Welcome To Vancouver: 'No Fun City'

How could a city often cited as one of the world's prettiest and most livable be such a black hole of boring?
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"Man, what happened to Saturday night?" a friend wondered aloud one night in July, looking around a mostly empty bar in Vancouver's Gastown neighborhood. There were maybe two-dozen people there. No one mingled. One group was playing Jenga at their table.

My buddy hadn't lived in Vancouver very long, so he didn't know better. That kind of question is most often asked rhetorically or in jest in the western Canadian city. Everybody knows what happened to Saturday night -- any night -- in Vancouver.

It died a horrible death, a long time ago.

Let me first say this by way of disclaimer: Vancouver is a beautiful city. Gorgeous. It's got mountains and oceans and parks and beaches. The city is green and pleasant. The air is fresh, the winters tolerable. People with toned calves and fashionable outdoor clothes bike and hike and walk and run.

But there's a flip side to Vancouver: It's boring. (Cue indignant comments.) The city's nightlife is so lame, its music venues so few and far between, its liquor laws so archaic and arbitrary, its citizenry so cliquey and cold, that Vancouver, host of the 2010 Winter Olympics, has over the years earned the nickname "No Fun City." If you don't believe me, Google it. (There's even a documentary called "No Fun City" about Vancouver's "war on fun.")

How could a city often cited as one of the world's prettiest and most livable be such a black hole of boring?

The reasons are many. There's the serious lack of art and music venues and the bizarre liquor laws -- many restaurants can only serve booze with food and only until 11:30 p.m. Some establishments are legally forbidden from having dance floors. There's the lack of taxis downtown, expensive parking and few public transit options late at night.

There's the ludicrously expensive housing prices downtown and shortage of young professionals -- like in New York or Toronto -- that would create the demand for world-class dining and nightlife options in the core. (Vancouver only has 600,000 people; the metro area has 2.3 million.)

There's the fact that the city has tried to corral nightclubs onto Granville Street downtown, creating a tragic scene of long line-ups, douche bag bouncers and a mile-long playpen for "dudes I can only describe as the closest thing we have to Jersey Shore cast members," as a friend of mine put it -- the cohort the Vancouverites I know blame for last year's Stanley Cup riot.

Then there's the city's coldness, and I don't mean the chill of non-stop rain. A few months ago, the Vancouver Sun ran a series of articles about the city's social stiffness. The paper quoted
a survey of 3,800 people that found "Vancouver residents feel increasingly estranged from their friends, their neighbors and their communities."

Newcomers to the city reported struggling to meet new people and make friends, a complaint I've heard from every person I know who has moved to No Fun City.

I haven't lived in Vancouver, but I do spend several weeks a year there visiting family and friends. And in the decade since I began visiting regularly, the rare good times I've had (outdoor activities aside) have been in spite of the city, not because of it.

A Saturday night in late July was a perfect example of why the nickname No Fun City is apt. In Kitsilano, across the bridge from downtown, friends and I stood in line for a semi-full bar, only to give up after 45 minutes when it became clear the line wasn't going to budge.

Because there were five of us, we needed two cabs to take us downtown. We managed to flag one within a few minutes, but two friends weren't so lucky, waiting half an hour and eventually deciding to scrap the night and walk home.

Three of us continued to a bar downtown (one of the few without a line-up or cover charge) that featured terrible music and overpriced drinks. We moved on to the Gastown bar where patrons played Jenga, and then strolled past a few other places that were either lined-up down the street or still charging cover even though it was only an hour until last call.

Eventually, we decided to call it a night. Of course, there were no cabs, so I had to walk 45 minutes home. The route took me through the nightmare known as Granville Street, where I actually heard a guy try the pickup line, "So, do you want to have sex with me?" (Shot down, thank God.)

When I got home, I ate a bag of salt and vinegar chips and watched an episode of The Office. It was by far the most fun I'd had all night.

