UBC Robson Square

One of our city’s best kept secrets, Robson Square (ice rink and surrounding spaces) is Vancouver’s unofficial dance underground. There are officially sanctioned events, of course. Anyone can find Salsa Sundays and Ballroom Fridays here in the summer. But there’s more, beyond even the unofficial breakdance groups and random open practices.
Robson Square is quite simply the heartbeat of the city’s dance and movement-​arts underground. Dance troupes, circus arts performers from hoopers to jugglers to staff spinners, cultural folk groups, medeival sword enthusasts, capoeiristas, freestyle basketball artists, martial artists… the list of movement enthusiasts who regularly use this space goes on and on.
It is a legacy spanning decades, the story goes, to when security chased free-​movement practitioners away. Over time, an uneasy truce and eventually a grudging respect developed organically between the organisations that oversee the space and the many groups who use it now. And now the streets of Vancouver are more colourful and vibrant with movement and character thanks in no small part to the presence of this vital community space that attracts movers and shakers, dancers and breakers from all walks of life and of all ages.
Don’t take my word for it, see for yourself. Just don’t be surprised if it’s hard at first to see. The diverse peoples who use this space are not organised into any single group or entity… different folks will be present at any given time. But if you spend enough time there, especially when the weather is fine, you will see it clearly. And once you see, it will be impossible to unsee how vital Robson Square is to the vibrant cultural fabric of this city.

I will be honest, I use this when I need to go to the Bathroom. I love their free events that happen at various times of the year: Ice Skating, Salsa dancing etc. It’s dark on a summers day. I’ve come here to do homework before.

Probably shouldn’t be revealing this but a great pit stop to use the bathroom and/​or work quietly at their study room at the front. If you get the corner round table which is by itself facing the rest of the tables, I can even make client calls ;)
The wifi is a bit spotty so I usually just tether off my Rogers anyways. But it’s spacious and bright, and usually not too busy during the day when I’m there periodically, though i’m sure with night classes, it does get busy.
Plus a comfortable seating lounge in the middle too.

On Sunday’s in the Summer, for a few weeks. UBC Robson Square turns into a Salsa dance floor. This has undoubtedly become one of the best FREE Vancouver traditions in the summer to go out and dance.
Started by Jennifer and Steven Dancey (yes, that is their last name) of Dancey Ballroom. They bring some of the top teachers to give free lessons starting at 3 pm and some wonderful demonstrations by local dances at 5 pm.
Running from 3 – 7:30 pm for a few weeks in the summer, this is a great place to come with your friends and family to have fun.
Oh, did I mention that it was FREE???

Good place to meet up with a group and study. It’s conveniently located near the City Centre skytrain station. You do need to be a student/​faculty to book the rooms, otherwise you can find any open table and have a seat.
Bonus: if you need to relax, then check out the free ice skating rink just outside.

UBC = Underground Bunker Compound.
That’s exactly what this place is. Everything is underground which is a bit depressing on a nice sunny day. I never realized how much I missed windows and natural light! I can see how spoiled I was out at the Point campus.
The plus side is the staff — both instructors and Uni staff. Instructors are absolutely top notch! Onsite staff are really helpful and ensure you have everything you need for your learning experience.
Even though your underground, the facilities are excellent. The classrooms are well kept and well stocked. The lounge areas are beautiful with big comfy chairs. Lots of attention to detail.
The strange thing was the washrooms though. Kinda felt like they were the one place that was forgotten with all the other upgrades. I felt like I was back in my high school or something — just didn’t match the rest of the compound.
All in all a great experience. Just make sure you spend your breaks outside!

Sketchy characters. Music blaring. The smell of Mary Jane in the air intertwined with gin.
I am obviously talking about the rooftop garden, and not the UBC campus itself… but wouldn’t it be fun to be in a class full of randoms smelling like gin??? :]
This campus isn’t my preferred one, but many people do use this for continuing education… I was here for a reading.
Also someone should tell those «dancers» in the bottom of the courtyard to fuck off. The reading was going on and the sound of the annoying rap music came into the book store, in sporadic bits… and just when you thought it stopped – it resumed again. FUCK!

vancouver is the city of glass towers and parks, which i really liked, but there was a noticeable lack of open space within the urban center. this square is one of the only ones that i am aware of. its a little hidden because it is elevated about 1 story off of the busy street. from one corner, the square invites you up via an intriguing set of winding staircases. its away from noise and has plenty of benches, greenery, water features, and views.

2.5 stars. for the conference facilities
In my never ending quest and thirst for education, I was here quenching that thirst. The facilities are not set up for a fancy conference room for business professionals. It is for students, some my review is somewhat unfair for that reason. The room that I was in was in the basement, and it was, for all intents and purposes, a classroom.
Food was catered and was quite good. Unfortunately I can’t remember who the caterer was.

I took a really fun Beer & Whiskey Tasting Course here through Continuing Studies. The location is convenient (easy to get to from the skytrain or bus), and the instructor was great. I do find it kind of unfortunate that my class was held right next to the skating rink, since the music was a bit loud (it was kind of like taking a course next door to a night club). But, then again, it’s not like tasting beer and whiskey requires all that much concentration.

I’ve been here too many times and after you get over the fact that it’s entirely underground it totally loses it’s appeal.
I’ve been here for lectures, conferences and the like and in terms of serving it’s purpose, it does the job.
However, if it’s a nice day, it can be kind of depressing down there because not an ounce of sunlight can be found.
If it’s still under construction don’t go at all because it’s too much chaos.

I’ve never had a concrete reason to be at UBC Robson Square (for university business that is), but due to the cute, hidden, roof-​top garden I’ve found myself here nonetheless.
The bushes and plants rise up around a slightly labyrinthine pathway bridging varying levels and sitting areas. Even following many an exploration I’m still confused about the layout… perhaps a quick scan of Google Maps would reveal the mystery to me.
To access the garden, take the stair well from the south side of Robson Street between Howe and Hornby streets. It’s closer to the Hornby end. From there, a twisting set of concrete stairs cuts into the garden, which offers lunching visitors the options of benches or patches of lush grass.
My only word of caution is to take a friend. I’ve frequently encountered dodgy-​yet-​likely-​harmless characters here. Mostly passed out on a sunny spot of grass. But, I prefer not to take my chances with «likely-​not-​dodgy» characters.