Chinatown restaurants team up for summer stamp-collecting contest
The Chinatown Passport runs through July, directing diners to 19+ venues with a digital stamp challenge for a chance to win a two-day trip to Galiano Island.
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With the FIFA World Cup drawing crowds to Downtown Vancouver's main entertainment zones, some of Chinatown's top restaurants and bars have partnered on a creative way to bring traffic back to the neighbourhood: the Chinatown Passport, a digital stamp-collecting challenge running through July.
The experience is simple and free to join. Using any phone browser, diners open a web-based map showing participating venues, then collect a digital "stamp" by scanning a QR code at each location with a minimum purchase. Complete the challenge for a chance to win a two-day trip to Bodega Ridge on Galiano Island.
Currently, 19 venues are participating, including Bagheera, Bar Gobo, Barbara, Bao Bei, Chinatown BBQ, DD Mau, Fat Mao Noodles, Harvest, Irish Heather, Juke Fried Chicken, The Keefer Bar, Kissa Tanto, Lao Wai, Meo, Pizza Coming Soon, Propaganda, Say Hey, The Chickadee Room, and Touski, with more expected to join.
"The World Cup has brought incredible energy to the city, but like any big event, the energy isn't always evenly spread," said Tannis Ling, co-owner of Bao Bei, Meo, and Kissa Tanto. "Many of our friends and neighbours in Chinatown have seen a considerable dip in business compared to last year. We decided to do something about it and create something fun."
Pat Hennessy, chef-owner of Michelin-starred Barbara, added that Chinatown has "a high concentration of the best cafés, bars, and restaurants in Vancouver." The Passport gives locals and visitors a reason to explore both favourite spots and places they might never have discovered.
The Chinatown Passport runs from July 1 to 31 and requires no download — just open the link on any phone browser.
