Victoria Nightlife
Downtown Victoria offers plenty of things to do after dark, whether you’re in the mood for live music at a cozy pub, craft cocktails at a hidden gem, a horse-drawn carriage ride around the Inner Harbour or an ice cream cone with a generous side of people watching. Most nightlife options are within a 10-minute walk of Government Street, the main thoroughfare in downtown Victoria, so you should have no trouble getting around and making a night of it. A bonus: Downtown parking is free after 6 p.m.
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Two of the best pubs in Victoria, B.C., are located just a block from each other on Government Street. Housed in an 1885 bank building, the Bard and Banker (1022 Government St.) is a local favorite for upscale pub grub (breakfast, lunch and dinner), daily happy hour specials and friendly service. Families are welcomed until 9 p.m., and live music is offered seven nights a week with no cover charge (except St. Patrick’s Day and New Year’s Eve).
Another historic bank building houses the Irish Times Pub (1200 Government St.), a sister establishment to Bard & Banker. Beer and whiskey flights pair well with Irish comfort food and nightly live music. On Friday and Saturday afternoons you’ll hear traditional Celtic tunes.
Cocktail Lounges and Craft Beer Bars
You’re sure to find a craft beer you like at The Churchill (1140 Government St.), where 50 taps showcase brews from British Columbia and beyond. Handcrafted cocktails and hearty pub fare (try the poutine!) round out the menu.
If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path bar in Victoria, seek out Little Jumbo (506 Fort St.) for a drink or two. The intimate venue serves up B.C. wines as well as a rotating menu of specialty cocktails made with exotic ingredients. Little Jumbo opens nightly at 5 p.m.
Best Hotel Bars in Victoria, B.C.
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No visit to Victoria is complete without a stroll through Fairmont Empress, the ivy-covered hotel that has been a landmark on Victoria’s harbor since 1908. Dress to impress for drinks at Q Bar (located inside the hotel’s restaurant, Q at the Empress ). It’s a good place for signature cocktails, local beers, a fancy dessert and nightly live entertainment.
A few other hotel bars in the city of Victoria are worth a stop. Clive’s Classic Lounge (in the Chateau Victoria Hotel and Suites at 740 Burdett Ave.) has an extensive whiskey menu as well as handcrafted cocktails and tropical tiki drinks. Swans Hotel and Brewpub (506 Pandora Ave.) is another local hangout where you’ll find house-made beers, daily happy hours and a live music scene.
Family-Friendly Things to Do in Victoria, B.C., at Night
Nightlife in Victoria, B.C., doesn’t have to revolve around bars and lounges; there are plenty of family-friendly ways to experience the sights and sounds of the city after dark.
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Take a stroll along the stone walls of the Inner Harbour to see boats bobbing in the marina and the lights of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia reflected on the water. If your feet are tired after a long day, opt to see the lights from a horse-drawn carriage ride with Victoria Carriage Tours . Private, narrated tours will take you around downtown until 10 p.m. on most summer nights.
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And if a decadent, Instagram-worthy dessert sounds right up your alley, don’t miss a stop at Chocolats Favoris on Government Street. The Quebec-based chocolatier specializes in soft-serve ice cream dipped in any of 12 flavors of real chocolate. The shop stays open year-round until 8 or 9 p.m.