Mary in Vancity

One of the things I like about Vancouver Cocktail Week is that it isn’t just about the drinks. The events tend to have personality. This year I went to a night at the Ventura Room that mixed cocktails with burlesque, magic, and a bit of circus energy, and I was honestly really impressed.

The room was packed and the vibe was fun right from the start. Low lights, great music, people settling in with cocktails, and a small stage where the performances happened throughout the evening. It felt relaxed but lively at the same time, which is exactly what you want at an event like this.

Burlesque That Stole the Show

The burlesque performances were presented by Vancouver Burlesque Co., and they really set the tone for the night.

Performers Scarlet Delirium, Ariel Helvetica, and Cherry OnTop each brought something different to the stage. The performances were playful, confident, and really entertaining. Burlesque always has a bit of humour and personality built into it, and the audience loved it. You could tell people were having a great time watching the costumes, the choreography, and the performers working the crowd.

There were also a few other acts mixed into the night. Magician Robert Teszka did a set that had people trying to figure out how he pulled off his tricks, and Yuki the Juggler brought some circus flair with a fast-paced juggling performance.

The whole evening was hosted by Miss Kiss, who kept the energy up between acts and made the show flow smoothly.

Cocktails Worth the Trip

Of course this was still Vancouver Cocktail Week, so the drinks mattered.

The event featured a cocktail menu built around Johnnie Walker, Don Julio, and Ketel One. It was a nice way to try some different cocktails while watching the performances.

To add a little extra fun to the night, there were prizes. Goodies from the event sponsors were also provided throughout the night.

A Cool Venue: The Ventura Room

The other thing that stood out to me was the venue itself. The Ventura Room, part of the Ventura Club, is a really neat space.

It has a bit of that vintage lounge feel with dim lighting and comfortable seating, which makes it perfect for events like this. It’s intimate enough that everyone feels close to the stage, but still big enough for the room to have energy. I can see why they chose it for this event.

Vancouver Cocktail Week

This event was part of Vancouver Cocktail Week 2026, which ran March 2 to March 8 and has now wrapped up for the year.

Now in its fifth year and presented by The Alchemist Magazine, Vancouver Cocktail Week celebrates the city’s cocktail culture and the bartenders who continue to make Vancouver such an exciting place for food and drink.

There were events happening all over the city during the week, from tastings and guest bartender nights to creative events like this one that mixed cocktails with live entertainment.

For me, this was about great performers, good cocktails, and a venue that really worked for the vibe of the event. It’s the kind of night that reminds you how fun Vancouver’s cocktail scene can be.