Sour, sweet, neat or on the rocks—no matter how you prefer to sip libations, you’ll find that the Sunshine Coast’s cocktail scene is well-balanced. From upscale restaurants serving up modern twists on the classics to specialty eateries slingin' staples like margaritas alongside zero-proof mocktails, we’ve got the details on where to imbibe the next time you fancy a drink.
TwentyTwo Taphouse, Sechelt
Don't be fooled by this brewpub's name. While TwentyTwo Taphouse does in fact carry twenty-two types of beers, their cocktail list is just as impressive. The menu favours bespoke drinks where your decision is guided by detailed tasting notes—options range from floral and complex to refreshing and tart to smokey and herbal.
A whole section is dedicated to creative sours like the negroni, which is made with Empress rose gin and salted plum. Or you can opt for the mezcal version, which adds green chartreuse and Aperol. For the non-alcoholic and sober-curious in your group, there are zero-proof options that don't skimp on flavour or creativity (just the booze). For late nights, there are shots and for slow-moving days, three signature caesars. The lounge area is roomy, with the low-lit lighting and moody decor adding an intimate feeling, while the pub side is bright and casual. And, because it's only a block from the ocean, it's a great place to stroll pre- or post-cocktail.
Buono Osteria, Gibsons
Buono Osteria channels the old world sophistication of an Italian trattoria, cocktails included. Here, negronis and sours headline, but you’ll also find amaros (an Italian digestif) and aperitivo-style sips.
The drinks list veers from fresh citrus and bright botanicals—found in drinks like the Benny Blanco from the Bronx and the Gillie's Club—to the more complex notes of spirits like mezcal and bourbon in drinks like the Smoke Jumper and Banana Bread Old Fashioned. Willing to take a gamble? Opt for the Bartender's Choice, where they'll craft you a custom cocktail based on your personal preference.
Shinglemill Pub & Bistro, Powell River
Powell Lake is a crown jewel of the qathet Regional District, and at 50-kilometres long, it’s a favourite for recreationists including boaters, kayakers, and hikers tackling the Sunshine Coast Trail. It's also home to the Shinglemill Pub & Bistro, a taphouse-style eatery that serves a top-notch weekend brunch, elevated pub fare, and wickedly good cocktails.
The classics menu is short and sweet, with options for a caesar, Tom Collins, Dark and Stormy, and a negroni. Their signature drinks list infuses local flavours into simple syrups, like a cedar syrup shaken with bourbon, triple sec, orange juice, and soda. The rosemary margarita is a savoury take, while the mojito mixes lemon balm, rum, and lime juice. Grab a spot on the outdoor heated patio, drink in hand, and check out the action on Powell Lake.
Lunitas Mexican Eatery, Gibsons
Lunitas is for margarita lovers. This Mexican restaurant, located in Gibsons and overlooking the marina and Keats Island, dedicates most of their lineup of signature cocktails to this concoction.
There's a lengthy list of staples that make the menu year-round, but watch for their margarita features that use seasonal ingredients such as spruce tip and rhubarb. Prefer to sip your agave spirits straight up? They offer mezcal flights, too. No matter what you choose, you can expect house-made bitters, syrups and garnishes, premium agave-based spirits, and a great patio with ocean views.
Shift Kitchen & Bar, Sechelt
Shift Kitchen & Bar is your go-to for approachable favourites. From the tried-and-true negroni to a refreshing mojito, Shift's menu focuses on staples, done right.
You'll find most classics here, along with a caesar-focused lineup that allows you to swap in your preferred base (tequila, vodka, or gin). The Victoria-invented Shaft cocktail features a decidedly local bent, made using cold brew from Sechelt’s The Daily Roast. The space itself is intimate and welcoming, with a menu that ranges from share plates and seasonal entrees to delicious handhelds, making it a great choice for happy hour hangs or date night drinks.
Wobbly Canoe, Sechelt
Call us biased, but we think cocktails are infinitely better when sipped in view of the ocean. This popular eatery is located along the Davis Bay stretch of Highway 101 in Sechelt, just steps from the beach. It's one of the best places to take in the sunset, with its west-facing location, and its wide and spacious patio is a popular spot for happy hour.
The mango margarita, made with premium and smoky-forward mezcal, is a highly crushable option for summer days. A take on a sour features Victoria-based Empress Gin, housemade lavender syrup, and vegan-friendly aquafaba. Swap Long Island for the Sunshine Coast with their version of a hard tea, or opt for a caffeinated creation, the Wobbly Shaft, an espresso-based drink with vodka, coffee-based liqueurs, and a cinnamon sugar rim.
