The history behind Vancouver's oldest pub turning 100 years old

Vancouver’s Gastown is filled with historic spots, from the Gastown steam clock built in 1977 to the slightly haunted Old Spaghetti Factory built in 1970. But one renowned spot is one of the oldest pubs in the city: the Lamplighter Public House.

Opened in 1925, this pub was the first to not only receive a beer licence (not spirits and liquor, though, that came about mid-century), but it was also the first to serve women.

This historic pub is gearing up to celebrate its 100th anniversary, so naturally, Dished had to stop by and learn more about this historic pub and why it’s so important for the Vancouver community.

We stopped by the pub and met up with Harrison Stoker, chief growth officer at Freehouse Collective, the company that acquired the Lamplighter under the name Donnelly Group back in 2007.

A century of the Lamplighter

Stoker shared that the building’s history dates back even further than the Lamplighter, going through a few different iterations like the Dominion Hotel and a grocery department store before becoming the pub we all know and love.

“When Prohibition ended around the 1920s, it took a few years for Vancouver to get its first drinking establishment, and this was it here,” said Stoker, gesturing to the pub. “There wasn’t a place for people to drink for about four years until 1925 when it got its licence, and people came to socialize and enjoy some beer.”

Stoker also told us that this was the first place women could come out and have a drink, albeit they needed to be escorted by a male at the time.

“That, of course, is all well done at this point,” assured Stoker.

At the time, the Lamplighter had two separate entrances for men and women. The one for men was at the corner of the pub currently occupied by table hockey and Baseball Pro arcade machine, while the entrance for “ladies and escorts” at the time is now the main entrance for the pub.

And while the Lamplighter has gone through a couple of facelifts over the years, plenty of the original building remains, whether it be the foundation, the brick walls, the ceiling, or the carriage tucked away above the entrance to the pub.

There are also homages to its age, with multiple layers of wallpaper pulled back on the walls to show its history (though this was a recent addition during a period of renovations, and not the actual wallpaper from way back when).

Is the pub haunted?

With much of the original foundation still being used and many rumours circulating throughout the Vancouver community over the years, we had to ask the question on everyone’s mind: is the Lamplighter haunted?

Well, Stoker didn’t give us a clear answer.

“Everybody thinks it’s haunted, for sure,” said Stoker. “Over the years, we’ve done a number of renovations. We’ve had to peel the floor up and rebuild the bar. And it sure did fell, on occasion, when we were peeling some layers back, that we were unearthing some old history and tall tales.”

However, he added that in the middle of the night, some of the operators at the Lamplighter had heard what he called “interesting sounds.”

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Who was the Lamplighter?

As for why the pub was named the Lamplighter, it’s to honour one very important Vancouverite.

“Around the turn of the century, when Vancouver was getting very lively, and especially post-prohibition when that liveliness was fueled by some beers and spirits, this was the epicentre of an evening out. And at the time, there was a lamplighter named John Clough. Interestingly enough, he was a one-armed lamplighter,” Stoker said.

John Clough would go around Gastown and light the coal lamps around the area. Stoker said that the Lamplighter is an homage to Clough, who he called “the catalyst for a night out in Vancouver.”

Clough is also paid homage to at the Clough Club next door, another bar owned by Freehouse Collective.

“If you ever do visit the Clough Club, you might be able to find his other arm,” joked Stoker.

Why the pub still matters today

“I think anybody visiting a town or city should get themselves to the oldest pub,” said Stoker. “Really, any pub will do, but the oldest one typically has the most history, some of the tallest tales and, arguably, some of the best social dynamics.”

As for why it’s important to maintain historical buildings in Vancouver like the Lamplighter, Stoker said, “Look at this place — how could you possibly do away with it?”

“I’ve got young kids that love coming here, and they’re touching the walls and the floor, and they’re just blown away at the very obvious history in this building. I think that’s really important. And the conversation, the discussion, the social dynamic of a pub is the heart of most communities, so that’s really important as well.”

Like the lamps that John Clough lit all those years ago, Stoker said that the future of the Lamplighter is looking bright.

“I think this building will last many lifetimes, many generations. Well beyond our stewardship, that’s for sure,” said Stoker. “We’re going to keep doing what we’re doing and what we’re best at, and that’s being publicans and tipping a pint and enjoying everyone’s company.”

He added that there will be plenty of beer and good times in the Lamplighter’s future.

To celebrate its 100-year anniversary, the Lamplighter is hosting an event where Vancouver Mayor Ken Sims will declare March 20 as “The Lamplighter Day.” Additionally, Vancouver band Black Pontiac will be performing at the pub, with tickets available online.

The Lamplighter Public House

Address: 92 Water St., Vancouver

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