Commercial Drive (Vancouver)

Commercial Drive, or "The Drive" as it is affectionately known to its residents, is a mixed residential-commercial neighborhood in the city of Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. It is home to Vancouver's Italian and Latin communities, and various Latin American or European style cafes, restaurants, and bars can be found in the area. As such, Commercial Drive often stays up later than its Anglo-Canadian neighbours.

In 2002, many restaurant owners were upset with the infamous "dancing police", who ticketed establishments hosting any dancing to live music. In a city labelled as "no fun" by Eastern Canada, Commercial Drive offers a breath of fresh air to party-starved Vancouverites wanting a taste of 'la bella vita'.

In late 2004, Commercial Drive gained national notoriety when the media revealed that several cafes there were openly selling marijuana. The issue has publicised the city's lack of enforcement of Canadian drug laws, and posed a challenge to its stated "Four Pillars" drug strategy.

External links

• Commercial Drive