Martina M.
Yelp
I saved review #200 for one of my favorite cocktail bars in the lower mainland. My parents love staying in Fairmont hotels, so I've been to my fair share of Fairmont hotel bars in the past 6 years. All of the Fairmont bars I've been to are elegant, cozy, and have a great drink menu. None, however, equal the amazing view that you get at the Jetside Bar at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport. If you're lucky enough to get a table by the window, you're treated to views of gorgeous mountains and planes taking off (two of my favorite sights!).
I've always found the service here to be pretty good. When you're seated, they bring you a small bowl of mixed nuts, and sometimes they'll bring you dried banana chips. The cocktail menu is where this place shines. They carry a wide variety of signature cocktails from Fairmont hotels all over the world, plus a wide variety of cocktails invented in-house by the bartenders. They have a honey based cocktail that is out of this world. I know the cocktails are quite pricey (~$14/drink), but the majority are doubles and the flavour combinations are fantastic. They also have a great selection of beer, ports, red, and white wines.
They also have a menu full of appetizers and dinners. All of the food I've had here has been pretty good. They also have free wi-fi, if you're looking for a quiet work space in the airport.
Another perk: if you spend $25.00 on your food/beverage bill, you get a free Canada Line ticket per person. They say on their website it's a two zone pass, but when we went last time we got 2 day passes. Considering the added surcharge of $5.00 if you buy a transit ticket at the airport, any free transit pass is worthwhile.
I absolutely love this place, and if you're in the airport (or looking for somewhere new to go for drinks), it's worth the trip down here. I will most definitely be back.