This place varies every night. Some nights it is packed with young 20 something year olds and sometimes is cougar city. Either way it's a fun vibe, the bands have always been good and the dance floor seems to be quite happening every night I have been there, including week days.

Don't expect a good poor. Here on a $4 high ball evening and I'm fairly certain we barely had vodka with out tonic.
The food was fair. Veggies with hummus were plentiful, fresh, and crisp. The kitchen doesn't understand the difference between feta and dairy, but it's a bar, so that wasn't a surprise or disappointment.
I was surprised how dirty the patio was. There were cigarette butts, used... more

There may be signs "no minors", which we hadn't seen, but the first staff who saw us with a stroller said to us in a super b@!%h tone that we couldn't come with a baby. I have been here before for cocktails amongst adults but this waitress may have just killed it forever for us. On any other more polite tone would have been better. Not good for any kids, because they are not welcome at any age,... more

"live music nightly": there was no live music and still there was a cover charge!
"great food": the burger was terrible, tasteless and tough
"drinks": ordered an long island ice tea $5 on special, came in a small glass!, shame that they promote their specials and actual reduce the glass size, rip off!
pros: the terrace has a relaxing feel, the rest is just False Advertizing

Burger meat had a green hue! I took one bite, and it tasted so bizarre and gross. The fries were good.. but wow. First time I have not eaten a meal after ordering it. Asked for the check (she took it off the bill as it was clearly disgusting) and got out of there.

I could also tell that the meat had been frozen and not unthawed before trying to cook it.. such a shame when 15 steps away there... more

A busy sports-bar / modern pub on Granville Island, right next to several theaters. It features both indoor and outdoor seating, a good selection of beers, and a good selection of bar food, salads and small dishes.

They can handle small groups (10-12 people) fairly easily, and the waitress had no trouble keeping track of separate checks for our party, even matching up couples properly, though... more

Sitting outdoors watching the boats go by was awesome

Good prices on Happy hour drinks.
Disapointed in fish & chips. The quantity was good,
but not a great batter on the fish.

Dinner at the Backstage Lounge

We went there during Happy Hour so were pleased with the price of drinks.
We had fish & chips &were a bit disapointed in the meal.
Sitting outdoors watching the boats go by was awesome.

Major Disappoinment

We visited this place several times before and always were satisfied. Not this time, though. The place was not full, we ordered drinks and lunch. Then nothing happened for 40 minutes. We do understand that the kitchen might be busy at times, although the luchhour rush was over, but waiting that long for a beer and a glass of wine... more

My wife and I are enrolled in Rob's and Alexis's East Coast Swing (AtomicRadioProductions.c…) dance class and have been attending Sunday 'Swing Night' at the Backstage Lounge for 3 nights thus far. We were going to Lux Lounge prior to this. I am writing to say that we like the Backstage more so than the Lux because the dance floor and stage are larger and the tables are set up in a better... more

Music great, atmosphere great, food ok, bar staff absolutely obnoxious - and that's the reason for the two stars - because no matter how good certain aspects of a bar are, if you're treated like sh*t by the people who work there, what's the point?

At a certain point in the night the backstage lounge always switches from table service to bar only service (which is fine in my book). It's just a... more

All right

All right is all I can give this place. It's best asset is its location. It is suppose to open at noon but us and about twenty other people were standing out front about at 12:10 when it opened. We sat outside by the water. The chairs had seagull droppings on them so be careful when sitting there. Good choice... more

Cheap drinks and loud music

A lot of people reviewing this place seem to be under the impression it's a restaurant; it's not. It's a bar and live music venue! The food is decent pub grub but the real reason to come here is the cheap drink specials ($2.25 Beers on Thursdays!), the music, and the view. Chill atmosphere during the day, can get rowdy... more

Dirty menus, poor service, low-end food

We went here to have dinner before we saw “Kim’s Convenience” at the theater. This was the second and last time in this restaurant.
The first thing I noticed was general filthiness of the place and that the menus were really grimy; the second was that the service was very slow and nearly non-existent. When we finally did get our... more

Rude aggressive barman ruined a nice afternoon

I went for a stroll with my wife in Granville Island, we decided to have a drink before going home, but made the mistake of choosing this dump.
One look at the menu confirmed that they were exploiting their location to the max, even simple fare such as fries or nachos were seriously overpriced.
I went to the bar to... more

Nice view, out of the fray

Back stage is the closest restaurant to the public market without actually being in the market. I stopped in after getting off the Aquabus to get out of the rain and have a quick bite. The service was prompt and friendly, the decor relaxed and chic, nice views out the window. My fish and chips were tasty and well cooked.

