Vancouver’s Downtown East Side isn’t necessarily the first stop you’d take your visiting BFF, but do give it a chance. Yes, there are needles on the ground, yes homelessness is a problem in this neighbourhood and you will see addicts twitching in alleys but this is also an area rich with stories and history and is as much a part of the Vancouver fabric as trendy Gastown just a few blocks yonder.

Here are some cool destinations worth checking out:

Rickshaw Theatre 
The Rickshaw Theatre opened up in 2009 and houses some awesome rock and metal shows Vancouver has ever seen. Owned by David Duprey, this venue has been resurrected from a two decade-old life as a dump into a state of the art stage for the purveyors of rock. Hit this place up and stumble out with a memorable experience for you and your ear drums. 
254 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
http://www.rickshawtheatre.com/

Super Champion
This place is the no-bullshit shop for track bikes. I honestly can’t vouch for their epic-osity (that’s a word), except that their own description kills it better than I can: “We are a track bike shop from the deepest depths of our satanic souls, we are merchants of death promoting no brakes and high gear inches, tears, beers, and easy rides on street machines of hand forged steel.”  Check them out because your legs want to. 
245 Main Street, Vancouver
http://www.superchampionshop.com/

Solder and Sons
Next door to Super Champion is the odd but lovely mixture of a well curated mixture of books, Americanos, and a DTES lifestyle you could get used to, is Solder and Sons. Part used book store, part coffee shop, and part place you’ll never want to see closed, Solder and Sons deserves a visit because it is home to Vancouver’s best espresso. Though I hear that the building is so old, that it couldn’t support a full coffee bar, so you’ll be left with the wonderment of how your espresso was made from THAT. Bring cash. 
247 Main Street
http://solderandsons.tumblr.com/

Zoo Zhop
And rounding up this particular block is Zoo Zhop, a self-described as a “record store, a community centre, a t-shirt shop, and a place to stay” but is  so much more than that. I would probably describe this place as a continuing physical store mashup of culture, art, and music. Don’t be daunted by the hard-core exterior or the loud sounds that escape the door way – step through the doorway, it is much more hard core inside than out. 
223 Main Street, Vancouver
http://zoozhop.com/

Chapel Arts
You’re going to hear more and more about and from this venue and gallery in the near future. Currently showcasing art, performances, musical shows, and a private billiards room, we’re happy to see that the Chapel Arts is reincarnating itself from its Chapel and funeral home past life. Exciting though is their upcoming Sunday Bazaar event, which is, you guessed it, a bazaar. How many of those are around?  
304 Dunlevy Avenue, Vancouver
http://chapelarts.com/site/?cat=18

~ Aimee Laurel 
@aimeecynthia