RVC 2025 attendees, when it’s time to leave the RBC Convention Centre, it’s time to party.
All jokes aside, no party pressure, as Winnipeg’s nightlife scene also includes sophisticated-yet-chill wine bars, charming pubs, and jovial spots to meet locals –– all just steps from your downtown hotel room.
Plus, Pride Winnipeg is on! So, downtown will have a little extra razzle dazzle on throughout your stay too.
As well, a few of the spots below will be staying open late for RVC 2025 attendees, so check beforehand for extended hours.
Of particular note is The Common, the impressive indoor and outdoor bar at The Forks that has 20 unique and expertly curated wines and beers on tap. Following the Host Night Reception on May 29th at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, The Common will stay open late specifically for RVC delegates.
You can also use your free night to experience the high-energy excitement of professional basketball as the Winnipeg Sea Bears take on the Vancouver Bandits! The game tips off Wednesday, May 28 at 7 p.m. at Canada Life Centre (300 Portage Avenue) — just steps from the RVC Marketplace.
As a special welcome to Rendez-vous Canada delegates, enjoy an exclusive 15% off tickets using this link.
Sophisticated settings for drinks and dishes
Thomas Hinds Sampling Room - 185 Carlton St #106
Located just outside the Delta Hotels Winnipeg’s lobby, you’ll feel like you’re walking into a stylish bygone era for cocktails, in that it also has a grandfathered tobacco license. Purchase cigars onsite and light ‘em up in the high-tech ventilated room, where the setting includes snacks and charcuterie plates, craft cocktails made with finesse, and a nifty little wine list. Do they have table-side martin cart service and a massive Scotch list? Of course they do.
12 p.m. to 12 a.m., Monday to Saturday.
www.thsamplingroom.com
Rosé Coffee & Wine - 474 Main St Unit B
A half block up from Portage and Main, this classy red affair pays homage to the area’s vaudeville theatre history with as much drapery as the Tudor court. The plush, circular seats are snug, the black marble bar top provides a nice people-watching perch, and the worldly wine list is full of crowd-pleasers. If you’re inclined, the mini beef Wellingtons are a must, while the kitchen has a number of small plates perfect for sharing.
Monday-Thursday, 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 4:30 p.m. to midnight.
www.rosecoffeeandwine.ca/
Darling Bar - 171 McDermot Ave (in the basement)
Just like the thing that attaches your leg to your torso, this is a hip joint. It’s candlelit, the walls are poured concrete, the benches and tables are blonde wood, and most drinks have that gorgeous frothy layer on top from assertively shaken egg whites. The food menu includes baos, tacos, smashed potatoes with Portuguese chorizo crumble, and snacky stuff, while there’s a fun selection of wine and beer too. During the afternoon, they also have a quaint rooftop patio with excellent views of the East Exchange’s historic buildings.
Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.; Thursday-Saturday, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.
www.darlingbar.ca
SMITH at Inn at the Forks – 75 Forks Market Road
Featuring a lovely little patio that faces the bustle of The Forks Market, along with a handsome bar and lounge with a Hudson's Bay Company aesthetic, SMITH is always a good bet. Along with boasting one of the city’s best craft cocktail programs, the bartenders can also run you through the extensive whisky list and the many local craft beers on tap. The pounded cheese –– a salty masterpiece of a spread served with drizzled honey and crispy garlic chips –– is the ultimate Old Fashioned accompaniment, plus Late menu items include oysters with mignonette, fresh horseradish and house hot sauce; CAB beef tartare; cauliflower fritters with mango sauce and tahini yogurt; and classic truffle fries.
Open until 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, Friday and Saturday to midnight.
smithrestaurant.ca
Nonsuch Brewery – 125 Pacific Ave
Winnipeggers in the know will tell you three things about Nonsuch:
1) It is home to the city’s best burger, Le Burger (and all the side dishes are delicious too; as are the entrees too).
2) The design, by local stars Fireside Design (they also did Rosé in this guide), always wows new guests, whether it's the Instagrammable green “rain room” dining room, or the stylish inviting taproom.
3) The award-winning beers taste like a luxury item and come in unique glasses based on ABV. The brewery also makes some lovely craft seltzers using their neighbour’s (Patent 5 Distillery) vodka, called Nifty.
Tuesday to Thursday until 10 p.m., Friday & Saturday to midnight.
www.nonsuch.beer
Patent 5 Distillery - 108 Alexander Ave
Located right behind Nonsuch, Patent 5 Distillery has been named one of Canada’s 50 Best Bars due to its combination of excellent cocktails and historic vibes. Their gin is made utilizing vapour-infused botanicals (as opposed to steeping), while the handsome tasting room sits 35 and is composed of reclaimed oak from the former St. Regis Hotel, giving the setting a circa 1908 aesthetic. Cocktails in the distillery utilize Manitoba-made bitters, featuring local ingredients like sour cherries and rhubarb. They also make their own whisky, which has been barrelled for the past three years, if you can get your hands on some, along with Manitoba’s only aged rum.
Wednesday to Saturday until 11 p.m.
patent5.ca
The Merchant Kitchen – 314 Donald Ave
This lively, vibrant homage to Asian and Latin street food features large tables perfect for big groups (book in advance), along with a fun bar that’s a frequent haunt for locals. The menu features interactive items like Thai fried rice, dan dan noodles, and the city’s best Korean fried chicken, while picante margaritas, local beer, and hip staff all round out the vibes.
Until 10 p.m. Monday to Wednesday, Thursday to Saturday until 11 p.m.
themerchantkitchen.com
Commonwealth Kitchen & Bar – 456 Main St.
