By Vanessa Brazeau

One of my favorite things about the move to a new neighbourhood is the excitement that comes with exploring the community’s offerings. Luckily for me, culture, food, entertainment and local creepers (Bird-Man is a dedicated bottle collector whose shoulders host an array of tropical parrots) all thrive in the newly developed South Cambie area, making boredom hard to come by.

One of the more notable South Cambie destinations we have sought out thus far is Kino’s (1456 Cambie St.), a Spanish Flamenco Bar hosting 6 nights of live Spanish music accompanied by the powerful footwork of talented Flamenco dancers.

The loud stomping and the serene voice of an elderly man attracted our attention to a room reminiscent of an old Tapas bar in a small Spanish Village. We sat down to the passionate choreography of women dressed to match the decor and upon the waitress’s greeting, the words “Sangria” seemed to be the only rational reply.

I must admit, when it comes to Sangria, I am a judgmental snob with no mercy. With a Vancouver handicap in mind, their recipe held its own to match the authenticity of the entertainment. I can’t say the same about the food, but after a few pitchers, your expectations may decline enough to appreciate the nachos for a late night snack.

A few more glasses translate the violinist’s drunken ramblings into words of genius, and my roommate and I extend our Gypsy jazz Monday into early hours of Tuesday. The growing number of patrons give drunken couples an excuse to give up their chairs and dance, and we take the same opportunity to head back to our new home, which after our evening, seems to have even less character than we thought.

Kino’s is the place to be if you’d like to indulge yourself in the sights, sounds and rhythms of Spain. The experience makes it a great destination for mid-week entertainment, great Sangria, and music that will help you stay in fine tune for the weekend.