Vancouver’s often been called No Fun City thanks to some of our archaic laws, most of which surround liquor and noise. But were we always that way? And have we, over the years, actually become more chill? To explore this idea, we speak to local author, historian, and musician Aaron Chapman, whose books include Vancouver After Dark, Live at the Commodore, and Liquor, Lust, and the Law. The result? A nowhere near exhaustive look at Vancouver being chill (and not-so chill) through the ages.

1908: Deputy minister of labour William Lyon Mackenzie King comes to Vancouver to investigate a riot and unintentionally starts the war on drugs through the Opium Act—Canada’s first anti-drug law.

Before WWI: No liquor licences. Also no bars or nightclubs. Saloons are open 24 hours a day, without any real age limit (ah, the true wild west).

1917: BC votes prohibition in, under Brewster’s Liberal government (ironic with a name like that). You had to get a prescription if you wanted to (legally) get alcohol.

1921: We’re introduced to the Liquor Act, which gives the government control over liquor businesses. It doesn’t last long, but current laws, and the roots of our No Fun moniker, are a direct result of them—including needing food served in establishments with alcohol, and a cabaret licence for venues with music.

1940s and ‘50s: Canadian servicemen who went to Europe during the war wonder why they can’t drink, eat, and be entertained in the same establishment. “If there were any nightclubs around, you couldn’t drink alcohol, which sounds ridiculous today,” Chapman says, adding that most venues had restaurant licences and you had to sneakily bring your own booze.

1952: A provincial vote to bring in liquor licences is held, but then we just kind of sit on it. Until the freaking ‘60s.

1960s: Beer parlours become the place to go, but there is still no entertainment, no windows, no darts. The only good thing is that the beer is cheap (10 to 15 cents a glass).

1968: The Commodore—long a place that people sneak booze into—finally gets a liquor licence. Party on, Wayne.

1986: Sunday drinking is finally allowed because Vancouver is hosting the Expo World Fair. We’ve gotta show the visitors that we’re fun!

1990s: Club owners and promoters coin the term No Fun City because they want to sell booze until 3am instead of 2am. Sadly, the name sticks (and so does last call).

2003: Beloved dancing spot Luv-A-Fair closes. Extremely un-chill.

2009: The iconic nightclub and music venue Richard’s on Richards closes to make way for condos. (This becomes a trend; we’re too heartbroken to list them all.)

2014: The official Dude Chilling Park sign is installed at Guelph Park. Also, we finally get happy hours. Holy shit.

2015: Grey market weed flourishes, with the number of dispensaries growing to almost 100.

2018: Canada passes the Cannabis Act and becomes the second country in the world to legalize it. Maybe we are kinda chill?

2019: Cannabis dispensaries start opening in the Lower Mainland.

2020: The first brick-and-mortar mushroom dispensary opens in Vancouver.

2022: The Keefer Yard closes. Because this city doesn’t want us to have nice things.

2023: We're finally allowed to (legally) drink in parks. We’ll cheers to that.