The Keefer Bar
The Keefer Bar is an independently owned, apothecary-inspired cocktail bar in Vancouver's Chinatown offering 25+ unique cocktails, dim sum, and weekly live events. It serves adult nightlife and cocktail enthusiasts through walk-in, reservation, and an online branded-merchandise storefront.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersVancouver, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Keefer Bar does
The Keefer Bar is an independently owned, liquor-primary cocktail bar operating from a single location at 135 Keefer Street in Vancouver's Chinatown, British Columbia, Canada. Founded circa 2010, the venue positions itself as an apothecary-inspired concept offering more than 25 unique cocktails built from premium spirits, fresh herbs, exotic spices, and handcrafted homemade ingredients, alongside a supporting dim sum and bar snacks menu. The bar runs an extended-hours operation (4pm-1am Sun-Thu, 4pm-2am Fri-Sat) with nightly feature cocktails, weekly recurring events including live music and DJ nights, and a tiered cocktail program spanning standard Signature/Alumni cocktails ($14-$24), Reserve Classics ($25-$140), and happy hour pricing (4pm-6pm Sun-Fri).
The business monetizes through two primary revenue streams. The dominant stream is on-premise food and beverage sales transacted at point of sale, supplemented by a direct-to-consumer e-commerce merchandise channel that sells branded apparel (t-shirts at $30-$35) and limited-edition posters via print-on-demand fulfillment through the bar's own online storefront. Reservations for parties of 1-6 are managed through the Resy platform, with larger groups routed through an internal booking form. Distribution is purely physical for the core experience (one Vancouver venue) and digital global for merchandise.
The Keefer Bar operates as a private, founder-controlled company with no disclosed parent, institutional investors, or funding history. Headcount stands at approximately 10 employees. The team's principal growth initiative is a second concept called Acre, a restaurant venture announced for Cambie Village in 2024. Marketing is executed through organic social media (Instagram, Facebook, X) and earned media generated by sustained industry recognition, including a #49 ranking in North America's 50 Best Bars 2024, #8 in Canada's 100 Best Bars 2023, #25 in North America's 50 Best Bars 2022, a Best Patio award in 2022, and coverage in Condé Nast Traveler.
The Keefer Bar firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Keefer Bar
- Legal name
- The Keefer Bar
- Website
- https://thekeeferbar.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Keefer Bar is an independently owned, apothecary-inspired cocktail bar in Vancouver's Chinatown offering 25+ unique cocktails, dim sum, and weekly live events. It serves adult nightlife and cocktail enthusiasts through walk-in, reservation, and an online branded-merchandise storefront.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Keefer Bar industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cocktail Bar Hospitality
- NAICS
- Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (72241)
- SIC
- Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cocktail Bars & Lounges (CRANACAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Neighborhood Bars & Taverns (CRANACAA), Bars & Pubs (Non-Music) (MPAGAIAC)
Keywords
Where The Keefer Bar is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Vancouver
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Keefer Bar business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- On-site food & beverage sales: The primary revenue stream is on-site sales of cocktails, food, wine, beer, sake, and non-alcoholic beverages. The bar is described as liquor-primary, with over 25 unique cocktails, bar snacks, dim sum, small plates, and desserts. Revenue is generated per-transaction at point of sale.
- Merchandise e-commerce: The bar operates an online store selling branded merchandise including t-shirts (Classic Keefer Tee, Not Too Sweet Tee, Skeleton Kiss Tee, 16th Anniversary Tee) and the 16th Anniversary Poster. Products are printed to order and shipped direct to consumers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Signature / Alumni Cocktails |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Reserve Classics Cocktails |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Nightly Feature Cocktails |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Beer, Wine & Sake |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Food Menu |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Branded Merchandise |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
The Keefer Bar product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Keefer Bar is a liquor-primary, apothecary-inspired cocktail bar in Vancouver's Chinatown offering 25+ unique handcrafted cocktails alongside dim sum, bar snacks, and a curated spirits list. The business also generates ancillary revenue through an online merchandise store selling branded t-shirts and limited-edition posters, and a reservation-based service managed via Resy.
Product overview
The Keefer Bar is an apothecary-inspired cocktail bar offering a diverse selection of over 25 unique cocktails alongside food and merchandise. The core offering is the cocktail experience featuring premium spirits, fresh herbs, exotic spices, and handcrafted concoctions. Supporting products include a cocktail menu (with sections for Summer Prescriptions, Alumni Prescriptions, Reserve Classics), Happy Hour service, Dim Sum menu, and an extensive Spirits List. The business also operates a merchandise store selling branded apparel (t-shirts including Classic Keefer Tee, Not Too Sweet Tees, Skeleton Kiss Tee) and a reservation service via Resy for parties up to 6 people.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Acre: A new concept from The Keefer Bar team, described as a restaurant venture (http://acrebaja.com/).
Products and services
- The Keefer Bar Cocktail Experience An apothecary-inspired on-premise cocktail bar service offering 25+ unique handcrafted cocktails featuring premium spirits, fresh herbs, exotic spices, and homemade concoctions, served in a dark moody atmosphere. Targeted at adults 19+ seeking a distinctive nightlife and cocktail experience.