My boyfriend and I went to Granville Island today and decided to go check out this place for lunch because we both have never been.
On their menu is says soup of the day, I asked what soup they had and they didn't have any. I ended up ordering the pulled pork sandwich with french fries with a side of gravy. When my food finally arrives, it took a really long time and we were one of two tables... more

When i arrived, there was a $5 cover charge, which I didn't mind at all. I went over to the bar to order a couple of drinks only to be faced with a line that just would not move. It was packed and there were only 2 bartenders on deck. Of course the line that I just so happened to be waiting in had the SLOWEST BARTENDER ON EARTH. There were only about 4 people in front of us and we waited a good... more

We went here to see a few local bands on a Wednesday night. Upon paying an $8.00 cover at the door we entered an almost completely empty bar. I jubilantly stand up and applaud the Backstage Lounge for supporting local bands. I just wish they didn't charge so much for cover, had a better food menu, and faster service. Anyways cheers to the great view and sound system.

Came during a rather busy band night on a Saturday. Drinks took forever to come, and when we asked for water, the waitress told us "they would come eventually". It never came. Unacceptable. Will not be back. Oh and the c@!%!y nachos were $18.

Pretty good for the price of admission

Rang in 2014 here with a friend and colleague. It was one of the more reasonable NYE cover charges at $20 in advance. Atmosphere was ok, entertainment started off great but kinda lost me as the night progressed. Bar has a strict 1 - 1.25 oz pour on spirits which kinda makes me feel meh about the value. Bartenders were... more

Other than being on the water. Not worth it

We only came for a drink before the show. Water never came though our friends showed up but the waiter didn't for them. They had to go to the bar themselves.
Took awhile to get the bill. Not sure we would go back.

I had tickets to a performance at the arts club Granville island theater next door and decided this would be a perfect stop to grab dinner! The show was at 7:30 and we walked in shortly before 6:30. Following the signs we promptly seated ourselves. The next 15 minutes were trying to get some attention from the servers - who were expertly purposefully trying not to make eye contact with us. 10... more

My wife and I spent a nice summer afternoon at this place. There was some corporate boat building event was going on the harbor next to this place. Although I believe a true nature of a lounge is only visible late at night, this place was equally good for a sunny afternoon.

They have excellent collection of beer. But, the collection of cocktails is very limited. We were not that hungry but... more

Good fun, great location

Recently went for a live show and had a great time here. Right next to the water on Granville Island, the harbour-like location is ideal - you're not in the thick of the city, but rather you can view it from afar. The staff were uber friendly and seemed liked they actually enjoyed their jobs, and the music was fantastically... more

Great place for drinks in the summer

If you're wandering about Granville Island, stop in here for a drink. You can't beat it during happy hour - discount beers (including some very good ones), a patio seat in the sun (or shade if you prefer), wonderful view of the water plus great people-watching, even free wifi from the neighboring Arts Club.

Location, location, location

The only thing this place has going for it is its location, located on the water in Granville Island. The draft lines haven't been cleaned since their opening ensuring you a headache even after a half pint and the food is mediocre at best. While there is almost always some sort of drink special on the hard part will be... more

Good Beer, Great Atmosphere

I've never eaten here, but the Back Stage Lounge on Granville Island is my first choice for an afternoon beer on the outdoor patio. It's casual so you can wander in wearing summer attire with no worries about dress. Only steps from the market and the ferry drop off, this is great for people coming from downtown or the south... more

so so service but always good for a quick drink

After a day out watching whales, this was a simple place to drop in for a drink. Service was pretty miserable and perfunctory, the inside looked pretty drab with the exception of the washrooms which were very swish.
For a quick drink always worth a stop off.

Impressive view

This restaurant is found on Granville Island, down the stairs and around the corner from the Sandbar restaurant and situated on long False Creek. It's view is exquisite, service friendly, and worth a try.

