The Sin Bin

Friday da 13^th 2015…
I was about crossing da street for going to da Sin Bin.
What I found…
A HUGE GRAFFITI ALL OVER DA WINDOWS…
THIS PLACE IS OBVIOUSLY CLOSED BY NOW…
Also the store next to da Sin Bin doing a closing sale…
That smell like a CONDO CONSPIRACY…
Just too bad…
This place was great for watching games and getting drunk without shame…

I like the Sin Bin for what it is… an actual sports bar. They have the big screens, volume on, and people who are into the games. The food and drink– nothing fancy, but fine.

We went on the Women Rugby World Cup Final and it was packed. They did a great job considering. Decent beer selection and the food was worth the wait. I will be returning.

What pub has a patio, yet they won’t serve booze on it? Yep, that’s right… if that’s what you’ve been looking for, you came to the right place! Also, the Monday advertised specials ($ 3.50 draught beer and highballs) is non existent… it’s right on the menu and website and the waitress just said uhhh we don’t have that anymore! Needless to say my friends and I just walked out. Another side note… no A/​C and the place kinda smells like pee… nasty!!! Definately won’t be stepping foot in this place ever again!

I’ve wanted to try the Sin Bin for ages, mostly because I love the name. When we were on the hunt for a bar on a Friday night in the Olympic Village area, we ended up here since every other place had an hour or more wait. All of the tables were full, but we were easily able to find two seats at the bar.
The Sin Bin is quite nice inside, with wooden tables and interesting décor. There’s also lots of TV’s, which is fitting since the Sin Bin bills itself as a sports bar. The drink list itself is mediocre (especially for cocktails), but my husband was able to find a beer he liked on tap.
I think the bartender we had was new, since he had trouble remembering what kind of wings we ordered, and the service itself was lacking. As for the wings, they were okay, not great. We tried the southern fried style wings, so maybe the sauced wings are better? We also opted for veggies on the side, which is not worth the price, since it only amounted to 2 carrot strips and 2 strips of celery.
Overall, I can see why people would like to come here, since it’s a nice place to watch sports off the beaten path. However, I doubt I’d come here again for anything more than a drink.

Kind of a randomly placed dive/​sports bar — good for the hockey and UFC fans (lots of posters, tv’s, fans). Décor inside is also kind of random, mostly like a wooden winter lodge, but at the same time there are these fancy paper lanterns hanging off the ceiling.
The service doesn’t exactly stand out, but the servers get their job done. Our server didn’t seem exactly happy to be there. I did order a mudslide which didn’t come for about 15 minutes, so I had to remind her to get my order.
Our group got a platter of nachos — this is huge! There are different types of chips (regular, blue corn, etc). The cheese, tomatoes, & olives are not mixed very well (just drizzled on top). The salsa was mushy/​watery, and the guac was a little too homogeneous for my taste.

After striking out in Olympic village on a cold friday night (2 hour wait at craft beer hall, 45 minutes at tap & barrel) we wandered over to sin bin. It was about half full, music was blaring and people seemed to be having a good time. It wasn’t really our scene but we gave it a shot.
The décor is very worn. I suspect not much has been touched since the place opened a few years ago. UFC posters everywhere (more than I’ve seen in any bar before). My wife noticed that the wood floor was sticky.
We figured we would stay for a couple of drinks. My first drink arrived wrong (in fairness to the waitress the music was quite loud, she actually turned it down after taking our order). She happily fixed it and grabbed the correct drink.
The beer and wine prices were about average for the area, however I guess I was maybe expecting this place would be a little cheaper (they had a decent cheap special for a bucket if pilsners).
Bill arrived and my beer was in the computer for more than the menu. I guess they had raised their prices but not bothered to update the menu.
The staff was really nice and fixed it. I think it’s the staff that must keep people coming back to this place as my wife and I noticed they were all so nice.
With other less ‘rough around the edge’ places in the neighbourhood for around the same price or a little bit more I’m not sure I will come back.

I liked this place. It’s a no frills no spills kind of sports bar. Great for gamesas there are lots of tvs and staff are friendly enough to put anything on for you.

It is a shame that this place is so drab given the central location and copious amount of televisions/​channels. Sin Bin has potential but their food menu is very lacking and what they do have is not even prepared well — how do you screw up wings? If I am to pay too much for beer, I at least expect the food to be good. I have given this place a few tries but I will never go there again. Service, food, and booze were all mediocre. Step up Sin Bin.

