Even though we’re a far cry from being recognized as a “fun city”, our West Coast appreciation of high-quality ingredients and artisanal methods has certainly positioned Vancouver as a destination for great beer, wine and cocktails. With the onset of local microbreweries, dozens of excellent wineries peppered throughout the province and the welcomed addition of happy hour, Vancouver’s drinking culture is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with.
So with that, we’ve made it our mission to highlight some of the standout spots hidden in the city’s vast array of watering holes. Today’s location is known for serving up classics correctly. That doesn’t mean they’re just copying and pasting the cocktail menus of yesteryear. They’re also serving up some unique old-world spirits that will provide a delicious detour for even the most seasoned palates. And if you’re looking for the perfect martini, look no further. Intrigued? Welcome to Hy’s lounge in downtown Vancouver.
For cocktails and some mixed drinks, “hard shaking” makes sense, but aggressively shaking spirits over ice will break the ice, adding shards to the drink and affecting the mouthfeel. Order a martini at Hy’s, and it will always be stirred. As the texture of the liquid is part of the whole martini experience, their bartenders recognize that a gentle stir will create a smoother martini. Add some quality gin and you’re in for something truly fantastic. Speaking of gin...
Gin is created by mixing a neutral spirit base with a blend of botanicals, predominantly juniper. The most well known gins are known as London Dry style gins; Tanqueray, Beefeater and Bombay would all fall into this category. While these are all appealing, why not switch it up and try some Genever instead?
Genever, of Dutch origin, is a predecessor to the style of gin known as London Dry. Traditionally the base of old style, or oude Genever, has a high percentage of malt wine, resulting in a spirit that has the similar mouthfeel and malty notes of whiskey, accented by the herbal component of juniper that is common with gin. A newer style of Genever is called jonge, or young. It has a much lower malt spirit content, resulting in a lighter style. With both styles the spirits can contain sugar, adding to the richness and weight on the palate.
These are two distinct spirits that are not exactly interchangeable, but equally interesting on their own, or in mixed drinks. Hy’s carries a great selection of Gin and Genever, so why not pay one of their bartenders a visit for a quick taste test?
Visit the Hy’s lounge at Happy Hour and you’ll enjoy more than classic cocktails and delicious bites. Their Vancouver house DJs spin classic vinyl, creating the perfect environment to sip, savour and socialize. Hy’s happy hour happens weekdays from 3:00pm – 6:00pm.
Hy’s is located at 637 Hornby St, Vancouver, BC. Visit their website for more information, HERE.