If you're waiting for a show to start, Backstage Lounge is a good spot to find yourself in for a pre show bite or drink. They announce the next show start over the lounge speakers and someone also comes in to make sure there's no one missing the doors opening.

However, just popping in for a brew or a quick bite? Our experience wasn't so great. The sign said to seat ourselves anywhere. So we... more

I would have given them 1 star but their Tues special Lager was delicious AND only $1.96. Maybe that is not out of the ordinary in Vancouver, but I'm visiting from Toronto and beers on special would be $4.99 if you show up on the right day.

My experience at The Backstage Lounge was pleasant because of the company I had and the waitress was very polite. However, our food took one hour to arrive... more

I love Backstage lounge for summertime day drinking. They have a fantastic patio right under the bridge, and daily drink specials.

Lurve it!

Overpriced and painfully slow service

I've been here many times, only because it is the closest watering hole to the ferry dock. The service is always super slow and the food is ridiculously overpriced. Save some money and frustration and head elsewhere.

Ah, how times change. I just re-read my review from four years ago and was saddened to think how Backstage has declined. Backstage Lounge used to be friendly and affordable, and now it is forgettable and expensive. I went here last week with my parents and was really put off. There were no drink specials, all of their pints were $6.50, and wings were $13! No bar should be charging $13 for one... more

A Great Spot to Have a Beer by the Water

This is an awesome place to sit an relax while enjoying a beer and an appy. The staff are really friendly, and the tuna is amazing!
The only thing that brings this down to a 4 star is the somewhat higher prices. But other than that, it is well worth the visit!

Had a burger that was tasty but not amazing. Fairly pricey for the quality. Fantastic view, one of the best in the city. Service was slow but pleasant.

Great at any time of year

We had a lovely lunch on a winter Sunday, watching the boats and the people. Good food at reasonable prices, nice selection of drinks, friendly service.

A Huge Disappointment for 6 hungry people

We were a little disoriented and couldn't find the restaurant we had eaten at before, it was getting late and we had walked over 6 miles, so we jumped right in to this place that had a lot of empty seats. We found out why! The food was horrible, had we not been starving, we would have declared most of... more

Perfect place to drink away a sunny afternoon. Or drink away the evening watching a live show. Patio is wonderful and lets you perve on both tourists and passing boat traffic.

Vast drink menu at cheap prices. Veggie options are disappointing though so just plan to drink if you're veg. The edamame was way over cooked.

Did I mention the drinks and the patio?

Back Stage Thursdays

There is good music at Back Stage Lounge every night but for students like myself, I love it when the $1.50 beers they serve Tuesdays and Thursdays align with the house funk band on Thursday nights. Since The Yale across the Granville Bridge closed last fall for a long renovation this is my main source of funk in Vancouver. This... more

It had been years since I had been here and I remember it being much better.

I popped in on a Sunday to grab a brunch-ish snack and coffee and was pretty disappointed. Firstly my coffee was cold.

I ordered calamari and I will say that the portion was awesome for $11.95 but other than that they fell flat. They were tough and had almost zero flavour.

On top of those disappointments the service... more

I always forget about this place, but it's certainly a perfect place to enjoy the view on Granville Island, it's not kid friendly (which means it's not as busy) and other than Edible Canada, it's the best place to eat, too! So many tourists get stuck at Bridges (it's certainly had its day) and even Sandbar (which is still nice, but more upscale) and they overlook this perfect little patio!

Get... more

I've been here twice and both on Thursday and it's a blast! Every day Backstage Lounge has good deals, especially on Thursdays with $1.59 beers and a great band that comes on around 1030.

Around 8 its fairly busy and the seats are taken but no lineup outside so you can kind of mozy about the bar until you see some people leave to grab a seat. By 10 though there is a lineup of about 20 people... more

Located behind the Arts Club Theatre on Granville Island, this bar whiles away its weekend afternoons from 3-6pm with its "daily special" and something to wash it down. We enjoyed a plate of wings for half-off, and they were well-executed and tasty, albeit not the largest wings you've ever seen. Then again, they're probably not hormonally inflated either. Anyway, a great late afternoon snack if... more

Went on a Saturday an arrived around 8 pm. Paid a $10 cover to the cooler-than-thou hostess. Sat next to the gas fireplace which, we were informed, was broken. The server came by 15 mins later to say that table service would be stopping by 9 pm. By 10 pm the DJ had not started. I went to the bar and asked the bartender what one of the beers on tap was like. He said "It's good" (most helpful... more

Great atmosphere

Great little place with a large selection of drinks and pub food. Friendly staff, livley atmosphere and not too pricey...what more could you ask for?!