Looking for a sports bar after playing some intense floor hockey, we finally decided on Sin Bin, as our regular joint was closed. We had 8 people, so our choice had to be able to accommodate us last minute with so many people.
We got to Sin Bin but quickly realized it was comedy night, which while cool, wasn’t what we were after. We wanted a place we could shoot the shit and analyze the game. However, as we turned to leave, a waitress stopped us and when we explained what we were looking for she took us to a back room. The VIP room. Ooooh. No one was in there so they set us up with lights, cleaned the table, put some music on and suddenly we had a quiet room to ourselves. Usually I am wary of getting put in a room off the regular path of the servers, but our waitress did a good job of checking up on us and keeping our glasses full. Props to her.
Service aside, there was nothing special about Sin Bin. The menu was average, and the beer selection very generic. The only good things available were Mirror Pond, which of course was sold out, and Fat Tug. These beers also come at a premium, so $ 21 for the pitcher of Fat Tug. Their cocktail selection was equally laughable with options like Mai Tai and Singapore Sling. Fruity concoctions with bottom shelf liquor.
I tried some of my friend’s calamari and it was greasy. Not great. Otherwise, I didn’t partake in food. And nothing caught my eye on the menu other than their crazy loaded burger with beef patty, sausage, pulled pork and some other meat option. But that was only for curiosity sake. My friend ordered it, but didn’t have much to say about it.
They did a good job of accommodating us, but it’s not a place I would go out of my way to visit.

²⁄₃₀ day challenge
I came here for a private event held in the back room. Before this, I had no idea that this place existed, or that it contained said back room. A bit of a random location for me, but I could see how it would be a laid back neighbourhood pub for people who happen to live nearby.
Before our event started, we sat in the main area and ordered drinks and the spinach and cheese dip. The dip was quite tasty; I would say on par with your average pub fare, and the service was friendly and prompt. At the event we also had a chance to sample a couple of the other appetizers on the menu (veggies and dip, coconut shrimp, yam fries etc.) All of it was your average pub grub, tasty but nothing spectacular, with the exception of the coconut shrimp, which was excellent.
At the end of the event we caught the beginning of the comedy routine. These tend to be hit and miss in my books, so we weren’t too keen to stay, but it was entertaining if that’s the sort of thing that appeals to you.
Overall friendly staff, good service and decent food. I wouldn’t seek this place out specifically, but it’s good for a drink and appies if you’re in the neighbourhood.

My 5 stars are for a very basic reason: I didn’t get sick.
See, I have food allergies and they’re items that are either in basically all food OR a product of high cross-​contamination. I get sick after almost all restaurant meals. But nothing here and I stuffed myself with so much food.
I talked my friend in to the potato wedges (I thought they’d be more like potato skins but they came out like nachos but with potato wedges and gorgonzola. Freaking good) and I had a patty melt with Italian Wedding soup. So good. The bread was good quality multigrain, the patty was juice and fully cooked and the Italian Wedding Soup was chock full of the pasta. So good.
And as I said in my check in, they have really good coffee, strong but not bitter and they are liberal with the top ups. Always a plus for me!
Our server was polite and quick. She didn’t hover but she always made sure to check if I wanted more coffee. She even asked if we wanted to wait on ordering lunch until we finished our wedges. I had a great experience and I can’t wait to go back.

Came here for a comedy night over the weekend, which they decided to hold in some weird private room in the back that was a little like hanging out in somebody’s unfinished basement (sheets on the walls/​ceiling, Ikea lamps for lighting).
Seemed like an OK place, but their buckets of Pilsner on special only contained 3 beers (really, guys? 3 beers is a handful, not a bucket), the Nachos were subpar, and the funniest comedians of the night spent their sets ripping on the space they were performing in (which doesn’t bode well for the establishment). I might be encouraged to come back and watch a hockey game here, assuming I find myself on this desolate strip of West 2^nd again. Otherwise I probably wouldn’t bother.

Sin Bin is an OK place to hangout casually. Food is just par. Nothing spectacular.
I would avoid this place for UFC nights despite all the posters they have advertising UFC. We live close by and thought we catch the fight there instead of ordering PPV. We called for a reservation with no issue but was told when we got there we needed to pay a cash cover for the event. What? You are a pub, not a night club. Why does the cover need to be cash? It wasn’t like we weren’t ordering food and/​or drinks. Also, we got stuffed in a corner where the TV screen was right beside us. So it was very hard to see anything. Then they crammed another table of six people right next to us. I didn’t even have room to move my chair out from the table.
Just figuring it was a rough night I went back there for brunch with a Groupon deal. I ordered the rice bowl. They were out of the teriyaki sauce or whatever but the waitress didn’t inform me ahead of time. Came back later to ask if Thai peanut would be OK. Sure. I’m not picky. Then when I got my food the peanut was stale! Couldn’t eat it. The waitress never came back to ask if the food was OK. When she took away the bowl that was essentially full, not even then did she ask if the food was OK. When I was paying I said I had a Groupon and she literally grumbled.
Since then I have ordered UFC at home or gone somewhere else. The cost works out to be similar.
They do have a brand new patio. Could be enjoyable if you decide to venture in. Personally I’m avoiding this place unless I have no other choice.

