Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/810732
tourismvancouver.com 33 ALLISON KUHL (ROBYN GRAY) VINE & HOPS WINE, CHRISTINE MCAVOY (WINE FESTIVAL) SUMMER IN THE GAYBOURHOOD: Vancouver Queer Film Festival screens hundreds of international films and the Vancouver Pride Parade and Festival – Western Canada's largest – takes to the streets. With its rainbow crosswalk, bright-pink bus shelters and the new Jim Deva Plaza at Davie and Bute streets, the West End's Davie Street Village is the playground of the LGBTQTS (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and two spirit) community. Here's where the party is on any given night. Monday: Queer Prov – Sketch comedy at XYYVR Tuesday: Shame Spiral – Gender- bending fabulousness with Peach Cobblah at 1181 Wednesday: Bingo for Life – Balls and boys raising money for people with HIV/AIDS at Celebrities Night Club Thursday: Catch a game at Score on Davie Friday: Wet & Wild – Go-go boys hit the shower at Pumpjack Pub Saturday: Absolut-ly Dragulous show hosted by Carlotta Gurl at The Junction Sunday: Bear and Beer afternoon meet-up at Pumpjack Pub 2 STOCK THE CELLAR Shops such as Village Wines and Swirl Wine Store exclusively sell B.C. wines and offer free in-store tastings, often from new or little-known wineries. 1 ATTEND A FESTIVAL Compare B.C. wines to international offerings at the Vancouver International Wine Festival (it's on in February/March), one of the oldest and biggest wine events worldwide. Get the grapes-to-glass experience at Lulu Island Winery in Richmond, starting in the vineyard and finishing up with ice wine tastings. Vine & Hops Wine and Craft Beer Tours takes budding oenophiles behind the scenes at Fraser Valley wineries. 3 TAKE A TOUR With 277 wineries (and counting) B.C.'s wine scene has earned international awards. Here are three ways to get grapes in your glass. Robyn Gray LOCAL INTEL e head bartender at Prohibition spills secrets on his favourite cocktails and ingredients. • FAVOURITE LOCAL SPIRIT: Sheringham Seaside Gin. This distillery does it right: clean, crisp and fresh. With locally harvested kelp, it brings a true flavour of local terroir. • SECRET INGREDIENT: Ice. As chefs cook with fire, bartenders create with ice. We have many styles, shapes and sizes of ice at Prohibition. When creating a seemingly perfect cocktail, the choice of ice used is always the secret! • FAVE COCKTAIL TO MAKE: Ramos Gin Fizz. I have a secret when it comes to making the cocktail perfect: it's the ice. When you make it just right, the presentation and flavour are both stunning. • FAVE COCKTAIL TO DRINK: Pegu Club (Sheringham Seaside Gin, Cointreau, lime juice and a dash of Angostura aromatic bitters). It's liquid refreshment. • FAVOURITE BAR IN VANCOUVER: Keefer Bar. It's the best! It comes down to the choice of music, a talented Italian barman making my Negroni, hand-carved ice cubes and a spirits collection that boggles the mind, with rarities in every category. Everything is done right. SUPER SIPPERS RAINBOW CONNECTION