In the heart of Canucks country, a surprising pocket of blue and orange is drawing passionate hockey fans during the NHL playoffs. Tucked away in Vancouver is what many are calling the city’s “unofficial Oilers bar,” a rare haven where Edmonton Oilers supporters can gather, cheer, and feel a little closer to home.
With the Oilers making a deep playoff push, fans living in or visiting Vancouver have been searching for a place to unite—and they’ve found it in this unlikely hotspot. On game nights, chants of “Let’s Go Oilers!” echo through the bar, jerseys bearing names like McDavid and Draisaitl fill the room, and northern Alberta pride is on full display.
“I moved here five years ago for work,” says lifelong Oilers fan Brian Mitchell. “It’s not easy being an Edmonton fan in Vancouver, especially during playoff season, but this place makes it feel like I never left.”
The bar, which typically caters to a more neutral crowd during the regular season, has leaned into its identity this spring, stocking up on Oilers-themed decorations, drinks, and game-day specials. The owners say the shift came naturally, driven by the energy and loyalty of Edmonton fans living in the city.
“We noticed more and more Oilers fans coming in during the playoffs, so we decided to embrace it,” said the bar’s manager. “Now it’s standing room only on game nights, and the atmosphere is electric.”
For many Alberta transplants, the bar offers more than just a place to watch hockey. It’s a space to connect with fellow fans, share in the highs and lows of the playoffs, and celebrate the team that still feels like home—no matter how many kilometers away they are.
Local Canucks fans have taken notice too—some amused, some bemused—but the mood has remained respectful and mostly good-natured. “I’m a Canucks guy,” said one regular patron, “but I’ve got to admit, Oilers fans bring a lot of passion. It’s been fun to watch.”
As the Oilers continue their postseason run, the unofficial Oilers bar in Vancouver has become more than just a quirky sports story. It’s a testament to how deeply hockey runs in Canadian culture—and how, even far from home, fandom has a way of finding its place.
