Review: Blackbird Public House

The Blackbird Public House | BCBusiness
The Donnelly Group’s newest joint makes a rather successful attempt to break the nightlife chain’s mould.

This new hub in the financial district is more than just another Donnelly joint

Blackbird is “an ambitious step forward in quality of experience,” says mixologist Jay Jones (formerly at Shangri-La), Donnelly Group’s brand ambassador, executive bartender and acting general manager at the pub since it opened in Vancouver’s financial district in October 2013.

Designer Craig Stanghetta transformed the massive two-level space with rich finishings and distinct areas. “The bistro and oyster bar is about elegance with a bit of urban hustle and sexy style,” says Jones. The pub, with its 24-seat communal table, booths and 20-seat underlit bartop, is “a high-energy place to party, watch the game and dance to live bands or DJs playing on the stage.” The billiards room offers billiards and shuffleboard, and the scotch room includes a 14-seat racetrack-shaped bar displaying 100 labels of single malt scotch whisky.

Chef Alvin Pillay (formerly at Campagnolo) came on board to elevate the menus, sourcing sustainable seafood, natural meat and seasonal produce, while keeping prices reasonable (like the Blackbird signature burger with hand-cut fries, $17, which you can order a juicy medium-well thanks to daily in-house grinding). (donnellygroup.ca)