Joe Fortes Seafood and Chop House
Another spot that the upscale tend to flock to, Joe Fortes is not exclusive only to its suited up patrons scaling the steep 40 plus hill (as the resto’s moniker might suggest). Rather, the seafood/chop house/oyster bar caters to both sassy young things looking for a sugar daddy to buy them drinks and scandalous sexy women on the prowl for a toy boy night cap. The rooftop garden patio, taking you that much closer to the sun (and skin cancer diagnosis), is perfect for work or play with a menu that offers food and drink for both the weary and the wired. A bit pricey on the menu side (think steak sandwich, think 21 dollars, think order something else then) you can sip your cares away in a lush environment (think Byzantine gardens) with the fragrant scent of flowers and stogie from a likely scotch and cigar lover nearby (and a hot young thang hovering around him innocently enough). - B.J. $$$$. 777 Thurlow Street, 604-669-1940.



Joe's Grill
After a night of binge drinking or doing whatever (streaking naked through Stanley Park comes to mind), a patio and sunshine may be the last thing on your list once sun rises. To cure that mind-numbing hangover, a breakfast on the patio here (no matter how late in the day) is more gratifying than dissatisfying, provided you haven’t drank away enough brain cells to forget Joe’s existence (post it notes are handy for this very occasion). A smaller sized patio that provides some shade for the recovering and pasty-skinned alike, Joe’s Grill is the definite place to hit for an affordable breakfast or brunch where your money pays for the food rather than a shi-shi venue where you fork out extra for wait staff with attitude (that shit can only be tolerated while drunk). Easily affordable and easily eatable, the laid back feel of this diner style café will ease your hangover. - B.J. $$. 1031 Davie Street, 604-682-3683.



Jupiter Café
Jupiter: The fifth planet from the sun, the Roman name of the mightiest of the Greek Gods, this patio is the first on many lists of outdoor drink venues. The dark and intimate venue has become a retreat for hipsters who like to hide from the sun (to keep that fresh alabaster glow) but still want to capture that patio vibe. Jupiter’s mish mash of old antique couches blended with the typically expected plastic sun deck tradition, makes their patio look stylish and surprisingly sexy. An extensive and tasty martini list will almost make you forget the sun isn’t shining on you – a good thing for the pasty white crowd trying to avoid the “trendy” raccoon tan. $$. 1216 Brute Street, 604-609-6665. - B.J.



Las Margaritas
Mexican’s know how to party. Blame it on the margaritas, the seemingly innocent Spanish accents, or a fondness for whistle blowers in most if not all Mexican party tunes. This would also be true of Las Margaritas, a Tequila-soaked establishment that's a Tex-Mex restaurant by day and a glammed up social hot spot with a wickedly hip patio by night. The comfy patio furniture invites patrons to relax and take a mini siesta, which makes Las Margaritas great, but be warned that on some nights a constant line-up might come between you and your chair (or that elusive bottom of the tequila bottle worm). Regardless, patrons seem more than happy to stick it out. Chalk it up to Kits’ penchant for patience. - R.W. $$$. 1999 West Fourth Avenue, 604-734-7117.



Lift
In a place where sophistication and class are paramount, this oceanfront restaurant is known for being the first stop of the night. Scenesters mingle and get their drink on while still looking sexy in their clubbing outfits (that is until they succumb to the twisted facial expressions of intoxication). There’s plenty of room to do just that on two patios outfitted with outdoor fireplaces, glass walls, and a sexy luminous bar. The unparalleled view from the upper deck (there is another downstairs) of the Coal Harbour vista with the seaplanes, boats and green mountains may cause you hesitate at the door and ponder, should I make another reservation now. However, interestingly enough, young partygoers head back to home base here after failing to score, drowning their sorrow with a designer martinis or drinking themselves to the point where cougars resemble hot young twenty-somethings to go home with. - S.W. $$$$. 333 Menchions Mews, 604-689-5438.