Vancouver Pride 2009

Outstandingly attractive, impressively athletic and gastronomically blessed, Vancouver is a truly enticing destination. It's such an appealingly integrated city that it was chosen to host the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

The proliferation of gay life and gay businesses along rainbow flag-bedecked Davie Street underscores the fact that 35 percent of the West End's towers are gay-occupied. Lesbian enclave Commercial Drive is also home to ever-more LGBT inhabitants. In reality, though, Vancouver's gay community is well integrated citywide, woven through the city's fabric at every level.

With plenty of long summer days and nights kept cool by Pacific breezes, Vancouver is an ideal place to saunter streets, parks, and beaches till it's time to take to the sidewalk tables of its myriad restaurants. During Pride, temperatures regularly peak in the high 80s, making outdoor parties and cruises on the Burrard Inlet a sunny delight.

Vancouver Pride (July 28-Aug. 2) celebrates 31 years in style, with more than 500,000 people expected to attend parade-day festivities, spanning 20 blocks through the city. The 2009 theme is "Educate, Liberate and Celebrate!"

Hot tickets

Life is a rainbow roller coaster at the official Gay Day at Playland (PNE, East Hastings Street; July 18; 10 a.m.-8 p.m.) Wear red while at the park to show your Pride.

There will be two blocks' worth of dancing in the street for the popular Davie Street Dance Party (Davie Street between Burrard and Bute streets; July 31; 7 p.m.-Midnight.), a free street party in the gay village, featuring a hot line up of DJs and a giant Twister game!

Ladies taste the good life during Pride weekend with Flygirl's famous Chicas afternoon dance party at the mansion house, nighttime HerShe dance party, and a boat cruise (www.flygirlproductions.com). Get tickets early or you'll miss the boat.

The Vancouver Pride Society and GAB Youth present the Pride Youth Dance (West End Community Centre; Aug. 2; 9pm) Patrons must be 25 or under to attend.

Insider tip

HSBC's globe-trotting Celebration of Light international fireworks competition (Canada's entry is July 22; Soth Africa on July 25 and China's entry on Aug. 1), each starting 10 p.m. at English Bay; www.celebration-of-light.com) is a must-see event so big that Pride is actually planned around it. Get to the West End early to stake out your view, since droves of Vancouverites turn out for the show, or head to the beaches at Kitsilano or Jericho to combine fireworks, city and mountain views.

Stay close to the action

The chic Pacific Palisades (1277 Robson St.; 604-688-0461; www.pacificpalisadeshotel.com), a firm favorite of the film and TV set, is enthusiastically recommended. With 233 spacious studios and one-bedroom suites, stunning views, funky decor, a smorgasbord of in-room amenities, top-of-the-range health club and impressive (and friendly) service, the Palisades is ideally situated for shopping and socializing. The mouthwatering international tapas menu in the Palisades' restaurant Zin (see below) is another major draw to this Kimpton property.

As glitteringly beautiful as Vancouver itself, the Opus Hotel (322 Davie St.; 604-642-6787; www.opushotel.com) adds boutique-hotel chic to already hip Yaletown, mere steps from downtown shopping and the gay West End. The 97 guestrooms encompass seven floor plans, designed in five distinct "personalities" themed to reflect the urbane clientele.

The faded old Sylvia Hotel (1154 Gilford St.; 604-681-9321; www.sylviahotel.com) is a good all-around deal. This small historic hotel (119 rooms) is smack in the middle of the West End, just a few steps from the beach on English Bay, and has beautiful ocean views at a reasonable price. Rooms are clean and presentable; corridors and common areas have seen (many) better days. A cozy bar (mostly straight) in the lobby makes a good meeting place. Opt for a bay-view room and enjoy fabulous views of the beach, Kitsilano and fireworks competition.

Eat out

When this vibrant city's neon skyline and the lights of Gracie's Necklace (the Lion's Gate Bridge) start to glow, dive into C (2-1600 Howe St.; 604-681-1164; www.crestaurant.com) on the waterfront just across False Creek from Granville Island. Try the scallops wrapped in octopus bacon -- yes, that's "bacon" made from smoked octopus, and it's utterly delicious. C's wine list boasts a fine selection of B.C. vintages.

Bin 941 (941 Davie St; 604-683-1246) is one of Vancouver's best-kept secrets. A tapas parlor with inventive bites and excellent wines by the glass, this is a seriously slim venue with enthusiastic queues for its few tiny tables and its haystacks of pommes frites.

The Asian-street-food-inspired Flying Tiger (2958 W. 4th Ave.; 604-737-7529; www.theflyingtiger.ca) is worth making a diversion to Kitsilano. Cute chef Tina Fineza serves up sumptuous tastes from the Philippines, Japan, Malaysia, Korea and Vietnam with flair and enthusiasm.

Out and proud

Vancouver's two newer gay venues, The Majestic (1138 Davie St.; 604-669-2013) and lounge 1181 (1181 Davie St.; 604-687-3991; www.tightlounge.com) are welcome additions to the buzzy Davie strip. Enjoy drag brunch or tasty, strong cocktails at the voluminous Majestic or be seen at slick 1181 across the street. For your later evening entertainment, the big club in town, Celebrities, (1022 Davie St.; 604-681-6180; www.celebritiesnightclub.com) is popular with a young and pretty set (both male and female) and is packed six nights a week.

For more information, visit http://www.vancouverpride.ca/