Elbow Room James Beard Nomination Puts Vancouver’s Retro Bar on the Map

PC: The Elbow Room via Instagram

Vancouver’s Uptown Village just hit a milestone: our very own Elbow Room is now a semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation’s Best New Bar category. That’s not just a nod, it’s the first time any spot in town has been recognized by the Beard committee. If you haven’t yet found time to bend an elbow at this 1970s‑styled watering hole, now’s the moment. After all, the Elbow Room James Beard nomination proves that our local cocktail culture can hold its own against trendsetters from New York or Los Angeles.

So what makes this place more than a pretty headline? Start with its pedigree. The bar first opened in 1970 when entrepreneur Paul Bell combined a shoe store, barbershop and ice cream parlor into one restaurant. After decades as a neighborhood haunt (and occasional dive), the space reopened in 2025 when Los Angeles restaurateurs Monique King and Paul Rosenbluh teamed up with legendary mixologist Toby Maloney. Maloney earned two James Beard Awards for Chicago’s Violet Hour, and he brought that expertise to Vancouver with a twist: this is still a neighborhood bar. The owners describe it as “a dive bar with a fancy‑pants cocktail problem”, and that honesty shows. Booths, soft lighting and a soundtrack of Pretenders and David Bowie records give it a retro‑sexy vibe perfect for date night or solo contemplation.

The drinks are both meticulous and approachable. To speed service without sacrificing complexity, Maloney created a pantry of house mixers, think bergamot juice, oleo saccharum, cacao and prickly pear. The menu lists five cocktails by base spirit, such as a gin number with ginger, cucumber‑mint juice and a hint of Earl Grey. Freezer‑door martinis and highballs nod to classic bar culture. Even the snacks are elevated: grilled cheese sandwiches get smoky mushrooms or house‑cured corned beef, and the tots range from cacio e pepe to disco‑ball piles with brown gravy and cheddar. It’s an intentionally low‑touch program, the bartender can stay focused on hospitality while turning out intricate drinks. The result is comfort and craft balanced so well that the elbow room james beard nomination feels inevitable.

There’s history here too. The bar previously belonged to John and Margaret Yu for over thirty years before King and Rosenbluh acquired it. Vancouver’s west‑side diner, once known as Paul’s Restaurant and even appearing in the film Wild, has been renovated into Paul’s & The Elbow Room while preserving its family‑friendly spirit. Today, you’ll still find throwback booths and a soda‑fountain feel, but there’s also a mahogany bar with naugahyde cushioning and cocktails that would make a big‑city bartender grin.

The recognition matters beyond bragging rights. The James Beard Foundation will announce finalists on March 31 and host the awards ceremony in Chicago on June 15 . Whether or not the Elbow Room takes home the medal, simply being on the list spotlights Vancouver’s growing food scene. Uptown Village and the city’s $1.5 billion waterfront development are attracting buzz, and this nomination could draw curious travelers across the river. For locals, it’s a reminder that world‑class cocktails and warm hospitality can thrive right here. If you’re craving a place where history, craft and neighborhood charm converge, the Elbow Room is ready to serve and the Elbow Room James Beard nomination is your excuse to check it out.