HAPPY BIRTHDAY BAYSIDE LOUNGE!
Forty-Four Years A West End Favourite

“Thank You For 44 Years of Awesomeness,” read The Bayside Lounge’s printed invitations. Awesomeness indeed!

Craig Prystay, son of founding owner Ted Prystay, holding a celebratory cake on opening day. *(Photos Courtesy of The Bayside Lounge)*

It is not often that West Enders get to celebrate a local business’s 44th anniversary, but we did at the Bayside Lounge’s anniversary party on November 10. Were you lucky enough to be in attendance? It was not to be missed. Held on the night of a big storm, the sheets of rain and storm-force winds lashing the huge windows added to the magical atmosphere.

A welcoming glass of champagne and delicious, never-ending hors d’oeuvres, wine, highballs, and beer were on the house. The service was perfect as always, the bar and wait staff are the best, and the atmosphere reflected that feeling of fun and intimacy that the Bayside Lounge always provides.

Condé Nast Traveller Magazine voted the Bayside Lounge one of Vancouver’s top 14 cocktail bars. “For years, the Bayside Lounge existed in a strange little bubble. Cool because it was a bit uncool, and unapologetically dated, it was, perhaps, the Norma Desmond of local lounges—an ironist’s place to hang out before irony fell out of fashion. The bar once had a telephone on every table—yes, landlines—and although the phones are long gone, the space itself remains fabulous, with one the best oceanside views in the city,” their reviewer wrote.

Do you remember the phones on the tables? You could call the table of a hot customer and express your interest! If anyone has photos of the phones on the tables, I would be very happy to hear from you.

Keegan and Miguel serving hors d’oeuvres at the anniversary party.

Scout Magazine voted The Bayside Lounge one of Vancouver’s best cocktail spots. “With wrap-around picture windows looking out over English Bay and a circular sunken bar, the vibe at The Bayside feels like the best parts of old Vegas,” they observed.

The Daily Hive noted, “the Bayside Lounge first opened in its same space in 1979 and has since become an icon of the era’s penchant for leather seating, shades of brown, rumpus room vibes, and disco fever. With an unparalleled view of English Bay, some incredible sunsets, and a completely unique, time-warp design, the Bayside Lounge is a true gem.”

A true gem indeed.

If you are not familiar with the Bayside Lounge, happy hour is not to be missed, offered from 3 to 6 p.m. daily. The $8 Cosmopolitan is superb, and the $5.50 Caesar is a delight. Highballs, beer and wine are on offer for $5.50. The appy menu is delicious and good value. The lounge is open from noon daily, closing at 2 a.m. Sunday to Thursday and 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday, witching hours I have yet to see.

popular former staff members Kelly, Sue, and Carmen.

The Bayside Lounge is part of the Sands Hotel. The hotel boasts a very personable and dedicated management team of Dallas Worthington and Eddy Chau. They both started in different spots in the original owners’ hotel chain, Dallas as a busser and Eddie as a bellhop.

They provided me with these photographs.

And then there is Keegan, a Québécois who moved to Vancouver ten years ago when he was scouted by a rugby team. Keegan found a job with the Donnelly Group and fell in love with the food and beverage industry. He eventually became the general manager of the Bayside Lounge and has worked at the lounge for almost three years. A more charming and capable GM would be impossible to find.

Dallas and Eddy tell me that next November’s 45th celebration is going to be even bigger, and they hope to bring back many of the much-loved staff from the past, like Kelly, Sue, Carmen and Mark.

Can’t wait. Hope to see you there!