
These two Vancouver bars just landed on the list of the 50 best in North America
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The best and brightest of the North American bar scene gathered in Vancouver Tuesday night for the North America's 50 Best Bar s awards ceremony.
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The event marked the first time the awards were held in Canada.
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The live ceremony, held at the JW Marriott Parq, ranked the best bars across the continent. The number-one spot went, for the second year in a row, to the team from Handshake Speakeasy in Mexico City.
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Two Vancouver bars notched spots on the top-50 list. Botanist Bar, located in the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel, took the number 26 spot on the list, while The Keefer Bar, at 135 Keefer St. in Chinatown, took the number 28 spot.
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The highest ranking on the list for a Canadian drinking establishment went to Toronto's Bar Pompette, which came in at number seven. Toronto's Civil Liberties (#21), Montreal's Cloakroom (#31) and Atwater Cocktail Club (#36), and Toronto-based bar Mother (#44) rounded out the Canadian representation in the top 50.
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The fourth edition of North America's 50 Best Bars also included a 51-100 best bar ranking, released earlier this month.
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That list included four more bars in B.C.
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Prophecy in Vancouver, a speakeasy bar in the basement of the Rosewood Hotel Georgia, came in at number 53. Laowai cocktail bar, hidden behind Blnd Tger Dumplings in Vancouver's Chinatown, came in at number 67. Humboldt Bar in downtown Victoria came in at number 69 and the cool cocktail bar Meo in Chinatown, ranked number 92.
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Globe and Mail
2 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
Valorant Masters Toronto e-sports tournament ‘surreal' experience for fans
For traditional sports fans, the Valorant Masters Toronto e-sports tournament could be a culture shock. At Sunday's final, there was no field, rink or court. Instead, at game time, two groups of mostly 20-somethings sat behind computer monitors at a long desk atop a platform, trying to virtually eliminate their opponents as fans watched on a jumbotron above. Occasionally, strobe lights punctuated big moments. Attendees described it as a mix of a music festival and a sports game. For fans of the multibillion-dollar world of e-sports, it was an electric environment. 'It's bringing a community together that's been loving games all their lives,' said Matthew Ragoonath, near a crowd of people. 'Especially with events like this, everyone gets to come out, and it's just a surreal experience.' Valorant, a first-person shooter game centred around heroic characters called agents, exploded in popularity quickly after its debut in June, 2020. Tracker Network, which follows statistics, player population and leaderboards for popular online games, tracked nearly 850,000 Valorant players in its first month; that number grew more than five-fold in the next month. In May, 2025, Tracker Network tracked about 18.2 million players of the game. Valorant Masters Toronto arrived in the middle of the city's Video Games Month. The tournament was expected to have a $40-million economic impact, according to a City of Toronto news release at the beginning of June. Major leagues are turning to esports to draw in new, and younger, fans Edmonton school's e-sports athletes go mouse-to-mouse with province's best Sunday marked the culmination of two weeks of tournament gameplay. The arena was set up as if for a boxing or wrestling match, with the audience surrounding a raised platform at the centre. But instead of punches, the players exchanged gunfire with quick flicks of the wrist and deliberate mouse clicks. Just before the final began, players walked through an arch with flashing lights, taking time to brush the hands of fans who stretched over the metal barriers along the entranceway. A jumbotron hung above the players where spectators could watch the action as it was happening in the simulated war zone. The battle would shift from quiet footsteps and tactical moves to dramatic firefights in an instant. Fans would cheer and jeer at the sight of a fallen agent on-screen, not unlike the sound of an arena when a hockey puck slides dangerously close to the goal line, or a spectacular save from a soccer goaltender. The team winner of the final, Paper Rex, won a trophy and US$350,000, the largest cut of a US$1-million purse that's split between the top eight. Teams also garner circuit points on their way to the championship in Paris. In Sunday's crowd, some showed their support for Fnatic, the opponent team. Bri Sison was in the crowd wearing the flag of the eventual champions. She travelled from San Francisco for the tournament. 