The Magnet

The Magnet popped up upon searching top rated restaurants in the Gastown area, and did not disappoint! The highlight was the drink selection - entirely BC beer, wine, and even spirits, and so many options that you cannot find in stores. The food was also amazing, perfect portion sizes and well-made with quality ingredients (I had the chicken sandwich). And, the staff was so kind and unintimidating, which is sometimes rare in establishments such as this. Will definitely return next time I'm in Vancouver!!

Wow the best fried chicken sandwich I’ve ever had! The buns are fluffy, with chicken that’s very crispy on the outside yet tender and juicy inside! The Paloma mocktail was quite yummy as well, along with a ton of great natural wine options (I got the Riesling and really liked it!) Furthermore, there are a lot of beer and ciders. There is also ample seating. Highly recommend!

It's a pretty hip restaurant/bar on Gastown. It has a pretty fantastic list of beers and decent food. The service was great and I enjoyed my burger with the beer. I would love to try more beer on the tap in my next visit and I recommend this place to anyone looking for a good night out with some friends!

Great music, great beer selection. They cocktails looked great, but we didn't have a chance to try them this time. Love the N/A options for those of us choosing not to drink! We'd love to come back to try the cocktails and dinner!

The craft beer bar you are searching for is here. Diverse menu of local taps including treats from Tilquin and Dieu du Ciel. Enough interesting and quality options that, like me, you will probably have a tough time picking your next beer. In which case, talking to the staff is the way to go. Devon and Mae were friendly, funny, knowledgeable, and a pleasure to talk to. They gave recommendations not only on beers but also local cuisine and brunch spots. Top the whole thing off with an amazing dessert (sesame cheesecake WHAT?!?!?) and this place is a winner. You don't need to be bored at some other bar with a TV jammed in your face, you'll just wish you came here instead. Thanks again to the staff for making my birthday a memorable one (assuming the beer doesn't get me first) !

Love this place. Vibe was great, mixed crowd. Had the chilled pie and sausage roll. Both were awesome. Pork burger was great! Sad the scotch eggs are off the menu, hope they bring them back!

I'm a huge foodie and burger fanatic, and this place officially has my favorite burger here in Vancouver! Whatever sauce they are using is soooooo good. I literally dream about this burger lol. And the other food on the menu is delicious as well! We tried the sausage rolls which had real and good quality sausage. They had a special for a dish that resembled a deep fried perogie and that was also so good. There are tons of drink options for the drinkers. I went with a beer flight while my boyfriend tried different cocktails. We came on a Friday night and it was busy but we lucked out and got a big table after only a few minutes! Our server was super attentive and nice.

Best fried chicken sandwich I've ever had. Got it Nashville hot extra crispy and it was decently spicy. Better than most places. Juicy and just all around great. Had to score it as typically only do beef burger reviews. But this was a rookie score. For the first time in my history it was a 10. Gasp. Pick yourself up off the floor. Yes o said 10. It's worth driving from the island or the interior. Hell even from Alberta. Yes it was that good. Get down there and try it for yourself.

Food was SO SO GOOD. I had a special of the day-- and apparently the chef that day returned after being away for a bit. So Idk what difference that makes for all other days. I'm from California & Mexican and it was my first time in Vancouver. I came here alone and sat at the bar. It matters to me who writes the review bc let's be real-I don't care about everyone's opinion. oops, did I post that. The servers were not friendly at first. It took them a little talkin to to warm up and change up their faces to :) They didn't tell me about the daily menu Until I noticed it on the back wall. But maybe this is irrelevant bc I found that no one in Vancouver was friendly--is it the NY of Canada? maybe it's their bad weather and beautiful clean city. I digress. Highly recommend this place!! Just based on food and decor.

Had dinner at The Magnet with three friends on a Saturday evening. The beer, wine and cocktail menu was great. We sampled the wine, cider and a cocktail which were all delicious. We shared poutine, a small pot pie and the prawn salad. Although the dishes were small, the food was yummy. The prawn salad was my favourite. I found the pot pie was dry - needed more liquid. Service was excellent!

Excellent tapas selection and the service was outstanding. The poutine was delicious! Charming and eclectic little hidden gem.

I have so many good things to say about the Magnet that I'm pretty excited to write this review. The Magnet has been on my want-to-try list for a couple of years, and I finally got to go this past week before Christine Sinclair's final international game. Firstly, I love the space. The tables are spread far enough apart that it doesn't feel like a crowded bar, though the volume levels can definitely get up there, especially before a sports game! Second, the service is incredible. Our server was an absolute legend--excellent banter and anticipation of our needs, and coming to check on us at all the right times. And the food and drinks!! Great local beer list (shout out to Small Gods brewery), and the sticky toffee pudding was divine. I'm still thinking about it even now. Fries were freshly fried, pasta made in house, grilled cabbage with added falafel was so flavorful. Perfect spot for a casual dinner downtown but without the shortcuts of fast food. Prices were also decent for downtown; bill came out to under $80 with drinks and food for two of us. Next time I need a spot for a pre-game dinner downtown, I will be heading to the Magnet. Email them for reservations!