The Station Wine Bar, Gibsons
Like TwentyTwo Taphouse, this stylish wine bar in lower Gibsons proves that the Coast’s cocktail scene goes far beyond beer and wine. The tightly focused drink list borrows from a Mediterranean influence.
There's a grapefruit-forward white sangria and a Tinto de Verano, the ever-popular Spanish summer drink that mixes red wine, vermouth, and a citrusy simple syrup. A white port and tonic covers Portugal's staple, and for Italy, a sherry limoncello spritz. Then, there are three martinis to choose from—all of which pair well with the seafood-focused small plates—while the espresso version is a boozy take on dessert. Nab a spot on one of two patios for golden-hour views and a drink that will transport you straight to the Mediterranean.
Costa Del Sol, Powell River
Latin-inspired Costa Del Sol packs a punch with their cocktail menu. Sure, there are excellent margaritas, but you'll also find red wine sangria, a pisco sour done with fresh cucumber and lemon, a Rum Bo that mixes Mexican sugar cane cola and spiced rum with muddled mint and lime, a smoked elderflower mule, and Mexican Kool Aid, a rum-and-brandy-forward sipping drink blended with chilled hibiscus.
Sip on tequila or mezcal by the copita, or non-alcoholic coolers and limonadas if you prefer to keep things booze-free. If you can, snag a spot on the patio under the restaurant's signature hanging wisteria, which blooms in May and June.
Coastal Cookery, Powell River
This Powell River institution has an extensive spirits menu, offering everything from sours to tonics to mules—not to mention their enticing featured creations. It's a great spot for those curious about cocktails and those looking for a fun spot to hang out in that's within walking distance of downtown shops and hotels.
Where possible, Coastal Cookery features local and Canadian spirits, including gin from Victoria and vermouth from Vancouver. The Salish Caesar is made with Canadian craft caesar mix (Walter's), plus vodka, a cedar-smoked rim, liquid smoke, and seasonal pickled veg for a local take on a staple. Prefer something lighter and more refreshing? Opt for the Turmeric Tonic, made with gin, fresh orange, ginger, and soda, or the River City Breeze, done with basil and lemon, aloe juice, and soda.
Fred's, Sechelt
Modern Italian, oceanside dining, and a well-curated cocktail menu. What's not to love? This new waterfront restaurant in Sechelt is the second Fred's location to open up in BC.
Refined signatures include the Fred's Spritz, (Aperol, Prosecco, limoncello syrup), the herbaceous Livorna Spetziata which is made with an Italian liqueur (Galliano), and the smoky spice of the Ambleside Margarita. There are also trusty classics like a negroni (including a spirit-free version) and an old fashioned, plus a long wine list. Set directly along the 870-metre paved walkway that runs parallel to the downtown Sechelt waterfront, you'll want to leave time for an oceanside stroll.
Zero-Proof Cocktails and Sodas
Whether you’re sober-curious, the designated driver, or a health-conscious traveller—zero-proof drinks let you have all the fun without the booze. At many restaurants and cafes you’ll find virgin options of favourite drinks, but bartenders—and local cider makers—have taken this a step further, creating highly sippable and delicious drinks that just happen to be low ABV.
Powell River's Coastal Cookery serves up their take on zero-proof sodas, subbing spices and botanicals like turmeric, anise syrup, rose, and more in place of spirits. And both Costa del Sol and Lunitas Mexican Eatery have some seriously good mocktails—made with botanicals, fresh juices, and house made syrups. The only things these cocktails skimp on is the booze.
Gibsons' cideries are always a good time to hang out in, and if you're avoiding booze, you'll now find non-alcoholic sodas at both Banditry Cider and Sunday Cider. At Banditry, you can order individually or in one of their new non-alcoholic flights, and at Sunday, they stock small batches of their house-made Sunday Soda in flavours like apple and elderflower.
Bonus: Build Your Own Cocktail
Looking to take a taste of the Sunshine Coast home with you? You can pick up all the ingredients you need to make a delicious drink reminiscent of your trip.
Find your base—whether it's gin, vodka or even something unique, like cream-based liqueur Advocaat—at local distilleries, including Bruinwood Estate Distillery, The 101 Brewhouse + Distillery, One Foot Crow, and Salish Sea Distillery.
Farmers' Markets across the Sunshine Coast have local honey, botanicals, and even shrubs, vinegars and syrups, all ideal for mixing into cocktails (and sometimes you'll also spot local distillers with a booth). In need of glassware? Snag a new set at boutiques and home goods stores.
