Meo Is a Retro Haven in Vancouver’s Chinatown
Bringing ’70s Hong Kong nostalgia to life in a discreet location.
Nestled on the lower level of an unassuming Chinatown building, Meo offers a nostalgic escape to the hedonistic energy of ’70s and ’80s Hong Kong. This new cocktail bar and restaurant, designed by Ste Marie, serves as a seductive sister venue to Bao Bei and Kissa Tanto.
Ste Marie is known for creating immersive, narrative-rich spaces across North America. Their approach blends nostalgia with practicality, resulting in unique, transportive environments that set the stage for thriving businesses.
The dimly lit interior transports patrons to a bygone era, drawing inspiration from Greg Girard‘s Hong Kong nightlife photography and clandestine love motels. Plush pink drapery and vintage floral carpeting envelop the space, while bold red accents from ’70s Guzzini pendant lights pop against dark wood-paneled walls. A glowing jukebox adds to the retro ambiance, completing the richly textured atmosphere.
Meo’s decor blends thrift store finds from Taiwan with modern elements, creating an eclectic rumpus-room-meets-bedroom aesthetic. Decorative artwork enriches the space, further enhancing the time-travel experience it evokes. Some of the highlighted art pieces include a charming Persian cat painting and a vinyl mural of a North Korean hotel interior.
Take a closer look around the space in the gallery above.
MEO
265 East Pender St,
Vancouver, BC V6A 1T8
