Unless you’ve been living under that clichéd rock, you know that there has been a lot of talk about supporting Canadian businesses over the past couple of months. Thankfully, Vancouver offers you plenty of local brands to support when deciding to enjoy an evening out on the town. Among many other awesome experiences, Van City gives you the opportunity to sip wine on a Kitsilano patio, enjoy live music in Mount Pleasant and sample locally crafted cocktails in a cozy Gastown speakeasy.
In Vancouver, you get to take your pick from a wide variety of ways to have fun, all the while supporting Canadian-owned establishments. At MyDDride, we’re proud to offer a service that doesn’t just keep you safe. It champions the local businesses that make our communities vibrant.
Why does it matter so much to support local?
By choosing Canadian-owned restaurants, bars and lounges, you help to fuel our economy. It creates jobs and preserves the unique flavour of our neighbourhoods. According to the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), 99.8% of businesses in Canada are small or medium-sized. It’s worth noting that many of them are in the hospitality sector. “They are the engine of the economy,” says the BDC, “Their success is vital to Canada’s prosperity.”
When you go out for a drink, your decision to spend locally goes far beyond a great cocktail. You’re helping a family business thrive. You are investing in your community’s future. You’re contributing to the local character that makes Vancouver one of the best cities in the world!
Which local hotspots should you support?
There are numerous top-tier, Canadian-owned spots around Metro Vancouver. They all allow you to enjoy a great night. Take the Brassneck Brewery in Mount Pleasant, for example. Their facility boasts both a brewery and a tasting room that usually runs about 12 different taps. They feature a wide variety of ales, pilsners, IPAs and lagers.
A gem of the downtown area, the Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar offers award-winning seafood and an incredible wine list. “Always evolving we have worked to develop a notable wine list featuring labels sourced both locally and from major wine making regions around the globe,” their website points out.
The Keefer Bar is located in Chinatown. Their impressive drink menu offers nightly features made with local ingredients and Canadian spirits. Main Street Brewing is housed in a 1913 industrial building. This amazing spot delivers community charm and BC craft beer with pride. They also recently announced that two new brews will be debuting soon! The Ellis is a Canadian-owned neighbourhood restaurant that offers “elevated pub fare in the heart of Kitsilano”.
How can you ensure a safe ride home?
We all love a fun night out. But getting home safely should never be an afterthought. That’s where MyDDride steps in. Our proudly-Canadian luxury designated driver service allows you to enjoy your evening worry-free. This is because we drive you home in your own vehicle. With a second chase car following, our professional drivers ensure both you and your car get home safely, no matter how the night unfolds.
Please don’t hesitate to call or text us at 604-283-8532 or visit our Contact page to schedule your designated driver today!