Led by an award-winning bar team and Top Chef Canada finalist Billy Nguyen, the refreshed concept invites guests to sip, indulge, and escape the ordinary
Vancouver, BC, June 24, 2025 – Jungle Room, West End’s hidden oasis for lush drinks and globally-inspired dishes, is going wild with bold flavours and even wilder beverages with the launch of its new cocktail and culinary program. Led by an award-winning bar team and Top Chef Canada runner-up Billy Nguyen, the refreshed concept invites guests to sip, indulge, and escape the ordinary inside its cozy jungle nook.
The team is led by managing partner and head of bar operations Emily Vey, a World Class Canada Top 10 finalist. Most recently, she spearheaded a series of special events at Jungle Room in collaboration with top-ranked bars from across North America, as part of the World’s 50 Best Bars North America festivities.
“Our team is focused on more than just serving cocktails,” explains Vey, who previously worked at former Vancouver institution The Diamond and Calgary’s award-winning Shokunin. “We want people to feel immersed, like they’ve stepped into a different world. Guests can grab a drink at our bar or sit at one of our beautiful tables. They can snack on some of Billy’s new dishes with friends or come for late night hangs. Above all, we’re here for the amazing West End community and beyond.”
Working alongside Vey is bar lead Mavi Le (formerly Pidgin, Bao Bei) and beverage veteran Tadia Rosen (co-founder of Fruit Forward Queer Wine Social and Bar Sodalite). The cocktail program is all about embracing adventure and having fun, featuring exotic twists, splashes of pop culture, and hints of the familiar.
There are classics, such as Old Pal (Canadian whiskey, Campari, dry vermouth) and a classic Gimlet (gin & house lime cordial, and signature drinks that will evolve with the seasons. Examples for summer include Skin of a Killer (blueberry, thyme, white rum, Cointreau, cava, edible paint), Go on B’y (butter-washed tequilana, green apple, Newfoundland partridge berry, neutral citrus, French vermouth), and Ten Diamond Push-Ups (force-carbonated Pandan cachaça & pisco, grilled lemongrass cordial, amaro Chiaro, lemon).
Complementing the drinks is a curated food menu developed in collaboration with consulting chef Billy Nguyen, a Top Chef Canada finalist known for his French-Asian cuisine with British influences. He has worked directly with longtime Jungle Room kitchen leads Saman Emamdad and Mostafa Safaeian to introduce Persian-inspired flavours into some of the dishes.
Dishes, designed for snacking or sharing, include: Beef Tataki with bonito mayo, onions, pickled mustard seeds, crispy shallots, and scallions; Saffron Potatoes with rushed crispy baby potatoes, and harissa mayo; Pan-Seared Prawns with herbs, zucchini, and tamarind tomatoes; Laksa Bombs with prawn & truffle dumplings, lobster laksa broth, and scallion; and a Hambagu with brioche bun, garlic mayo, peppers, and spicy tomato chutney.
“I had such a great time working with the Jungle Room team on creating their new food program,” adds Nguyen, who has collaborated with Michelin-starred restaurants across Canada and participated in the prestigious RAW: almond this year. “Our goal was to make dishes that match the energy of the space – vibrant and layered with flavour – while honouring the kitchen team’s diverse backgrounds. The dishes are eclectic, playful, and reflect the kind of cooking I love to do.”
Jungle Room is open Sunday to Thursday, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Reservations are available online. Walk-ins are always welcome.
For more information, please visit www.jungleroom.ca.
About Jungle Room
Located in the heart of Vancouver’s West End, Jungle Room is a hidden oasis where guests can sip, indulge, and escape the ordinary. It’s inspired by the world’s lush rainforests and the golden age of exploration – offering an award-winning cocktail experience, globally-inspired dishes by Top Chef Canada runner-up Billy Nguyen, and an atmosphere unlike anything else in the city.
Jungle Room | www.jungleroom.ca
961 Denman Street, Vancouver, BCInstagram: @jnglroom | TikTk: @jnglroom
