Plaza, the, Vancouver

At the beginning of the 21st century, the City of Vancouver had replanned the downtown core, changing the once nightclub streets into residential zones which therefor forced these nightclubs to shut down and re-open on Granville Street, hoping that this would revive Granville to its former glory days.

Prior to the 1970's, Granville Street used to be a Las Vegas of sorts - a street of neon signs, theatres and exciting nightlife. And then it died in the 1970's as Vancouver turned it into a pedestrian-only street. Granville Street somehow became sleazy and ugly... especially in the 1990's with pawn shops, porn shops, and lots of beggars sleeping on its street. In the year 2000, they started to clean it back up.

The Plaza Club opened up in 2000 (in which staff and management came directly from the old club, the Palladium... the old Graceland).

It first started as a glitzy club where girls strut their stuff and guys drool and act like show-offs. Not my scene.

*HOWEVER*

When the best alternative nightclub, Luvafair, shut down in February 2003 (due to the city's new rezoning), their popular and famous "Best of British" Thursday night got a new home - the Plaza Club!

I have been to their British night twice now, and both times it was a blast! The atmosphere is casual but the club itself is a step above. It's a circular club, with a stage and busy dancefloor in the back... and one giant bar in the middle. There are booths and tables set up all over the club.

You'll hear everything - the Stone Roses, the Smiths, David Bowie, Coldplay, Oasis, The Cure, Depeche Mode, New Order, Pulp, Supergrass, Morcheeba, Blur... you name it. They even have music videos going on for certain songs, which definitely adds to the night. If it comes from the UK, you're bound to hear it there. New, old, new wave, goth, 80's, Brit-pop, Manchester... it's all there. It's all good. It has a loyal following... and brings out a great crowd.

If you're looking for a fun place to head to on a Thursday night, this is definitely the place.

Dress Code: Wear whatever you want. Dress up a little, but little cute club outfits are not necessary.

If you know your Vancouver club scene pretty well than you know it's Top 40/ R&B/ Hip-Hop/Dance & House and that's it!
With the closing of the Luvafair, Alternative music 7 days a week died! Yet if you have a hunger for something different on a week day then I recommend these nights that started at the Luvafair and have been transported to the Plaza and Caprice Night Clubs:
(same owners as the Luvafair)

Wednsedays – “The Alternative”
with dj dave-o & dj bishop
A mix of old and new Alternative rock tracks.
Every Wednesday at the PLAZA NIGHT CLUB – 881 Granville St. Vancouver B.C. Ph#604.646.0064
www.members.shaw.ca/wednesday

Thursdays – “Best Of British” with dj dave-o
British 80’s, Manchester, Brit Pop & Dance
Every Thursday at the PLAZA NIGHT CLUB – 881 Granville St. Vancouver B.C. Ph#604.646.0064

&

Tuesdays – “Luvafair’s Retro Klassix”
with dj dave-o
60’s, 70’s, 80’s & early 90’s Classic Tracks
Every Tuesday at the CAPRICE NIGHT CLUB - 967 Granville St. Vancouver B.C. Ph#604.681.2114

Dress Code: Wear what you like. Feel comfortable.

Very nice, large nightclub right on Granville Street. Nice people and atmosphere. Drinks are a little pricey, but not too bad. Music is awesome, great sound system.

Dress Code: Just have nice shoes, nice clothes. Nothing too formal.

THE PLAZA CLUB
The entrance fee is $8.00 and don't forget to bring your ID...if you're young looking. (Its not onusual for adult Vancouverites, and tourists, to run into problems due to a vigorously applied drinking age of 19 in British Columbia.)
Come early to avoid line-ups, especially on Friday's and weekend/holidays.
The club plays top 40 as well as high energy music, (good exercise to burn off those holiday travel calories!!) classy atmosphere, and some of the better laser lighting I've seen.

Dress Code: No running shoes and no jeans, but other than those small restrictions..... dress anyway you like.

Really cool place that's got a great layout and nice finishing touches !!! Originally a theater, the Plaza was totally remodeled into a club several years ago and is now one of the nicer clubs in Vancity ~! They've got a couple well located bars and 2 levels, there's plenty of seating / lounging room and lots of room to dance !!! The crowd here is a tad bit older than places like Kits or the Commodore.... so break out tha big guns and tha bling bling cuz if you want some play be prepared to pay !!! (heh..) Thurs, Fri and Saturdays are all pretty bumpin' @ tha plaza so check it out & dress 2 impress ~ !! Music here is pretty good anything from hiphop, r&b, electronic, some top40, euro pop a little trance i suppose, and like lots of clubtrax/cutz, a nice mix of things. Oh yeah.... the bathrooms are really nice... :p

Dress Code: Pretty dressy place, no caps, sportswear, sneakers etc... One of places in town where you wanna wear some of your nicer gear !! hmm....if you really wanna impress your girl take her to AquaRiva for dinner / drinks (if it's sunny/nice) otherwise Gotham's should do the trick...