8 ways to celebrate Galentine's Day in Vancouver

Feb 7 2017, 5:13 am

Ladies, mark your calendars –  it’s almost Galentine’s Day.

If you need a refresher about the origin of this glorious holiday, I’ll remind you that this occasion was first coined by Leslie Knope, a character from NBC’s hit comedy sit-com Parks and Recreation.

In Season 2, Episode 16, Knope was throwing her annual Galentine’s Day party on February 13. This occasion was created to celebrate female friendships, a day purely meant for appreciating gal pals.

Basically, this day is a reminder that even if you’re single on Valentine’s Day, you’re still loved and appreciated – not too mention there are tons of other people in your life that can buy you cheap heart-shaped candy from Shoppers and a mickey of Fireball Cinnamon Whisky.

Since Knope first proclaimed the holiday back in 2010, Galentine’s Day has become synonymous with celebrating the bonds between soul sisters, and seven years later, the tradition lives on.

Here are 8 food and drink-related things to do in Vancouver to celebrate Galentine’s Day.

1. Sake tasting at Artisan SakeMaker

Artisan SakeMaker produces handmade small-batch fermented sake made from top-of-the-line Japanese Junmai rice and pressed and bottled by hand. Osake is premium sake made from all natural and local ingredients from the sakemaker Masa Shiroki’s own rice winery. For Galentine’s Day you can book group tours ahead of time, or just hit the tasting counters which are open daily between 11:30am and 6pm. Visitors can try a single tasting for $2 or try three kinds of sake for $5.

Address: 1339 Railspur Alley, Granville Island, Vancouver
Instagram: @artisansake

2. Afternoon High Tea at Bacchus Restaurant

For $35 per person, you and your Galentine’s pals could enjoy an afternoon of pastries, finger sandwiches, and tea at Bacchus at the Wedgewood Hotel. This experience is available weekends from 2 to 4 pm, so if you’re up for celebrating G-Day the weekend before, we highly recommend reserving your spot for this royal treat.

Address: Wedgewood Hotel & Spa, 845 Hornby Street, Vancouver
Instagram: @wedgewoodhotel

3. Bubbles At Brunch at L’Abattoir

Photo courtesy of L’Abattoir

While L’Abattoir only offers brunch on weekends from 10am to 2pm, Bubbles At Brunch is pretty much the perfect way to celebrate Galentine’s Day – and there’s nothing wrong with celebrating a day or two early if champagne is involved, right?

Address: 217 Carrall Street, Vancouver
Instagram: @labattoir_van

4. Dip into a chocolate fondue at Cacao 70

A photo posted by Vancouver (@vancityhype) on

Cacao 70 has a plethora of sweet treats that are perfect for a Galentine’s celebration. Heading to Cacao 70 for a dessert pizza, an ice cream cup, or a chocolate fondue is a pretty awesome way to celebrate friendship if you ask us.

Address: 1047 Denman Street, Vancouver
Instagram: @cacao70

5. Devour a giant donut cake from Cartems


We know this one takes a bit of planning (you need to order these babies ahead of time), but what could be more celebratory than taking down a giant sparkly donut cake with those you love? Cartems has regular, vegan, stuffed – yes, stuffed – and gluten friendly options for their donut cakes as well.

Address: 3 locations in Vancouver
Instagram: @cartemsdonuts

6. Shop and dine at Holts Café

A photo posted by @crystal_xiaojingjing on

Get bad and bougie on G-day by shopping at Holt Renfrew and then hitting the newly-opened Holts Café when your post-shopping hanger kicks in. This spot has a killer brunch along with delicious desserts and cocktails. If you’re like many of us who can’t afford to shop and eat – we say skip straight to the mimosas and your Galentine’s at Holts will still be wonderful.

Address: 737 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver
Instagram: @holtrenfrew

7. Gin tasting at The Liberty Distillery

If you and your friends would rather drink hard liquor than tea, there are a ton of local distilleries you can head to on Galentine’s Day. If you happen to be near Granville Island, The Liberty Distillery is a great place to stop in for a gin tasting flight. Keep the festivities going and wash that quality liquor down with one of the distillery’s artisan cocktails (we recommend the Caesar) and you’re in for one memorable celebration.

Address: 1494 Old Bridge Road, Vancouver
Instagram: @tldistillery

8. Have cocktails at UVA Wine & Cocktail Bar

If you don’t already head to UVA for cocktails with friends regularly, this is a great activity to get involved in for Galentine’s Day. This spot has wine flights, bubbles flights, and an insane selection of wines and artisan cocktails.

Address: Moda Hotel, 900 Seymour Street, Vancouver
Instagram: @uvavancouver

Hanna McLeanHanna McLean

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