UBC Exchange Student Guide 2017-18

the ams student society
bars, clubs, drinking, and partying
The Alma Mater Society is your student society and forms our student government. The AMS also operates the Nest,
one of the largest and newest buildings on campus. The Nest is home to loads of services, eateries, and the Exchange
Student Club office. It also has a rooftop garden, a climbing wall, and happens to be one of the greenest buildings in
North America! Many students come to the Nest for lunch or to do work.
The AMS offers several services that all students (including you!) can use. Some of their most notable services include:
SafeWalk
A transportation service that will accompany students, staff and visitors who feel unsafe walking alone, across campus.
604.822.5355 every evening from 20:00 to 02:00.
Food Bank
An emergency food relief service for all UBC students in need. Hours vary. Enquire within.
Vice
Your support system, whether you decide to achieve abstinence or find your balance with alcohol, drugs, and
technology use. vice@ams.ubc.ca
Sexual Assault Support Centre
Committed to the education, support, and empowerment of people of all genders who are survivors of sexualized
violence as well as their friends and family. 604.827.5180 amssasc.ca
Should you wish, you can learn all about the AMS and the many ways they serve students by visiting www.ams.ubc.ca.
Hours for food locations are on the website too.
The drinking age in British Columbia is 19. Bars, restaurants, clubs, and liquor stores will regularly ask you to show two
pieces of ID. The first piece has to have your picture and must be government issued, e.g. a passport, driver’s licence,
or national ID card. The second piece is intended to ensure the first piece is actually yours – so it doesn’t have to have a
picture, but it does need your name and your signature. Examples are debit/credit cards, healthcare cards, etc..
Your UBCcard will generally not be accepted as ID.
The closest government liquor store is in Wesbrook Village on campus, and the closest off-campus is in Jericho at Alma
and 4th. BC Liquor Stores sometimes close early - so look up some private liquor stores if you are buying your alcohol
later in the evening. There is a small liquor store located in the University Village - convenient, but more expensive.
Let’s be real: Vancouver is not that famous for its nightlife. You will, however, be able to find a number of fun bars and
some clubs that will make for a great night out. The success lies in planning ahead and being there early.
Because of archaic liquor laws, a lot of places have to close rather early (2am for example), so set aside your habit of
getting to the club past midnight and instead embrace the opportunity to party early and still get enough sleep to
work the next day.
If you want to stay on campus, Koerner’s Pub (especially on Thursdays) or the Pit Pub on a Wednesday are your best
options. There’s also Mahony & Sons close to Shoppers, and Biercraft in Wesbrook; both are generally more expensive,
but they do offer specials. The Gallery Restaurant on the 4th floor of the Nest is a perfect spot for day drinking with an
awesome patio.
Some spots around Kitsilano (in between UBC and Downtown) include:
- Bimini’s on 4th (student night on Wednesdays),
- Colony Bar (good deals) and the Manchester on Broadway,
- Storm Crow Tavern on Broadway (go there with friends for great drinks and to play some board games),
- Backstage Lounge (really good live bands) on Granville Island.
You will find many more bars & clubs in Downtown and Gastown. Too many to list!
Other large & well-known clubs on Granville street include:
- Caprice, Venue, Joseph Richard, but also Celebrities, a famous gay-club (straight night Tuesdays).
- Specialised bars such as the Blarney Stone Irish Pub, the Bourbon (country music), the Red Room (Latin Night Fridays)
and the Roxy (Sundays).