- Happy Hour Daily happy hour from 4pm-6pm Sunday-Friday offering 25% off bar snacks and dim sum, plus discounted cocktails and drinks. Targeted at cost-conscious adults 19+ visiting the bar in early evening windows.
- Dim Sum & Bar Food Menu Asian-inspired bar food offering including bar snack trio, dim sum items (ha gow, siu mai, pork & chive dumplings, sam gu gaau, basa roll), spring rolls, steamed buns, and shrimp skewers. Sold as on-premise food pairings to cocktail customers.
- Spirits List Comprehensive on-premise spirits menu featuring premium vodkas, gins, rums, whiskeys (American, Canadian, Irish, Japanese, World, Scotch), Cognac, Tequila, Mezcal, Asian spirits, and herbals, sold by the drink to bar patrons.
- Branded Merchandise Store Online direct-to-consumer storefront selling branded apparel, t-shirts, and limited-edition prints. Items are printed to order and shipped to consumers globally. Targeted at brand enthusiasts and existing patrons.
- Reservations Service Reservation booking service for The Keefer Bar, offering parties of 1-6 access via the Resy online platform and parties of 7+ access via an internal form on the bar's website. Used for date nights, birthdays, group celebrations, and other special occasions.
Quantifiable outcome
- Ranked #8 in Canada's 100 Best Bars 2023 and #49 in North America's 50 Best Bars 2024
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Keefer Bar
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Keefer Bar technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Keefer Bar partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- ResycoreResy is the reservation platform used by The Keefer Bar for managing individual and small-party reservations (1-6 people). Reservations are booked through the Resy platform integrated on the bar's website.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
The Keefer Bar competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Civil Liberties: Award-winning Toronto cocktail bar. Comparable to The Keefer Bar as a Canadian cocktail destination competing for top-tier recognition (Canada's 100 Best / North America's 50 Best) with a similar craft-led, themed programming model.
- Cluny Bistro: Toronto cocktail bar and bistro with a strong bar program. Comparable to The Keefer Bar in operating as a hybrid cocktail-plus-food venue, with craft cocktails as the headline offering.
- The Shameful Tiki Room: Vancouver tiki-themed cocktail bar and a direct local peer. Operates in the same city and the same premium cocktail-on-premise category as The Keefer Bar, with comparable pricing, awards profile, and walk-in / reservation-based model.
- Employees Only: Award-winning NYC cocktail bar with a speakeasy-style concept and globally recognized cocktail program. Comparable to The Keefer Bar in its craft-cocktail focus, late-night operation, and accolade-driven positioning.
- Bar Chef: Toronto craft cocktail bar renowned for ingredient-driven mixology. Closest geographic and conceptual comparable for The Keefer Bar within the Canadian market — premium cocktail focus, exotic ingredients, and acclaim-driven traffic.
- The Aviary: Chicago progressive cocktail bar known for innovative techniques and premium ingredients. Comparable to The Keefer Bar in pushing cocktail menu boundaries, premium pricing, and earning industry recognition.
- The Diamond: Vancouver Gastown cocktail bar known for its classic craft cocktail program. Direct local peer to The Keefer Bar in the same city, same liquor-primary category, and overlapping premium cocktail enthusiast customer base.
- The Dead Rabbit: Legendary NYC cocktail bar repeatedly ranked #1 in the world. Directly comparable as a premium cocktail-led venue whose reputation, menu IP, and themed atmosphere drive destination traffic and award-led demand.
- Trick Dog: San Francisco craft cocktail bar consistently ranked among North America's 50 Best Bars. Directly comparable to The Keefer Bar as a regionally dominant cocktail destination with a rotating themed menu and award-led marketing.
- Please Don't Tell (PDT): Iconic NYC speakeasy cocktail bar with a reservation-based model and bespoke drinks. Comparable in concept (hidden/atmosphere-driven venue), premium pricing, and reliance on word-of-mouth/awards to drive demand.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Keefer Bar social profiles
Digital presenceThe Keefer Bar financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Keefer Bar leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
The Keefer Bar subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
The Keefer Bar funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Keefer Bar M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Keefer Bar
What does The Keefer Bar do?
The Keefer Bar is a liquor-primary, apothecary-inspired cocktail bar in Vancouver's Chinatown offering 25+ unique handcrafted cocktails alongside dim sum, bar snacks, and a curated spirits list. The business also generates ancillary revenue through an online merchandise store selling branded t-shirts and limited-edition posters, and a reservation-based service managed via Resy.
Is The Keefer Bar a public or private company?
The Keefer Bar is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was The Keefer Bar founded?
The Keefer Bar was founded in 2010. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Keefer Bar based?
The Keefer Bar is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, in the North America region.
How does The Keefer Bar make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. On-site food & beverage sales are the primary driver. The others are merchandise e-commerce.
Who are The Keefer Bar's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Civil Liberties, Cluny Bistro, The Shameful Tiki Room, Employees Only, Bar Chef, The Aviary, The Diamond, The Dead Rabbit, Trick Dog and Please Don't Tell (PDT).
Does The Keefer Bar have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Keefer Bar.
What industry is The Keefer Bar in?
The Keefer Bar's product category is Cocktail Bar Hospitality. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRANACAD, Cocktail Bars & Lounges, with a secondary code of CRANACAA, Neighborhood Bars & Taverns. Its NAICS code is 7224 and its SIC code is 5810.