Blo | Blow Dry Bar

Aside from the fact that almost every host city turns into a warped hybrid of Ibiza and Disneyland during the Games, Vancouver is a naturally vivacious city that offers its residents plenty to do by way of entertainment, nightlife and luxurious living. So, if you can manage to get away from your parents (or coaches) for a few hours, be sure to check out these locales and events and indulge in the full Vancouver party regime …

Get Dolled Up like a Totem Pole

Daily blow-outs and weekly pedicures may seem like an L.A. thing but up here in Hollywood North, we Van City ladies place a close second when it comes to readily accessible vanity. Our city offers a unique variety of affordable services that will make getting ready at home seem so unnecessary …

Blo
Numerous Locations
So your last 6 Bumpits fell out while you were two-steppin’ away on the dance floor down South and Blo Me Dry you’ve spent practically all your savings trying to replace said Bumpits. Now you’ve got a date with a hot French speed skater at a downtown club … What’s a girl to do? Go to Blo, the first of its kind blow-dry salon that offers just hair styling – no cuts, no color. For a mere $30 you can choose a fabulous style from their hair menu that’ll leave you looking like Blake Lively in just 30 minutes. At this charitable price and with the kind of miracles they work they are pretty much the Mother Teresa of hair care.

My personal favourite: choose ‘Sex, Hugs and Rock n’ Roll’ for voluminous tousled curls that’ll make you even hotter than the Olympic flame.

Bloom Essentials
1854 West 1st Avenue
(604) 736-8960
This cosy and laid-back spa will satisfy all your mani/pedi needs without the weird body wraps, painful Rawwwrrropera music, and Eastern European scare tactics (we’ll leave that for the ice hockey games). Whether you’re discussing the latest Bachelor episode with Bloom’s owner or talking animatedly with a bunch of your best friends (no indoor voices required here!), Bloom evokes the good ol’ days of the slumber party tradition (remember toying with your mama’s nail polish?)

My personal favourite: try their world famous Picasso Pedicure – get anything from animal prints to tiny Canadian flags expertly painted on your toes!

Canadian Love in this Club, eh?

Vancouver likes to think it has its own mini version of the Strip. We call it Granville Street and although it lacks in casinos and showgirls it makes up for it in Canadian class and a crazy range of door-to-door venues (an Irish pub next to a space themed lounge next to a cellar sporting a dance floor? Yeah, no big deal.)

Although us locals naturally have our little beaver tails wagging for Granville, do make sure to check out some of the other party areas and special events happening around town (some prime selections listed below). With the influx of international party patrons the entire city is sure to be on its best (or worst) behaviour …

The Republic
958 Granville Street
London 2012 may not be on the horizon quite yet but this elegant nightclub will get you thinking about Uptown chicthe queen’s city! Inspired by the UK’s best, the Republic is one of the city’s more upscale night clubs boasting total elegance with its signature leather chairs, candle-lit tables, and eleven crystal chandeliers. A night out here will feel like you managed to gain entry to the penthouse suite in the Olympic Athletes’ Village (yes, one does exist!)

Lamplighter Public House
210 Abbott Street
I am thoroughly devastated that my local campus bar (the highlight of my clubbing career) will not be Light ma fire readily accessible to everyone in Vancouver during the Games; however, the Lamplighter definitely serves as the next best option. If you want a great night on the town and are looking for an unpretentious, casual venue with more of a pub feel, Lamplighter is your destination. At nights this sports bar transforms into a wicked nightclub with a fun and laid-back vibe and a dance floor that plays all the latest tunes. It’ll most likely be the only place where you can get down to Gaga while simultaneously watching a gold medal match.

Gossip Nightclub
750 Pacific Boulevard
Located on the edge of False Creek right across from the Olympic Athletes’ Village, Vancouver’s largest nightclub will be hosting world famous DJs almost every night during the Games. Tickets areDJ Sam Ronson ... Hopefully LiLo won't be making an unclassy appearance! going FAST but you can still get some online here or look on Craig’s List.

Some of the amazing talent includes:

LMFAO (February 14)
Steve Aoki (February 17)
Benny Benassi (February 18)
Armin Van Buuren (February 19 – 20, 23)
Samantha Ronson (February 24)
Calvin Harris (February 25)

Vancouver 2010 Club Crawl
Always guaranteeing a great time with their massive and fully equipped party buses (dance poles, super sonic sound, oh my!), Club Zone is hosting nightly Dance your ski pants offclub crawls between 4 diverse but awesome Vancouver venues: Pop Opera, Fortune Sound Club, Fabric, and Tunnel. Tickets are $40 each and include bus fees, no line, no cover, and your first drink. Coming with 35 – 40 of your closest friends (or team mates)? Consider renting out a whole bus for $1350!

Know Before You Go …

-In British Columbia the legal drinking/clubbing age is 19

-Always bring at least two pieces of government issued ID

-Vancouver clubs generally open their doors around 9 p.m. with line-ups starting to form around 10 p.m. With the crowds, however, it’ll be wise to get there as soon as possible – even if that means lining up before the club has officially opened its doors.

-Most clubs have a coat check that charge $1 – 5. Some clubs don’t check purses so try and bring everything in a clutch or small handbag.

Not in the mood for clubbing, or lacking the funds to drop money on cover and drinks? Consider checking out some of the exciting and FREE events taking place in all different corners of the city:

LiveCity Vancouver/Yaletown
Livecity Yaletown destination The city is hosting two major outdoor concerts at two locations every night during the Games with some amazing headlining talent including:

Alexisonfire (February 16)
Corb Lund (February 17)
Keshia Chante (February 18)
Deadmau5 (February 19)
Marianas Trench (February 18)
Sam Roberts Band (February 20)

Ozone Richmond
Just a walk minutes from the new Canada Line sky train, this venue will be offering outdoor skating, art exhibits, virtual reality rides, food, fireworks and more amazing talent including Our Lady Peace and Bedouin Soundclash.

Robson Street Olympic Zip LineZip zip ... Whistler Mountain's version!
Ever wanted the sensation an aerial skier gets flying through the sky? Come close to that with the Olympic Zip Line, a harness situated 170 metres above ground the zips you over the Vancouver downtown core. Get some unreal shots of the city!

Marisa, College Lifestyles, February 14 2010

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