Vancouver team behind two of Canada's best bars isn't taking anything for granted

The Keefer Bar beverage director Amber Bruce mixes a drink April 23, 2026. The Keefer was named the best bar in Canada. Photo by Jason Payne /PNG

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Amber Bruce has a lot to be happy about.

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The Keefer Bar, located at 135 Keefer St. in Chinatown, is no stranger to best-of lists. But this year’s No. 7 ranking — and the declaration of it as Canada’s Best Bar of the year — just hit differently.

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“We don’t take anything for granted. Accolades of all kinds definitely give our business a boost,” she says. “International ones, such as North America’s 50 Best Bars, help us get discovered by new guests from around the world. It brings in more opportunities. It’s great, and especially rewarding for our team. It’s a way to celebrate them.”

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Keefer Bar, pictured here, and June on Cambie, took home two top rankings at the North America’s 50 Best Bars awards in Vancouver this week. Photo by Jason Payne /PNG

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“We’re all about balance, creativity, and most of all, honouring the community we’re located in, which is Vancouver’s Chinatown,” Bruce says. “We work with herbs, roots, and spices sourced from local herbalists, using these elements in both our classic cocktails and original creations.”

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With an extensive collection of spirits behind the bar from local distillations and “rare and unconventional bottles from around the world,” the bar has a mix-and-match vibe that leans into an eclectic approach, from its drinks to its glassware.

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When prompted to pick a standout sip on the establishment’s menu, Bruce pointed to the Antidote, which features Canadian whisky, yuzu sake, lemon, and Nin Jiom (a traditional Chinese herbal syrup).

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“This one is rich, herbal and fresh,” she says. “The other is the Lunchbox Protocol, with a Keefer rum blend, baijiu (a distilled Chinese spirit), absinthe, salted plum, coconut rice milk, lime, and egg soda. This one is funky, fruity, and fizzy. (It’s a) great way to start the night.”

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The Keefer Bar beverage director Amber Bruce and co-owner Keenan Hood. ‘We don’t take anything for granted. Accolades of all kinds definitely give our business a boost,’ says Bruce. Photo by Jason Payne /PNG

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The Keefer Bar was named as one of 2012’s World’s 50 Best Bars, and has several previous placings on the North America’s 50 Best Bars list.

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Keefer Bar was joined by its sister property, June on Cambie, which represents the first full restaurant model for the growing Vancouver hospitality group. While the slick restaurant upstairs serves trending dishes, such as the social media-famous Pasta for Rachel, the basement level offers Lala, a 40-seat vinyl listening lounge and bar.

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The buzzed-about destination, which opened at 3305 Cambie St. last spring, notched the third-highest ranking by a Canadian establishment on this year’s top-50 list. June on Cambie was ranked No. 17.

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The Keefer Bar beverage director Amber Bruce. Photo by Jason Payne /PNG

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The recognition came as a surprise to Keenan Hood, who co-owns both The Keefer Bar and June on Cambie with business partner Cam Watt.