Steve Hofstetter misses Storm Crow, returns to Vancouver's Rio Theatre on September 23

American comedian Steve Hofstetter, host of Finding Babe Ruth on FS1 and a stand-up performer with over 1.3 million YouTube followers, returns to Vancouver on Wednesday, September 23, for a show at the Rio Theatre—his biggest venue in the city yet.

Hofstetter first performed in Vancouver thirteen years ago to about 75 people. "I loved it," he said on Facebook, recalling how the city combined "the chillness of Seattle, the walkability of New York, the industry of LA, and the natural beauty of Portland. Actually, it had more of all of those things, rolled into one."

On the return visit, he's reflecting on Storm Crow Tavern, the East Vancouver nerd bar that closed in 2020 after seven years in operation. A friend introduced him to its "insane views, the phenomenal seafood, and the nerd culture" when he first visited the city. "I know it was a casualty of the pandemic, but I miss that place." The bar's sister location, Storm Crow Alehouse on West Broadway, also shut down two years later.

Despite the loss of his favourite spot, Hofstetter keeps returning. "As my fan base grew, I went from bars to clubs to theatres," he said. He's had two of his most infamous heckler incidents in Vancouver, but what struck him was the city's response. "Both times, the rest of the crowd immediately had my back and stood up to the bigoted bullies." He credits Vancouver's progressive and educated character, even amid its notorious cost of living, which he attributes to the fact that "so many people want to live there."

For those seeking the spirit of Storm Crow, Arcana Spirit Lounge—Vancouver's self-described most occult speakeasy—comes from the same creators. For Hofstetter's evening, "The Rio is already close to sold out."