Team behind two fan-favourite Vancouver bars wins multiple awards — including 'best cocktail experience'
It’s nearing the end of the year, and that means plenty of food and drink award ceremonies are happening all across Canada.
This year saw plenty of Vancouver favourites receive recognition on both the national and global scale, with Sushi Hyun, Sumibiyaki Arashi, and Nero Tondo all receiving Michelin recognition and making Air Canada’s Best New Restaurant list.
More recently, the Golden Owl Hospitality Awards held its award ceremony on Nov. 24, where it named the best dining, drinking, nightlife, and festival experiences in the city for 2025. Among the winners, the team behind Vancouver destinations June and Keefer Bar received multiple awards at the ceremony.
First, June was named the new venue of the year, with the runner-up being Elio Volpe.
“Cities never stand still, and neither do the people shaping them. New venues distinguish themselves by the people they champion,” wrote the Golden Owl.
Additionally, Leticia Castro of June also received the award for Manager of the Year, with Alex McLaren of Dovetail being the runner-up.
June has been one of the hottest bars in the city, drawing everyone, including numerous folks from the hospitality industry, during its first few months of being open.
From the ambient lighting to the music to the dapper staff uniforms of a grey blazer, crisp tie, and shiny new J pin, the room feels relaxed yet upscale, classic with a modern edge. Plus, with bites like the Beef Tartare with peppered egg yolk and potato chips, Scallops with citrus beurre blanc, and Pasta for Rachel (which is topped with a heaping spoonful of butter brought to the table in a wooden bucket), everything on the menu has been a hit.
In addition to June’s two awards, Keefer Bar was also awarded Best Cocktail Experience (with Bagheera being the runner-up).
Of course, Keefer Bar is no stranger to the limelight. The Chinatown destination is one of the city’s best watering holes, and according to the World’s 50 Best organization, it’s one of the best in all of North America, too.
The Golden Owl Award originally began as the Vancouver Nightlife Awards in 2004, before it evolved into the ceremony that honours the best of the city’s hospitality industry.
Other highlights from the award ceremony include Vancouver’s much-loved burger destination, Between 2 Buns, winning Best Food Truck Experience; Best Brunch Experience going to Jam Cafe; and Best Restaurant Experience awarded to Kissa Tanto.
Here’s the full list of award winners:
The Golden Owl 2025 winners:
- New Venue of the Year: June (Runner-up: Elio Volpe)
- Nightclub of the Year: Celebrities (Runner-up: Fortune Sound Club)
- Festival of the Year: FVDED In The Park (Runner-up: Italian Day on The Drive)
- Manager of the Year: Leticia Castro, June (Runner-up: Alex McLaren, Dovetail)
- Best Brunch Experience: Jam Cafe (Runner-up: Chambar)
- Best Cocktail Experience: Keefer Bar (Runner-up: Bagheera)
- Best Comedy Experience: Underground Comedy Club (Runner-up: Improv Centre)
- Best Craft Brewery Experience: Superflux Beer Company (Runner-up: Brassneck Brewing)
- Best Craft Distillery Experience: Odd Society Spirits (Runner-up: Copperpenny Distilling Co.)
- Best Live Music Experience: Commodore Ballroom (Runner-up: Guilt and Co.)
- Best Food Truck Experience: Between 2 Buns (Runner-up: Japadog)
- Best Hotel Lounge Experience: Prophecy Hotel Georgia (Runner-up: Bacchus Restaurant and Lounge)
- Best Patio Experience: Reflections Hotel Georgia (Runner-up: Lila Restaurant)
- Best Pizza Experience: Parlour (Runner-up: Via Tevere Pizzeria)
- Best Pub Experience: Irish Heather Shebeen (Runner-up: GoodCo. Granville)
- Best Restaurant Experience: Kissa Tanto (Runner-up: Dovetail)
- Best Subculture Experience: Mount Pleasant Vintage and Provisions (Runner-up: Birdhouse)
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