We live in Vancouver, WA – the city of craft beer havens, riverside views, and the occasional Portlander crossing the bridge for something real – but most likely, your friends do not. Which means one thing: they’re asking for recommendations. Whether it’s for a weekend visit, a celebration, or because they heard about our legendary burgers and Seattle is 180 miles away, they’re heading south, and it’s time to deliver.
Charlie’s Sports Bar & Grill
$ | (360) 718-8814 | WEBSITE
Charlie’s Sports Bar & Grill is everything a visitor imagines a Vancouver sports bar would be, complete with multiple screens showing every game and families cheering in the corner. Plus, really fantastic bar food.
Sit in the main area for the full experience (just nod and smile when your friend asks if those loaded steak bites are the best they’ve ever had) and order the firecracker calamari and as many spicy wings as you can handle until your buddy starts recounting last week’s game highlights once he’s two ciders deep.
Shanahan’s Pub & Grill
$ | (360) 735-1440 | WEBSITE
A few blocks from downtown and just far enough away from the polished chains, Shanahan’s is a completely unpretentious and totally satisfying bar and grill that your friends will never stop recommending. The fried food menu is hearty and appealing, and their chicken gizzards should definitely be on the list of best bar snacks in Vancouver. Yes, the Midwest biker bar atmosphere is laid back, and the team is definitely going to check on you more than once, but who cares?
The Friday Happy Hour crowd is totally buying into it and so are you. The prices are reasonable, so treat yourself by ordering a plate of those amazing wings.
Orchards Tap Bar & Grill
$ | (360) 891-5917 | WEBSITE
Your friends are obsessed with those trendy gastropubs, from debating craft beer flights and Instagramming every plate, to seeking out places with exposed brick walls and artisanal charcuterie boards. They’d also happily settle for typical bar food every night, but that’s where you draw the line. Take them to Orchards Tap Bar & Grill instead.
This neighborhood spot in Vancouver is still very much a bar and grill – the space is lively and full of shuffleboard tables and pool cues – but in a sea of greasy appetizers and generic sports bars, it’s also one of the most refreshing experiences you’ll find in the area. Get whatever Scotty’s cooking up in the kitchen and the fresh appetizers.
Hudson’s Bar and Grill
$$$ | (360) 816-6100 | WEBSITE
You’re heading to Hudson’s Bar and Grill because, more than anything, this bar and grill in Vancouver, WA is reliable. Run by a dedicated team, Hudson’s is all about burgers and steaks and enjoying them in a comfortable setting. The rustic interior is welcoming, the knowledgeable servers will help you navigate the menu, and the local wine selection will have you feeling relaxed right away. Get the Waygu burger.
Billy Blues Bar and Grill
$ | (360) 694-3114 | WEBSITE
Every visitor to Vancouver wants a classic bar and grill experience, and Billy Blues delivers exactly that. This local favorite is the kind of spot everyone can enjoy: gourmet burgers like the fully loaded house burger, seafood, salads, soups, steak, and chicken. Vegetarian options like the garden burger patty and impossible burger mean nobody gets left out.
The atmosphere is lively and energetic (with live music that gets the whole place dancing), and there’s a spacious patio perfect for enjoying food and drinks on a nice evening. And plenty of affordable beers and cocktails to go around.
Hops n Drops
$$ | (360) 314-2558 | WEBSITE
My buddies were craving sports and cold beer, so they dragged me to this spot, but now they’re all complaining about missing the game and it’s clearly time for food. This lively bar and grill in Vancouver is energetic without being overwhelming, and is generally filled with sports fans watching big games and getting beer-drunk. Get the patty melt and the garlic fries – if anything is going to convince them that this place is worth the trip, a legit burger with crispy garlic chunks is probably it.
Pregame Sports Bar & Grill
$ | (360) 314-6201 | WEBSITE
If your friends are like our friends, the only thing they actually give a sh*t about in Vancouver is being near the action. And at Pregame Sports Bar & Grill, you’re not just near it, you’re right in the middle of it. Located with easy amphitheater access, you’re going to be hard-pressed to find a more convenient spot with food this solid. The menu generally sticks to classic bar fare, and that’s perfect for your pre-show fuel-up.
Your crew also won’t need much convincing on diving into those loaded fries and drink specials.
LAS ISLAS EN PONCHOS
$$ | (360) 984-3422 | WEBSITE
When the relentless rain finally breaks and you need to remind yourself why you put up with Pacific Northwest winters, head straight to Las Islas En Ponchos. When you can dig into ridiculously tasty crab with butter garlic chili sauce while a mariachi band plays on a Saturday night, you’ve found your answer. The shrimp empanadas are worth every penny of the $14 price tag, and the generous fajitas make you glad you wore those loose jeans.
Sipping a top-notch mangoneada in that vibrant, lively atmosphere—even if it gets a little loud—is the kind of experience that makes you forget you ever considered moving somewhere less flavorful.
Spot Bar & Grill
$ | (360) 256-1110 | WEBSITE
Your friends aren’t the only ones who want to hang out. There’s also your coworkers, your old college buddies and their significant others, and that group you keep meaning to catch up with. And there are only so many nights you can cram into crowded bars with overpriced drinks. Go have a proper gathering at Spot Bar & Grill.
This is one of the more affordable bar & grill options in town, but it’s also the most reliably fun, and the $25 Club Sandwich with a couple of reasonably priced drinks should satisfy the whole crew. Put your most outgoing friend in charge of karaoke – they wanted to take over anyway.
99 Saloon & Grill
$ | (360) 693-8125 | WEBSITE
At dinner last night, my friend called my salad “rabbit food.” She’s clearly worried about my appetite, so let her take you to 99 Saloon & Grill, the lively spot in Vancouver that’s a complete local favorite. Everyone is here for the generous portions and the friendly service, and your table should be no exception. By the time you get to the perfectly priced Bloody Mary, even my friend will be able to admit that Vancouver does have “real” bar food after all.
Silver Star Saloon
$ | (360) 694-5742 | WEBSITE
At some point during your night out, downtown Vancouver will become too much and you’ll need a break. Time to get away from the usual spots. And while you can pretty much find bars all over town, one of our top moves for a casual night is Silver Star Saloon in the heart of the city. This place feels more like stepping into a classic neighborhood hangout than into just another bar and grill. Head over on a weekend to take advantage of their karaoke and pool table situation.
Cascade Bar & Grill
$ | (360) 254-0749 | WEBSITE
You grew up thinking bar food was just greasy fries and questionable burgers. Change your mind and head to Cascade Bar & Grill, the best bar and grill in Vancouver. Tucked away on the East Side, this longtime spot gets largely overlooked by the typical downtown crowd, leaving the vibe far more chill, the service genuinely friendly, and you realizing you’re hanging out somewhere truly comfortable. Everything is solid here, but their Tater-Tots are some of the best we’ve ever had.