In the U.K., a neighbourhood pub is often where you will find community members of all ages and backgrounds gathered, having a pint and discussing the finer points of daily life.
This phenomenon is what England-born Lenny Entwistle, owner of Lenny's Beauty Parlour and Lenny's Vintage Vault, is trying to bring to Steveston by organizing a regular tour of the local taverns.
Tentatively dubbed the Steveston Pub Crawl, the test run actually took place last winter when Entwistle gathered a group of friends and customers from her salon and walked to six establishments in one night.
She said frequenting bars in Europe doesn't have the same stigma attached to it as it does in North America.
"Every weekend it's a huge social thing to go to the pub in England. They're packed, everybody's there and there's always lots of stuff going on," said Entwistle, who has lived in Canada since 1979, but travels back to her homeland once a year. "Your uncle's in one corner, granddad's in the other corner. They see you at six o'clock at the pub, it's not like here where people don't go out until 9:30. In England, last call is at 10:30, so the soldiers don't get drunk."
The idea for the Steveston version is that people meet at 6 p.m. at the Buck & Ear for drinks, and food for those who're hungry. There will be 30 minutes allotted at each pub for people to sample the menu before moving on. Everyone looks after their own bill and transportation to and from the event.
The new route is still to be determined - there is talk of adding the Hog Shack Cook House, that eschews conventional beers in favour of craft offerings, to the list.
Ale aficionado John Lim Hing owns the popular eatery on Bayview Street and said he only serves craft because "you can get the big brands everywhere else."
"We would be happy to participate in the pub crawl and showcase our stuff. Some of the beers we have, we're the only ones in Richmond that carry it."
There are 50 kinds to choose from with six on tap, the current most popular being a lager from Squamish-based Howe Sound Brewing Company.
Last year, the pilot group visited the Buck, Gudrun Tasting Room, Shady Island Seafood Bar and Grill, Blue Canoe Waterfront Restaurant, Mandalay Lounge & Steakhouse and ended the night at the Army & Navy Lounge Bar on No. 1 Road.
"It's just a good way to mingle. This way you could come with your partner, it would be good for Steveston. I find often here once you get married it's all over, why is that? You should be going to the pub with your husband or whoever and meet the couple next door, and the couple down the street."
Entwistle said she is also toying with some other ideas such as adding a theme or games like a scavenger hunt. Plans are to hold the free event once per season. If you're interested in joining, email [email protected].
