The main stories of the day: the Bisons lost to UBC in Vancouver, Bruno Mars announced five concerts at BC Place, and fourteen new restaurants are preparing to open across the city.
Bisons return from Vancouver with one point after losing the second game of the series
Last Sunday, the University of Manitoba hockey team could not complete a successful weekend start, losing 3–0 to the UBC Thunderbirds in a Canada West men’s hockey conference game at Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre in Vancouver. The defeat was especially disappointing following the previous day’s victory: in the season opener, the Bisons had managed to beat the hosts on the road. The team therefore leaves Vancouver with one win and one loss, failing to complete a clean sweep of the two-game series.
The second game began to turn against the visitors fairly quickly. UBC opened the scoring late in the first period, when Braden Schurman beat Bisons goaltender Matthew Kieper at 11:59, assisted by Ty Thorpe and Ben Keon. In the second period, the Thunderbirds doubled their lead on the power play—and almost immediately. Brandon Funk’s tripping penalty led to Josh Williams scoring just 10 seconds after it began, at 3:23, with assists from Schurman and Keaton Dovhanjuk. At the very start of the third period, Williams scored again to complete his brace: just 27 seconds had passed when the puck once more found the net, following a play involving Austin Fraser and the ever-present Schurman. The final score was 3–0, and it remained unchanged.
The game’s standout player was Schurman, who recorded three points—one goal and two assists—while Williams scored twice. UBC goaltender Cole Schwebius recorded a shutout, stopping all 16 shots he faced. Kieper, meanwhile, stopped 21 of 24 shots. The Bisons were unable to capitalize on any of their power-play opportunities, going 0-for-3, while the hosts converted one of four chances. The Thunderbirds were also more accurate in terms of shots, leading 24–16.
The Manitoba team now returns home, where it will play its first home game of the season on Friday. The club has already begun selling tickets. The Bisons’ next opponent will be the Saskatchewan Huskies, with the game scheduled for October 16 at 7 p.m. It will be an important moment for the team: home ice and support from the stands could help it quickly put the Vancouver setback behind it and return to the winning track. The full schedule and ticket information are available on the official university program website, where the game report was published.
Bruno Mars is staging a five-night Vancouver marathon: what fans need to know
Bruno Mars is returning to Vancouver after an almost decade-long absence, and the comeback promises to be one of the year’s biggest music events. The pop star, whose height is often the subject of jokes but whose popularity has long been measured in stadiums, will perform not one or two but five concerts at BC Place as part of his The Romantic Tour. The shows will take place over eight days, from October 14 to 21, 2026, giving the artist a chance not merely to perform and fly out, but to actually spend time in the city—and perhaps be spotted by Vancouverites walking downtown.
The concert announcements themselves are revealing. Tickets for the October 14 show went on sale first, followed by three additional dates, with the final, fifth night—October 21—announced last. This step-by-step strategy is typical of major tours: organizers gauge demand, build excitement, and only then reveal the final ace. In Mars’s case, the strategy worked. The first three shows are almost sold out, and BC Place is currently offering mostly resale tickets. The final date, announced later than the others, still has plenty of availability, both in the lower bowl and on the floor. It is a rare opportunity for those who missed the first ticket wave to avoid paying scalpers. The cheapest lower-bowl seat costs approximately $252 before fees, while a front-row seat on the secondary market is listed at around $2,000—a price that would make even the most devoted fans think twice.
The opening acts have also been carefully chosen. British R&B performer Raye will open all five concerts. She spent a decade working toward success and finally broke through in recent years with hits such as “Prada” and “Where Is My Husband.” This will be her second Vancouver appearance of the year: in the spring, she performed her own tour at UBC. The second opening act will be Mars’s longtime collaborator Anderson .Paak, appearing not in his usual role as a rapper and producer but as DJ Pee.Wee. Paak and Mars have worked together for years, and their joint project Silk Sonic earned both artists Grammy Awards, so his presence adds another layer of meaning to the shows.
For concertgoers, practical details are important too. A pop-up store featuring exclusive Bruno Mars and Hello Kitty merchandise is planned for Vancouver, although the exact location has not yet been announced. Fans should watch the artist’s and promoter’s social media accounts for updates. As for transportation, TransLink had not announced any major changes to SkyTrain or SeaBus service at the time of publication. Hullo Ferries, however, has added late sailings on October 16, 17, and 20—corresponding to the three “middle” concerts. Tickets for all three sailings are still available, which is convenient for residents of Vancouver Island and nearby communities who would rather not stay overnight in the city.
