By: Meghan Roberts
Photos by: Lindsay Elliott (http://lindsaysdiet.com/)

Glory Days is a wicked dance party where the PBR and Palm Bay drinks are cheap and the little hipster dudes are always game-on to grind away.

Their Sunday night burlesque show has become my long weekend standby, and I was surprised to see how different the place felt one night earlier. Darker and seedier, it felt like I had stumbled upon an underground drinking lounge from days past. Except that everyone knew about it. When you enter the club you’re met with dim lighting, dark hues, and crimson booths. It’s somewhere between opium den and bordello, but with the energy of a good house party. Deep red damask on the walls adds a touch of run-down class. There are plenty of booths and corners to retreat to; all the better for hiding your sometimes-questionable choices. Like when you approach a boy purely because he’s wearing a denim vest (not uncommon). Then say, “I’m hitting on you” as an introduction.
Hit with a wall of sweaty heat, I quickly stripped as many layers as I could, and cursed my choice of leggings and boots for the night. I was further surprised when I discovered that half the male population was wearing a toque. Really? I understand it’s part of your styling, but no one is going to judge you if you take off your hat. Other fashion highlights include non-prescription glasses (wake me up when that trends over – yawn) Where’s Waldo stripes, androgynous skinny jeans, and irony; although – at this point, I’m not sure if the ironic tees are oh-so ironic. Despite my snobbish style quips, I knew I was home.
Once you’re done exploring the corners, or perhaps before you’ve begun, mosey on to the dance floor and check out what DJs MY!GAY!HUSBAND and Sincerely Hana are spinning for the night. Mixes that are part vintage, part indie, and part rock reign supreme, with a hell of a lot of ‘80s and some surprises thrown in. I’ve heard Temptation by New Order, Come on Eileen by Dexy’s Midnight Runner, and Empire State of Mind by Jay Z. And that’s just what I remember before leaving my wits and dignity at the bar for the call of the dance floor.
If you meet a regular and get friendly, but strangely forget the details the next day, you’re in luck! Glory Days has it’s own resident photographer, Lindsay Elliott. Most of Vancouver’s indie scene has been documented on her photo blog, Lindsay’s Diet (http://lindsaysdiet.com/), and she’s at the Biltmore every Saturday recording your shenanigans into priceless (deeply regrettable?) memories.
This place is so big – you can make a run for the bar and dosey-do en route. The Biltmore just feels good, whether you are forever twenty-one or a married lush going ballistic on a Saturday night. Vancouver chicks – this is your local. West coast nomads? Put it on your to-do list.