New martini bar and restaurant to land in Vancouver this month

Vancouver is about to get a stellar new hangout once The Moon Martini Bar and Restaurant opens its doors in Gastown later this month, and we’ve got all the details for you ahead of its opening.

The new concept aims to offer two distinct experiences under one roof: a social martini bar and a seasonal restaurant built around an open kitchen.

Keep on reading to learn all about The Moon and what you can expect on opening day.

Both sides of The Moon

The space spans 1,632 sq. ft. and will feature two rooms to coincide with The Moon’s two distinct experiences.

In the 27-seat dining room, the kitchen sits fully open in the centre of the room. Guests will have the option to enjoy a seasonally evolving à la carte menu, or leave their meal up to the kitchen to curate a multi-course selection of dishes.

“The moon is a universal symbol of wonder,” said co-owner Sonia Symoom. “It belongs to
everyone, and it changes night after night. Our menu works the same way: it’s borderless,
drawn from nostalgia and the places we’ve been rather than a single cuisine. Something
familiar, with room for the unexpected, and a reason to keep coming back.”

But The Moon truly starts with the “Moon Bar” — an intimate space made for dropping in that is intended to be a contemporary take on the classic martini bar. Martinis anchor the drink program, with The Moon offering the classics alongside rotating variations. There will also be other signature cocktails and spirit-free drinks to round out the list, alongside bar snacks that draw on seasonal ingredients.

Wine, sake, and tea will also have their own place at The Moon. Specifically, the restaurant is featuring a wine list centred on organic producers, particularly smaller and more intentional wineries, alongside a wide selection of sake and a developed tea list in partnership with O5 Tea.

To mark the opening of The Moon, the team partnered with B.C. producer Ursa Major to create Good Job — a limited-edition 50/50 Chardonnay and Muscat made exclusively for the restaurant. This wine is produced from a single barrel and is meant to reflect the shared approach to organic farming, unorthodox thinking, and meticulous execution.

“We named it Good Job as a nod to striving, momentum and achievement, and to celebrate the 18-month journey of bringing The Moon to life,” said co-owner Wyatt Rybchinsky.

An all-star team

As previously mentioned, The Moon is co-owned by Sonia Symoom and Wyatt Rybchinsky, who have lived in the Gastown neighbourhood for years before securing the space.

Head chef Felix Maristany will lead The Moon’s culinary program, drawing inspiration from his Cuban-American upbringing in Miami and his work in renowned kitchens in Spain to shape the globally informed menu. Maristany has spent decades in some of Vancouver’s most acclaimed kitchens, including as Sous Chef at Cioppino’s before moving on to Chef de Cuisine at the Michelin-starred Kissa Tanto.

Claudia Fandino is General Manager and Wine Director and will lead The Moon’s hospitality and beverage program. She has nearly two decades of experience in Vancouver food, wine, and creative communities, including roles at the Michelin-starred Published on Main, Barbara, and Burdock & Co.

As for Bar Manager, Zoe Bates will be leading the drink program. She has developed beverage programs at Ellipsis, The Westin Bayshore, and Sula. Additionally, in 2026 she earned national recognition as a top-four finalist in World Class Canada — a competition where bartenders from across the globe compete for the title of world’s best bartender.

A space that is out of this world

Each room at The Moon will have its own character, but will be connected through a shared design language in spaces designed by Item Design Studio in collaboration with Coquille Creative Inc., and artwork by Jean Huang, Ami Sangha Studio, Yurii Andreichyn, and Rina Ota.

In the dining room, expect natural materials, textured finishes, and directed lighting to create a calm backdrop to keep the focus on the food and service.

Moon Bar, on the other hand, will feature a richer, more intimate character with antiqued brass, hammered iron, walnut, and teal soapstone to bring warmth and depth to the space. There will also be low banquette seating to encourage conversations and connection.

The Moon Martini Bar and Restaurant opens on Oct. 23. Folks eager to visit can sign up for its newsletter to know the second when reservations open.

The Moon

Address: 59 Powell St., Vancouver

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