Now that baseball mania is off the docket, it is time for Vancouverites to focus on hockey. So we headed down to Parq Casino and Hotel to take in the most recent away game.
We started our evening off by playing a little slots. For those unaware, if you are an encore casino member, and plan to put a little money on the line, you need not pay for parking underground. The only hitch is you have to win 15 credits, before they can register your car at the service desk. Although this was an easy enough task for amateur gamblers, such as ourselves.
After our vehicle was safe and secured, we headed up to the Johnnie Walker lounge, located on the third floor of the casino. Here, we gathered for a private event. As guests assembled we were invited to partake in drinks at the private bar: wine, beer, or highballs.
Given the branding of the space, I felt it only right to do a Whisky and Gingerale, featuring none other than Johnnie Walker red label.
Here, we watched the opening of the hockey game with the singing of the American anthem. The Nashville Predators would be hosting our Vancouver Canucks. Mustard yellow versus our away whites.
Before the start of the first period we made our way back down stairs to the casino’s Sportsbook Lounge. As its name suggests, the space not only includes its own bar and several large screen for televised sports, but the ability to bet on said sports with its own specialty betting machines.
We sprawled out across the spacious booths, enjoying the levity the space brought, being able to chat and intermittently keep track of the game. And if there was one preseason match up to watch, this would be it. It was an exciting one with Nashville taking the first point, then the Canucks rallying and pulling ahead with the lead. Three ahead, only for them to lose it in the last few minutes of third period, to go into overtime. And just as overtime was ending, our Vancouver Canucks won with less than 10 seconds to go. It was one of those matchups that even if you weren’t an avid fan, you could still appreciate the energy and moxie that the players put in.
We did all this while grazing on bar snacks. Nothing unique to the casino property, but all the classics you would expect at any good sports bar.
The honey garlic spareribs were a little on the dry side, and could’ve used more sticky coating. Although, I did enjoyed how they included some Korean rice cakes to add interest into the mix.
Wings are a bar must, and from look alone, you know exactly what you were getting with these: hard and dry, but nothing a generous dip in ranch or blue cheese dressing couldn’t fix. On the menu today was a dry rub salt and pepper and a tangy buffalo hot.
I enjoyed the crisp of the evenly breaded onion rings and thought the deep fried sweet chilli wonton bites a tasty crunch.
The nachos were popular, however there was not enough salsa, guacamole, and sour cream to go around.
There was however, a spinach and artichoke dip that you could help yourself to, to have with the remaining plain tortilla chips.
In hindsight all the above was best as a share style platter for the table, that also included fries.
We also had flatbread pizza for something more substantial. A pesto with garlic and shrimp and a bbq chicken with sweet caramelized onions and peppery fresh arugula.
In short, this was a great way to discover Parq as a destination to watch the Canucks game at.
Parq Vancouver Casino Resort
39 Smithe St, Vancouver, BC V6B OR3
(778) 370-8600
parqvancouver.com
