McBarge (Expo 86)
N 49° 17.580 W 122° 58.759
10U E 501503 N 5460028
During Expo 86 in Vancouver British Columbia, the busiest McDonalds in the world was the McBarge.
Waymark Code: WMN3
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Date Posted: 08/28/2005
Views: 41
The McBarge no longer exists as a McDonald's, but the barge is still anchored in the Burrard Inlet off a strangely popular beach area.
Today, it's easy it imagine a McDonald's with a stone fireplace, hardwood floors and ambient lighting. But in 1986, the majority of the restaurants were still the original red and yellow tiled structures, some of which were updated with brick facades during the 1970s.
There was a shift in public attitude during that time. The Yuppies were forsaking all things blatantly cheap. Hot-dogs, diners and the Five and Dime were out. Quiche, Bistros and boutiques were in.
McDonalds, a company that prided itself on affordability, was losing a part of the young adult market to eating establishments that portrayed themselves as high brow. Because of this, McDonalds tried out a new concept in 1986 -- "affordable elegance." Their flagship restaurant at Expo 86 was built more in the style of a bistro than a McDonald's. Because it was a costly venture, the McDonalds was built as a floating restaurant so it could be easily moved to another location.
McBarge just before it opened at Expo 86
The McBarge featured garden rooms, tasteful art and panoramic views of Expo 86. A unique feature to this McDonald's was a hidden kitchen. Burgers and fries were delivered to the front counter by way of a conveyer belt.
After the fair, the company wanted to find a permanent home for the McBarge but all proposed sites were turned down. Today, the McBarge is anchored just offshore in Burrard Inlet.
McBarge as it looks today.
To log a visit, simply head to the beach it's near to get a look. We don't recommend boarding the vessel, since that would be trespassing. Though, several intrepid explorers have visited the derelict surreptitiously in the past (search "McBarge" using Google to find the websites that detail those adventures.)