My go-to place to bring friends from out of town! Go on thursdays to listen and dance to The Phonix. I seriously want that band to play my wedding or birthday or every day anything. They play some of the most fun and easy to dance to music I have had the pleasure of seeing live. To top off thursday nights, beer is $1.59! Do you know how ridiculously awesome that is! AND it's not c@!%!y beer;... more

I tagged along to this bar for a gal's going away party and was immediately struck by how pudish the place seemed to be. It's a bit classy to what I'm normally used to and I felt a bit underdressed with pants, sneakers, and a baggy tee. The door lady asked me for the $8 cover and I had to put it on my credit card to get in (I didn't realize there would be a cover on a Wednesday night.)

I... more

Came here to check out their West Coast Wednesdays, and to watch a live performance.

Parking around Granville Island wasn't too bad today. Of course, being the slowest day of the week totally helps.

The lounge itself is quite small. There are a few tables, with a small stage and dance floor. I don't think this place can even hold 100 people. The stage is off to the side, placed in such a way... more

I like Backstage Lounge because it is a GREAT spot to hang out at during happy hour. THere is a good selection of beers. Good variety of food. They even have poutine here!

And if you're dining outside in the patio, there is an excellent view of the marina. Life doesn't get better than this.

The $7 cover is totally worth it, especially since they have $1.59 beer specials on Tuesday/Thursdays ($1.75 after tax). I didn't eat anything here so I can't say much about the food, but the place is quite clean and well decorated with comfy booths and even giant flat screen TVs to watch the hockey game :)

Also can't really go wrong with live music and a dance floor.

The patio area is right... more

i absolutely love this place. you can't go wrong with $1.50 beers on tuesdays and thursdays. $4 drink specials all the time. $5.50 double high-balls on tuesdays as well.

on the tuesday that i went, there was a really chill dj playing house music all night.

thursdays are always so much fun. they clear out the tables in the middle to creat a dance floor and a live band comes to play and they're... more

It's perfectly fine

I like this place. I think the food and drinks here are priced fairly considering its location. Patio seating is plentiful, and the views are great. It is a good place to just chill for a few hours, and I leave not feeling ripped off.
The food is okay - pretty standard pub fare, so nothing special, but it is... more

Great place to watch the Canucks game - loads of TV screens (including a large screen), plenty of seating and not too crowded.

Drink specials were good - $4 Bellini's.

Awesome view of the waterfront and passing sail boats. Nice service.

We didn't eat much, except for the spinach and crab dip, which was super cheesy and creamy (yum!) served hot with corn chips.

Great for soaking up some beer.

Paid a visit primarily to try their Poutine. Since we heard through research that their Poutine was supposedly the best around.

We visited Vancouver for a couple of days for vacation and one of the things we had on our list to try is Poutine.

Unfortunately, it left us searching for the next best place to try Poutine. The gravy tasted as if it was from a package and the cheese curdles didn't... more

Great venue, lots of space and a good hangout spot.

The service is meh-to-average and not particularly personable at any junction. The menu didn't overwhelm me with awesome, but it wasn't bad. The beer selection was good. It's a good enough venue to go back to, but I wouldn't make a habit of hanging out here.

Great Beer, Great Prices!

I am a regular at the backstage lounge. It is not named as a pub in Yelp categories but I would call it a pub. The wife and I live in the neighborhood. We shop at GI and of course, we like to drop in to the Backstage Lounge to rest our feet. The beer selection is better than average. They have Red Truck, Bowen Island, Stanley Park, Whistler, Big Rock, and some lesser... more

$1.75 for a glass of beer? Yes please!! Thursday night draft beer is $1.75/glass. Word.

