Vancouver Dine OutSide festival aims to help restaurants, hotels during pandemic

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — While many events around Vancouver have been cancelled by the pandemic, a new festival starting next month is designed to withstand COVID-19.

Dine OutSide begins Aug. 21 and will have restaurants across the city offering special fixed-price menus ranging from $15 to $45 for four weeks.

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Born out of and organized by the same people who put on Dine-Out Vancouver every year, Lucas Pavan, manager of the festival, says this year’s twist is meant to support local restaurants and hotels during the pandemic.

“And encouraging residents from across Metro Vancouver and the province to safety and comfortable re-engage with those restaurants and hotels.”

Patios around Vancouver have already been expanded in hopes of helping struggling restaurants through the pandemic and Pavan says the festival is taking the opportunity to use the outdoor seating.

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Many restaurants will also have picnic-to-go options for people to take to nearby green spaces, beaches, and tables.

Pavan says the festival will hopefully encourage people to explore the city too.

Several hotels are also offering deals on rooms for people who dine with them, similar to the annual Dine-Out festival, he adds.

“It’s a great opportunity for Vancouverites to have a stay-cation,” Pavan says. “We can’t travel as we normally would this summer, so why not do so in our own backyard here in Vancouver?”

Dine-and-stay packages are offered by some hotels and deals vary from meals at hotel restaurants or collaborations with nearby spots.

Pavan says it’s possible the festival will run again next year, depending on the circumstances.

Dine OutSide runs until Sept. 21.

-With files from Kareem Gouda