What do you do when there’s a half pipe at the bar? Use it as a slide, of course. The Astoria (769 East Hastings) has recently added a half pipe to its floors, creating a live show for pub goers and a unique place to practice for skaters. It’s also a wicked slide or place to lie down for a break for those drunk enough to use it as such.

The Astoria is a scenester haunt on East Hastings near Commercial. The place is spacious, and boasts good local beer at cheap prices, several pool tables, a dance floor, and apparently a half pipe. It’s also one of Vancouver’s coveted live music venues, so watch out for local indie shows there.

The crowd is a bit more metal and therefore rowdier than those frequenting places like the Biltmore. It’s certainly nothing intimidating though, and there’s less pushing than at a Granville nightmare like Caprice. Think fun, enthusiastic rowdy, not leave the bar in an indignant huff rowdy.

A huge bonus is the tiny food window at the back of the bar. That’s right, you no longer have to leave the comfort of the dance floor to scope out drunk food! I sampled some of my friend’s poutine and almost lost my shit. It had Szechuan chicken and a spicy sauce on it, and was a hefty size. If it hasn’t been for the lure of the half pipe, I might have bought three.

By Meghan Roberts