Gaoler's Mews
Gaoler's Mews
3.5
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Gastown
A visit to Gastown is like turning back the clock and stepping into a bygone era. With the distinction of being Vancouver's oldest neighborhood, the many plaques that stud the cobbled streets of Gastown tell the story of its colorful past, giving Vancouver's history a more lively presence here than anywhere else. Having been originally founded around a popular worker's saloon, it's no wonder that today some of Vancouver's best micro-breweries, creative cocktail joints, and corner bars can be found in this area. Classical charm suffuses its many vintage boutiques and the brick-built structures that an army of creative professionals call home.
How to get there
- Stadium–Chinatown • 7 min walk
- Waterfront • 8 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
2,953 within 3 miles
Attractions
680 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.5
8 reviews
Excellent
1
Very good
1
Average
5
Poor
1
Terrible
0
PookyCake
Victoria, Canada14,832 contributions
Aug 2024 • Solo
I’d written a far lengthier review of Gaoler’s Mews last year; however, it was rejected, apparently, because I talked too much about one of the ghost stories associated with this area of Gastown. Thus, I won’t say much about that in this revised – and much shorter – review. Instead, I’ll just say if you want to learn more about this area’s grim history (and its associated ghost stories), then check out Forbidden Vancouver’s excellent “Lost Souls of Gastown.”
In any event, it’s amazing how fast time flies. It’s hard to believe nearly a year has passed since my last visit to the Gastown neighbourhood. The biggest observable change in that time? A large section of Water Street has become a “pedestrian zone;” that is to say, there’s no vehicle traffic coming through Gastown less the odd tour bus and emergency vehicles. I will readily confess this was a surprising change, but it is apparently only in effect through the summer. Anyway, while ambling about Gastown, I decided to revisit the always exciting Gaoler’s Mews.
Gaoler’s Mews is one of those attractions where you need to do one of two things in order to really appreciate it: 1) Take a guided tour of Gastown; or, 2) Read up on the site before you visit it. Failing to do either of these will result in a comment similar to bl0ndie72’s below: “Not quite sure how Gaolers Mews is a tourist attraction as it’s a little alleyway [. . .] Probably of historic note?” To be fair, though, the comment isn’t out of line. If you’re walking through Gastown and come upon Gaoler’s Mews, all you’ll spy are the signposts. There’s no information plaque of note – at least not that I’ve seen – to provide that all-important historical context. It’s just a sign and “a little alleyway.” Thus, one’s confusion as to how this can be a “thing to do” in Vancouver is understandable. In my case, it wasn’t until I took a walking tour with Forbidden Vancouver (“Lost Souls of Gastown”) that the importance of Gaoler’s Mews came into focus.
It is indeed the history – most of which you can no longer see – that makes Gaoler’s Mews noteworthy. In the mid-1800s this area was the site of Vancouver’s first jail (which later burned to the ground in the Great Fire of 1886). The courtyard at the end of Gaoler’s Mews was also home to a hangman’s scaffold, which apparently saw over 40 persons hanged in public fashion. As you might’ve guessed, with such a tainted past, it is no surprise that many ghost stories have sprung up.
And, well, I’m not going to lie. The history is really neat and paints a darker picture of Gastown; however, Gaoler’s Mews is still very much just an alleyway. We may look at it a little differently once we learn and understand the ghoulish history; or, we might chuckle at the absurd juxtaposition of dark past with the trendy present. I mean, who wouldn’t want to enjoy some “terrine of duck foie gras” at L’Abattoir or indulge in an exclusive meal at No. 1 Gaoler’s Mews knowing over 40 people met the hangman’s noose nearby? Let them eat their cake, I say!
In any event, it’s amazing how fast time flies. It’s hard to believe nearly a year has passed since my last visit to the Gastown neighbourhood. The biggest observable change in that time? A large section of Water Street has become a “pedestrian zone;” that is to say, there’s no vehicle traffic coming through Gastown less the odd tour bus and emergency vehicles. I will readily confess this was a surprising change, but it is apparently only in effect through the summer. Anyway, while ambling about Gastown, I decided to revisit the always exciting Gaoler’s Mews.
