The Elbow Room

Dive! Dive!

The Elbow Room is a bar inside Paul’s restaurant. It has a dive bar vibe, but if you’re savvy, you’ll discover that the self-deprecating bartender—who could easily pass as a gas station attendant in Oklahoma—is actually cloaking his superpowers. In reality, he’s a superb mixologist, born and bred in Vancouver. That’s because The Elbow Room is now headed by noted veteran cocktail guru Toby Maloney, who is hiring staff aligned with his vision of a 1970s-style bar. Instead of making a big splash, Maloney appears to be growing the bar slowly. At present, their stock is missing some mixers and liqueurs needed for craft cocktails, but the bartenders are remarkably clever at finding legitimate substitutions. This cocktail snob certainly enjoyed the drinks. I tried one of their “Bar Bites” called Disco Tots—tater tots with gravy and cheddar cheese. Next time, I’ll go for the “Cowboy” version, which comes with jalapeños, chili, and cheddar. I really like the vibe of The Elbow Room and hope to see the cocktail program rise to the level of Toby Maloney’s reputation.✌🏻

https://www.paulselbowroom.com/