I booked our staff Christmas party at the Backstage Lounge a couple of weeks ago after having some trouble getting a reservation at another restaurant on Granville Island. I just made a phone call, talked to the manager and he booked us in right away without any hassle - no fixed menus, no minimum... more

Forget waiting in line for an hour to get into a c@!%!y club playing c@!%!y music, Backstage Lounge is the place to be.

With upscale digs, no line-ups, killer Granville Island waterfront view, and live bands, can you ask for more?

Okay, so the food isn't the greatest, but this is definitely a great place for some boozing and dancing (or if you're like me, just head bobbing).

The Phonix... more

Doesnt get much better than this

Stumbled on this whilst wandering around Granville island,in the market complex. Location is absolute waterfront ,under the bridge with front on views of the city. Indoor or outdoor alfresco dining. We happened to have lunch in brilliant sunshine with lots of entertainment on the river. Drinks menu had a great selection, setlling for a very large serving of Hoegarden Belgian... more

As a live music venue...
Backstage is hard to beat!

Yes, cover is a necessary evil. But with the combination of all the renos here with a decent band. It's totally worth the 8-10 bucks!

I do like the selection of beers on tap. A lot of the usual suspects, but I noticed a couple of Tree Brewing, R&B, and few others from the interior.

I hadn't been Backstage in a while, and after hanging out with some friends I commented about how it felt different. More modern, less grimy, more comfy, less dark and dated. Ah, the renovated some time ago.

I still haven't eaten here, but the beer selection is really decent, with a lot of local brews. I went with Whistler Pale Ale, which was served in a Whistler pint glass. I love being... more

modern-ish class decor on the inside. small cozy dance floor. fairly good sound and excellent lighting. they even had hoegaarden on tap when i went.

The food was good... however:

It took at least 30 minutes to arrive.. (pasta with chicken)
I felt like I was intruding when I was asked to pay a cover charge to eat dinner more than an hour before a salsa night starts. I want to give you my money, please let me, I'm not staying for that long (even though it ended up I almost did since my food took so long to arrive)
Took a few minutes for any... more

I went here to watch a friends band, nooby rocked out! It was my first time here and I liked it. The place was a really nice set up, one of the nicest that I've seen in Vancouver. A couple of the bar tenders had attitudes but hey it might have been a bad day for them. The atmosphere of this place was really cool, the toliets were porta loos but we found that comical. I'd definately go back,... more

My ears still hurt from two days ago at backstage lounge- this place is loud but worth the ringin in my drums.... Came for a drink and watched some local bands rock it out. Noobie n Pocket Kings were my fave. Lots of hipsters hanging here. Great selection of beers on tap. Interesting code of conduct for ordering drinks at a bar. There is an orderly line that is formed! Nuts aayy?!! Apparently... more

It goes from a quiet beer on the patio on a week day afternoon to a progressive music venue at night. If you are going in the evening, check out the Arts Club Theatre's show times, and then plan your appearance as half the patrons head into the theatre and you're in for the evening. I think Tuesday nights are cheap beer nights with music.

Go Backstage to get the full view of Granville Island's harbour. The venue is surrounded by windows allowing you to see the sights of our lovely city. Look out towards docks, boats, lights, water, birds and sky. You're gonna wanna join your friends to go outside for their smoke breaks!

The lounge offers eclectic music on various nights that create an intimate experience for its visitors. The... more

It's called the Backstage Lounge because it is right behind the Arts Club Theatre on Granville Island, which makes it a great place to grab a drink before you head in to see the latest play. But that's not why I go there.

Backstage Lounge also has its own stage and features a weekly line-up of local up-and-comers who rock it out for patrons. But that's also not why I go there.

The bar backs... more

At the Backstage Lounge size does matter. As in the size of its dance floor.

Not only does the Backstage Lounge book solid jazzy and funky bands and ensembles here (yep, the word ensemble definitely applies), but they also provide ample room to move to that music.

On my last visit, we didn't even sit down (not that there were any chairs). Instead we migrated from the bar (where service was... more

Backstreet Lounge

The talk of the town while I was in Vancouver was the New Music West festival, sort of a Canadian version of South by Southwest in Austin, TX, or the CMJ Music Marathon in NYC. There were a few notable names such as Lagwagon, Detachment Kit, and Modest Mouse, but for the most part it was four days packed full of up-and-comers. Nothing wrong with that, but I just had no idea whom to go see. I... more