2022 Guide to the West End, Vancouver, BC, Canada
This is the 2022 Guide to the West End in Vancouver, BC, Canada. The West End is one of the most densely populated areas in all of North America. It is a vibrant neighbourhood located next to Vancouver's crown jewel Stanley Park and downtown Vancouver. It is home to a diverse group of people and hosts Vancouver's largest events!
The West End is focused around 4 streets which form a square: Davie St., Denman St., Robson St., and Thurlow St. Davie, Denman, and Robson Streets are retail focused with many stores, restaurants, and bars. This makes the West End very walkable!
The West End is home to a large gay community which is centred around the Davie St. Village.
Please check out the our guide to Attractions, Activities, Events, Beaches, Parks, Statues/Monuments/Memorials, Restaurants, Hotels and General Information in the West End
If you come to Vancouver you must visit the West End!
West End Attractions
English Bay is the main attraction in the West End of Vancouver, BC, Canada. Here there are stunning views out over the ocean. You can see the south pennisula of Vancouver including the University of British Columbia. On a clear day, you can see Vancouver Island! There are always bulk ships moored in English Bay and sailboats sailing by! It is also a great place to watch the sun set!
Other attractions at English Bay are the Inukshuk Monument, English Bay Beach and the English Bay Seawall!
Another attraction is the Roedde House Museum which is a victorian-era heritage house museum.
English Bay Beach
English Bay Beach is Vancouver's first and main beach. It is where thousands of Vancouverites have learned to swim. The view from the beach is spectacular such that people just come to sit and enjoy the view.
You can also enjoy the normal beach activities such as swimming, laying in the sun, volleyball, kayaking, and stand up paddleboarding.
The water is ocean salt water and is normally cold, but is bearable to swim during the summer months. They even put out a slide to use during the summer.
English Bay beach is also one of very few beaches that is wheelchair accessible!
Roedde House Museum
The Roedde House Museum is a house built in 1893 for the family of Vancouver's 1st bookbinder. The house was designed by Francis Rattenbury, the architect who designed British Columbia's legislature building in Victoria.
The house has been restored and sits within a park with other heritage houses and a gazebo where there are summer concerts. The house is populated with items from the Victorian era.
You can walk through the house to see what it would have been like to live in the Victorian era in Vancouver. Note that the house has multiple levels with stairs only so it may not be fully accessible for all.
The tours are self-guided with the option of audio features on your phone.
They hold concerts and presentations in the parlour
Website: Roedde House Museum website
Address: 1415 Barclay Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-684-7040
Email: info@roeddehouse.org
Hours: Wed through Sundays 1pm-4pm
Cost: General Admission: $10, Youth(6-18): $5, Wheelchair accessible(ground floor only): $5, Child(0-5): Free, RHM Members: Free
Murals
There are some fantastic murals in the West End.
Drifter Mural
'Drifter' is a mural painted by Drew Young in 2018.
It is located on the side of the building at 1015 Denman St.
Proud Together Mural
'Proud Together' is a mural painted by Mandy Tsung
It is located on the back of a building at the back of 1022 Davie Street in Pantages Lane.
Landscape Mural
There is a landscape mural painted by Bonnie Ackland.
It is located on the side of the building at the corner of Robson Street and Bidwell Street.
West End Events
English Bay is also host to Vancouver's largest Events such as the Celebration of Light Fireworks and Festival and the Polar Bear Swim.
Pride Parade
Celebration of Light Fireworks and Festival
Each summer at the end of July/beginning of August, there are 3 nights of music-syncronized fireworks displays at English Bay.
During the day there is an associated festival at Ceperley Park in Stanley Park with live music, food, and beer gardens.
This is Vancouver's largest event of the year!
IMPORTANT NOTE: There are NO fireworks at English Bay on Canada Day(July 1) and New Years' Eve(December 31). Fireworks on these days are held elsewhere.
Polar Bear Swim
Each year on January 1, English Bay is host to one of the world's largest polar bear swims. Thousands of people go swimming in the cold waters of English Bay to celebrate the New Year.
This is one of Vancouver's longest running traditions. 2019 was the 100th annual polar bear swim!
In 2021 and 2022, this event was virtual. We hope that it will be back on in person in 2023.
Lumiere
Each year late in the year statues appear in Morton Park across Beach Avenue from English Bay. These statues are lit up at night!
Roedde House Museum Events
The Roedde House Museum holds concerts and presentations in their parlour. Check their website for a listing of events.
West End Activities and Things to Do
English Bay Bicycle Rentals
There is a Mobi, city-owned bicycle sharing, station on Davie Street right in front of English Bay. These bicycles have time restrictions on them. There are also some bicycle rental shops just up Davie Street that rent by the hour, half-day, and day.
West End Beaches
English Bay Beach
Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach is actually a couple of small beaches on the north side of False Creek near the Vancouver Aquatic Centre . These beaches tend to be less busy than English Bay Beach.
Off-Leash Dog Beach
There is a small off-leash dog beach located just next to the Burrard Street Bridge.
Parks
There are a number of named parks in the West End such as Morton Park, Alexandra Park, and Sunset Beach Park.
Morton Park
Morton Park is a small park area across the street from the centre of English Bay beach. It is home to the A-Maze-Ing Laughter statues and some beautiful palm trees and flowers.