Located at Portage and Main in the historic splashy Bank of Toronto Building, Commonwealth’s dining room slowly transforms from restaurant into club each night. For food, find an international menu of popular upscale-casual dishes with some unexpected twists, while the vibes include a dress code (no sweats or tracksuits), and a clientele that’s 18+ after 10 p.m. on weekdays, and 21+ after 10 p.m. on weekends.
Open late Thursday-Saturday, 10 p.m. on Wednesdays and Sundays.
www.commonwealthwpg.com
Find us in the Pub
Shannon’s Irish Pub & Eatery - 75 Carlton St
A classic watering hole replete with an old school tin ceiling, a lengthy carved wood bar, and even more carved wood pillars to really accentuate pub vibes. There’s a menu of pub grub, live music or events like trivia throughout the week, pints of Guinness, and all-round jovial vibes at this haunt located right beside the RBC Convention Centre.
Open Tuesday to Saturday until 2 a.m.
shannonsirishpub.ca
King’s Head Pub - 120 King St
Located right across the street from Old Market Square in the Exchange District, this two-level pub has everything you’re looking for, including plenty of local beers on tap, British dishes and curries, and live music (or some kind of fun event) on Friday and Saturday nights.
Open daily until 2 a.m.
www.kingshead.ca
Yellow Dog Tavern – 386 Donald St
A stone’s throw from Canada Life Centre and Burton Cummings Theatre, the Yellow Dog is our top choice for a pint before a Winnipeg Jets hockey game or after a live show at the Burt. The friendly tavern has long been a favourite for industry workers along with being a big supporter of local beer. There’s a little food menu too.
Open until midnight Tuesday & Wednesday, Thursdays until 1 a.m., and 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
yellowdogtavern.ca
Wee Johnny’s Irish Pub – 177 McDermot Ave
Not a lot of places can say they are equally well-known for standup comedy and late-night servings of fettuccini alfredo and chicken fingers. But that’s just how Wee Johnny’s rolls, along with offering $4.99 shots, 20 oz beers for $6.50, and having nightly events (outside of standup) like karaoke.
Open nightly until 1 a.m.
johnnygs.ca
Tavern United Downtown - 345 Graham Ave
This location of the locally owned chain is famed for its rooftop patio which provides glamorous views of True North Square and downtown’s skyline. They also have “Happier Hour” from 9 p.m. until close, Monday to Friday.
Open Wednesday to Thursday until midnight, Friday and Saturday until 1 a.m.
www.canadinns.com/eat/tavern-united/
Release your inner introvert
Select Start - 110 Market Ave, 2nd floor
The most hotly anticipated opening in the Exchange District in quite some time, Select Start is tucked away on the second floor in the Saddlery building –– which is fitting, as this place is something straight out of Tokyo. This futuristic-yet-retro bar and lounge area features classic arcade games like
NBA Jam, Golden Axe, and X-Men (1992) –– a top-tier side scroller if there ever was one, along with colourful drinks served in unique vessels, and small and medium-sized “bytes” like baos, fried chicken sandwiches, salads and wings.
Friday and Saturday until 1 a.m., Sunday to Thursday until 11 p.m.
www.selectstartwpg.com
Across the Board Game Cafe - 211 Bannatyne Ave
If you’ve assembled a small Rendezvous crew looking for a more relaxing evening, head to the city’s top board game cafe. Located one block north of Portage and Main, this cute spot features hundreds of board games to rent, along with game masters on site, a fully licensed bar, and a nice selection of dishes too.
Open Friday and Saturday to 12 a.m., Monday-Thursday to 10 p.m.
acrosstheboardcafe.com
Even more live music and dance clubs
Times Change(d) High and Lonesome Club - 234 Main St.
One of Canada’s finest honky-tonk bars, Times Change(d) features live music Thursday through Sunday. Next door, its Blue Note Park brings the live tunes outside, with a dog-friendly ambiance that includes fun local beers and picnic table seating.
Thursdays and Sundays until 1 a.m., Friday and Saturday until 2 a.m.
www.highandlonesomeclub.ca/
Club 200 - 190 Garry St.
Given Pride Winnipeg is on from May 24 to June 2, you can expect downtown's most legendary 2SLGBTQ club to be kicking all week long with everything from drag shows, to dance parties to lesbian lube wrestling on Tuesday, May 27 at 9 p.m.
Thursday-Saturday to 2 a.m.; Monday to Wednesday to 12 a.m.
www.instagram.com/club200/
La Roca - 155 Smith St.
Downtown’s biggest Mexican restaurant gets dancy as the night goes on, with live DJs spinning and classic cocktails like pisco sours, palomas and spiced carajillos being served. Its open-air courtyard patio and second floor terrace also offer dashing views of the city skyline after dark.
Wednesdays, Friday and Saturday until 2 a.m., Thursdays until 10 p.m.
www.laroca.ca
If you are full on into clubbing (hey, we won’t judge) and need to let it all out on the dance floor, check out either the World Famous Palomino Club or DIABLO, both on Main Street just north of Portage and Main.
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If you’re looking to leave the downtown area, we highly recommend The Roost on Cordyon –– an enchanting cocktail bar set above the Corydon Strip that’s been named one of Canda’s 50 best bars numerous times; Langside Grocery – a handsome little cocktail bar located in a heritage building in West Broadway; and Solera –– a hidden, nautical themed speakeasy in South Osborne.
Plus, there's always the city's 20+ breweries, that majority of which have taprooms and patios that always a great setting for a pint. Of these breweries, walkable options (downtown) include Little Brown Jug, Devil May Care, and Lake of the Woods Brewing Company at True North Square.
