I had a blast here! I came on a Friday night with my fiancée. I was in town for a work trip and he tagged along, found this gem the night before and said we absolutely had to go back. We were there around 10ish and the line wasn’t bad at all. I don’t remember a cover or not but if there was one it was likely nominal. The space was huge and so was the dance floor. It was completely packed but not very hard to get a drink, service was fast. The best part was the music. The cover bands were EPIC. Seriously, they played an amazing mix of current hits, 90’s pop hits and rock. They could play any song, seriously, they were amazingly talented. If I come back to Vancouver The Roxy is on my list of places I must go again!
Benjamin R.
Rating des Ortes: 2 Vancouver, Canada
Perhaps it’s that I always visit on Sunday nights(and hate country music) that this venue has never really done it for me. Lines are shockingly long and once you’re in, the layout of the first bar right at the front door leaves you feeling claustrophobic immediately. Drink deals are pretty good as you can get a shot of tequila and a corona for ten bucks — if only you didn’t have to fight for a spot to be seen at the bar. Part of the«charm» or this venue is that women can often get free drinks for flashing the bartender as long as they are willing to get a lovely«Roxy» tattoo on their upper chest somewhere. The whole procedure of dumping alcohol directly into girl’s mouths while they sit on the bartop slows down service and is bordering on creepy. I’ll update my review if another night of the week proves to be less crowded/more enjoyable as a whole.
Johanne P.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Montreal, Canada
Mots disrespectful bartender. Worst service. Won’t take cards. Young rowdy crowd. But mainly bar service is horrible.
Sheela V.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Bellevue, WA
We were staying about 2 blocks from Granville St, so we asked our host how to get a «local» taste of Vancouver. She mentioned this place with a little of hesitation saying that it was full of «interesting characters», so we knew we HAD to go here! We got here around 11pm/midnight, so we had to pay cover of $ 13. The atmosphere: One expectation needs to be set: this is NOT a classy bar establishment — but it is a fun time. The Roxy is divided into 2 areas, one with a bar and an open are with a few tables/bar stools, and then the inside of the Roxy, which had tables, and a stage set up for bands. We miraculously found a table to sit at right near the bar. The place was packed and busy! We definitely did meet a few interesting people(like a drunk doctor who liked smashing cups.), and we had a wonderful time just being in the lively atmosphere and talking to strangers. The music is fun and upbeat. Normally, I would give a place like this 3 starts, but I’m giving it an extra star for the fun time! The drinks: I would be drunk before you get here. The drinks here are pricey, considering that they are pretty watered down and not strong. Their menu is a standard cocktail menu.
Madeline B.
Rating des Ortes: 2 Portland, OR
Me and some friends went to visit vancouver and decided to stop by the Roxy. Very disappointing. Even though we went in around midnight on Friday night the place wasn’t hoppin until around 2 am. The cover charge was $ 13 which seemed pretty steep considering the lack of people. This was also on January 1, so we figured lots of people would still be celebrating the new year. I think we were too young for the Roxy, we’re in our twenties and it seemed like everyone there was in their thirties. The biggest problem was that they watered down the drinks! The drinks were normally priced at around $ 7 or $ 8, but the doubles were definitely not doubles. Even the shots poured right out of the bottles were watered down. They were very easy to drink even without chase. My friends and I all had over 10 drinks, normally we would be hammered but the drinks from the Roxy only got us sort of drunk. I did give the Roxy two stars because there were many bars, live music, and a back room with a pool table. The band wasn’t bad but they seemed uninterested in playing the show. More people would dance during a playlist of radio hits when the band would take breaks. I don’t think it was a great set up for dancing. There’s more space for tables and a small dance floor stretched in front the tables that made the dancers very visible. Fun if you’re a people watcher, not fun if you’re dancing. There was a not an excellent girl to guy ratio. I think only a quarter of the people were females. So that was my Roxy experience, it wasn’t a terrible time but I don’t think I’d ever go back. Also don’t buy your drinks there and steer clear if you’re young.
Abby C.
