Summer in the city is a special time for Vancouver's vibrant West End. The neighbourhood comes alive with an explosion of colour on the streets - and in the sky - for the Celebration of Light fireworks festival and the annual Pride Parade. Situated on the corner of Denman and Davie streets, in the very heart of the lively beachfront neighbourhood, Beach Bay Café and Patio is the best place to celebrate summer festivities with friends and family.
"We love our home in the West End and when it comes to summer festivals, our patio has the best seats in the house," says Beach Bay Café's newest member of the team, Chef Michael Winning. "We pair our spectacular views with amazing menus and customized cocktails, so locals and visitors can fully experience the fun vibe of our neighbourhood."
On July 23, 27 and 30, the skies of English Bay will be illuminated with fantastic fireworks displays when the international Celebration of Light competition comes to the city. To celebrate, Beach Bay Café is offering an unforgettable view and an exclusive four-course patio menu, created by Chef Winning, on each of the fireworks evenings ($90 per person, plus tax). As the sky-bound spectacle unfolds only steps away in English Bay, diners at the 6:30pm or 8:30pm seatings will tuck into a seafood plate for two under the stars, followed by a choice of starters such as big eye tuna tataki with tuna poke, sweet pepper guacamole and tamari citrus drizzle; then mains including crispy chicken breast with seared scallops, preserved lemon, and squash barley mushroom hash; and finally, delicious desserts like frozen amaretto praline parfait.
On Sunday, July 31 the neighbourhood streets will be alive with a rainbow of colourful floats for one of North America's biggest LGBT celebrations. The annual Vancouver Pride Parade winds down Denman Street and along Beach Avenue - turning Beach Bay's patio into front-row seats for the liveliest street party of the summer. In honour of Vancouver Pride 2016, Beach Bay's award-winning Bar Manager Adrian Lindner has crafted a bold and refreshing cocktail aptly named the Pride Collins - a refreshing combination of rhubarb, lemon shrub, gin and soda.
Visitors heading to Stanley Park's Open Air Cinema (sunset on Tuesdays throughout the summer) can pick up a picnic from Beach Bay's take-out window and enjoy the city's best fish and chips at the al fresco movie theatre. To reserve patio seating for the special Celebration of Light set menu, call 604.685.7337.