I’ve spent plenty of nights bouncing between venues that champion local bands — catching acts like Landmark 20, Cascade, The Rivieras, and countless others. What I love most is that a lot of these spots are non-profit, built by and for the alt scene in Vancouver. They give our community a place to gather, get loud, and celebrate the sounds coming out of our own backyard. So whether you’re new to the city or a seasoned local, here are a few of my favourite spots to dive into Vancouver’s indie underground.

Red Gate Arts Society

“Where the Floor Sticks and the Riffs Rip”
This East Van dive bar is loud, unapologetic, and deeply loyal to the underground. Punk, hardcore, metal, noise—you name it, the Astoria’s seen it bleed. It’s all sweat, distortion, and that perfect kind of chaos. Come for the music, stay because your boots are glued to the floor.

✦ Vibe: Dirty & glorious
✦ Best for: Loud bands, loud crowds
✦ Risk level: High for tinnitus, low for pretension
✦ Best Experience: Cascade

Bully’s Studios

“The Scene’s Living Room”
Not just a studio. Bully’s is where bands rehearse, record, and connect. Their live shows feel like house gigs with better sound—cozy, no ego, all passion. If you’re in a band, you’ve probably played here. If you’re not, you should still hang out.

✦ Vibe: Community-core
✦ Best for: DIY gigs, genre-fluid nights
✦ Bonus: You’ll probably end up in a band
✦ Best Experience: Folded Hand

Image Source: @boyscottsocialmediamaniac

The Cobalt

“Reborn & Still Wrecking”
This historic venue is back and it’s got bite. A launchpad for wild nights, weird art, and sweat-soaked sets, The Cobalt is all about attitude and aesthetic. You’ll find gritty punk one night, darkwave the next. Either way—you’re not leaving clean.

✦ Vibe: Reclaimed rebel
✦ Best for: Punk, goth, glam, noise
✦ Insider tip: The bathroom graffiti is worth the trip
✦ Best Experience: Boyscott

Green Auto Body

“Garage Band Fantasy, IRL”
An actual converted garage that doubles as an indie haven. Raw walls, rawer sound. GAB is for the freaks and the feedback lovers. If it’s loud, weird, or impossible to categorize—it belongs here.

✦ Vibe: Industrial heart, DIY soul
✦ Best for: Noise, post-punk, experimental
✦ Scene cred: 100/10
✦ Best Experience: Shimbashi Station

Lanalou’s

“Dive Bar with a Heartbeat”
Equal parts dive bar, diner, and live venue, LanaLou’s feels like the living room of Vancouver’s alt scene. It’s where punk lifers, blues rockers, indie kids, and scene weirdos grab cheap drinks, greasy eats, and catch bands that sound way too good for the size of the stage. There’s no pretense here — just sticky floors, vintage decor, and a community that shows up for its own.

✦ Vibe: Vintage dive, alt clubhouse
✦ Best for: Punk, rock ‘n’ roll, outlaw country, and loud-as-hell local gigs
✦ Insider tip: They use orange bitters in their Old Fashion and it slaps
✦ Best Experience: Bucket The Band

Honorable mention! Okay, we know the Rickshaw Theatre isn’t strictly a locals-only spot — but it’s a vital part of the scene. It gives the alt community a place to catch their favourite mid-size touring acts, wild themed nights, and everything in between. Plus, the architecture and decor? Absolutely insane, inside and out. It’s got that gritty charm you can’t fake.

Rickshaw Theatre

“The Cult Classic”
Once a kung-fu movie house, now one of the city’s grittiest, most iconic venues. The Rickshaw’s got history caked into its walls and a stage that’s seen everything from punk legends to K-pop tribute nights. It’s where dive-bar energy meets pro-level sound, and the crowd always feels like family — the kind you share beers and questionable tattoos with.

✦ Vibe: Grimy glamour, scene veteran
✦ Best for: Hardcore, metal, indie legends, and the beautifully unclassifiable
✦ Insider tip: The balcony’s where the diehards post up, but the pit’s where the magic happens
✦ Best Experience: Enforcer & Aftertime (Hyperspace Festival V)