Storm Crow Manor & Arcana Food and Spirits: Their Loose Haunted Connection

Arcana Food and Spirits in Gastown delivers a noir occult hangout with cocktails that glow, keepsake cards worth collecting, and a steak frites that hits the mark. It’s part speakeasy, part spooky lounge, and I’m already plotting my return.

Arcana Food and SpiritsDuring the Fan Expo Vancouver weekend, I knew I had to visit Arcana Food and Spirits in Gastown again, and they didn’t disappoint! From the neon glow of a “pet psychic” facade outside to the noir-styled interior within, walking into Arcana feels like stepping into another dimension. The entrance is decorated like in Rocky Horror Picture show, but once you’re inside, what’s there is more of a speakeasy than an area for a stage show.

This time around, I brought my friend Susan along. We’ve done paranormal investigations together and while we weren’t planning to run a session on a busy Friday night, I’ll admit the mood makes you half-expect a planchette to slide on its own. I also had to accept one bittersweet update: anyone hoping to meet the Lich King or sip beside the Cthulhu tiki mug and take home now has to make a pilgrimage to Toronto’s Storm Crow Manor. but here, all you can do is drink with them. Their storefront, Mysterious Package Company doesn’t seem to update inventory often, so don’t count on snagging rare barware online.

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Chinese Eatery Offers Bigger Discount to Bigger Breasts

Photo by Zuidd.com
By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

A restaurant chain in China came under fire, according to the Qianjiang Evening Post, after locals complained of “vulgar advertising” to their local council. Trendy Shrimp with two locations in the Lake and Binjiang District of Hangzhou city in Eastern China’s Zhejiang province, advertised discounts for women based on their bra size. The company’s ad depicted a line-up of cartoon women in their underwear. According to BBC News the ad slogan read “The whole city is looking for BREASTS”. On the side of the advertisement was a chart telling female customers how much of a discount they could get off their meal depending on their bra size. Women with a G-cup could get 65% off. The advertisements first appeared on August 1, 2017.

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In Vancouver, BC You Can Level Up with EXP Restaurant

exp-bar-vancouverEXP Restaurant + Bar
309 W Pender St
Vancouver, BC

Hours: 5PM–12AM
Phone: (604) 558-1337

Who can not love a restaurant catering to video game nerds? EXP Restaurant & Bar has been in operation since late 2012 and perhaps the only reason why I have not noticed this place is because it’s a game of darts at randomly determining an area to dine at whenever I visit Vancouver, BC.

At this place, all of the entertainment is digital. While waiting for a table, you can play the latest games on an X-Box One. With Shaw Wifi at the premise you can also fish out your mobile for a few Candy Crush quick plays (or another online game of your liking).

My addiction (yes, I admit it) to the Pokémon GO game is not as huge as others, but it’s still my go-to game to kill time — assuming there is a stop and spawn spot within range. This operation recognizes the sudden popularity of this game, and they had plenty of art hanging by the front to admire. I inquired if any of the new Pocket Monster creations hanging on the walls were available for purchase as a print. Sadly, they aren’t since there’s no contact information on them and one of the staff told me so. At least I was permitted to take photos for prosperity. I love the pop art fusion style that permeates through the place, and the scents from the kitchen were very good too!

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