Double Barrel Taphouse — Restaurant in Vancouver

Perfect Timing or Reading the Future? I Did Both.

The air hung thick with unspoken words, a palpable tension you could taste like stale beer. I sat at the bar, my fingers instinctively folding, shaping, coaxing life from simple white napkins. Two pristine blooms took form beneath my hands, fragile and fleeting, a stark contrast to the heavy atmosphere.

Perhaps I was trying to inject a little beauty into the silence, a small act of defiance against the weight of the unseen. Or maybe, just maybe, I was trying to force a collision, a crack in the carefully constructed edifice of discomfort that had settled over the small room.

And then they arrived. Two souls locked in their own private struggle, a silent battle waged across the expanse of untouched cocktails. They ordered their drinks, their voices barely a whisper, and in that moment, the spell was broken. The air shifted, the tension dissipated. My absurd napkin flowers, once a potential embarrassment, became a silent facilitator, a distraction. They allowed these two strangers to simply be, to exist without the scrutiny of curious eyes, to find their own rhythm in the shared space.

But my actions, it seemed, were not universally appreciated. Criticism, sharp and swift, pierced the newly found tranquility. Yet, I stood my ground, a solitary champion against a tide of perceived social faux pas. I defended my intentions, laid bare the logic behind my seemingly random act. And in the end, I prevailed. The scales of justice, tipped against me initially, righted themselves.

But even as I savored the small victory, a deeper question gnawed at me. What is this all for? What else am I supposed to do, to be, to finally prove my worth? Am I destined to be a perpetual performer, a jester juggling social norms to alleviate the discomfort of others? Is this how I earn my place in the grand tapestry of existence?

I look to the heavens, a silent plea whispered on the night air. What must I do to convince you, my God, that I am worthy? Worthy not of riches or fame, but of something far more precious: a true love. A soul who sees beyond the quirky gestures, the impulsive actions, the sometimes-awkward attempts to connect. A love that understands the restless spirit that drives me to fold flowers from napkins and disrupt the silence in crowded bars. A love that recognizes, within all the chaotic energy, a heart that simply yearns to make the world a little less lonely, one imperfect bloom...

Double Barrel Taphouse has a British pub style vibe that has a focus on sports. Not the chow but the casualness and order at the bar culture. All the tables seat 4+. Since there were only two of us, we didn't want to hog a table. We do like sitting at the bar and there were two stools available. It was a bit loud since the Tyson fight was happening later and the opening act fights were on. A plus was we were at the end of the bar where all the food comes from. So I was able to see quite a few dishes before ordering. I'm glad we sat at the bar. It made interaction with staff easy. Especially since everyone has to order at the bar.

I went with the Big Matt Burger cooked medium with jalapenos and onion rings. My wife ordered the Clubhouse sandwich and Cajun tots with ranch. The cook came and asked me if I wanted my jalapenos heated or not. I really appreciated the effort. The burger was cooked perfectly and tasted better than I expected. It’s not a smash burger. The patty is thick and the seasoning was wonderful. I liked the onion rings. The clubhouse was fab! I was pleased to see only two pieces of bread that were perfectly toasted. The tots were good. The food is served on metal trays.

I would have ordered a cocktail but the only sweet vermouth was Martini & Rossi and it wasn't refrigerated. Also there were no amaros, Luxardo maraschino liqueur, nocino or other mixers/liqueurs I could combine with their base spirits to make the kind of cocktails I prefer. I find that's common with beer focused bars. When in a Chinese joint, one shouldn't ask for a pizza. So I ordered a stout. My wife ordered the blackberry cider. It was very good. I liked it enough that I almost ordered it. For my follow up, I ordered a margarita with reposado tequila. I wanted more flavor so I asked for some Grand Marnier to add which greatly improved the taste. I'm not a fan of margaritas in rocks glasses but that's me. I know some owners aren't fond of stemmed glassware. Little Conejo serves margaritas in rocks glasses too. It's a choice.

Double Barrel is a very good neighborhood bar & grill. It’s great if you’re looking for a pub-like atmosphere or good burgers or sandwiches or to watch sports.

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As you cruise along the ever charming Highway 99 The Double Barrel Taproom looks either like an adjunct to the Battery X Change or possibly a citadel of doom with its dark windows and grey paint. It does not capture the eye or lure the weary wanderer. Luckily google is blind to such things and leads me to the day’s repast.

The inside is a surprise. The exterior looks a tad foreboding, the windows dark, but from the inside, they fill the room with natural light. It’s a good feel for a bar, unusual, healthy.

As a tenderfoot, I am a little lost at first. I take a seat for awhile until I finally find the sign that says, Order at the Bar, I suppose once you know you know, but I get the feeling I might have sat for quite awhile.

I opt for the club sandwich with fries and look around. The bar tender/waitress is nice, I like the two barrels up on the wall… I get it, double barrel. They have a pool table and a couple a gentlemen are having a pleasant game along with their lunch.

And now to the the crux of the matter. The food. The Club Sandwich is a solid B. Not the best I’ve had and not the worst. Not really skimpy, but certainly not huge for the price. A good B sandwich. My first bite of the fries and I think, “I’m rescued!” I think, “Perfect!” A great crunch! But then something happens and the perfection starts to slip. There is something a little off about the texture for me the more I eat. And then I get it. The inside of the fries are completely soft. Like mashed potatoes. Light crunch on the outside and totally soft on the inside. Either these are made from a mix or they are doing something to them.

After the the first few fries they start feeling a bit insipid. Ok, they’re not bad. I’d still give them a solid B. And if I had spent an exhausting day shopping at Walmart and then had to have my battery exchanged I would absolutely stop and grab a bite at Double Barrel TapHouse, but there are so many other places in town that have A+ food and if I was going out for an event, I’d probably go elsewhere. It’s an honest solid 4 star. There’s nothing wrong with that.

Now on the other hand the bartender was a full 5 star. ...