Sex Shops
Not all sex stores are created equal, and you’ll find that reflected in our write ups of sex shops below. Initially we’re just listing two categories, Above and Beyond and Quality. There are a lot of fine stores that we haven’t given those rankings to, call them average stores, and a few sleazy ones that aren’t ever going to aspire to such heights.
And to be honest we haven’t made it out to each and every sex shop out there in the lower mainland (although we aim to try) and perhaps you know why one of these stores should get a Quality rating when it hasn’t, or maybe there’s a sex shop we’ve entirely missed from our list. Let us know and we’ll try to put things right.
Plus we’re interested to hear if you think we should be ranking those stores that are Average and those that are Sleazy. Keep in mind even sleazy stores have their place – they’re where you’re most likely to find 24 hour video peep shows, and the company those might offer. Plus sometimes you just need lube and condoms at 4am in the morning when there’s no where else open!
Above and Beyond
Stores in this category carry quality goods, but more than that they’ve demonstrated a dedication to the erotic community. They’re likely consistent sponsors of various events and/or they’ve taken on political causes and battles that benefit all who hope for or enjoy various freedoms of sexuality. The list of Above and Beyond stores is short, but it’s greater than you’d find in most other cities, and for that Vancouver can be truly thankful.
Quality
These are stores that carry quality goods, with knowledgeable and helpful staff able to answer your questions. While they may also carry goods of lesser quality, they’ll let you know what’s what, and work to fit your budget. We’re not going to speak to their return policies (these are sex toys and lingerie we’re talking about in a lot of cases, we would hope you’re unable to return them) but we can tell you that while the prices of items might be costlier than theAverage stores we list, it’s because, well, you get the Quality that you pay for.
We’re certain that with a little time some of these stores are likely to be joining our list of Above and Beyond ones.
Art of Loving
Above and Beyond
The Art of Loving carry over 1000 different pleasure products and boast the best selection of educational videos in Vancouver, and a selection of sexuality books matched only by Little Sisters. Staff are knowledgeable and helpful, and they won’t try to over sell you.
Owners Vera Zyla and John Ince aren’t just sex shop owners, they’re sex positive activists, and it’s there work in this realm as much as their devotion to providing a classy shopping experience that earns the Art of Loving our Above and Beyond rating.
Website: artofloving.ca
Location: 1819 W. 5th Avenue, Vancouver
Books Unlimited
It’s a sex shop. It’s on Granville Street. It’s not open 24 hours a day like it’s neighbours, the two Fantasy Factory stores, meaning you know that it doesn’t need the peep show traffic and drunks shopping after the bars close to keep it in business. Enough said.
Location: 1083 Granville Street, Vancouver
Fantasy Factory
What can we say about the Fantasy Factory? Frankly, not much. But that’s simply because we’re afraid of litigation if we shared with you everything we’d like about the stores.
There are two reasons we can think of to go to a Fantasy Factory: you like video peep shows, and the company those can sometimes afford, or you need condoms, lube or a brand new sex toy at 4 am in the morning.
Locations: 1155 Davie, 1093 Granville, 1123 Granville,
Honey Gifts
Quality
This sex shop in the Cambie Village is bit of a gem, and you’ll find everything from quality sex toys to novelty games and the like. Plus on our one trip there we were greeted by a shop assistant so bouncy we thought she’d been filled with helium. That alone made it worth the visit.
Website: honeygifts.com
Location: 3448 Cambie Street, Vancouver
In The Mood
One of the dangers of putting a website up in BETA is that you haven’t had a chance to check everything out. In The Mood, unfortunately, falls into the category of things we must do. If you’ve had a chance to shop there we’d love to hear your impressions.
Location: 123 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver
Little Sister’s
Above and Beyond
Little Sister’s Book and Art Emporium isn’t just a store, it’s a Vancouver institution.
Website: littlesisters.ca
Location: 1238 Davie Street, Vancouver
The Love Nest
Quality
Website: thelovenest.ca
Location: 119 E. 1st Street, North Vancouver – 4687 Kingsway, Burnaby – #102 – 4338 Main Street, Whistler
Love’s Touch
This small store carries a small selection of sex toys, along with sexy costumes, and some surprisingly amazing corsets.
Website: lovestouchvancouver.ca
Location: 1069 Davie Street, Vancouver
PRIAPE
Quality
Canada’s premiere gay clothing store is your source for inexpensive (not cheap) leather here in Vancouver. In addition to that you’ll find a full selection of sex toys, and the staff that can tell you when, how and why you should use them.
If you’re going we recommend checking out the absolute best leather cuffs we’ve found, featuring not just a buckle to hold them shut, but a strap that loops the wrist, and velcro that helps hold everything in place – they’re a PRIAPE exclusive from their workshops in Montreal.
Plus their imaginative and regular changing window displays are worth a trip to the Davie Village all on their own.
Website: priape.com
Location: 1148 Davie Street, Vancouver
Sweet! An Adult Store
Quality
Website:
Location: 1402 W. Broadway, Vancouver
Ultra Love
Ultra Love carries a large selection of sex toys, a decent collection of BDSM implements, and a fabulous variety of stockings. Whether or not you get knowledgeable staff is hit or miss — a couple of the clerks could write a book on great sex tips, while a couple of others we’ve met would have trouble filling a match book with information you’d care about.
Website: ultralove.ca
Location: 1151 Davie Street, Vancouver
Womyns’Ware
Above and Beyond
When it comes to commitment to quality products Womyns’Ware are second to none. They’ve been called the Ralph Nader of the sex toy industry, and that was in reference to the tireless consumer advocate Ralph Nader, and not that semi-crazy guy who cost Al Gore the election!
Staff here aren’t just knowledgeable, they’ll make sure that by the time you leave the store that you are too. You might pay a little more for some products here than you would somewhere else, but shopping at Womyns’Ware you know that you’re never, ever getting a product that’s less than top notch quality. That’s something not even any of the other stores we rank as Above and Beyond can boast.
Finally, if you’re in the market for a silicone toy, then a visit to Womyns’Ware should be a must. Even if you end up buying somewhere else a conversation with their staff will let you know what you should be looking for, and perusing their line of exclusive silicone toys will let you see what true quality in sex toys is.
Website: womynsware.com
Location: 896 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
