There’s something about analog photos that just feel different, especially when they’re taken in a photo booth. The tiny curtain, the big smiles before the camera flashes, and every random facial expression in between. And when your strip of photos comes out of the machine, you’re left with a fun memento of your day.
Western Canada’s only analog photo booth operator, Phototronic, refurbishes vintage booths and places them in cafes, pubs, art galleries, and public spaces across the city, and we’re here to remind you just where you can find them. While there are other photo booths in the mix as well, Phototronic definitely leads the way, with 14 booths currently in B.C.
So whether you’re planning on catching up with a friend, taking yourself on a solo date, or celebrating a special occasion, sitting and goofing off in a photo booth is a quintessential experience.
Here are all the photo booths (both analog and digital) in Metro Vancouver, and where to find them.
This art gallery perfectly encapsulates the power of a third space. Tons of local art, thrifted finds, comfy seating, craft workshops, co-working tables, and vintage pinball machines. It’s the only place in Canada with multiple analog booths (five photo booths total, including a new colour analog booth!), which are open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Where: 1636 Venables St.
A more recent addition to this list, The Lido is a Video Music Bar that’s perfect for grabbing a pint and catching a live show. All kinds of local artists perform here, from post-punk “darkwave” to tarot readings, to disco vinyl, to Britpop. If you have a niche music taste, this spot undoubtedly has something for you. And perhaps best of all, you can capture your visit with a fun, maybe tipsy, series of photo booth pictures.
Where: 518 East Broadway
The Polygon in North Vancouver is another great option for snapping memories in a photo booth. Their annual holiday market is set to make its return this month, making it a perfect stop before or after you check out the upcoming Shipyards Christmas Market.
Where: 101 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver
Coffee shops in general are the ideal spots for photo booths, if you ask us, but FUNK is especially fitting. The local coffee roaster and brewer is already known for its retro cafe vibes, eclectic mix of coffee and craft beer, and specialty light roasts. The fact that you can pop in for a cortado and a strip of photos directly appeals to the spontaneous city dweller in us.
Where: 1025 Dunsmuir St.
This cute Chilliwack cafe houses the most recently added Phototronic booth in B.C., and it’s open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day.
Where: 5535 Vedder Rd., Chilliwack
Imagine thrifting a cool pair of sunglasses or a vintage winter coat, and before you can even wear it out of the store, you take it inside an analog photo booth. This dream is a reality at Gore Street Vintage, which boasts an amazing mix of designer, streetwear, and premium vintage apparel.
Where: 298 East Georgia St.
On the go? No problem. TransLink installed a photo booth at Granville Station behind the fare gates, and while it’s digital, you do have the option of customizing your photos with some fun stickers and frames. All the more reason to take transit.
Where: 645 Seymour St.
A Main Street staple for a night out on the town, Hero’s Welcome serves up pizza, beer, weekly events, and live music, and on the weekends, they host Banister Provisions for fresh-baked goods and hot coffee. Its analog photo booth sits among bar game faves like pinball, skeeball, pool, and darts.
Where: 3917 Main St.
With plenty of new and upcoming international exhibitions to look forward to, the Vancouver Art Gallery has a photo booth of its own, placed in the Gallery lobby by the team at Phototronic this past June.
Where: 750 Hornby St.
Another vintage photo booth by Phototronic can be found at The American, known for its laid-back, exposed-brick vibe, pinball machines, and relatively affordable sips and burgers.
Where: 926 Main St.
It’s not analog, but the digital photo booth at Brewhall in Olympic Village gets the job done, and you can even add cute special effects and stickers like sparkles or dog ears to your photos. If you’re more interested in customization than nostalgia, this is your place.
Where: 97 East 2nd Ave.
Yes, you read that right. lululemon founder Chip Wilson officially brought back the iconic Westbeach brand, which was a Vancouver staple for decades from the ’70s to the early 2000s. Heavily influenced by the city’s skate, surf, and snowboard culture, we can’t think of a better retail store to house a modern photo booth by Phototronic.
Where: 2138 West 4th Ave.
What goes great with a round of games at Vancouver’s premier arcade bar? A strip of photos, of course. And given that Greta is open until 2 a.m. on weekdays and until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, this is a great option for any time of night.
Where: 50 West Cordova St.
Finally, we come to Robson Public Market, a small shopping centre that has two photo booths to choose from: One by Photoism Vancouver, and one by life4cut — a premium K-Photo booth studio.
Where: 1610 Robson St.
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