Introduction
Bound by Water St. to the north, Cordova St. to the south, Richards St. to the west and Main St. to the east, this is one of Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhoods. You can see it in the lovingly crafted brick buildings—they’ve stood the test of time from days of yore to the area’s present-day incarnation as a mecca for tourism and culture.
Lifestyle
Named after “Gassy” Jack Deighton, who opened Vancouver’s first saloon in 1867, the neighbourhood is now full of recently opened bars, barber shops and booteries. There’s a renaissance going on, transforming what was once a skid row into a thriving, upscale bohemian area. Rents are high, but the culture is rich. It’s also a major tourist draw.
Dollars & Sense
In a major tourism hub and the hip capital of the city, one can expect prices to be a little high. From high-end clothing to craft beer and locally sourced meats, you pay for what you get here, and what you get is quality. Rents are quite high, with living space at a premium.
The Good, the Bad & the Rest
At its best, Gastown offers an artisanal paradise: small businesses, great service. The brick architecture is a welcome relief from the stucco-and-glass mode that increasingly defines Vancouver. What mars the neighbourhood are the intrusions of poverty from the surrounding Downtown Eastside area—a reminder that, when it comes to social justice, the city has a lot of work to do.
2.7 km
Planes, Trains & Automobiles
According to gastown.org, there are over 1000 covered parking spaces in the neighbourhood, so if you’re coming from outside, feel free to drive. However, walking is the best way to get around within the area, small and stroll-friendly as it is. There are two downtown bike lanes bringing you near the neighbourhood and lots of public transit options.
In the Area
There’s not a lot of civic activity here: no libraries, big parks or community centres. There is, however, the one of the largest transit hubs sitting right on the edge of the neighbourhood: Waterfront Station, which houses rapid transit and SeaBus routes. The centrepiece of Gastown is a statue of Gassy Jack himself.
Meet the Neighbours
According the City’s 2012 Local Area Profile, this population skews over 60 per cent male, with around 90 per cent speaking English as their first language. Unlike most Vancouver neighbourhoods, Gastown does not house a large number of immigrants. The age range is one of the youngest in the city, with a secular, progressive mindset predominating.
The Vibe
There are artists’ lofts, knickknack shops for tourists, restaurants and bars galore and much more in this crowded but ordered area. Amid the historic buildings, with their beautiful brown brick, you can see the present overwhelming the past, as a formerly poor area transforms itself. It’s old meets new, with the best of both worlds.
Gallery
Neighbourhood Hotspots
The Flying Pig
In the top echelon of Gastown restaurants, this establishment has an open-concept kitchen, an eclectic menu and a strong dedication to customer satisfaction. Try the Three Pea Soup—you’ll love it.
more infoThe Old Spaghetti Factory
A spot that offers Italian staples at low prices: the classic meal starts with bread and garlic butter, moves to spaghetti with your choice of sauce(s) and salad, and ends with a scoop of Spumoni.
more infoThe Blarney Stone
The oldest Irish bar in Vancouver. Since 1972 they’ve been serving it up straight, and their lack of pretension marks them as old-school in this hip area. Daily specials on booze and classic Irish fare.
more infoSteamworks Brew Pub
Right on the edge of the neighbourhood sits one of Vancouver’s original in-house brewing establishments. Porters, stouts, IPAs and more, with a rotating drink menu. Great food, too: love those fries with lime aioli!
more infoChill Winston
A self-styled “gastrolounge,” serving high end, locally sourced food. Vegetables from their plot of land in nearby Tsawwassen, seafood “100 per cent sustainable.” Great patio for drinks in the sunshine.
more infoThe Lamplighter
Vancouver’s premier restaurateurs bring you a pub that hosts weekly tastings, special DJ nights and more, with craft beer on tap and three-dollar highballs, wine and local craft beer for their happy hour offerings.
more info