Very cute vibe with hanging lights we all wanted as inspo at our apartments! We had just had drinks elsewhere at 515 nearby so went for a quick bite after work. We had the fried chicken sandwich as recommended and it was ok, the french fries were better. The area has changed so much and if I happen to be in the area, would be keen to try one of their drinks but they're known for beer which I do not drink but liked the layout and the bar was very nice!

Lovely craft cocktails and impressive beer list. Get the veggie feta plate, it's amazing!

Such a nice spot for a beer! Came with a group of 6 and was promptly seated at a booth. Lots of seating available. Also lots of beer available in 3 different sizes - great variety from hoppapalooza! The server gave great recommendations and I tried the tangerine dream and nitro Porter - both delicious.

This is an exceptional gastropub with inventive, fresh food that is a far cut above usual pub fare. Great burgers. The garden salad with beets was exceptional and large enough for 2 to split. Extensive BC tap beer and sour list, and a craft cocktail list. Amazing and friendly service. Our delightful waitress had the most infectious laugh! Doesn't look like much from outside but a comfortable, even somewhat stylish room with some great booths. We are visiting from out of town to see The Rolling Stones at nearby BC Place and could not have found a better spot for dinner!

Found this nice lounge when we wanted some drinks. Great cocktails and snacks! Will be back!

Great beer selection and food was on point. The waitress took her time to explain the menu in detail. Would love to come back on our next trip. Highly recommend to escape the tourist trap areas

Really cool spot. Excellent beer selection at pretty decent prices! Choose a flight or get a glass (3 different size options). I tried the fries which were good (came with housemade ketchup) but didn't try any of the other food (I'm very intrigued by the pot pies). Service was friendly where we were sitting at the bar. My favourite thing about this spot was the atmosphere. It was spacious, well-lit, good volume, good vibe, just loved everything about it! Can't wait to come back.

The chicken gravy on the poutine is top-notch & we highly recommend the sticky toffee pudding. Friendly and fast service. The sangria: fell in love with fall in a glass

Great beer. I got the burger with garlic Mayo or something like dat and it was ight. Had a good time out with some good folks

Quite a beautiful place, just off Victory Square, with more seating that you might think upon walking in. There are a few bar seats too, and a standing area where you can enjoy a drink while waiting for your table. Huge beer list with maybe 50 taps. 5 oz pours of everything available for minimum $4.25++, and flights of 3 for $11++, one of the most expensive places in town for flights / small pours. 8 oz pours we barely more expensive and a better deal. Food menu includes lots of vegan options. I've tried the vegan shepherds pie and the tofu sandwich, both of which were super tasty and creatively designed dishes. Service is top-knotch--extremely friendly and hospitable. You pay more here, but you get a better experience and get to indulge a superior beer selection. Overall, a recommended spot.

After having a few friends rave about how great The Magnet was, we went down to visit the place the other day. To my surprise, this place was even better than I thought! I used to frequent the restaurant it was before it was replaced by The Magnet, so naturally I was curious as well. The space is open and well lit with high ceilings and lots of tables. You are greeted and seated upon entering but you'll have to go up to the bar to pay for both drinks and your food! You can pay for beverages right on the spot or keep a tab open but if you order food it will be brought to your table. A little bit odd for sure, since I've never experienced a place like this before but nonetheless, it would definitely have me returning on a regular due to their impressive menu. We went in around 5:00pm as a party of 4 (but later on eventually 3) and were promptly seated. They had just opened not too long ago but the place was already slowly filling up and eventually there seemed to be a fairly big wait. Definitely recommend to go as soon as they open to snag a seat! It seems like they offer about 3 sizes of beer, but naturally since we went on a Friday I decided to get a large size which was 23oz. They have quite a large selection to choose from beers to cocktails to wines and more! I got the Brassneck Wheat Ale which I somehow managed to consume a lot faster than I intended to. My friends and I also ended up sharing a Charcuterie Board to split between 3 people which was just the right amount of food for an after work snack. At the back of the restaurant there is also huge board with some other menu items I believe. So if nothing on the regular menu catches your eye, you've got options. I'm excited to come back here again in the future.

Don't get your hopes up. It's good, but not great and overpriced. That said, I'm still giving it 5 stars. At the moment Vancouver's beer scene is very stagnant. No one is pushing the envelope. The Magnet (owned by the same guy who owns Alibi Room and Brassneck Brewing) is pretty good. Their taps can be hit or miss depending when you happen to visit. Their food is almost always very good, but overpriced. In 2022, this is probably the best craft beer bar in Vancouver, but I hope they don't rest on their laurels and actually challenge themselves to become better because compared to bars in the US, this one would be lucky to make Top 10...

