 or once, the hype seems justified: Republic, the city's latest temple of lounge-dom, has got that gritty glamour and palpable energy. Being another addition to the Granville Strip means that the difference between your joint and the other is that it has to be substantial. With a 6,700 square-foot space, inventive lighting and sound, and an atmosphere that changes with the theme, this is what Republic brings to Granville.
Evident to the drink-drank-drunk hungry ensemble, this surely is a place to have a good drink. Here, Republic hired mixologist Jason Holmes from the Elixir Bar at the Opus to create a mixed list of classics and individual house cocktails – Stolichnaya Vanilla Vodka with Peach Schnapps and pear juice brings us the Sleeping Tree Cock ($9), obviously for the sweet tooth. Notable mentions include The Don’t (Bacardi white rum, drizzled honey, lemon and orange juice) and the Brokeback Samurai (Wyborowa Vodka, Gekkeikan Sake and white cranberry juice).
However, not taking anything away from the drinks, my favourite item on the menu were The Yam Fries ($7) which is served with smoked garlic mayonnaise, is a great way to warm up. The Cajun Salmon Escalope at $13 is a salad of baby gems, sourdough matchsticks, shaved Bella Lodi and fresh lemon also serves some justice. To cap off my eating habits, I snacked on the Warm Chocolate & Amarette Cake ($6), served with vanilla bean gelato, and was attractively presented.
Filling the two-level space, one can expect to find blue-haired hipsters and grey-haired CEOs. The second floor has floor-to-ceiling windows that open and overlook bustling Granville Street. Signature black leather chairs and candlelit tables lace the room with romance and the sixteen-foot, sleek black slab counter runs the length of the front room. To further pursue elegance, eleven crystal chandeliers adorn the room below. For the comfort factor, Republic, teamed with Red Bull, features a photography series that highlights local talent with an ongoing series of 10x10 foot photo murals that enhances the walls.
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958 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC
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3 Reader Reviews
I would like to say that I have tried the tapas menu a few weeks ago and was totaly disappointed, however I found myself back there again and temped by the server to try again. They totally chaged the portion sizes and prices and now I feel as though it is good value especially since the tapas were so delicious. The service was great and the atmosphere was so fun we stayed all night. I did find out the hard way that they have two liqour licenses and once the top floor is full you will have to wait as though you were in line for another club. Other than the city and their infinite wisdom issuing two licenses for one room this place is the best in town.
HCJ's Rating: 4 Stars |
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I HIGHLY recommend having dinner somewhere other than the Republic. I repeat, do NOT eat there. I was there last week for dinner and drinks and they had just changed their food menu. They only serve $10 tapas and they're TINY! We had perogies (4 pieces = $10 = not that tasty), beef carpaccio (4 slices = $10), spring rolls (2 pieces = $10). It was a freaking crap show (compared to the great meals they served before). I will never go back there to eat. Please, please, please have dinner somewhere else. Seriously, you would spend a fortune and still not be full. We had 10 people for dinner and the food bill alone was over $200 and everyone went out to eat afterwards. It was sh*t. Don't do it.
Caprice's Rating: 2 Stars |
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Whenever a new spot opens up in this town, the hype is usually well deserved. Vancouver has fast become a trendy place for nightlife.
I have not had a chance to try their menu, but if the fare at other DHM venues, such as Granville Room and Bimini's, are of any indication, is of any indication, you will not be disappointed. Having said that, the seating is less than comfortable, and it is not suitable for weekend late dining. The drinking patrons quickly overrun the place and it becomes a full fledged bar.
As a bar, it is cleverly segmented into two: the downstairs lounge and the upstairs dance floor. The latter section also has a small patio seating area with a retractable window awning. As the main review for this site states, the building itself is very nicely decorated, worthy of Vancouver's new trendy reputation. The lighting, the bars shelves and counters, and the flat screen televisions all fit nicely together. There are some pinball machines, however, that are quite an eyesore, next to an oddly shaped large wooden chair. These items are reminiscent of the gaudy decor at the Cactus Club franchise, rather than the "gritty, London style bar" it claims to be. Nevertheless, the place has an identity of its own, without a doubt.
The patrons were quite an unusual mix. Due to its location, there were some American tourists (looked like servicemen to me) who seemed to have gotten lost on their way to a "Girls Gone Wild" wet t-shirt contest, and instead landed at Republic. There were a couple of men in their 50's, and plenty of bridge and tunnel folk. In all fairness to the latter, they did make an effort to look nice. But overall, the crowd was mostly in their 30's, as opposed to the 20-30 crowd it seeks to target by advertising with online promotores Clubzone and Clubvibes. Another interesting observation was that there were few fit people. Fitness world could easily increase their membership by hosting an event at Republic. The upstairs crowd looked more like "Charleston fit" rather than "Vancouver fit".
Yes, there are ridiculous line ups, but I don't believe the upcoming re-opening of Skybar will have a major impact on this bar. It is, overall, a nice place to mingle. This place scores a 3.5/4, though the extra half point is awarded solely for novelty.
Raincouver's Rating: 3 Stars |
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Republic |
958 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC
604-899-3229
Granville
20 - 30
Restaurant, Bar
Hours: Sun. to Thu.: 11:00am – 2:00am
Fri. & Sat.: 11:00am – 3:00am
$$ (Affordable)
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