Mmmmmm eggs benny. I was privileged to try the Sin Bin’s new breakfast offerings, and they’ve got something like 8 different bennies on their morning menu!
Now sometimes this dish can go super bad for me — not only am I a vegetarian, making the offerings typically limited and a bit plain, but I prefer hollandaise sauce on the side (if at all) and sometimes that means my poached eggs look like little martian… uh, heads. This is not good for my delicate appetite in the morning!
I was stoked when I saw the benny menu on facebook… not only were there 3 vegetarian offerings but they were interesting (ratatouille benny! Mushroom gouda benny! Nom nom nom.) I ended up going with the ratatouille benny, and was really impressed. The combo of fennel and vegetables was great, the eggs were soft as I requested and nothing was greasy/​oily/​aka the breakfast chefs know what they’re doing.
The waitress was awesome. Though they had $ 6 caesars on special (it was a Saturday) I was in no place for drinking and she made me the best juice in the world in my hungover state. To top it off the potato hash browns were crispy and delightful. Honestly, breakfast like that can save a life after partying the night before. I’ll be back to try the other options!

A-​ok is a perfect descriptor. There’s nothing truly bad about the Sin Bin. Service is fine, cleanliness is fine, décor/​ambiance/​vibe is all fine. Lots of TV’s that you can see from anywhere you sit, good daily specials on food & drink… food is very tasty, and great value for what you get. Drinks are strong, and beer specials are good ($ 4 pilsner cans!). We like coming here because it’s not (yet) packed like everywhere else for hockey/​UFC/​world series. During the olympics I did a shot-​ski here with like eight other people. Not sure if that’s normal?!
Also, I don’t have a dog but thought that dog owners would appreciate this: There is a patio that doesn’t have furniture on it from October-​March, and it’s fully enclosed with high railings. We always see customers putting their dogs out there while they’re inside, and both parties can see each other from the large windows.

Both of my experiences here have been during the Rugby world cup, as my Kiwi roommate drug me along to be a spectator for a sport that I know absolutely nothing about! Of course, with a couple beer into me, I oooed & aaahed over all of the whatchamacallits happening during the game, along with the rest of the happy patronage.
This place has been packed both times I’ve gone. It’s got cheap east coast beer, so I’m already a happy bunny, and it’s also got super friendly barstaff… but aside from all that, it also has a niche: It’s the kiwi/​aussie bar.
Which means the entire place was chock full of Kiwi expats! (Who knew Vancouver had so many!).
For being in a bit of an awkward spot, it certainly is quite buzzing. I’d go again.

I don’t often get Wednesdays off, but when I do… I quite often make a line to The Sin Bin for some wings, and maybe a gin and tonic or two…
I’ve tried a few different ones… the Honey Garlic (umm… no thanks), the hot wings (please please. more more!), and the BBQ (oh so good sometimes… oh so average at others).
My ideal wing from this place would be a mixture of the hot wings rolling a bit in the bbq sauce… the bbq is great at times (a little kick of heat at the end), but other times… it’s just bbq. The hot wings have a nice heat to them.
Have I had anything else there… no. Just wings… just gin… just tonic. Is it enough to keep me coming back on Wednesdays… yes… yes it is. :)
Word to the wise… time your arrival carefully… there is a flow of Dragonboaters that come in on Wednesdays… and they don’t really disrupt anything on it’s own… but damn is it hard to pay the bill with the amount of staff they have for the amount of people that come in.

Went to Sin Bin to catch the last Canucks game of the season. I don’t expect speedy service during a busy game night, but to wait close to the end of 2^nd period to get our appetizers? We ordered about 30mins before puck drop.
Skip anything deep fried as it all came out over done.
For an entrée I tried the Southwestern BBQ ribs. I was sold on the menu description and was expecting 1lb of meaty goodness… However, when it finally arrived, it was a chewy mess.

Poor service, horrible food, casual pub
This place opened up during the Olympics and the first night we went there was the 1^st night Olympics started, so it was a great mix of people, made me feel like I was in Europe again. Irish, Russians, Norweigans were some of the mix.
I’ve noticed that no one ordered food but only drinks. We were so hungry and ordered calamari, wings and spinach dip. ALL were exceptionally BAD. Yes, my friends and I couldn’t finish it. Calamari was over fried and used the cheapest kind. Spinach dip was cold and was made of mostly sour cream, but spinach? Almost zilch.
Also, I couldn’t believe they were charging $ 10 for cover during the games. I woulnd’t recommend this place for food, even when they have specials.
Waitress not well trained and we had to go up to bar to grab 2^nd drinks. I would only recommend this place during game (if they stop charging cover)! I cannot imagine Montréal or any European places to charge cover during the Olympics? I don’t recall Italy taking advantage of the locals.
But than again, the owner is all about making$ and from what I can see, don’t really care much about the patrons or their loyalty.
So a No go… instead go to Milestones down the street, better service, great food and view!