Victoria’s Best Bars: A Newbie’s Guide

Looking for a definitive list of Victoria’s best bars? Well, get ready to embark on a journey through the bustling nightlife of the Garden City to uncover the hidden gems of its bar scene.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll introduce you to the best bars in town, perfect for newbies looking to explore the city’s vibrant watering holes, hops-infused taprooms, and chic cocktail lounges.

So grab your friends, and let’s dive in!

The Best Bars in Victoria

Victoria has traditionally been viewed as a laid-back, quiet community. But the nightlife of this university town with a burgeoning craft beer scene is on the rise. So, we’ve unlocked a few hidden gems and put them alongside some old stand-bys to concoct a list of Victoria’s best bars.

These establishments are more than just watering holes; they are gathering places to experience the local culture, meet new people, and enjoy live music.

For young travellers and Lower Mainlanders looking for an exciting yet laid-back nightlife experience, Victoria’s best bars offer a delightful surprise. It’s a scene ripe for discovery, promising memorable nights filled with great drinks, great company, and an authentic taste of what Victoria has to offer.

Victoria’s Best Pubs | The Top Brewpubs in Victoria | Victoria’s Best Cocktail Bars

The Best Pubs in Victoria

Victoria is home to some fantastic pubs that offer great food and drinks and a welcoming atmosphere. Being the colonial city that it is, there is no shortage of unique British-style pubs on offer to help you drink the night away.

Here’s a list of some of our favourites:

The Sticky Wicket Pub & Restaurant

Category: Sports Bar | Location: 919 Douglas St.| Website

Located in the Strathcona Hotel, The Sticky Wicket is simply a local institution. This popular sports pub offers multiple big-screen TVs and an impressive selection of craft beers on tap. Enjoy their tasty pub fare, catch a game, or play a round of pool or darts in this upbeat and lively establishment.

And if you don’t feel like sitting in a dark pub, you’re also covered. Walk upstairs to their massive rooftop terrace— the largest of its kind in British Columbia.

You can relax in the summer sun at one of Victoria’s best patios. You can cool off with a cold drink or sign up to play a game on the in-house beach volleyball court! It’s entirely up to you!

⭐ Don’t leave without: A pint of Phillips Blue Buck and a round of rooftop beach volleyball if it’s warm.

Bard & Banker

Category: Pub| Location: 1022 Government St.| Website

This old bank-turned-pub still has its original 1885 vault, which now guards barrels instead of cash. The building’s bones give it a sense of gravitas, but the vibe inside is anything but stuffy. You’ll find live music most nights, locals mixing with tourists, and a beer list that’s broad but not boring.

Dark wood, red leather booths, and high ceilings make it feel like a proper Victorian pub — minus the stuffiness. It’s where locals bring out-of-town friends who like their beer with a side of history and maybe a Celtic folk band.

It strikes a nice balance between historic charm and casual good times. The service is quick, the playlist always hits, and there’s just enough quirk in the décor to remind you you’re in a heritage building in historic Bastion Square that hasn’t lost its soul.

⭐ Don’t leave without: Trying the halibut and chips with a pint of Vancouver Island Lager. It’s a solid combo that never misses.

Darcy’s Pub

Category: Bar| Location: 1127 Wharf St. | Website

If you’re looking for a fun and lively spot to hang out in Victoria, you’ll definitely want to check out Darcy’s Pub. This popular Wharf Street establishment has a little something for everyone, making it a fantastic choice for a night out with friends or a casual date.

It’s also a short walk from the Inner Harbour and many of Victoria’s top things to do.

The atmosphere at Darcy’s Pub is warm, welcoming, and vibrant. With its rustic-chic décor, large patio overlooking the water, and regular live music performances, this pub offers a lively and enjoyable experience for all. Looking to kick it up a notch? Head up to the Upstairs Cabaret to dance the night away.

⭐ Don’t leave without: The “crack” fries and a pint of Hoyne Dark Matter. Total comfort pairing.

Victoria’s Best Brewpubs

Victoria is known as the ‘craft beer capital of Canada.’ You’ll be spoiled for choice with over 20 independent breweries and many exciting brewpubs.

Whether you choose to sample the local suds on your own or as part of a Victoria Craft Beer Tour, you surely won’t be disappointed.

Looking to hit up some breweries? Check out our Victoria Craft Beer guide for tips and recommendations.

CRAFT Beer Market

Category: Taproom | Location: 450 Swift St. | Website

This converted heritage building delivers big on space, beer, and waterfront views. With over 100 taps — yes, 100 — it’s basically Disneyland for beer lovers. The selection spans local legends, rare imports, and just about every style you’ve ever heard of (and plenty you haven’t).

