There are many places to catch one of the World Cup matches, but if you want a location that is outdoors, with patio seating, by the water, then it has to be at the new seasonal pop-up Junction.
Open daily from 11-6pm, not only is this a bar with picnic-like seating against the back drop of Vancouver Harbour, but it is also a market and spot for recreational play.
Located in the Granville Plaza, it is an easy walk from Waterfront Skytain. Up the stairs, the market is what greets you first with individual stalls and a handful of local vendors selling either food and/or gifts. There is one with knitted accessories and tie dyed shirts, one that sells stylish modern witch hats in felt, and artists who design and make their own line of fine jewelry.
For food there was a dried fruit and nut stall and Uno gelato serving up scoops of their artisan gelato.
At the Bretonne food cart a two man team prepared both savoury and sweet crepes to order. The batter gets poured over a round heated surface, where it is spread thin and cooked to a solid sheet. It is then folded with your choice of toppings. For the savoury buckwheat crepe we had the classic ham and cheese with an egg and butter. For the dessert crepe we went with pistachio butter. Both were folded to a point and served in their own unique, light cardboard carriers.
To our delight, and for something more filling, Tatchen has also set up their noodle cart here for the season. For those unfamiliar they specialize in Okinawa style ramen. Having recently shut down their standalone location, they are usually hard to pin down; so for them to have a semi-permanent location where they are easy to find is truly a treat.
They make one style of chicken broth and your option is basically between what cut of pork you would like with it. Either pork belly or pork soft bone, each incredibly tender, soaked and slow softened in broth. This is my second time enjoying their food. I typically get a mix of both pork meats, which is served alongside ramen noodles, dried bonito, green onion, kikurage, and blacks fungus.
The cart is small and includes first come first served seating, however, the Junction bar is within walking distance, so you can easily take your bowl to go and enjoy it in their fenced off area, with a drink.
The actual Junction bar operates out of a shipper container with no fuss no muss bartending. Expect cans, bottles, ready to drink options, and/or a simple, two part high balls. The draw of it is to be able to enjoy said drink in this unique setting. You can choose any of their available seating between beach chairs, picnic tables, and high top bar stools. Some even come with a view of the flags of Canada place in the background and the “Vanc⚽️uver” photo op in the foreground.
This bar area also has table games like jenga and chess. Or you can leave your credit card with the bar in exchange for the balls for either the tabletop foosball or a basketball for the half court.
However, the draw would be the live broadcast of the world cup matches and the live DJ spinning in between games.
Junction Public Market
200 Granville St, Vancouver, BC V6C 1S4
junctionpublicmarket.com
