The Sips Across Canada series invites bartenders from across the country for a collaborative evening at Botanist.<\/p>\n
For a city increasingly recognized as one of North America’s premier food and beverage destinations, Fairmont Pacific Rim continues to find new ways to bring the country’s best talent to Vancouver.<\/p>\n
Its latest initiative, Sips Across Canada, transforms the acclaimed Botanist Bar into a national showcase of cocktail culture, welcoming some of Canada’s most celebrated bars for a series of one-night pop-ups throughout the summer.<\/p>\n
I attended the Montreal edition last week, featuring Cloakroom and Bar Num\u00e9ro, and it offered a compelling reminder of why Botanist remains one of the most influential cocktail programs in the country.<\/p>\n
Located inside Fairmont Pacific Rim, Botanist Bar has built an impressive reputation over the years. The venue has appeared on Canada’s 100 Best Bars list, earned recognition from North America’s 50 Best Bars, and consistently ranks among the country’s premier destinations for cocktails.<\/p>\n
Under the leadership of creative beverage director Grant Sceney and his team, Botanist has become known not only for exceptional drinks but for constantly pushing the conversation forward.<\/p>\n
Collaborative atmosphere stands out<\/p>\n
Rather than asking guests to travel across the country to experience Canada’s best bars, Sips Across Canada brings those experiences directly to Vancouver.<\/p>\n
The Montreal takeover showcased two very different but equally compelling approaches to hospitality. Cloakroom, one of Canada’s most respected cocktail destinations, is famous for its personalized, no-menu approach, where bartenders create drinks based entirely on guest preferences.<\/p>\n
Bar Num\u00e9ro brought a more energetic and playful style, reflecting the creativity that has helped establish Montreal as one of North America’s great cocktail cities.<\/p>\n
What stood out most was the collaborative atmosphere. This wasn’t simply a guest shift. It felt like an exchange of ideas between some of the country’s top beverage professionals, giving Vancouver guests access to cocktails and techniques they might otherwise need a plane ticket to experience.<\/p>\n
The timing feels particularly fitting as Vancouver welcomes a busy summer tourism season with the FIFA World Cup being held in the city at the moment.<\/p>\n
The final instalment of Sips Across Canada arrives July 6, when Toronto’s celebrated Civil Liberties and Suite 115 (recently ranked No. 4 and No. 13 best bars in Canada)\u00a0take over Botanist Bar.<\/p>\n
If the Montreal evening was any indication, cocktail enthusiasts would be wise to secure a seat.<\/p>\n
Sips Across Canada, July 6<\/p>\n
When: Monday, July 6, 5 to 8 p.m.<\/p>\n
Where: Botanist Bar, Fairmont Pacific Rim,\u00a01038 Canada Pl.<\/p>\n