The Emerald in Chinatown Brings a little Vegas to Vancouver

If you’ve ever thought there was a little bit of Vegas missing in Vancouver then you’re not alone. We’re not talking about the new $500 million casino and hotel complex coming next to BC Place. We’re talking about The Emerald – an exciting new 172 seat Vegas-style restaurant, bar and cabaret scheduled to open its glamorous doors on Friday, September 27^th.

Located in historic Chinatown, The Emerald puts a fresh spin on 1960’s Rat Pack style. Leave your board shorts at home and prepare to lounge in stylish banquettes sipping ice cold martinis in this unique 5000 square feet space.

Brought to you by David Duprey and Rachel Zottenberg the masterminds behind The Rumpus Room, The Rickshaw Theatre and the always jam-packed Narrow Bar, The Emerald promises to be the jewel on the crown of their creative empire of anything-goes venues.

Mid-century Vegas style is exemplified throughout the décor from the large abstract paintings to the martini carts, crystal decanters (for full bottle service), round tables and gold leaf walls.

The theme is carried over into a full restaurant menu created by Tyrel Jared Shaw former chef of The Rumpus Room, No.1 Noodle House & Save-On-Meats. His creative spin on classic dishes like clams casino, prawn cocktail and Rat Pack favourite spaghetti and meatballs, may even bring Frank Sinatra back from the grave for a taste.

Of course no Vegas menu would be complete without a buffet. Therefore, every Saturday and Sunday The Emerald will host a full brunch buffet complete with tableside Caesar cocktail cart service (pick your own garnish and spice level) and a themed Sunday evening buffet that changes weekly.

Divided into several unique rooms The Emerald offers plenty of space to mingle, dine with friends or hunker down in a cozy romantic corner. Moving away from the recent popularity of overly-precious intimate dining, the large space easily accommodates bigger groups with or without a reservation.

Yes you read that correctly – reservations accepted.Which means you and 10 of your closest friends won’t be left waiting in the rain for hours. If you fancy a Mad Men style evening, you can book the VIP dining area lovingly called ‘The Board Room’. This semi-private 20 person dining space has an authentic acorn fireplace, large oak boardroom table and crystal decanters for bottle service making it the perfect place to do your best Don Draper.

Or maybe you have always fancied getting married in Vegas. The 75 seat cabaret room is another option for private functions of large scale merriment.  Of course let’s not forget the music. Carefully curated without a trace of hip hop or Billy Ocean (no offense to either) your ears will delight in the sweet sounds of soul music from the vaults of Motown and Stax Records to The Dap Kings, Janelle Monae and other current favourites.

As the Frank Sinatra quote on the door suggests “The big lesson in life, baby, is never be scared of anyone or anything”, The Emerald is a bold new space that dispels the quintessential notion that a night out in Vancouver involves dinner at one place and drinks at another. With enough dimly lit corners to enjoy just too many martinis, The Emerald is about getting lost and forgetting about the troubles of your day (or even what day it is).

The sophistication of 1960’s Rat Pack style is the inspiration for the space but as with David and Rachel’s other projects it will come sans pretention and just enough of an edge to remind you what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. “The vision for us was about creating a space that doesn’t exist in Vancouver anymore” say Rachel and David “We wanted to create a space that was big enough for people to get lost in it and not feel obliged to treat is just as a restaurant or bar. The idea is you come in for dinner and you stay for music, meet up friends and enjoy a whole night out. It is perfectly designed for big groups to be spontaneous.”

The Emerald in Chinatown

Website: www.The-Emerald.ca
Reservations: [email protected]

Address: 555 Gore Street, Vancouver B.C.
Hours: Open 5pm to midnight*

*Saturday/Sunday all-you-can-eat buffet brunch starting October 5th 9am – 3pm