Most importantly, concertgoers should remember BC Place’s rules. The venue has a strict bag policy: only bags no larger than 6.5 by 8.5 inches are permitted, along with clear bags measuring no more than one foot in any direction. Staff will be stationed along the approach routes and will send people with larger bags to a $10 bag check; payment must be made before entering the stadium. Exceptions are made only for medically necessary bags. Prohibited items include large cameras with interchangeable lenses, posters and signs, drones, outside food and beverages, selfie sticks, and even large empty bottles. BC Place has also been cashless for some time, so a card or phone is essential.
Beyond the logistics, the event also has a broader significance. The Romantic Tour has already shown that Mars is drawn to “residencies”—extended runs of concerts in one city—and Vancouver is joining the ranks of the world’s largest markets in this respect. Five shows at one stadium over eight days are not simply a tour schedule; they are effectively a temporary residency. For the city, that means an influx of tourists and increased demand for hotels, restaurants, and transportation. For local fans, it is a rare chance to see an artist who last performed here in 2017, when he played two shows at Rogers Arena. Then there were two nights; now there are five. The scale has more than doubled, providing the clearest evidence yet that Vancouver is no longer merely a stopover for the global pop scene.
Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster. It is worth remembering that if you follow partner links in local publications such as Vancouver Is Awesome, part of the commission may support local journalism. Buying a ticket can therefore also make a small contribution to the city’s media landscape—the same landscape bringing you all these details.
For those unfamiliar with the event: BC Place is a multipurpose stadium in downtown Vancouver with a retractable roof and a concert capacity of more than 50,000. It hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 Olympics. Ticketmaster is North America’s largest ticketing platform, where most stadium shows are sold, and it is the official outlet for tickets to this tour. In the concert world, a “residency” is a series of performances by one artist in one city over a short period, a format popularized by Las Vegas and now spreading to major cities worldwide. Finally, the secondary market is the ticket-resale market, where prices are determined by demand and can be several times higher than face value—as we see with front-row seats listed at $2,000.
So if you are planning to see Bruno Mars in Vancouver, you still have a chance: the final date, October 21, remains available. Just remember to check your bag’s dimensions, leave your cash at home, and decide in advance whether you are willing to pay $250 for a lower-bowl seat or would rather wait for a better offer on the secondary market. Either way, the city will be a little louder, brighter, and perhaps a little more “romantic” for eight days—exactly as the tour’s name promises.
What’s new to eat in Vancouver: fourteen restaurants opening in the city and surrounding areas
Vancouver is a city whose food scene never stands still. Even amid intense competition and rising living costs, more and more new concepts continue to appear. Dozens of establishments announce openings every year, making it increasingly difficult to keep track. That is why Daily Hive has compiled a list of fourteen of the most anticipated restaurants preparing to open in Vancouver and the surrounding area. From Japanese set menus to New York-style bagels, conveyor-belt sushi, and inventive Chinese cuisine, these projects promise to add considerable variety to the local food scene.
One of the most notable announcements is Bento Cafe YVR, which is already operating at 1822 West 1st Ave. in Kitsilano and is preparing to open a second location on West 41st Ave. in Kerrisdale. The cafe presents itself as a place where diners can “taste Japan in every bite” and focuses on a seasonal menu with an average price of about $27. Its main feature is the teishoku set menu, which the restaurant describes as a balanced meal consisting of rice, soup, side dishes, and a main course. The format is familiar to anyone who has visited Japan but remains relatively rare in Vancouver in such an authentic form. The chain’s first location has a Google rating of 4.5 out of 5, adding further weight to the new address at 2156 West 41st Ave.
Another interesting project is C Market Coffee, which will open its first downtown location at 1185 West Georgia Street. The brand is already known as C Market Cafe, the team behind Vancouver’s largest coffee shop—a space of more than 5,000 square feet at 195 E. 36th Ave. Urban Properties Group announced the opening on Instagram, and the coffee shop itself confirmed that customers will be able to visit as early as this month. For downtown Vancouver, where competition among cafes is especially fierce, this is a notable development.
Another project attracting attention from the local community is Herschel’s Deli and Schmeer. Local chef and media personality Duran “Dman” Bodasing has teamed up with Hershel Medzygorski to open what they call Vancouver’s first genuine New York Jewish deli. The restaurant will be located at the entrance to Granville Island, at 1500 W. 2nd Ave., in the former Tru Cafe space. It will serve bagels that are rolled, boiled, and baked fresh by hand every day, ranging from classic varieties to cinnamon-raisin, asiago cheese, and rye. The sandwich menu includes classics such as Lox and Schmeer, with smoked salmon, cream cheese, red onion, capers, cucumber, tomato, and lemon, as well as a BEC on Everything with a fried egg, crisp bacon, aged cheddar, arugula, tomato, and herb aioli. The restaurant will also offer cafe staples such as drip coffee and lattes.
