck and snuggle with someone around one of Lift’s two outdoor fireplaces.

4. Lolita’s South of the Border Cantina: It’s the perfect season for a blast of Mexico. If you can’t afford the plane trip to Isla Mujeres, haul your sorry, soggy self to Lolita’s. Tequila flows here like tequila should, and the atmosphere is lively. The food gets raves from critics and regular eaters alike.

5. Nu: The latest island in Harry Kambolis’ archipelago, Nu is a skip away from C on the False Creek waterfront. Watch yachts slip by as you slug back one of Guest Spirits manager Jay Jones’s zesty cocktails. The bar also specializes in rums and has an extensive wine list. Rumour has it the chicken wings stuffed with goat cheese are outstanding.

6. Opus: Not everybody enjoys being jammed into an ersatz drinking establishment like a kipper into a can. That’s why it’s essential for a city to have more rarefied boites. Opus offers something more than elegant cocktails in a screamingly chic spot — it frequently offers celebrity eye candy. One evening while you graze on tapas you get yer Harrison Ford; the next, yer Anthony Bourdain.

7. Sip Resto-Lounge: The gimmick here is that booze laces everything on the “Resto’s” menu, from its crab cakes with Grey Goose L’Orange Vodka to its Bacardi cocoa prawns, made with coconut rum. Its list of 10 martinis is a hit. This “New York-style” lounge with marble tables offers a candlelit ambience that could be just the sexy mood-enhancer you and your date require. Deep house music dominates Sip’s CD collection.

8. Watermark: This fairly new Kits establishment was slagged for its eats early on by some critics, but you can’t beat its ocean purview. Anyway, some nights a plate of vegetarian gyoza, a glass of Blue Mountain Pinot Gris and a highly visible thong are all a person needs for excitement.

9. West: The maitre d’ at West encourages the consumption of bubbly, and who are you to argue? The restaurant’s location on South Granville, just a few pirouettes from the Stanley Industrial Stage, makes it the perfect spot for animated pre- or post-theatre get-togethers. The food is to die for, or to die of, depending how often you inhale West’s delicious foie gras.

Upcoming: a couple of venues whose openings you’ll want to watch for:

10. The Ocean Club: Managing partner Andre Thomas has been general manager of such stellar nightspots as Whistler’s Araxi. He’s teaming up with Derek Pink and Dave Kershaw, the powers behind this city’s Au Bar and others, as well as mixologist Darryl McDonald, also an Araxi alumnus. The quartet promises to whip up a night scene where there is currently nada . . . in that slumbering hamlet we call West Vancouver. With the Ocean Club, it is also dangling the pledge of an 800-square-foot heated patio with fireplace, located on the banks of the Capilano River, on the east side of Park Royal South. The Ocean Club is due to open before Christmas.