Havana Vancouver marks 30 years on Commercial Drive with $30 anniversary specials all month

Havana Vancouver is turning 30 this month, and the Commercial Drive institution is marking the milestone the way locals know it—with three-decade perspective and gratitude for the people who built its reputation.

Through September, the Spanish restaurant is offering three $30 anniversary specials: a cubano and margarita or sangria, a taco combo with margarita or sangria, and an anniversary sangria pitcher. But the numbers are almost incidental to what Havana is really doing: collecting the city's stories.

For years, guests have written their names and messages directly on Havana's walls and tables. Now the restaurant is inviting past and present diners to share the stories behind those marks through a digital archive. The project aims to capture memories from former employees, longtime guests, neighbours, and friends—three decades of celebrations, quiet dinners, first dates, and the quiet rhythm of a neighbourhood spot.

Reuben Major, CEO and partner of Havana Vancouver, said the restaurant's staying power reflects something simple: "We wouldn't be here for 30 years without the people who have walked through our doors. Havana has always been about more than food and drinks. It's about the people you meet, the celebrations you have and the memories you make. We're incredibly grateful to everyone who has been part of that story, and we're excited to celebrate with them throughout September."

The anniversary celebration runs through the end of September at 1212 Commercial Drive.