Mates on Crates Feat. Paul Clark

G’day,

Those in the know, know where to go.

We’re excited to have just launched our latest episode of Mates on Crates, featuring Paul Clark, Owner & Operator of The Mainstay in North Vancouver. Opened in January 2026, The Mainstay is the central bar anchoring the food hall at Lonsdale Quay Market, a waterfront gathering place that has been part of the North Shore community since 1986. Guests can grab food from the surrounding market kitchens and bring it to the bar, with The Mainstay serving BC craft beer, wine, and uncomplicated cocktails, along with live music on weekends. Paul has been part of the hospitality industry since he was 13, beginning as a bus boy at Greek Islands in Chilliwack before moving through the trades, Kingston Taphouse, Fable Diner, and eventually becoming the music manager at Guilt & Co. in 2018. A lifelong drummer who has played everything from punk and fusion jazz to R&B, soul, country, and blues, Paul brings his musical background and years of hospitality experience to his role at The Mainstay.

It was a pleasure to sit down with Paul to chat about his journey from music into hospitality, the story behind The Mainstay, its focus on local producers, the role of live music and the community around Lonsdale Quay, and all of Paul’s favourite spots.

Each time we do a Mates on Crates interview, our guests share up to twenty of their favourites with us. For each episode, only a handful of those favourites make it into the final two minute cut. In order to highlight all of our guest’s favourites, we are happy to share the full list of favourites right here.

Paul’s favourites at The Mainstay:

• Cocktail: Final Mark: The Mainstay’s take on the Last Word, made with Copperpenny gin, lime, and Elixir de Moines.

The FULL LIST of Paul’s Local Favourites:

• Brunch: Catch 122

• Cocktail Bar: The Keefer Bar

• Coffee: Butter Lane Bake Shop

• Dying to Try: Fiorino, June

• Fried Chicken: Le Coq Frit

• Food Neighbourhood: Lower Lonsdale

• Happy Hour: Nook

• Hidden Gem: The Federal Store

• Last Meal That Blew Them Away: Catch 122

• Mexican: Cilantro and Jalapeno, Sharky’s Chophouse & Eatery, The Soup Meister’s Nephew

• Neighbourhood Favourites: Cilantro and Jalapeño

• Outside of Vancouver: The Watershed Grill (Squamish)

• Pizza: Nook, Pizza Carano

• Sushi: Hime Sushi

• Take an Out of Town Guest: Any Banda Volpe Restaurant

Thanks for joining us, Paul!

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Watch Paul’s full Mates on Crates Episode below.

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