Gaoler’s Mews is one of those attractions where you need to do one of two things in order to really appreciate it: 1) Take a guided tour of Gastown; or, 2) Read up on the site before you visit it. Failing to do either of these will result in a comment similar to bl0ndie72’s below: “Not quite sure how Gaolers Mews is a tourist attraction as it’s a little alleyway [. . .] Probably of historic note?” To be fair, though, the comment isn’t out of line. If you’re walking through Gastown and come upon Gaoler’s Mews, all you’ll spy are the signposts. There’s no information plaque of note – at least not that I’ve seen – to provide that all-important historical context. It’s just a sign and “a little alleyway.” Thus, one’s confusion as to how this can be a “thing to do” in Vancouver is understandable. In my case, it wasn’t until I took a walking tour with Forbidden Vancouver (“Lost Souls of Gastown”) that the importance of Gaoler’s Mews came into focus.
It is indeed the history – most of which you can no longer see – that makes Gaoler’s Mews noteworthy. In the mid-1800s this area was the site of Vancouver’s first jail (which later burned to the ground in the Great Fire of 1886). The courtyard at the end of Gaoler’s Mews was also home to a hangman’s scaffold, which apparently saw over 40 persons hanged in public fashion. As you might’ve guessed, with such a tainted past, it is no surprise that many ghost stories have sprung up.
And, well, I’m not going to lie. The history is really neat and paints a darker picture of Gastown; however, Gaoler’s Mews is still very much just an alleyway. We may look at it a little differently once we learn and understand the ghoulish history; or, we might chuckle at the absurd juxtaposition of dark past with the trendy present. I mean, who wouldn’t want to enjoy some “terrine of duck foie gras” at L’Abattoir or indulge in an exclusive meal at No. 1 Gaoler’s Mews knowing over 40 people met the hangman’s noose nearby? Let them eat their cake, I say!
Written August 25, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris D
New Westminster, Canada3,366 contributions
Jul 2020
Haven't been here for a while, but was making a special trip to see the murals (only about two short blocks away) so thought I would have a look.
Sadly (at least for us history buffs) this little back lane area is looking funkier and funkier, but less and less as it once did when the City of Vancouver started here about six generations ago.
Tourists interested in architecture and urban redevelopment will enjoy seeing what is new, while those with active imaginations can speculate on what once was.
Sadly (at least for us history buffs) this little back lane area is looking funkier and funkier, but less and less as it once did when the City of Vancouver started here about six generations ago.
Tourists interested in architecture and urban redevelopment will enjoy seeing what is new, while those with active imaginations can speculate on what once was.
Written July 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KGB777
Singapore, Singapore41,221 contributions
This small section of Gastown has been renovated and now contains a few decent restaurants and coffee shops. Looks quite attractive and is worth wandering through.
Written October 30, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris D
New Westminster, Canada3,366 contributions
Feb 2018 • Solo
Funky and charming, I'll admit, but so is the whole neighbourhood. I note two of the three previous reports refer to the neighbourhood in general, rather than this building in particular. Worth a quick look if you're in the neighbourhood.
Written February 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
finglaspete
Dublin, Ireland2,515 contributions
Mar 2016 • Friends
I really liked Gastown, it kind of reminded me of the wild west you see in the movies, I suppose it was the design of some of the buildings.
Lots to do around here for the tourist, lots of Canadian gift shops, bars, restaurants etc, I would say as a visitor that you'll end up here on your travels around Vancouver. Nice place.
Lots to do around here for the tourist, lots of Canadian gift shops, bars, restaurants etc, I would say as a visitor that you'll end up here on your travels around Vancouver. Nice place.
Written April 7, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
issueskid
Coventry, UK1,557 contributions
Nov 2024 • Solo
Nothing to see here but there’s a great vegan restaurant called Meet. Other than that it’s just an alleyway with some shops.
Written November 12, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bl0ndie72
Ko Samui, Thailand3,516 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
Not quite sure how Gaolers Mews is a tourist attraction as it’s a little alleyway & useful cut through...
Probably of historic note?
Probably of historic note?
Written February 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sashakeena
Vancouver, Canada11,943 contributions
Nov 2016 • Couples
Gastown has change over the years with the addition of some renovated buildings. It's worth taking a casual stroll into this part of town, maybe taking in the sites & sounds.
Written December 26, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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