Rating des Ortes: 2 Seattle, WA
If you love watered down drinks, come on down to the Roxy. They sure know how to keep you hydrated at least. Usually after 5 drinks I’m pretty hammered, but even after 10 at this place, I was seeing very straight. Much better bars around the area. Also, it cost $ 13 to get in and listen to bad covers of songs you wish you didn’t have to hear for the hundredth time and make sure the 50 year old men eyeing you from across the room leave. People actually started dancing when the band stopped and the DJ playlist began playing. I suppose it’s a landmark though. Lots of different kinds of people end up here, so it’s nice to have a variety of strangers to talk to. Still, I go to bars to get drunk, not hydrated. 2 stars.
Jonathan G.
Rating des Ortes: 2 Bushwick, NY
The roxy has a great local band. It is, however, entouraged by over confident coat check girls and an extremely arrogant bouncer named Tasha.
Joseph B.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Chicago, IL
Very rude male security guard pushed one of my female friends and also called another one of them a word that I can’t publish on here. Avoid if you can. Many better places in Vancouver to go that do not treat woman this poorly.
Inigo M.
Rating des Ortes: 4 San Francisco, CA
Good energy and atmosphere. Wednesday night cover band Troys R Us played well.
Adam C.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Evanston, IL
If you ever find yourself in Vancouver from out of town and are suddenly hit with the realization that all of the bars around you are shutting down around midnight, fear not… you have an amazing go-to in The Roxy. To be honest, I had heard stories about the legendary Roxy bar in the years prior to my visit. I was expecting it to be a fun time, and it definitely was. To sum-up The Roxy in 2 words, it’s a Character Factory. We walked up and discovered there was a cover charge. As we were walking away to find an ATM, a woman in line kindly offered to pay our admission. Once we got inside, we found ourselves in great company with strangers from all walks of life. Everyone there is just trying to have a good time after midnight. While there, we met a treasure hunter, an ex-semi-pro hockey player(which admittedly is fairly common in Canada), a metal guitar player, and a vagabond. We had shots with all of them at our table. The service is really efficient at dealing with intoxicated people. At one point, I tripped and dropped my tray and they kindly replaced the drinks for us. Later in the evening I found the woman who paid for our cover charge. I tried to hand her a drink to say thanks. Instead, she grabbed me by the back of my head and tried to make out with me. Your experience may vary, but this is a wild and roaring good time.
Jessica M.
Rating des Ortes: 2 Vancouver, Canada
We came here on a country music night with a live band. The band was awesome and people seemed to be enjoying the night. The place looks alright in the dark but it probably needs some renovating around the place and possibly some new furniture. The dance floor was a bit too small because it is just a long strip in front of the stage. I’m surprised that the bathroom’s cleanliness was not bad at all! There’s a small back section where there is a bar and a pool table. Now here is where I deducted a star from 3 stars to 2 stars: the back section stinks and i’m not kidding you. That is a big no no in my books, whatever that smell is, it needs to go whether you need to strip the old carpet or whatever it is.
Lena R.
Rating des Ortes: 2 Vancouver, Canada
I don’t know what it is about this place, but I cannot get into it. I’ve been here multiple times, mostly to support my boyfriend’s friends’ band. The ambiance of the place is very casual, which I’m sure people like as it doesn’t have the typical club vibe. Every time I’ve been here, it’s for a live show. And when the DJ has come on, it’s crappy music from the early 2000’s that changes every 30 seconds so you can’t really dance to it. Once the boyfriend’s friends’ band is done, I’m pretty much done too. I guess I don’t really like going all the way downtown to watch mediocre live music. It’s just not my scene. I end up sitting around bored afterwards. The pros are the cover is cheap, if there are live shows and you know someone in the band you can get a ticket for about 5 bucks, and drinks aren’t too crazy expensive. I give it two stars for those reasons and for the fact that it’s probably not a bad place, it’s just not the right place for me. I just don’t get the hype =/
Edward L.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Vancouver, Canada
Finally had a chance to see what THE Roxy was all about. Knock another one off the bucket list. Parking is horrendous here. Try the side streets far away. The venue looks like it has been added to and modified over the years. There is a stage one side, and 3(yes, 3) bars from which one can purchase alcoholic beverages. For a more quiet experience, the 3rd bar is tucked away in the back, behind the 2nd bar. There is a pool table there too. The night I went, there was a cowboy band playing. Actually not bad at all. Once they got the tunes going, the dance floor quickly filled up. Once in a while, they let groups of ladies up on the stage as well. The music is loud, but not blow-your-eardrums loud, which is a nice change compared to other Vancouver clubs. One can actually somewhat have a conversation here. Drinks were a bit pricey, but it’s a club after all. Definitely a good time.
