Film Venue Spotlight: Gastown

Sure, it’s home to some of Vancouver’s hippest bars and most delicious restaurants, but if you want to follow in the footsteps of celebs, Gastown is your number one destination. As soon as you hit its cobbled streets, you’ll feel a sense of déjà vu (“Hey – isn’t Di Beppe where Fifty Shades of Grey’s Christian and Ana had coffee?”) And no wonder: any production shooting in Vancouver will likely be in Gastown at some point. From TV shows such as Arrow, Once Upon a Time, The Magiciansand Supernatural to movies including Legends of the Fall, Twilightand The Mountain Between Us, Gastown’s played best supporting actor to them all.

The twinkling lights illuminating Gastown come nightfall are a popular draw for film crews, and nighttime shoots take place here often. (Insider intel: Back when the first Fifty Shades was filming late-night scenes with a rain machine, some residents became annoyed and tried to sabotage the shoot by ringing a cowbell until they moved further down the block!)

During your visit to this hip and historic ‘hood, don’t miss snapping a selfie in front of the iconic Steamclock, where Kate Winslet and Idris Elba shared a steamy kiss in The Mountain Between Us; Water St. Café, where Christian and Ana meet for a cozy meal in Fifty Shades of Grey; must-browse local boutiques, First Nations galleries and souvenir stores offering all kinds of Canadiana; and cool cocktail bars like Pourhouse and L’Abattoir. Learn more about Gastown here.