Long winter nights and summer days mean that Vancouverites are seasoned drinkers. The city buzzes with locals and tourists all week long, and its nightlife is nothing lacking.

Granville Street strip hangs onto the city’s best nightclubs. Classics like the Roxy and the Commodore Ballroom rub up against smaller venues like the Cellar under Doolins Pub and R&B club Caprice.

For Vancouver’s best cocktails, slip down to Yaletown – the George Lounge has a great rep, the Opus stays up late or explore BC’s Japanese connection at the Granville Island sake distillery.

You could also try Gastown-Chinatown between Waterfront Road and West Georgia Street. The wide sidewalks and old buildings in Gastown and you’ll find a slew of vintage shops around Cordova Street. Chinatown is off the tourist trail of Vancouver – enjoy its teahouses and garden by day, and the market by night. There are several venues aimed at the twenty-something crowd on Cambie Street and Water Street. Shine, Fabric and Lamplighter offer a good night out away from the downtown scene, while the Cambie serves cheap drinks.

This is also the best place for ale-lovers – it’s home to the Alibi Room freehouse and Vancouver’s Steamworks Brewery. Granville Island has the city’s biggest brewery, and Yaletown also throws its hat into the ring with the Yaletown Brewing Company and Dix.

For wine lovers, there’s one top destination in Vancouver: the Moda Hotel on Seymour and Smithe. The hotel’s wine bar, Uva, is set in a 1908 heritage building. Décor is clean and modern and alongside the wine list there are options for cheese and charcuterie plates. For something totally different, visit the Little Barcelona of Raw Canvas which blends a wine bar, tapas place and art gallery in one venue.

Climate change means that Canada is becoming an ideal spot for vineyards so if you have time you should take a wine tour. Fraser Valley vineyards are an easy trip out of the city. For the more adventurous wine lover, Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley are bustling with vineyards –but the eight-hour round trip means that these vineyards are best kept for a weekend.