Alexandra Park
Alexandra Park is a small park area across the street from the English Bay Bathhouse. It is a large grassy area that has many huge trees which give it lots of shade. It is home to the Haywood Bandstand and the Joe Fortes Memorial Fountain.
Sunset Beach Park
Sunset Beach Park is a large grass field park area directly in front of Sunset Beach in English Bay.
This is a large flat field that anyone can use.
Every year, the unauthorized Vancouver 420 day Cannabis protest festival, Free Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Concert, and Pride Festival events take place here.
Statues/Monuments/Memorials/Plaques in the West End
Monuments to sex workers
A-Maze-Ing Laughter
Located across Beach Avenue from English Bay in Morton Park is A-maze-ing Laughter art work. A-maze-ing Laughter is a series of giant men in various states of laughter! It makes everyone who sees it smile!
It is popular to take your photo with these friendly giants!
Inukshuk
The Inukshuk monument at English Bay was put up just prior to the 2010 Olympics. It is a distinctive Canadian monument traditionally found in the Arctic north of Canada.
Joe Fortes Memorial Fountain
Located in Alexandra Park across Beach Avenue from English Bay is a fountain dedicated to one of Vancouver's Favourite people: Joe Fortes. Joe lived near this spot and was responsible for teaching thousands of Vancouverites to swim in English Bay!
Vancouver Aids Memorial
The Vancouver Aids Memorial is a memorial to the many people in Vancouver who died from Aids.
English Bay Sundial
The English Bay Sundial is an often overlooked monument at English Bay. It is located right just off of English Bay Beach near the Cactus Club restaurant.
West End Art
There are a number of art works and artists along English Bay. Here are some of them that you should check out!
Engagement
The Engagement art work is located in a field above the English Bay Seawall just off of Beach Avenue.
217.5 Arc X 13 Artwork
The 217.5 Arc X 13 is a piece of art located on the beach just off of the English Bay Seawall just west of Sunset Beach.
The Swimmer
The Swimmer is a piece of art located in front of the Vancouver Aquatic Centre.
West End Restaurants and Bars
There are a number of restaurants and bars in the West End where you can have some great food and drink!
Craft Beer Market - English Bay
Craft Beer Market is a large casual restaurant that serves craft beers.
It is new as of 2021. It was formerly the English Bay Cafe.
It is located directly across the street from English Bay.
It has a large patio that opens up in the summer. The patio has a Volkswagon van as a bar!
Cactus Club - English Bay
Located right on the English Bay Seawall at English Bay Beach is the Cactus Club.
This is a upscale casual chain restaurant. They serve lunch and dinner.
This location has a fabulous outdoor patio that has great views of English Bay.
During the summer, The Cactus Club operates a seasonal concession stand on the outside of their restaurant.
Papis Seafood and Oyster Bar Restaurant
Papi's Seafood and Oyster Bar Restaurant is located on Denman St. close to English Bay.
They obviously serve seafood. Some seats have views of English Bay.
Papi's also does takeout. Many people will buy from here and take the food down to English Bay to eat it.
Sylvia Hotel Restaurant and Bar
The Sylvia Hotel has a fabulous full service restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Some of the seats have views of English Bay.
They also have a bar. Some of the window tables also have good views out over English Bay.
Hook Seabar
Hook Seabar is an upscale casual restaurant across the street from English Bay.
The Hook Seabar is a new restaurant as of 2018. It is in the same location where Milestones used to be.
The restaurant is located across the street from English Bay but still has a decent view. They have an outdoor patio which is nice to sit at when the weather is good.
They are open for dinner weekdays and brunch/lunch/dinner on weekends.
Address: 1210 Denman St, Vancouver, BC, V6G 2N2
Phone: 604-620-4668
Email: info@hookseabar.com
Three Brits Public House
This is a pub located at the corner of Davie St. and Denman St.
Bayside Lounge
This is a funky lounge located on the 2nd floor at the corner of Davie St. and Denman St. It is a lounge, but has a full food menu available.
West End Hotels
There are many hotels in the West End.
Sylvia Hotel
Located right next to English Bay is this beautiful old historic hotel. It also has a bar and restaurant that have amazing views out over English Bay.
There is also some interesting history that may have happened in this hotel.
English Bay Hotel
Best Western Plus Sands
Rosellen Suites
The Buchan Hotel
Sunset Inn and Suites
Sandman Suites
English Bay Services
West End Real Estate
West End History
English Bay Pier
Englesea Lodge
Crystal Pool
Joe Fortes
We Artwork
This was a temporary art work that was located on the hill above Sunset Beach in the West End. It is no longer there.
West End Photo Gallery
General Information and FAQs about the West End
General information about the West End and Frequently Asked Questions.
Are there public washrooms in the West End?
Yes, there are public washrooms in the west end. There are public washrooms at the English Bay Bath House. Additionally, there are public washrooms on Bute St. at Davie St. and on Bute Street between Nelson and Comox streets.
Where is the West End?
The West End is located in Vancouver, BC, Canada. It is located next to downtown Vancouver and Stanley Park.
Where is there parking the West End?
There are parking meters on the main streets, e.g. on Davie St. Robson St.and Denman Streets. Most of the parking on residential streets in the West End is resident only pay parking. Most blocks have some non-resident pay parking. There are only a few parkades in the West End located at the West End Community Centre and Denman Mall. There are only a few parking lots also. There are a few parking lots scattered around the West End.
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