Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours

10/01/2025

Secrets of the Penthouse returns March 5!

The club didn't expect their latest marquee sign to cause an international sensation and find them booted from X! Rest assured it will take more than a tantrum from Elon Musk to see them close their doors.

And a big shout out to Ben, their marquee supremo!

https://forbiddenvancouver.ca/secrets-of-the-penthouse/

08/01/2025

Vancouver Then and Now. West Hastings at Homer Street, looking west, circa 1905. The vintage image shows onlookers watching a funeral parade going by.

With thanks to the City of Vancouver Archives, CVA 677-572. Photographer Philip Timms.

06/01/2025

Great piece by Don Denton in The Tyee on little known photographers of Vancouver from the 1940s-1970s.

Our region is a hotbed of history-making creativity, and I want the world to know. A look inside my 10-year deep dive.

19/12/2024

Great times last night at our last Secrets of the Penthouse of 2024! We had a sold out room and a waiting list as long as your arm. Apologies to those who missed out.

The good news is, tickets are on sale for our Jan 2025 date. But move fast, it will sell out soon folks!

https://forbiddenvancouver.ca/secrets-of-the-penthouse/

12/12/2024

Then & Now shot of the 300 block West Hastings St, 1904 vs 2024.

The archive shot was taken by legendary Vancouver photographer Philip T. Timms. If you zoom in you can make out a sign for "Buscombe," a popular dinnerware company owned by Fred Buscombe, mayor from 1905-1906.

With thanks to Lani Russwurm and the City of Vancouver Archives. Ref: CVA 1376-721.

09/12/2024

As the city recovers from Taylor Swift fever...we thought we'd give a shout out to the first major concert at BC Place. It was a performance by none other than David Bowie, who drew 53,878 fans in August 1983.

Anyone go to that show? Better still, anyone see Bowie AND Taylor Swift??

05/12/2024

Granville St at Hastings around 1905. Notice the old Waterfront Station in the background (looked like a foggy day then too!).

The Birks clock moved here in 1994, from its previous home at Granville & Georgia.

With thanks to the City of Vancouver Archives and photographer Philip Timms. CVA 677-583.

05/12/2024

🎉 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐧𝐨 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 & 𝐇𝐨𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫! 🌟

🎤 Award-Winning Storytellers
🏛️ Iconic Buildings
🍫 Delicious Trees Hot Chocolate
🎄 Stunning Holiday Displays

Limited spots—book now! 🎟️✨
https://forbiddenvancouver.pulse.ly/sqnax1bbyz

01/12/2024

🚨 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐭! 🚨

Black Friday deals on our walking tour gift certificates are almost gone! 🎁✨

Don't miss out on gifting an unforgettable adventure into our city's hidden history. From Victorian-era Gastown's charming streets to the serene trails of Stanley Park, it's a memory waiting to happen! 🏙️🌲

These deals are vanishing soon:
🎁 $50 now $40
🎁 $75 now $60
🎁 $100 now $80
🎁 $200 now $160
🎁 $300 now $240

Act fast and grab yours before it's too late! ⏰💨

https://forbiddenvancouver.pulse.ly/zhddnuamwv

27/11/2024

🎄Ever wondered what Christmas was like in early 1900s Vancouver?

Check out these snaps courtesy of the City of Vancouver Archives! 📸✨

Learn about L.D. Taylor, the city’s most notorious mayor, and his scandalous ties on the Holiday History & Hot Chocolate Tour!

https://forbiddenvancouver.pulse.ly/oxfuq9px9u


Image with thanks to City of Vancouver Archives

27/11/2024

Fascinating time last night at the Chin Wing Chun Tong Society in Chinatown. The Tong building at 158 East Pender was built in 1925 and is one of the oldest and best preserved in Chinatown.

Tongs functioned as community hubs for new Chinese immigrants to Canada in the early 20th century, with facilities including temporary accommodation, job postings, and basic banking services. To this day, the tongs provide services for seniors in Chinatown (check out the photo of the Mah Jong table in the seniors centre!)

This tong welcomes members connected by the last name Chin, and its variations (e.g. Chan, Tan, Tran). There are dozens of tongs in Vancouver, each with a membership based on common family name or regional connection.

Thanks to host Larry Kin Fah Chin who walked us through the building and its history, and the wonderful folks at the The Vancouver Heritage Foundation for staging the event!

25/11/2024

Rest in peace Ray Saunders, the man behind the Gastown Steam Clock and an absolute gentleman.

