If you’re looking for a sunny spot to hang out this summer with live music, look no further than the Oakridge X Pac Rim Patio.

Fairmont Pacific Rim has partnered with Oakridge and Westbank to bring a new pop-up patio experience to the downtown community. Nestled right on the hotel plaza of the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel, the grassy area that once housed supercars and artwork has been transformed into a Japanese rice paddy-inspired patio wrapped in lush greenery, complete with white picnic tables, landscaped garden features, and a food truck adorned with beautiful floral art. With more than 50 seats and individual fire pits, lounge areas and umbrella-topped tables, this patio is set to become the new downtown destination for food and drink on a lovely summer day.

Executive Chef Damon Campbell has prepared a delightful menu complete with mouth-watering items like Spicy Tuna Hand Roll, Asian Crunch Noodle Salad, and the Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich. Every menu item has been thoughtfully prepared to be enjoyed either on the spot or to go.

We would also recommend the Pinche Tacos, with pork carnitas, pickled onions, queso cheese, lime crema, and cilantro — the perfect appetizer to share. The Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl would be our go-to for lunch or dinner, refreshing and tasty with juicy morsels of fresh tuna. The rice is also prepared just right, with a slightly chewy texture signature of Japanese rice. Our cocktail of choice from the menu would be the From Me to Yuzu because yuzu just seems like the perfect summer flavour with its sweet and citrusy notes.

Creative Beverage Director Grant Sceney has assembled a line-up of handcrafted cocktails for the patio, alongside some of Strathcona’s most popular craft beers with feature flavours like Love Buzz and Big Sexy Funk, and a wine list featuring rosé from cult-favourite BC vineyards and Old World classics.

“When we first envisioned Shaw Tower and then a few years later, the Pacific Rim, we always had great ambitions for the plaza,” said Westbank Founder, Ian Gillespie. “These ambitions started to manifest themselves when we collaborated with Omer Arbel on his light installation, 16.480 and layering on the landscape that we are creating at Oakridge Park, brings it all together. Our ambition, always, was that the lobby of the Pacific Rim would become Vancouver’s living room. In that same spirit, the plaza becomes Vancouver’s patio. I hope people enjoy it.”

The patio is open 7 days a week during peak sunny hours from 12 to 8PM. You can enjoy live music Sundays through Wednesday from 12 - 4PM and on Thursdays through Saturdays from 12 - 8PM.

I believe we are all ready to head out into the sun for a few refreshing drinks with friends, and what better place to catch up than in Vancouver’s living room on a grassy patio with live music?