'The plot with their games are always just so unpredictable, you never know what's going to happen next,' she said of Paper Rex. Some people The Globe and Mail spoke with at the event say they formed connections in lineups to the event or, in one case, at a restaurant after noticing another person wearing an e-sport jersey. In a group of five, two had come solo, meeting the rest in lineups. 'My whole group actually cancelled on me, so I'm the only person who came, and every single day I've been with people, I've found groups, people have adopted me in,' Maria Liong said. She said that, despite the reputation the online game has for being toxic, events such as the e-sports tournament show a more inclusive community. Members of the group paid varying costs for their tickets. Some pre-sale buyers got tickets for $115, while another who bought their ticket later paid the Canadian equivalent of about $395. Tickets for the final available on Stubhub Saturday evening ranged from about $429 to more than $1,700 at the peak. Before game time on Sunday, hundreds of fans shuffled through a sign-making area, markering slogans or artful creations to hold in the sky. Others crowded into lines for merchandise, games or photo opportunities. Some attendees chose to dress up as characters in the game, not unlike patrons at comic or gaming conventions, in what's known as cosplay. Cai Zhao had an elaborate costume that resembled the character Jett. 'I can't actually play the game, I'm really bad, so I can dress up as one,' she laughed. She watches Valorant's fast-paced gameplay often, but said the energy of an in-person viewing adds to the excitement. For tournament host Toronto, the 'gaming industry reflects the best of our city. It is creative, diverse and forward-thinking,' Mayor Olivia Chow said ahead of this month's competition. 'Video Game Month is an invitation to celebrate this growing sector and the talented people behind it and to discover how gaming connects with art, innovation and our local communities.'


Toronto Sun
11 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
‘How to Train Your Dragon' tops the U.S. box office as ‘Elio' marks a new low for Pixar
This image released by Universal Pictures shows Mason Thames, as Hiccup, riding Night Fury dragon, Toothless in a scene from "How to Train Your Dragon.", (Universal Pictures via AP) AP Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. NEW YORK (AP) — Neither Pixar nor zombies were enough to topple 'How to Train Your Dragon' from the No. 1 slot at North American box offices over the weekend. The Universal Pictures live-action remake remained the top film, bringing in $37 million in ticket sales in its second weekend, despite the sizeable new releases of 'Elio' and '28 Years Later.' , according to studio estimates Sunday. 'How To Train Your Dragon' has rapidly amassed $358.2 million worldwide. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Six years after its last entry, the Dean DeBlois-directed 'How To Train Your Dragon' has proven a potent revival of the DreamWorks Animation franchise. A sequel is already in the works for the $150 million production, which remakes the 2010 animated tale about a Viking boy and his dragon. Pixar's 'Elio' had a particularly tough weekend. The Walt Disney Co. animation studio has often launched some of its biggest titles in June, including 'Cars,' 'WALL-E' and 'Toy Story 4.' But 'Elio,' a science fiction adventure about a boy who dreams of meeting aliens, notched a modest $21 million, the lowest opening ever for Pixar. 'This is a weak opening for a new Pixar movie,' said David A. Gross, who runs the movie consulting firm FranchiseRe. 'These would be solid numbers for another original animation film, but this is Pixar, and by Pixar's remarkable standard, the opening is well below average.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Elio,' originally set for release in early 2024, had a bumpy road to the screen. Adrian Molina — co-director of 'Coco' _ was replaced mid-production by Domee Shi ('Turning Red') and Madeline Sharafian. Back at Disney's D23 conference in 2022, America Ferrera appeared to announce her role as Elio's mother, but the character doesn't even exist in the revamped film. Disney and Pixar spent at least $150 million making 'Elio,' which didn't fare any better internationally than it did in North America, bringing in just $14 million from 43 territories. Pixar stumbled coming out of the pandemic before stabilizing performance with 2023's 'Elemental' ($496.4 million worldwide) and 2024's 'Inside Out 2' ($1.7 billion), which was the company's biggest box office hit. