After dark, Vancouver’s central business district transforms into the heart of BC’s largest city’s nightlife scene, but many of the city’s most renowned microbreweries are situated within its more sedate brewpubs. The Steamworks Brewing Company (375 Water Street, Vancouver) stands at Gastown’s entrance, while another bar close to Gastown, the Alibi Room (157 Alexander Street, Vancouver), is best known for its northwestern microbreweries. Bars and pubs are the only places to legally drink in Vancouver after 11:00 pm, the latest closing time for most liquor stores, but Vancouver nightspots stay open roughly until 1:00 am.

Much of Victoria’s surprisingly lively nightlife is situated within walking distance of its compact downtown area. Although Victoria nightspots have cheaper cover charges than their counterparts in bigger Canadian cities, a local law requires all alcoholic drinks to cost at least CAD $3, which is more expensive than bars in most larger cities. Many Victoria bars also accept cash only so be sure to stop at an ATM before heading out. Lucky Bar (517 Yates Street, Victoria) is among the city’s cheapest and smallest nightspots, but dressing to impress is an admission requirement. Upstairs Cabaret (15 Bastion Square, Victoria) offers a more relaxing atmosphere above the livelier Darcy’s pub.

Whistler may contain British Columbia’s greatest variety of bars outside of its two major cities. The après-ski crowd usually gathers at Dusty’s Bar and BBQ (2040 London Lane RR2, Whistler) near the Creekside Gondola entrance, while Dubh Linn Gate Pub (170-4320 Sundial Crescent, Whistler) offers nightly live music and a taste of Ireland.