1181

 1181 is one of Vancouver's most stylish gay bars, a small-but-mighty cocktail lounge that stands out as a beacon of finesse in the heart of Davie Village, the city's gayborhood. Where much of the strip runs to beer-stained pub charm, 1181 goes upscale and design-forward: cork-lined walls, polished concrete, plush low-slung seating and a wall-sized video display, all wrapped around a "people-funnel" of a bar built to encourage flirty, keyed-up interaction (the frosted glass entry tunnel sets the tone). The draw is genuinely good cocktails, handcrafted drinks and stellar margaritas, served by a roster of famously buff bartenders, alongside DJs, live performances, dance parties and drag shows on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Living up to its motto, "It's All Love Here," it draws a mixed, music-loving crowd for a lively, sophisticated night out.