WEEKENDER | Cocktail Hour x H Tasting Lounge x Westin Bayshore

Coal Harbour—Over the course of its short four years of existence, the fanciful H Tasting Lounge (inexplicably known as "HJU:Z" when it originally opened) has become one of my preferred cocktail bars in the city with its somewhat hidden oasis quality despite a very much prime location inside the legendary Westin Bayshore hotel near the tail end of the Vancouver Waterfront strip just before the entrance to Stanley Park.

Creamsicle (with clarified milk punch and champagne)

HTL always feels highly ornate and classical in style but its laser focus on well-made and precisely concocted beverages has also been a real hit with this drinker.



On an otherwise mild-mannered weekend mid-afternoon, we settled into our barside seating to enjoy some specially-made off-menu cocktail creations handmade by talented bartender Chiara Fung (above).



There's an inviting and somewhat low-key atmosphere thanks in part to the Bayshore's wide-open lobby space, high ceilings, and HTL's straightforward offerings regardless of the golden, shiny interior or general upscale decor.

espresso cocktail

Let's also acknowledge and show appreciation to many hard-working hospitality and restaurant workers struggling to serve us safely while keeping us well-fed during some tough restrictions or often unfair treatment—please support them through the Vancouver Food and Beverage Community (VanFBC) relief fund.

pineapple mojito

There are few things I enjoy more than sipping on a refreshing beverage made for me by a friendly face at a nice bar or on a sunny patio surrounded by good company and better drinks. I hope to do both in or outdoors regularly once again real soon.


More | YVArcade / 2017 / 2018 / H2 / Montecristo