Chef Stephen Che, who is behind one of the city’s best pizzerias, Just Pizza, is preparing to open a fine-dining restaurant on Commercial Drive this fall called Haisan. Guests can expect a 16-course menu inspired by the chef’s training in renowned kitchens around the world. Che describes the concept this way: “Our menu is Pacific Northwest Chinese cuisine, one point of view, cooked the way I already think about food. Haisan cooks for families who have lived this integration for generations, and for anyone curious about what it becomes at this level of craft.” The menu combines flavors from the chef’s childhood with ingredients offered by the local coast. The restaurant will open at 2892 Commercial Dr.
Discovery Brewing, a brewery founded by longtime friends and co-founders Alexander Zuber and Winston Lin, will be located at 310 Victoria Dr. The founders decided to move beyond standard taproom snacks and developed their own menu of 10 to 15 signature small plates designed for sharing. “This allows guests to try a little of everything or easily put together a full dinner,” the co-founders explain. As for the beer, the taps will feature 12 house-made varieties, ranging from light session beers to dark, rich, and experimental styles. Highlights of the opening lineup include a classic Munich helles lager called 815 and a West Coast-style pilsner called Lovelace.
Zumi Revolving Sushi Bar will offer Vancouver diners a kaiten-sushi experience, also known as conveyor-belt sushi or “sushi train.” The restaurant at 1588 Alberni St. describes its philosophy this way: “The belt is the shortest route from the cutting board to your chopsticks. Each plate leaves the chef’s hands and reaches your table in under a minute, so nothing sits under glass and nothing waits to be ordered.” Guests will have three options: the belt itself, featuring seasonal dishes that diners can pick up as they go and pay for by the plate; 12 seats directly in front of the chefs, where they can order dishes not placed on the belt; and “Zumi To Go,” offering nigiri and hand-roll boxes.
The popular ramen restaurant Ramen Danbo, known for its Fukuoka-style ramen with thinly sliced pork, is preparing to open in Yaletown at 1130 Mainland St. Details about the new location remain under wraps, apart from the expected fall opening, but it is expected to serve the same signature ramen that made the chain famous.
The team behind the popular tapas bar Como Taperia in Mount Pleasant is launching a new seafood-focused project. Founders Sean Layton and Frankie Harrington will open Como Ultramar, a restaurant inspired by their travels through northern Spain. “Ultramar is inspired by the places Frankie and I often visit during our annual trips to Spain,” Layton says. “There will be a clear emphasis on the cuisine of northern Spain: the coastal towns of the Basque Country, Cantabria, and Galicia, but also Madrid’s old seafood bars, Barcelona’s modern and playful seafood restaurants, and the taverns of Cádiz. All of these places share a tremendous love of seafood in its simplest forms, yet those forms are full of flavor.” The 2,500-square-foot space will include a dining room and a mezzanine on the second level. The building is located in the Faber Block and was built in 1926; it was formerly known as The Carolina. Over the past century, it has housed popular neighborhood establishments including Black and White Grocery and Seb’s Cafe. The address is 592 East Broadway.
West Vancouver’s next restaurant will open in a historic, recently restored building, with a high-profile team behind the project. Navvy House is being created by At Home Hospitality, the company behind Vancouver’s Banter Room and award-winning Prophecy, and will be located in Navvy Jack House at 1768 Argyle Ave. The menu was developed by executive chef and operating partner Mike Rose, who was born and raised in West Vancouver. The dishes follow the seasons and the shoreline, drawing inspiration from Pacific and Atlantic coastal traditions and the land between them. The menu is described as “uncomplicated, bold, and built around natural flavors.” The space will combine original historical details with modern design and views of Burrard Inlet, creating a setting intended for long lunches and evenings that continue after sunset.
Sandwich chain Jersey Mike’s Subs has finally confirmed where and when it will open in Vancouver. In a press release, the company said the restaurant would open in Kitsilano at 1864 W. 4th Ave., in the former Purebread Bakery location. An exact opening date has not yet been announced, but the restaurant is expected to open in October. Rumors about a Vancouver location began circulating after the chain announced plans to open its first British Columbia location in Kelowna.