Same guys as Alibi Room and Brassneck. Can't go wrong! Beer focused with some cocktails and wine on tap! Looks like a good range of food choices as well. From snacks to meals. Update: went back for the burger and I'm going ahead and saying this is the best burger in Vancouver! You won't be disappointed.

This place is fantastic. Great beer selection and outstanding pub food with an English influence (they have pies and sticky toffee pudding). Service has consistently been excellent. Do expect that the place fills up pretty quickly and prepare to wait for a table. The servers are happy to get you drinks while you wait though.

Arrived here around 10pm on a Saturday night and it was still mostly full. The venue was nicely spaced out which added to its chill, understated vibe. The food was delicious, especially the pork and beef pie, I was tempted to order a second! The house salad was bursting with flavour and a perfect offset to the pie. A great selection of beers and our server, Kristen, was lots of fun and very attentive. Next time I'm in Vancouver I'm definitely coming back here.

First and only night in Vancouver and this was the right place to go! Meg was an AMAZING server who gave great suggestions. When I didn't love the drink I got, she helped me figure out which one I would like! Fun vibes, fun stories, delicious food and drink! Would definitely recommend and come back!

Wonderful good! Great beer selection and very friendly staff! Highly recommend coming here.

Obsessed with this place. Love the vibe. Love the beer selection. Love love love the food. We tried the special meat pie (pork and beef bolognese), the polenta cakes with goat cheese which were also a special, the house kale salad, the crispy fried humbolt squid, the toffee cake, and the chocolate peanut butter pudding. Every single thing we tried was delicious. The salad was crisp and refreshing. The squid was perfectly cooked. The special meat pie had a side of pesto which complemented it perfectly. The polenta cakes were such an interesting, well thought out combination of flavors and textures. Both desserts were superb, especially the toffee cake. Would highly recommend coming here and don't skip the food

I mistakenly left a bad review for the Magnet at 309 w Pender when I got it mixed up with the Lucky Penny at 433 w Pender. Sorry Magnet.

This bar opened just 3 months ago and I felt it was such a gem in downtown Vancouver. They offered a flight of 3 5oz beer for $10 and they have a lot of selection to choose from. The food was pretty good, albeit small and a bit pricy but you don't go here for the food. If you love craft beer, I think you'll love this bar. The atmosphere is very casual chic and laid back, quite similar to the Mount Pleasant bar scene.

I LOVE The Magnet. I don't know why I don't go more often... Tonight, I came in to have a chill beer and a burger on the way home. The burger was fantastic, the Superflux hazy and House of Funk stout were great. The music was killer. In the span of less than an hour, I heard two Black Angels songs AND Charles Bradley AND SpottieOttieDopaliscious from Outkast. The vibe/lighting in there is perfect too . The staff was bright and positive but never overbearing. Absolutely perfect. Kudos on the fine establishment! It's a huge asset downtown and one of the best craft beer bars in the city!!!

Pretty good beer selection but overpriced for the size of the glass and for no table service. Pretty sterile environment, lack of character. I found it quite dead for a Saturday night and also it closes pretty early (last call at 11pm on a Saturday). I'd give it more stars if there was something special/unique about this place but to me it doesn't really stand out much. Note: I haven't tried the food, so I can't judge that. In summary: not terrible but expected better.

Amazing Beer Line up and super friendly service from beer savvy staff. A true gem is a rough part of town. One that beer true enthusiasts should definitely seek out!

Great place for a delicious beer and tasty meal! They have fantastic hot vegan options, which is hard to come by in a beer focused pub-staurant. Cosy, modern atmosphere and friendly staff make this place a 5/5 stars.

Big fan of this place. From the vibe to their extensive beer menu. I love that they have a rotating feature board. It makes coming here unique every time. The beer list covers the gamut of flavours. So anyone will be able to find something to their liking. I really enjoy their small plates and desserts. Sandwich was ok, fries were surprisingly addictive. Recommend bringing out of town friends here!

My husband, 17 yr old daughter and I ate and drank at this lovely little restaurant. The service was both odd and delightful-you have to order from the counter but the food is brought out and the staff is helpful and friendly. The vibe is very inclusive-lots of men and women -all ages. Food is mostly small plates and sandwiches-all made w care. My butter chicken sandwich was just great (Indian butter sauce to dip in). My kid had chicken liver parfait-yum. And we're from the states so the savory pie and sticky toffee pudding was a real treat (hard to find back home). We also enjoyed interesting beers-lots of sour ales (though that may be a Vancouver thing).

Haven't tried the food yet but it looks so good! Beers are awesome, great staff & great atmosphere!