Vancouver, WA boasts more bars and restaurants than you could visit in a year—and that’s no exaggeration. Let us guide you to the absolute best. Whether you’re craving craft cocktails with river views, local brews alongside live music, or a cozy wine bar for date night, your perfect spot awaits on this definitive 2025 list.
Rosemere Tavern
$ | (360) 696-9941 | WEBSITE
Rosemere Tavern has a bar buzzing with energy, regularly available pull tabs, and a welcoming atmosphere with an excellent bartender who provides great customer service. Whether you’re looking for a cold beer, some fun with the punch boards, or just good company, come here with a few friends and settle in at the bar while you discuss what the new owners have transformed.
(The answer is a clean and respectful spot.) We’ve noticed things start to get lively around 8pm on weekends, so plan accordingly.
Vault 31 Bar
$ | (360) 828-8980 | WEBSITE
Vault 31 Bar has all the fun parts of a gamer hangout (video game pizzas, board game selection) without the bad parts of a gamer hangout (crowded screens and loud chaos). Like many Vancouver spots, Vault 31 Bar is also nice and welcoming, so it’s a fun place to come with a group. Play some classic games, snack on fresh mozzarella sticks, and stick around until closing if you want to chat with the friendly owners.
Mahoney’s Public House
$ | (360) 597-3559 | WEBSITE
With its dark wood paneling and shamrock accents, this Irish-themed pub feels like the neighborhood spot you’ve been searching for since moving to town. Consider the rotating porter selection mandatory, especially if they’re pouring the rich, satisfyingly smooth dark ale that’s become my new favorite. Or for the gluten-conscious, try the root beer on tap.
This creamy, vanilla-kissed brew is served frosty cold, and finished with a perfect head—as refreshing as any craft soda, but twice as nostalgic. Mahoney’s is also great for a casual hangout with friends, ideally with someone who’s up for splitting the generously loaded chicken nachos on kettle chips.
Gossip in the Grain Taphouse
$ | (360) 258-0249 | WEBSITE
There are dozens of taprooms in Vancouver, but Gossip in the Grain might be the best (top three, at the very least). It’s unpretentious, but the beer selection is top-of-the-line, and every bartender knows what they’re doing. So even if you don’t know what you want, they’ll figure it out with a few questions. Swing by with a few friends, and claim one of the high-top tables. Or stop by with a buddy. This place gets packed, so be prepared to wait for a seat if you come here on game night.
Taps Growler House
$$ | (360) 826-8383 | WEBSITE
“I JUST WANNA RELAX!” is the mellow mantra that leads most neighborhood regulars in Vancouver to end their evenings at Taps Growler House. If your crew wants to unwind with a great beer and some solid food, this is the spot to do it. That said, there’s also plenty of space at the bar or at the tables for folks who’d rather quietly enjoy their pizza and/or have friendly chats with the super-knowledgeable staff.
Come before 8pm on bingo nights, or risk having to wait for a seat in order to settle in.
Elbow Room
$ | (360) 694-3552 | WEBSITE
It isn’t just a name. They actually have tater tots with gravy here. So if you love classic comfort food, but your kitchen is too clean for that kind of cooking, or if you want to use some nostalgia to get yourself a good night out, check this place out. Elbow Room is a dive bar on Main Street where you’ll pretty much always see someone enjoying a cocktail. Tater tots are not required, however.
Most people just come here for the excellent drinks, the welcoming atmosphere, and the friendly bartenders like Zola, Jared, and Amanda.
Witness Tree
$$ | (360) 583-9002 | WEBSITE
If you want a view, go to Witness Tree. This is the restaurant on the eighth floor, and it’s the best place in Vancouver to enjoy a well-crafted cocktail and stare at the beautiful water views. It feels a little more sophisticated than your typical spot, however, so expect a chic atmosphere and attentive service. (If you want to feel especially welcome, ask for Joel—he’s efficient, kind, and personable.) Bring a friend who appreciates quality.
They’ll be impressed by the decadent chocolate torte paired with local Pinot noir, and while it’s a bit expensive, the excellent quality makes it worthwhile.
Lucky’s Roadhouse
$ | (360) 984-6430 | WEBSITE
Lucky’s Roadhouse is a country-style roadhouse bar, and it’s where you go to hang out and enjoy good drinks with friends. They also have karaoke and line dancing sometimes, so check the schedule if that’s what you’re looking for. Expect this place to be lively at peak hours, however, and take note of the outdoor gas burning stoves people are gathered around. These provide a cozy, warm atmosphere. Order the chicken and cheese quesadillas.
The Infirmary
$$ | (360) 768-5937 | WEBSITE
It’s impossible to come here and not order the fish tacos. So don’t try to fight it. Get those fish tacos, and grab one of the well-made classic cocktails while you’re at it. The Infirmary can be a smokey mess (especially in the shared outdoor area), but this whiskey-focused place happens to be a neighborhood gem, and all that whiskey selection will give you the patience to push through the haze.
Little Conejo
$ | (360) 718-2633 | WEBSITE
Little Conejo is a Vancouver gem that feels like a Portland find (the kind locals keep to themselves). The compact space is vibrant and lively, with walls covered in colorful art and shelves displaying a nice selection of potted plants. If you’re willing to brave the inevitable line and snag one of the numbered tables, it’s absolutely worth it. Grab a couple of their amazing carnitas tacos, share some fresh chips with that fantastic guacamole, and wash it down with one of their awesome drinks.
