VANCOUVER
Come hang out with the Leathermen on Canada’s laid-back West Coast. You can find most spots in Vancouver’s gay Davie Village in the West End.
Hot-spot neighborhoods: Davie Village/West End, Downtown Vancouver
Drink Fuck Shake Buy Crash Eat Pump Trim Ink Hang See Plan
WHERE TO DRINK (AND CRUISE)
PumpJack Pub (1167 Davie St, Davie Village/West End) The watering hole for local Leathermen. link
WHERE TO FUCK
F212 Steam (1048 Davie St, Davie Village/West End) A steamy bathhouse right in the center of Davie Village. link
Steam 1 (430 Columbia St, New Westminster) A bathhouse in the southern ‘burbs of Vancouver. link
Steamwork Baths (123 W Pender St, Downtown Vancouver) Local outpost of the international chain of bathhouses, with a monthly gear night. link
Wreck Beach (Pacific Spirit Regional Park at University of British Columbia, go left at the bottom of the stairs, look in the bushes) Canada’s first official nude beach is also Vancouver’s unofficial fuck beach. link
WHERE TO SHAKE YOUR ASS (AND CRUISE)
Man Upp Dance parties for DILFs. link
Ruff Party A series of parties for manly men who like to have fun. link
WHERE TO BUY GEAR
Little Sister’s Book & Art Emporium (1238 Davie St, Davie Village/West End) Vancouver’s favorite sex shop for decades. link
Topdrawers (809 Davie St, Downtown Vancouver) Swimwear, underwear, tees, and a bit of leather, too. link
WHERE TO CRASH (AND MAYBE FUCK SOME MORE)
The Burrard (1100 Burrard St, Downtown Vancouver) Cheap, achingly hip hotel just a couple blocks from Davie Village. link
Holiday Inn & Suites Vancouver Downtown (1100 Howe St, Downtown Vancouver) Everything you’d expect from Holiday Inn, plus it’s just around the corner from Davie Village. link
OPUS Vancouver (322 Davie St, Yaletown/Downtown Vancouver) A gay-friendly boutique hotel on Davie Street, a bit away from Davie Village in Yaletown. link
Sandman Suites Vancouver – Davie Street (1160 Davie St, Davie Village/West End) Reasonably priced high-rise property in the heart of Davie Village. link
Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre (1088 Burrard St, Downtown Vancouver) High-end property just a couple blocks from Davie Village. link
The Sylvia Hotel (1154 Gilford St, West End) Gay-friendly historic bayside hotel that’s a 10-minute walk to Davie Village. link
WHERE TO EAT (AND CRUISE)
Fountainhead Pub (1025 Davie St, Davie Village/West End) A leather-friendly spot for objectively good pub grub on Davie Street. link
India Bistro (1157 Davie St, Davie Village/West End) Cheap, tasty Indian food in Davie Village. link
Italian Tomato (1047 Davie St, Davie Village/West End) Popular spot in Davie Village for Italian cuisine. link
The Junction (1138 Davie St, Davie Village/West End) A leather-friendly place for drinks and pub grub. link
Mary’s on Davie (1202 Davie St, Davie Village/West End) Vancouver’s sassy gay diner. link
Stepho’s Souvlaki Greek Taverna (1124 Davie St, Davie Village/West End) Line up for cheap, tasty Greek food. link
WHERE TO PUMP IRON (AND CRUISE)
Robert Lee YMCA (955 Burrard St, West End) Hang out with all the boys…and girls! link
Steve Nash Fitness World & Sports Club (1214 Howe St, Downtown Vancouver) Cruisy gym near Davie Village. link
WHERE TO GET A BUZZ CUT AND BEARD TRIM
Burly Barber (1342 Burrard St, Downtown Vancouver) The go-to barbershop for Vancouver’s Leathermen. link
WHERE TO GET INKED
Adrenaline (1014 Granville St, Downtown Vancouver) A favorite with Vancouver Leathermen. link
Sacred Heart Tattoo (25 W 6th Ave, Mount Pleasant) Recommended by local Leathermen. (Insider tip: Ask for Dave Green.) link
WHO TO HANG WITH
Border Riders A group for gay bikers from all over the Pacific Northwest and Canada’s West Coast. link
Masters And slaves Together: Greater Vancouver Local branch of the organization for those who live the lifestyle. link
Vancouver Men in Leather Vancouver’s group for socially active gay gear-lovers. Check out their website for their semiannual Leather Retreats at Whistler. link
WHAT TO SEE WHILE YOU’RE IN TOWN
Jim Deva Plaza (1200 Bute St, Davie Village/West End) A car-free pedestrian zone dedicated to free speech, performance, and community gatherings. The plaza is named for Jim Deva, community activist and founder of Little Sister’s. link
Little Sister’s Book & Art Emporium (1238 Davie St, Davie Village/West End) Not just a sex shop, it’s an establishment that’s been fighting the anti-censorship fight for decades. Pay your respects. link
Vancouver AIDS Memorial (Sunset Beach Park at Broughton St, West End) A solemn spot along the waterfront. link
WHAT TO PLAN FOR
June/August
Vancouver Pride Parade and Festival Vancouver’s Leathermen join in with everyone else in the huge celebrations. link
[Suggestions? Corrections? Contact me!]