Looking for a Pub Where Everybody Knows My Name (and Costs Less Than $1,200)

Copper Sky at the Atlantic Trap and Gill, where socializing is a must

My chest succumbed to a burst of searing pain. I had just passed Campoverde (1660 Cypress Street | 604.734.1660), a social club in the ultra chic community of 1st and Cypress, and I couldn't help but gawk at the laughing patrons inside. It was then I realized that the searing pain wasn't heartburn; it was the symptom of pure, unadulterated jealousy.

Seriously. The people in this joint seemed like they were actually having fun -- genuine, uninhibited follow-my-nose, Trix are for kids, F-U-N. Imagine it, Vancouver!

Sure, the average age of this group appeared to be a few years older than me and reeked of people that my friend's dad would love to noogie at business barbecues, but wow. F-U-N! Metrosexuals and well-heeled lasses freely raised their glasses for a hearty salt-of-the-earth cheer. One man belted out an epic karaoke retro ditty, surely played on JACK FM at least once a day. And as much as this ain't my scene, and as much as it sounds like I'm being disparaging, I really can't fault people for having a good time.

But I had to wonder what the heck these people had that I didn't. One look at Campoverde's application form tells all: I need a whopping load of money. At the cost of a $49 a month and a $1,200 joining fee, I, too, would be forcing myself to laugh, merely to hide my tears of hunger. Who would've thought fun had such a hefty price tag?

I quickly reassessed my situation. Is it money? If anyone's seen those class-centric movies from the '80s, it's obvious that young people without money are more carefree and attractive in that confident I've-got-nothing-but-I-love-what-I'm-doing way. Right? Well, now, I'm not so sure. This ain't the '80s, and we're in Vancouver, my friends: that young and carefree group seems to be overtaken by the I'm-cooler-than-you, shoegazing Emily Carr art school contingent, wherever I transport myself.

I just want to be where everybody knows my name and they're always glad I came. (Cue piano instrumental and falling tear.) Aside from a few ruckus-filled nights at the infamous Cambie (300 Cambie Street | 604.684.6466) and the maritime frivolity at the Atlantic Trap and Gill (612 Davie Street | 604.806.6393), are there any other places where people in their late 20s and early 30s with low to moderate income are welcome to have unpretentious F-U-N?

That Cheers-esque gem is there to be discovered, Vancouver. I know it. I just don't want that gem to have a $1,200 price tag.