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Elemental' was Pixar's previously lowest earning film, launching with $29.6 million. It rallied in later weeks to collect nearly half a billion dollars at the box office. The company's first movie, 'Toy Story,' opened with $29.1 million in 1995, or $60 when adjusted for inflation. It remains to be seen whether 'Elio's' decent reviews and 'A' from CinemaScore audiences can lead it to repeat 'Elemental's' trajectory. With most schools on summer break, the competition for family audiences was stiff. Disney's own 'Lilo & Stitch,' another live-action remake, continued to pull in young moviegoers. It grossed $9.7 million in its fifth weekend, bringing its global tally to $910.3 million. '28 Years Later' signaled the return of another, far gorier franchise. Director Danny Boyle reunited with screenwriter Alex Garland to resume their pandemic apocalypse thriller 25 years after '28 Days Later' and 18 years after its sequel, '28 Weeks Later.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Sony Pictures release opened with $30 million. 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The romantic drama by writer-director Celine Song and starring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans has collected $24 million so far. RECOMMENDED VIDEO Next weekend should also be a competitive one in movie theatres, with both 'F1,' from Apple and Warner Bros., and Universal's 'Megan 2.0' launching in cinemas. Top 10 movies by domestic box office With final domestic figures being released Monday, this list factors in the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theatres, according to Comscore: 1. 'How to Train Your Dragon,' $37 million. 2. '28 Years Later,' $30 million. 3. 'Elio,' $21 million. 4. 'Lilo & Stitch,' $9.7 million. 5. 'Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning,' $6.6 million. 6. 'Materialists,' $5.8 million. 7. 'Ballerina,' $4.5 million. 8. 'Karate Kid: Legends,' $2.4 million. 9. 'Final Destination: Bloodlines,' $1.9 million. 10. 'Kuberaa,' $1.7 million. Sports Toronto & GTA Sunshine Girls Columnists Editorial Cartoons


Cision Canada
12 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Pizza 73 Celebrates the Heart of Oil Country with Free Heart Pizzas for Fans
EDMONTON, AB, June 22, 2025 /CNW/ - Pizza 73, the beloved Alberta-born pizza chain and official pizza partner of the Edmonton Oilers, is celebrating Oilers Country after an unforgettable season that brought pride, passion, and unity to fans across Alberta. On Monday, June 23, from 1–4 p.m. MT, fans can visit one of seven participating Pizza 73 locations to receive a free Heart Pizza — a one-day-only, walk-in offer created to honour Oil Country's passion and pride. The Heart Pizza is a cheese or pepperoni medium pizza featuring a heart cut out in the center — symbolizing Edmonton's unwavering love for its team. "As an Alberta brand and long-standing partner of the Edmonton Oilers, we feel every moment of the season right alongside the fans," said Adam Williamson, Marketing Director at Pizza 73. "This team gave the city so much to be proud of, and this is our way of showing appreciation to the heart of the community — Oil Country." As a long-standing partner of the Edmonton Oilers, Pizza 73 has always been committed to supporting local communities and celebrating what brings Albertans together — especially their unwavering love for hockey. Participating Pizza 73 Heart Pizza locations — walk-in only, limit one per person: 10424 122 Street, T5N 1M3, Edmonton 10839-101 St, T5H 2S7, Edmonton 11435 Kingsway Ave, T5G 3E8, Edmonton 5003-118 Ave, T5W 1B8, Edmonton 9561 - 118 Ave NW, T5G 0P9, Edmonton #123 -16 Westway Road, T5T 4R4, Spruce Grove 5433 Gateway Blvd., T6H 2H3, Edmonton About Pizza 73 Pizza 73 was founded in 1985 in Edmonton, Alberta, and remains Canadian-owned and operated to this day. Today, there are over 100 Pizza 73 restaurants across Western Canada. Guided by their core promise, "Better meal. Better deal," the brand is celebrating 40 years in Western Canada this year. Its mission is to make every occasion with Pizza 73 an enjoyable and memorable experience by offering the highest quality fresh products and exemplary service. For more details and to stay updated, visit and follow Pizza 73 on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X. Campaign creative is by Zulu Alpha Kilo, with PR outreach led by spPR Inc.