The service is fast and friendly, making it easy to fuel up before heading to nearby events.
Jay’s Bar & Grill
$ | (360) 892-0072 | WEBSITE
The team behind Jay’s Bar & Grill created this spacious bar and grill in Vancouver, WA, with plenty of parking and wheelchair-accessible spots. Jay’s Bar & Grill is full of pool tables and dart boards where you can snack on fully loaded steak bites, eat several rounds of tasty pizza, and take in some great drinks with friends. You can also choose a stiff drink from their reasonably priced bar menu—full of strong cocktails and beers—to enjoy in their fun and friendly environment.
Korner Street Bar & Grill
$ | (360) 735-9009 | WEBSITE
Heading to Korner Street Bar & Grill sort of feels like hanging out at a friend’s rec room—if that friend happened to keep a well-stocked bar and a karaoke machine ready to go. There’s technically no fussy menu here. Instead, all you need to do is tell the friendly staff you’re in the mood for a solid pizza, a juicy burger, or some crispy chicken strips.
Whether you’re looking for a $6 beer, a $12 cocktail, or just a chill spot to shoot some pool, the people at Korner Street are going to make sure you have a fun night every time.
Jake’s Bar & Grill
$ | (360) 696-3727 | WEBSITE
Like all the best classic bars, Jake’s Bar & Grill is a place where you’ll find that perfect nostalgic comfort. There’s the scent of tender, perfectly seasoned steak bites drifting from the kitchen, craft beers flowing from the great tap selection, and the warm glow of wood interiors surrounding you in those big, comfortable chairs.
This is a great spot for when you want to enjoy a traditional brunch with $3 mimosas, grab some jalapeno bites and tots during the 3-6pm happy hour, or just settle in for a friendly drink with friends. The daily specials keep things interesting, and while some might wish for more specialty meat dishes given the meat market next door, the atmosphere and awesome food never fail to deliver a great time.
Orchards Tap Bar & Grill
$ | (360) 891-5917 | WEBSITE
Another local favorite, Orchards Tap Bar & Grill is Vancouver’s best neighborhood hangout. This is not where you go for a quiet, intimate dinner. This is where you come when you want to feel like a regular and have a reliably good time with friends you already know and enjoy. Everything about this spot—from the consistently great food (at reasonable prices) to the lively, game-filled atmosphere—is refreshing. Keep in mind, it can get warm on hot days.
4th Plain Bar & Grill
$ | (360) 254-3729 | WEBSITE
Sports bars with TVs can sometimes feel overwhelming. Few spots get the balance right—and 4th Plain Bar & Grill is one of them. The TVs here (usually showing some type of game or match) are perfectly placed, and they add to the feeling that you might have just walked into your neighborhood’s favorite hangout 30 years ago. More reasons why we love this place: a great selection of ice cold beer on tap, sweet chili wings, and Taco Thursday.
Tender Green Lounge
$ | (360) 896-5799 | WEBSITE
One of Vancouver’s reliable bar-restaurants, Tender Green Lounge is a straight-up casual spot, and it’s always a solid choice. The food is tasty, the (generous) portions are consistently satisfying, and on busy nights they’ve been known to use their takeout service to help folks enjoy meals at home. Because winding down is even better when the bartenders are friendly.
Sellberg’s Tavern
$ | (360) 695-1854 | WEBSITE
Sellberg’s Tavern is a dive bar where you’ll find pool tables and your typical Vancouver crowd wearing flannel shirts and worn-in jeans. But the comfort foods and reasonably priced drinks bring something truly familiar to the neighborhood. They currently have a straightforward menu of classics like juicy hamburgers and crispy fries, which comes with a side of laid-back conversation from the regulars. We especially love the simple cheese pizza and its perfectly melted, gooey inside.
Portland Bartender Express LLC
At Portland Bartender Express LLC, you can enjoy absolutely pristine cocktails crafted by professionals while celebrating any event your heart desires. One of Vancouver’s top bartending services for a while now, this team led by Ken Black is a special-occasion classic, and it also works well for more intimate gatherings. There’s fantastic communication throughout, and there’s also plenty of friendly, attentive service, in case you need someone who can join in on the fun.
Amaro’s Table Downtown
$$ | (360) 718-2942 | WEBSITE
There’s always something happening at Amaro’s Table Downtown, a vibrant spot in downtown Vancouver. Some visits, you might catch happy hour with great deals on drinks and dishes. Other times, the bar staff creates a cozy environment with great conversation, especially with Tana, Leslie, and Amelia bringing friendly vibes. The space feels welcoming and lively, with easy parking via the parking kitty app.
No matter when you stop by, you’ll find consistently praised food like the fantastic ricotta doughnut holes and outstanding Old Fashioned. It’s a perfect place to enjoy delicious food and drinks in a superb, attentive atmosphere.
Grapes N Hops
$ | (360) 719-2828 | WEBSITE
Grapes N Hops is as classic a neighborhood tap room as you’ll find anywhere in Camas, but it’s also a family-friendly hangout, where parents, kids, trivia buffs, and everyone in between find a place at their cozy tables. Because of that, it’s never a bad idea to head to Grapes N Hops—there’s always something going on. And on the off-chance that there isn’t a trivia or bingo night, they have 36 rotating beer taps, eight wine taps, and a surprisingly good panini.