Tonight we were at the latest reincarnation of Fairmont Hotel Vancouver’s basement pop up space.
This is JINX, their seasonal Spooky Speakeasy, now opened Wednesday to Saturday until November 8th, 2026. There are limited reservations plus space for walk-ins on a first come first served basis.
As an added bonus and fun, tarot card readings areavailable Wednesdays from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, also on a first come first served basis. These are complimentary by signing up for the hotel’s ALL Accor loyalty membership program.
Truly, I am in awe of the space. Not so much as scary, but mysterious with plenty of bits and bobbles to sort through. Pass the simple gold stencilling and black curtain, is a world of Wiccan and witchy wonder that opens up.
You enter into what feels like a study with magical apothecary in curious curios. Cursive scripts, dusty tomes, dried flowers, faded crystal, and medical sketches.
Both good and bad witches represented in photos and in the duality of colours and instruments. Like a Glinda meets Elphaba Wicked spin off. I could spend all evening with my flashlight exploring.
For something a little more spooky I suggest the nature room. A parlour with dried branches and twigs creeping up the walls, it felt alive and reminded me of the Blair Witch.
There is a three high top bar at the back, but with seated service, there is no bad spot. Their list of cocktails reads like a shopping list of potions, offering great diversity to choose from.
The Ozian Forest is a shared drink for 2 to 4 people. This is a showstopper, served in a fountain with tap that you can self pour. Its neon green hue spoke to its vegetal flavour profile. Montis alpine gin, Midori, Genepy, and Lemon bitters. I especially enjoyed it with the boozy cherry at the bottom of the glass for a tempered shot of sweetness to ease the 6oz of spirits.
The Locked Room looked like a love potion with its bright pink colour, correctly suggesting a bouquet of florals and citrus. The unexpected was its bitterness, which made it a great option for those, like myself who don’t prefer their drinks sugary sweet. Hornitos cristalino tequila, Aperol, Elderflower liquor, Lemon, and Bitters.
Despite its macabre name, the Grave Garden was such a fun tropical cocktail. A surprising neon turquoise that speaks to the exotic waters that his drink beckons. Light rum, Over proof rum, Passion fruit, Pandan, Pineapple, Lime, and Absinthe. This was such a well balanced beverage. Pandan is at the forefront, which is a rarity, often I either cannot taste it or it is dispelled by coconut, its common pairing. This drinks like a stand-alone dessert cocktail, not one I would pair with food. The cup was a fun touch, but challenging to drink out of, having to balance on two fragile legs. I liked using its attached straw for sipping.
As for food their small plate menu includes oysters, shishito peppers, sliders, fries, salmon dip, and charcuterie for grazing. Outside the charcoal buns on the sliders and the char on the peppers, I didn’t think the food menu matched the theme all that well.
The Shishito Peppers were blistered for a smokey char, served with chipotle aioli and lemon crispy garlic these were a great snack that went well with the first two green, more savoury cocktails above.
The magic in the Duck Sliders were the black charcoal buns sandwiching confit duck schnitzel, beet ketchup, onion jam, and pickle. These were hearty bites that were well balanced, highlighting the duck with sweet spreads, while balancing the bites with tangy pickles.
The room’s favourite were the Maple Garlic Chicken tenders topped with furikake, and served with a Korean BBQ style dipping sauce. These stayed crispy and were easy to eat. And I guess if you squint really hard, the sauce sort of mimicked blood, to make it more spookier.
And when in doubt, charcuterie is always a safe call. Local Handcrafted Charcuterie and Cheese with pickled vegetables, olives, grainy mustard, fruits, and baguette.
In closing this is my favourite spooky spot of the season. A feast for the senses and a must visit. For something more family friendly, and during the day, Fairmont Vancouver is also hosting a Haunted Cellar Afternoon Tea. And strictly for the adults, they have brought back their mystery experience Castle Confidential on October 24th and 25th.
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
900 W Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 2W6
(604) 662-1900
fairmont-hotel-vancouver.com
