Commercial Drive may not have the beachside vistas of Kitsilano or the harbour views of Downtown but its narrow streets and casual atmosphere make the patios here perfect for people watching. The strip’s diversity allows each of these patios to offer its own unique view of the Drive.
If you enjoy a good whisky and soaking in the summer sun, then look no further than Fets. Known for having one of the city’s best selections of bourbon, it also has one of Commercial Drive’s best patios. Facing west, it gets full sun till late in the day and its location across from the Granview Park means there’s ample opportunity to watch the people milling around and to meet some new friends.
At this favourite local summer venue, the Latin and Cuban-inspired menu seems to call for an afternoon out on the patio. They boast one of the larger patios on the Drive and it stays sunny till late in the evening. While they have a decent wine list and good local beers on tap, Havana excels in both sangria (available by the pitcher) and mojitos that are the perfect complement for a relaxing sunny day. It also offers brunch and one of the best paellas in town.
The Vancouver beer scene has really taken off in the last few years, with craft brewers and specialty bars popping up in East Van neighbourhoods, but few are as good as St. Augustine’s. The patio doesn’t get as much sun as some of the others do, but an awesome line up of local and imported craft beers makes it easily one of the better spots on Commercial Drive to escape the heat of mid-summer.
Who said great patios have to be all about alcoholic beverages? With one of the busiest patios around in the summer months, this is a great spot to sip a coffee and enjoy a book or catch up with old friends. The local roaster brews some of the best coffee in Vancouver, along with offering a great selection of muffins, cookies and other snacks. The laid-back atmosphere of both the clientele and staff make this a wonderful stop for visitors to the area.
Falconetti’s is an East Side favourite for the excellent selection of drinks, live music and chill atmosphere. The patio was built on the rooftop only a few years ago, but it gets full sun throughout the day and offers a number of seating options in both the sun and shade. Falconetti’s is also home to some of the best sausages in town. They’re made in-house and are available on their own, in a bun or as part of a meal.
More gastropub than craft beer hub, the Charlatan has an excellent menu ranging from light summer salads to a filling steak dinner. There are more than a dozen beers on tap, representing local crafts and international favourites. The restaurant is laid out over a few levels, with a small but excellent patio that’s perfect for enjoying the summer sun till late in the day.