Forbidden Vancouver

About

Discover Vancouver's dirty history. Now staging acclaimed walking tours The Forbidden Tour, The Lost Souls of Gastown, Secrets of Stanley Park, Art Deco & Chocolate Tasting and special event Secrets of the Penthouse.

Story

PROHIBITION CITY
In 1917, Prohibition hit Vancouver harder than a slug of bathtub gin, knocking the city to its knees.

Saloon doors swung closed for good, forcing law-abiding citizens into an illicit world of bootlegged spirits and mob-run drinking dens.

Throw yourself at the mercy of Vancouver’s oldest and meanest streets. But be warned, you’ll need sharp wits – and an even sharper pencil – to survive in Prohibition City.

THE LOST SOULS OF GASTOWN
After a night of whiskey and cards at the saloon, gold prospector John Bray staggered out onto the streets of Victorian-era Gastown. He never made it back to his hotel.

Robbed and shot three times in the head, he wandered the streets for two delirious weeks before the bullets finally killed him.

With tales of hustlers and thieves, vagabonds and bawdy girls, the Lost Souls of Gastown is a gothic theatre adventure. You’ll be pulled so deep into the swirling lamplight and darkened alleys of our city’s murky past, you may have a hard time finding your way back out…

SECRETS OF THE PENTHOUSE
A night of intrigue, scandal and humour behind the scenes at the infamous Penthouse Nightclub. Hosted by club owner Danny Filippone – with guest appearances, including retired Vancouver Police officers who once raided the club – and topped off with a hearty Italian dinner and cabaret show.

TOUR INFO
- Tours are 90 minutes
- Meet at Cathedral Square, across from Holy Rosary Cathedral at Dunsmuir and Richards
- Rates are $22 per person, $19 per senior or student, plus tax
- Private tours available

RAVE REVIEWS
As featured on the BBC, CBC, Vancouver Sun, The Province, Westender, Vancouver Courier, Miss604, Vancity Buzz, Global TV and Shaw TV. Forbidden Vancouver has been awarded the Top Choice distinction by Lonely Planet and is rated 5 stars on TripAdvisor.