Leading walking tours in Gastown for over 13 years, our storytellers often crossed paths with Ray. Here's a snap from back in 2013, when our founder Will ran into Ray fixing the clock one evening.

Truly incredible to think he built the clock back in 1977 and he was still servicing it as recently at this summer. A lifetime of dedication and passion! It's remarkable how much the steam clock has become an iconic Vancouver landmark -- a credit to Ray, who will forever remain a Vancouver legend!

23/11/2024

🎄 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝟓 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 & 𝐇𝐨𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫🎅☕️

1️⃣ 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑮𝒖𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒔: Meet Aisylnn, Emm, Glenn, Rachel, Rob, or Will—our local history buffs with 3,000+ 5-star reviews! 🌟

2️⃣ 𝑪𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔: Uncover tales of drama and intrigue—murdered architects, Hollywood glam, and rum-running millionaires! 🎭

3️⃣ 𝑬𝒙𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑨𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔: Get a private peek inside the stunning Art Deco Marine Building! 🏢✨

4️⃣ 𝑭𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑽𝒊𝒃𝒆𝒔: Soak in the holiday spirit with the dazzling décor of downtown's finest hotels. 🎇

5️⃣ 𝑯𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝑺𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔: Use your Black Friday discount to save 20% on this enchanting experience! 🤑🎁

Don’t miss out—book your tour now and dive into a festive adventure!
https://forbiddenvancouver.pulse.ly/lkhv214dp1

20/11/2024

🎉 𝐁𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐒𝐀𝐋𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐓! 🎉

Gift an unforgettable experience this holiday season! 🎁✨

Our ONLY sale of the year is here, and it's the perfect time to surprise your loved ones with a unique adventure into our city's hidden history. 🏙️✨

Imagine wandering through the cobblestone streets of Victorian-era Gastown, exploring the lush trails of Stanley Park, or uncovering the secrets of our cherished heritage buildings. 🏛️🌲

Our Gift Certificates are perfect for any public walking tour and they NEVER expire! 🚶‍♂️💕

🌟 Special Black Friday Deals:
🎁 $50 Gift Cert now $40
🎁 $75 Gift Cert now $60
🎁 $100 Gift Cert now $80
🎁 $200 Gift Cert now $160
🎁 $300 Gift Cert now $240

Don’t miss out—these deals are for a LIMITED TIME only! ⏰ Grab your gift certificates now and start making memories that last a lifetime! 💫

https://forbiddenvancouver.pulse.ly/ey8nmkzaaf

29/10/2024

𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬: Dec 18th!

Celebrate holiday season with a night of intrigue at Vancouver's most infamous club!

It's a holiday outing with a twist—perfect for those who like their festivities with a dash of mischief and mystery.

Join club owner Danny Filippone and friends for an exclusive tour, where tales of mobsters and wild Rat Pack parties come alive in the very halls where they happened! With live jazz from the Russell Sholberg Trio and feast on Mama Filippone's legendary spaghetti and meatballs, it's guaranteed to be a night to remember. 🍝🎶

Book now and make this cheeky 🍑😉 holiday adventure part of your festive season, all while supporting Variety – The Children’s Charity! 🎟️❤️ https://forbiddenvancouver.pulse.ly/fbyga6xtbl

24/10/2024

👻 Looking for something different to do this Halloween? Check out the Lost Souls of Gastown tour! Stroll through Vancouver's oldest neighborhood and hear some seriously spine-tingling (TRUE) stories about murder, fires, and smallpox—all under the glow of lantern light of your guide. 🔦

This immersive experience will make you see Gastown in a whole new light. 🎭

Ready for a little Halloween adventure? Book your spot now! 🎟️

https://forbiddenvancouver.pulse.ly/hlkgsnnptx

📍 Gastown
🎩 Cappelleria Bertacchi

15/10/2024

🚨 Last chance alert! 🚨 Just a few tickets left for the Vancouver Vice Tour happening this weekend!

Don't miss the opportunity to dive into the hidden criminal history of Vancouver's West End with acclaimed author Aaron Chapman. Hear all about those wild ‘70s and ‘80s—think unsolved murders, vice cops, and turf wars! 😲

Plus, your ticket helps out the Friends of the Vancouver City Archives Society. 🎟️

If you’re down for an adventure, snag your spot now before they're all gone! 🙌 $33

https://forbiddenvancouver.pulse.ly/dzzozmcbc4