D/6 Lounge, located within Parq Hotel has a new weekly themed night and we were one of the firsts to check it out, during their launch last week.
This is “High Stakes & High Style”. It promises to be an evening of sleek sophistication and golden-age glamour. The open space of D/6 bar and lounge is decorated with casino-inspired decor like inflatable dice, giant playing cards, plus paper and feather crafted centre pieces at each table. They even had a couple of James Bond movies playing in the background.
For music it was the combined efforts of a live DJ and saxophonist, keeping the energy going. With the open patio deck that spills out into their one of a kind view of Canada Place, there is plenty of dance floor.
Really unique is the ability to learn and try table games in a comfortable and friendly setting. However with no real consequences or gains, multiple rounds do get tiresome. Blackjack and baccarat were on the itinerary. I learned the latter, which is similar to the former expect you don’t want face cards as they equal 0, and the goal is to get to 9. Here, the players bet on whether they or the dealer will win, or on the longer shot of both having a tie. Once again we were playing with house money and after not winning a single hand, I retired.
I moved on to spinning the wheel for prizes, where no one is a loser. I spun and won a $25 dining credit for future use. Because today there was a VIP buffet set up for us to pick at.
Kept warm under heat lamps wee beef sliders and mini chicken burgers, sweet and spicy cauliflower bites, and crispy risotto balls. My favourite was their cream filled doughnut holes, each with a creme burlee burnt sugar coating.
For drinks we had bottles of wine on ice and water at the ready. However, the feature attraction is the roaming bar car. Any drink you order from their specialty menu is hand shaken or stirred at your table.
Majority of which are martinis to match the casino meets spy theme. Naturally a vesper was on the list. This is a mix of dillon’s small batch vodka, bombay sapphire, dry vermouth, and a lemon twist.
That was my first. I made my way down their martini menu pairing a Mr. White martini with a caviar bump next. Stirred grey goose, dry vermouth, absinthe rinse, and orange bitters. Garnished with blue cheese stuffed castelvetrano olives.
The caviar is served as a scoop right on your hand. A quick sip of your cocktail followed by your bump, and another sip to follow is how I recommend things. It is a reasonable $15 for the taste Giaveri Siberian Caviar and vibes.
I also tried the Skyfall Gibson with the botanist gin, dry vermouth, and a picked onion garnish. This was my favourite of the three for the contrast the sweet onion provided.
Other non-Martini cocktails included “Diamonds are Forever”, “The Goldeneye”, and “D/6 with Fashion”. Their names were not reflective of their spirits or mix, but indicative of the theme instead.
We would spend the evening taking in the space, including their hidden bar behind their bookshelf and their pool table. And engaging in good company. This is a fun place and reason to grab a drink at, every Thursday.
D/6 Bar & Lounge
JW Marriott Parq Vancouver
39 Smithe St, Vancouver, BC V6B OR3
parqvancouver.com/food-drink/d6/
