commercial drive
Commercial Drive is one of the most colourful neighbourhoods in Vancouver – and a favourite for residents and tourists alike.
Located minutes from downtown and lined with an eclectic mix of coffee shops, fashionable clothing stores, independent book and music shops, award-winning restaurants, produce markets, a movie theatre, and favourite live music and theatre venues, Commercial Drive – or “The Drive” as locals call it – is often described as Vancouver’s Greenwich Village, and wins comparisons to Paris’ Rive Gauche for its stylish, bohemian flair.
Ranked one of the 10 hippest neighbourhoods in North America by Utne Reader, and used as a backdrop in the Oscar-winning film Juno, Commercial Drive is also a close-knit community that welcomes people of all colours, creeds, languages and ages, and from all corners of the world.
Because it’s home to much of the city’s Italian population, you won’t have to travel far to pick up an authentic pizza or a perfect espresso. In summer, it’s also where you’ll find outdoor markets and vibrant summer street festivals – but there are always plenty of quiet corners where you can cozy up with a latte and a great book.
