Vancouverites looking for a late-night bite have a new place to check out in Gastown.
The Cordova has opened up at 136 W Cordova in the old Woodward's Building, filling in where the recently closed GPO Bar and Kitchen was in the flatiron-style building.
Steve Jennings, The Cordova's director of operations, says the new bar will have a focus on cocktails and food. They will be serving food until 2 a.m. to give people a late-night option that isn't fast food or a big multi-national chain.
"It'd be cool to have those options late at night in our city," he tells V.I.A., adding that there's the potential for an even-later-night take-out window opening up in the future.
The Cordova has partnered with BRGR BRGR, a local brand of "farm-based" burgers founded in the Fraser Valley. The burger joint's takeover of The Cordova's kitchen is the second time they've had a presence in Vancouver; they had worked out of the Gastown Noodlebox for a spell. Jennings, who's known one of the people behind BRGR BRGR for years, pitched the idea of dual location.
"The food is fantastic; it's sort of diner style," Jennings says, noting BRGR BRGR has a variety of options, including vegan and gluten-free choices.
With their new presence in Vancouver, BRGR BRGR is also coming to food delivery apps in the city like UberEats, DoorDash, and SkipTheDishes.
Jennings is hoping The Cordova will be a place people can be comfortable, whether they're showing up after work at the office or another one of the area's eateries.
The Cordova's location in a historic building excites Jennings, as well, noting that the giant W from the building sits beside their 100-seat patio.
"It's a really iconic place to have a cocktail," he says, adding that right now Gastown is an evolving neighbourhood.
"We're pretty excited this year with what's happening in Gastown," he adds.
The location has been a draw for other businesses in recent history. Jennings hopes The Cordova can capture some of the energy of the Charles Bar had. The sports-centric bar lasted a decade in the location but closed in 2020. GPO moved over shortly after from its original space on Granville Street.
The Cordova has had a soft opening, but its grand opening takes place on June 24.
With files from Lindsay William-Ross
