The vibrant heart of Vancouver's nightlife has become a scene of constant chaos and violence, according to local business owners who say the situation on the Granville Street strip has reached breaking point.
Frontline of the Crisis
Nightclub staff at establishments like Cabana Lounge now begin their shifts with rubber gloves, clearing human feces from entrances and navigating groups of people openly using drugs before patrons can even line up. This disturbing routine has become the new normal since 2020, when British Columbia's government purchased and converted three single-room occupancy hotels into social housing for nearly 300 people.
Dave Kershaw, owner of Roxy Cabaret and Cabana Lounge, describes the situation as "continual public disorder, open drug use, and mental health episodes that are frankly scary." The problems began when the province transformed buildings including one directly above his nightclub into supportive housing.
Business Impact and Emergency Response Surge
The financial toll on local businesses has been devastating. Kershaw reports that nearly 31 fires and constant water leakage from units at St. Helen's Hotel, the SRO above his club, have caused more than 100 floods within his business. Repeated false fire alarms have driven customers away, resulting in six-figure sales losses for his establishment alone.
According to Vancouver Police Department data collected by the Hospitality Vancouver Association, emergency calls have skyrocketed in the area since the SRO conversions. Police and fire services responded to approximately 6,641 calls at the three SROs between 2020 and 2025, representing an increase of more than 800 percent compared to the year before the conversions.
Industry Demands and Government Response
At a recent news conference, the Hospitality Vancouver Association issued urgent demands for action. The organization called on the provincial government to set firm closure dates for the two remaining SROs—St. Helen's Hotel and Granville Villa—both located within a block of The Luugat, which is already scheduled for closure ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim joined the call for action, requesting that the province create new involuntary mental-health care beds in the city. The hospitality industry's demands come four months after a similar media briefing at the nearby Good Co. pub, indicating that conditions have continued to deteriorate despite previous warnings.
"We're asking the NDP government to move quickly to relocate these residents to supportive housing that properly serves their needs, and allow business owners to restore the entertainment district Vancouver deserves," Kershaw stated during the conference.
The situation highlights the complex challenge facing Vancouver as it attempts to balance social housing needs with maintaining public safety in key commercial and entertainment districts. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, pressure is mounting for sustainable solutions that address both humanitarian concerns and business viability.
