Commercial Drive
Just a 5 minute drive or ride on the SkyTrain from
Downtown, Commercial Drive is a place to see!
Unofficially known as 'Little Italy', or called 'The
Drive' by locals, this community has grown into an
eclectic mix of cultures, coffee shops, restaurants and
funky, unique stores. At one end is an old church
converted into a theatre for performing arts, and at the
other is a traditional cinema - with balcony! - showing
a selection of mainstream, independent and international
feature films. In between, you can spend a day
wandering, people watching and enjoying the sumptuous
foods, drinks and atmosphere!
Commercial Drive is not only a unique neighbourhood in
Vancouver, but it's bucking the trend in North America
towards homogenous, franchised malls and big box
warehouses.

Wood fired pizza ovens; rich imported fabrics; fresh
seasonal produce; fine wines; live music; dine and dance
– the Drive offers you a totally unique experience.
You'll find fashions ranging from imported Italian shoes
to cheap chic; live entertainment from Reggae to Jazz;
dining from every country you can think of!
Just the buzz on the Drive is a great way to spend an
afternoon or evening. Pass by coffee bars where snippits
of politics and culture pepper the air between the hiss
of the espresso machine. Catch the delightful aromas of
the restaurants and check out the menus. Peruse a design
magazine or the sports scores while a busker in the park
accompanies a marathon haki sack tournament.
The Drive is alive with the energy and vitality of the
people that really make this Vancouver's Expressive
Edge! Come and be a part of it.
Commercial Drive is about 5 minutes east of the downtown
core.
You can head east on Broadway and turn left on
Commercial (North, towards the mountains). Heading east
on 1st Avenue to Commercial will get you to the heart of
the produce area.
East on Venables, (Georgia Viaduct to Prior, which runs
straight into Venables) to Commercial puts you at the
north end of blocks and blocks of great shops, cafes and
restaurants.
Head east on Hastings to Commercial and turn right
(south) for the same great stretch of shopping & dining.
Attractions in Vancouver
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The 15 blocks of Commercial Drive from Venables to
Grandview, nearly a mile long, are home to the most
eclectic mix of businesses in the city. Of the 298
businesses on the Drive, the majority are single
location, owner-operated, making our product mix, dining
experiences, produce, entertainment and services
completely unique to the Drive.
The coolest neighborhood in Vancouver with a cross
strain of Italian and new age hippie. The atmosphere is
relaxed but they take their coffee VERY seriously here.
Hit a cafe for a real caffe italiano in a warm and
friendly atmosphere. The antithesis of the Italian
sports bar/cafe. No dopey, glassy eyed service, only
lots of sass coming from the baristas working the
counter.

Hotels in
Downtown Vancouver
Best Western Chateau Granville
Blue Horizon Hotel
Century Plaza Hotel Downtown
Coast Plaza Hotel
Comfort Inn Downtown Vancouver
Crowne Plaza Hotel
Days Inn Vancouver
Delta Vancouver Downtown
Empire Landmark Hotel Vancouver
Executive Inn Downtown
Georgian Court Hotel Vancouver
Holiday Inn Downtown Vancouver
Holiday Inn Vancouver
Ramada Inn Downtown
Quality Hotel Downtown Vancouver
Best Western Vancouver
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