Published Apr 7, 2026 Last reviewed May 30, 2026 At a Glance Address 1 Alexander St, Gastown, Vancouver Neighbourhood Gastown, off Maple Tree Square Price Range $$ Best For Live music nights, late drinks, first dates with a plan Signature Two live sets nightly, every night Hours 6pm to 12am Sun to Wed, to 1am Thu, to 2am Fri and Sat Style Subterranean live music bar Reservations Walk in only; arrive before the first set Plan your visit Get Directions Ask Our Team 1 Alexander St, Vancouver The Pitch Our Take on Guilt & Co. A long flight of stairs drops below Maple Tree Square into a brick vaulted basement where someone is playing music every single night of the year. Guilt & Co. books two acts nightly across all genres, local and touring, and the Georgia Straight lists it among Gastown's essential venues.
The cover works per set rather than per night, usually under ten dollars, often cash. You pay for the music you stay for, which keeps the room honest and the crowd actually listening.
Low ceilings, candle lit tables, and a stage close enough to read the set list make the basement feel borrowed from another century. Vancouver's Best Places notes there is no elevator, only the stairs. Sound carries well to every corner, and the bar runs the full length of the room.
Drinks price mid range for Gastown, and the per set cover keeps the total night cheaper than a ticketed venue. One Yelp review tallied $21 across two full performances.
Early sets draw an after work and date crowd holding tables; late sets pull musicians, industry people, and whoever followed the sound down the stairs. Weekends queue past the door by 9pm. The room listens; talkers drift to the back bar.
What to order
- 01
House Cocktails
- 02
Whatever Pairs With the Set
- 03
A Second Set Nightcap