Stephanie B.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Bellevue, WA
They had great live music, reasonably priced drinks, and a great location. This place would be perfect if the dance floor was bigger. It gets crowded after nidnight. I was bumped into many times and had 3 drinks spilt on me. Other than that, it was great!
Nelson C.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Burnaby, Canada
Its official. This is my favorite bar in all of Vancouver. It’s also the bar for all the other bartenders and wait staff I notice from other bars.(Shhhh…don’t tell their managers… oh wait sometimes I see them here too!). The bands are great and keeps the party bumping. Special Mention to the new band Tattoo Alibi and Troy’s R Us whom can play basically anything and keep the party bumping. The dance floor is large enough and always busy and there’s always something to do around the bar. You’ll find table hockey and phone chargers at the side bar, pool tables and photo booths in the back bar. I always have a good time here. Even on a bad night I always end up feeling better ending my nights here. The song that I use to describe this bar would be Toby Keith’s I love this bar because I love this bar! Everyone is nice and friendly, my favorite bartenders include Cat, Stephanie, Michelle, Sasha, Joe, Everette, Irv, Jaralin, everyone here is awesome. Special mention to Cat whom’s in the back bar.(The music is bumping in the main room, but the party is in the back bar with the pool tables and photo booth where conversations are easier. Plus grab your friends or some other patrons and ask Cat for a game of who am I and she’ll gladly oblige. For those that don’t know what game that is, watch inglorious bastards. It’s the game in the basement before everyone gets shot up.) Randy keeps the show running, Jarrad and Danielle always have some great promo nights planned. It’s pretty awesome. Special mention to all the bouncers whom are all nice friendly and welcoming people(unless of course they have to take action.) This bar is pretty much the busiest bar on Granville every night of the week including weekdays. The porters are all friendly, Franco, Alex, Dhillon. Tjana and Mara are always great in coat check and Ashleigh and Darcy have always been friendly at the front. This place has earned it, 5 stars to the Roxy and their wonderful staff.
Courtney M.
Rating des Ortes: 5 San Luis Obispo, CA
Came here with seven girls from California for spring break, and I can honestly say The Roxy made our trip the best experience. Major crush on one of their staff members… shout out to Dylan :) If you see this, message me.
Stephan M.
Rating des Ortes: 2 Mar Vista, Los Angeles, CA
I went to Vancouver on business trip and my client took me to a nice bar at first. Then we continued to drink at the Roxy where we had a great time. The bartenders were great and there was a great dance ambiance. Unfortunately not all the staff was that nice. A bartender who would only give shots to 20 year old girls refused to sell a shot to my client. After that, security came to ask my client to leave. They were actually nice when asking but the fact that the bartender would ask to have someone get kicked out from the bar for asking for a girly shot is really unsettling. Other than that, we had a great time. But the fact that the misogynist bartender had so much power is very sketchy. I would not go back unless I know I can be safe in there.
Sukh R.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Vancouver, Canada
I had a really good time here. Great music. Fun place to dance with friends for sure. Live band was good but sometimes you just want to dance to the original track! Drinks were good too. Check it out.
Alex D.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Calgary, Canada
Guys… this place is soooo fun! It looks a little dodgy on the outside but seriously, the vibe inside makes up for it. Went here on a Friday night. Didn’t show up here till 12:45am and stayed till 2:30. It. Was. A. Blast! I would definitely go back and recommend this place. The bouncers let us in free of cover because he saw that my two friends with me, birthdays were coming up so he let us all in with no cover charge! The live music is on point. They do covers to songs but it sounded incredible and just made for a fantastic time!
Lavan S.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Vancouver, Canada
Had a great time here. Place is pretty busy but I had no issues while inside. Band played mostly covers but I don’t think anyone really cares. The atmosphere is nice and hazy, and the bar tenders were very nice to my surprise. I guess I’ll say the inside is a bit smaller than it looks and the dance floor can’t hold that many people, but does anyone honestly care about that? I don’t know.