Some visitors are drawn to Vancouver by the array of cuisine. The Imperial Chinese Seafood Restaurant (180–355 Burrard Street, 604-688-8191), in the art deco Marine Building, serves the finest Chinese food. CinCin Ristorante & Bar (1154 Robson Street, 604-688-7338) is the place for celeb-watching. Yaletown’s Glowbal Grill (1079 Mainland Street, 604-602-0835) features west coast and fusion foods. Cloud 9, on the 42nd floor of the Empire Landmark (1400 Robson Street, 604-687-0511), is the highest lunch spot. If you crave a steak, Hy’s Encore (637 Hornby Street, 604-683-7671) fits the bill. Gastown’s Steamworks Brewing Co. (375 Water Street, 604-689-2739) and Yaletown Brewing Co. (1111 Mainland Street, 604-681-2739) boast a casual atmosphere and fresh beer brewed on-site.

Downtown’s Orpheum and Queen Elizabeth Theatres and the Centre for the Performing Arts feature local and touring music and theater productions. The Commodore Ballroom is the city’s premiere live music venue. Vancouver is an improv comedy hotspot, and the Vancouver Theatresports League’s home is Granville Island’s Arts Club Revue Theatre.
Canada’s national winter sport is hockey, and Vancouver has two teams. The National Hockey League’s Canucks play downtown at General Motors Place, while the stars of tomorrow play for the Giants of the Western Hockey League at the Pacific Coliseum. Next door is Hastings Racecourse horse racing track. The city’s oldest sports venue is soon to house a casino. Speaking of gambling, British Columbia is Nevada North, with downtown’s Edgewater Casino and River Rock on the banks of the Fraser in Richmond.

Future Oakland Athletics ballplayers spend their summers playing for the Vancouver Canadians of the single A Northwest League at 54-year-old Nat Bailey Stadium, one of pro baseball’s oldest parks. Canadian Football League’s B.C. Lions play under the dome at B.C. Place Stadium.

For golfers, University, McCleery and Fraserview are the most accessible, year-round public courses. Stanley Park offers seasonal pitch-and-putt.