The vibe is energetic but polished: a wide-open layout with soaring ceilings, industrial-chic finishes, and a patio that’s hard to beat on a sunny afternoon.

Whether you’re there for a casual pint, a group hang, or a game night on the big screen, CRAFT hits the sweet spot between trendy and approachable.

⭐ Don’t leave without: A tasting flight and the Hawaiian Ahi Poke. Yes, it’s a beer hall. Yes, that combo slaps.

Swan’s Brewery

Category: Brewpub | Location: 506 Pandora St. | Website

Housed in a century-old grain warehouse, this brewpub has serious staying power and pours some of the most drinkable ales in town.

There’s always something happening — from jazz nights to trivia — and the space itself is open, inviting, and a bit of a time capsule.

The food here is hearty, the portions generous, and the ambiance feels like a proper gathering place — part historic site, part hangout. Bonus: The attached hotel makes it dangerously easy to roll upstairs after a night out.

⭐ Don’t leave without: A pint of Raspberry Ale — iconic and oddly refreshing with pub grub.

Spinnakers Brewpub

Category: Gastro-brewpub | Location: 308 Catherine St. | Website

Canada’s first brewpub, open since 1984 and still going strong with a killer view of the harbour. If you like your beer with a side of sea breeze and locally sourced everything, this is your spot.

The old-house vibe, wood floors, and food made with ingredients from Vancouver Island farms give it a wholesome edge.

You’ll get serious attention to flavour here — in both food and drink. Great for casual date nights, tourist pit stops, or post-walk refuels.

The sheer range of house-brewed beers is impressive, with everything from dark stouts to crisp, summer-friendly lagers. The patio alone is worth the visit.

⭐ Don’t leave without: The cask-conditioned ale and the West Coast seafood chowder. You’ll remember both.

Victoria’s Best Cocktail Bars

Clive’s Classic Lounge

Category: Lounge | Location: 740 Burdett Ave. | Website

This one’s hidden inside the Chateau Victoria — but don’t let the hotel location fool you. Clive’s is consistently ranked one of Canada’s top cocktail bars, and it earns that spot with real craft and zero pretension.

The menu reads like a bartender’s diary, with drinks named after regulars, legends, and old spirits. It’s fancy but not stuck up. The bartenders know their stuff, and if you’re overwhelmed, just tell them your vibe. They’ll sort you out.

You’ll find everything from classics done right to experimental drinks with infusions you’ve never heard of. A top-tier experience whether you’re a cocktail nerd or just thirsty.

⭐ Don’t leave without: Asking for something off-menu. The staff will size you up and make something dead-on.

Citrus & Cane

Category: Cocktail Bar | Location: 1900 Douglas St. | Website

Tucked away off Yates Street, this tropical-leaning cocktail bar feels like an island holiday without leaving downtown. Citrus & Cane leans hard into rum, but don’t let that limit your expectations — the bartenders here are some of the most creative in the city.

The vibe is lush but not kitschy: jungle wallpaper, candlelight, and drinks that look like they belong on a magazine cover. It’s intimate, upbeat, and always just the right side of quirky.

Perfect for date nights, pre-dinner cocktails, or pretending it’s summer during a Victoria downpour.

⭐ Don’t leave without: Whatever’s rum-forward and topped with a flaming garnish. Yes, it’s a bit extra. That’s the point.

Wind Cries Mary

Category: Restaurant & Bar | Location: 45 Bastion Sq . | Website

Built into historic Bastion Square, this spot combines Pacific Northwest food with serious cocktail energy. It walks the line between a full-on restaurant and a laid-back cocktail den — and somehow pulls off both.

It’s warm and woodsy inside, with a moody lounge tucked at the back and bartenders who make you feel cooler than you are. Drinks lean bold and botanical. The food’s just as good as the drinks, which makes it dangerously easy to settle in.

It’s the kind of place where a drink turns into dinner and then another drink — without you ever looking at your watch.

⭐ Don’t leave without: The house-smoked Old Fashioned — it smells like a forest and tastes like a campfire in a good way.

Still thirsty? Feel like a snack? Check out more of our best of Victoria culinary guides:

Filled out your list of Victoria’s Best Bars?

So, there you have it! Victoria’s bar scene is buzzing with options. From craft beer havens to cocktail lounges and lively pubs, Victoria’s bars offer something for everyone.

Now, it’s time to get out there and explore these top spots for yourself.

Cheers to discovering your new favorite Victoria bar!

Victoria’s Best Bars: A Newbie’s Guide