A Look at Vancouver
West Vancouver(01 of26)
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Stanley Park(02 of26)
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Stanley Park(03 of26)
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Gastown(04 of26)
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Gastown(05 of26)
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Gastown(06 of26)
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VanDusen Botanical Garden(07 of26)
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VanDusen Botanical Garden(08 of26)
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VanDusen Botanical Garden(09 of26)
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Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden(10 of26)
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Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden(11 of26)
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Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden(12 of26)
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Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden(13 of26)
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Vancouver Public Library(14 of26)
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Vancouver Public Library(15 of26)
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Chinatown(16 of26)
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Chinatown(17 of26)
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(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darryl Dyck) (credit:AP)
Chinatown(18 of26)
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(AP Photo/Kathy Willens, file) (credit:AP)
Chinatown(19 of26)
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(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darryl Dyck) (credit:AP)
The Museum of Anthropology at UBC(20 of26)
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Museum of Anthropology at UBC(21 of26)
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Stanley Park(22 of26)
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Lions Gate Bridge(23 of26)
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Granville Island(24 of26)
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Granville Island(25 of26)
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Vancouver from Grouse Mountain(26 of26)
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Great Places To Be Alone Near Vancouver
Deep Cove(01 of15)
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This gallery shows the best places to be alone near Vancouver, B.C. North Vancouver's Deep Cove is one of them. (credit:Alamy)
Garry Point Park, Richmond(02 of15)
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At the western edge of Steveston Village in Richmond you'll find this park, a rolling landscape of meadows and bushes. Stand on one of its beaches and watch tankers roll in.Read: Lonely Vancouver (credit:Alamy)
Prospect Point, Stanley Park(03 of15)
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If you can find a moment alone here, it's worth it. Prospect Point looks out over Burrard Inlet and out to the North Shore. It's a popular spot for tourists so it's best to go outside peak times. (credit:Jesse Ferreras)
Burrard Bridge(04 of15)
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There's a little lookout at the apex of Burrard Bridge. Beneath you is Vanier Park, beyond that is the North Shore and the Sunshine Coast. Breathtaking views make for deep thinking. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9c5cdbe4b03a1dcc7e17a7" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="16" data-vars-position-in-unit="19">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/35107151@N04/7937330484" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="phandcp" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9c5cdbe4b03a1dcc7e17a7" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/35107151@N04/7937330484" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="17" data-vars-position-in-unit="20">phandcp</a>)
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver(05 of15)
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Rare is the southward view that's better than this one. Lighthouse Park offers solace and a beautiful view looking out to the Salish Sea. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9c5cdbe4b03a1dcc7e17a7" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="14" data-vars-position-in-unit="17">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22539273@N00/5230707696" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="*_*" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9c5cdbe4b03a1dcc7e17a7" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22539273@N00/5230707696" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="15" data-vars-position-in-unit="18">*_*</a>)
Trout Lake(06 of15)
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One of East Van's best parks, this little jewel offers solace to anyone taking their dog for a walk or who needs to get away from the noise of the city. Check it out on Saturdays for the Farmer's Market. (credit:Jesse Ferreras)
Front Seat On The Canada Line(07 of15)
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There's a lone seat on the front of the Canada Line. Take it, and it's like staring into a void as you cruise underground and over the Fraser River into Richmond. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9c5cdbe4b03a1dcc7e17a7" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="12" data-vars-position-in-unit="15">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/35034347371@N01/5301439940" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="roland" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9c5cdbe4b03a1dcc7e17a7" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/35034347371@N01/5301439940" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="13" data-vars-position-in-unit="16">roland</a>)
Main Street(08 of15)
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Formerly a row of antique shops, now a hipster's paradise, Main Street is a place where it's cliche to be with someone else. Don't worry if you're sitting alone in a cafe writing on your laptop. Everyone else is in the same boat as you are. (credit:Alamy)
Rose Garden, UBC(09 of15)
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Just outside the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts you'll find the Rose Garden, a lovely locale for intellectuals to let their minds run free. Take away the stress by having a nice look out to Burrard Inlet. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9c5cdbe4b03a1dcc7e17a7" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="10" data-vars-position-in-unit="13">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22539273@N00/5648181611" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="*_*" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9c5cdbe4b03a1dcc7e17a7" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22539273@N00/5648181611" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="11" data-vars-position-in-unit="14">*_*</a>)
Tower Beach, UBC(10 of15)
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Tower Beach was once a key strategic point for the Canadian Forces, with searchlight towers still lining the coast. Today, it's a great place to take a break from studying, put up a campfire and bask in the glow of the night sky. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9c5cdbe4b03a1dcc7e17a7" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="8" data-vars-position-in-unit="11">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22539273@N00/5650819229" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="*_*" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9c5cdbe4b03a1dcc7e17a7" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22539273@N00/5650819229" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="9" data-vars-position-in-unit="12">*_*</a>)
Grouse Mountain(11 of15)
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The solemnity you feel at the top of Grouse Mountain is more than worth the Grind it takes to get up there. Finish the hike, then stop and listen: you won't hear a thing. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9c5cdbe4b03a1dcc7e17a7" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="6" data-vars-position-in-unit="9">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/35107151@N04/7930380114" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="phandcp" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9c5cdbe4b03a1dcc7e17a7" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/35107151@N04/7930380114" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="7" data-vars-position-in-unit="10">phandcp</a>)
Arctic Expedition, Vancouver Aquarium(12 of15)
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The Arctic exhibit is a place where you can feel alone, even in the company of others. Stare longingly at the beluga whales as they swim gracefully past the viewing window. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9c5cdbe4b03a1dcc7e17a7" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="4" data-vars-position-in-unit="7">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32775578@N05/5981541143" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Mr Empey" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9c5cdbe4b03a1dcc7e17a7" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32775578@N05/5981541143" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="5" data-vars-position-in-unit="8">Mr Empey</a>)
Queen Elizabeth Park(13 of15)
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Take a nice, long walk to the summit of Queen Elizabeth Park. There you'll find gorgeous gardens, a geodesic dome and gorgeous views of the city below. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9c5cdbe4b03a1dcc7e17a7" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="2" data-vars-position-in-unit="5">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22539273@N00/7803368326" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="*_*" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9c5cdbe4b03a1dcc7e17a7" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22539273@N00/7803368326" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="3" data-vars-position-in-unit="6">*_*</a>)
Nat Bailey Stadium(14 of15)
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Try to find a seat alone for a Vancouver Canadians home game and witness one of the prettiest little ballparks in the country. Baseball is a game with a lot of stops and starts, giving you plenty of time for reflection. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9c5cdbe4b03a1dcc7e17a7" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="0" data-vars-position-in-unit="3">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60944931@N00/6103134386" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="waferboard" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9c5cdbe4b03a1dcc7e17a7" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60944931@N00/6103134386" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="1" data-vars-position-in-unit="4">waferboard</a>)
Bowen Island Ferry(15 of15)
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The island itself is great, the ride there is better. There's hardly a better ride than standing on the deck of the Bowen Island Ferry as it traverses Howe Sound. (credit:Alamy)

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