There’s a new heavy hitter in the national cocktail scene, and it’s located right in the heart of Uptown Vancouver. In a historic first for our city, The Elbow Room has been named a semifinalist for the 2026 James Beard Award for Best New Bar. For those who don’t follow the “Oscars of the food world,” this is a massive deal…it’s the first time a Vancouver-based establishment has ever cracked the national short list for these prestigious awards.
This Dive Bar is Now a “James Beard” Darling
If you’re a longtime local, you probably remember the original Elbow Room (attached to Paul’s Restaurant) as a classic, no-nonsense dive bar. But in 2025, the space underwent a “zhuzhing” that transformed it into a ’70s-throwback cocktail haven.
The secret sauce? The team brought in Toby Maloney, a two-time James Beard winner and the legendary mind behind Chicago’s The Violet Hour and New York’s Pegu Club. Maloney helped curate a beverage program that has, quite plainly, knocked it out of the park.
Vancouver Finally Gets Recognition!
For years, the James Beard Foundation has largely looked across the Columbia River to Portland when handing out Northwest accolades. Seeing a Vancouver name on a list alongside icons like Le Pigeon and Scotch Lodge signals a major shift in our local culinary gravity.
So When Are the Winners Announced?
The “semifinalist” nomination is the first step. The final nominees will be announced on March 31, 2026, and the winners will be celebrated at the gala in Chicago on June 15, 2026.
Even if our local Elbow Room doesn’t take home the final medal, being named one of the “Best New Bars” in the entire country is a win for every foodie in Clark County.