Where to Drink in Victoria: The Only Guide You’ll Ever Need
Victoria’s drinks scene is just as exciting as its culinary one. From classic tiki cocktails to inventive twists on old favourites, here’s where to imbibe in British Columbia’s charming capital.
Tucked away in the unassuming Chateau Victoria hotel, Clive’s Classic Lounge is a cozy watering hole known for excellent service and forward-thinking cocktails. Named for the hotel’s founder, Clive’s easily has one of the city’s best drink menus—and it’s pretty much always changing. The names are half the fun, with options like the High Society Murder (vodka, cranberry liqueur, Martini Bianco, lime, cranberry, and orange bitters) and the Let’s Figure It Out (gin, amaretto, cascadian bitters, fig foam, lemon, plum). Not ready to experiment? Clive’s does the classics to perfection, too.
___
One of Victoria’s best and brightest coffee shops, Hey Happy offers an array of hot and iced drinks, from classic coffee lattes (using its own house-roasted beans) to specialty ones (the Mandarin Daydream, for example, is a black tea latte flavoured with mandarin and ginger, and topped with a spiced ginger meringue). The café has two locations—one uptown, one downtown—meaning there are ample opportunities to take in the its signature sunny decor.
___
Downtown’s Tourist Wine Bar is nothing short of a vibe, with curved archways, soft lighting, and a robust list of natural wines. The best thing to do is simply ask what’s open and being poured that day, and let the knowledgeable staff guide you to a sip of your liking. Pair it with one of the bar’s small bites, such as charred savoy cabbage, or indulge in the mouth-watering hamburger.
___
Easily one of Victoria’s best cocktail bars, Humboldt is a downtown hidden gem in the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Victoria. This unlikely location has not stopped Humboldt from rising in the ranks, offering a dark and moody place in which to sip something unique, such as the vegetal and spirit-forward Diamond of Urals (gin, dry vermouth, vodka, golden beet juice, yellow Chartreuse, and champagne vinegar bitters). Classics like negronis and old fashioneds are also great here.
___
Found in a downtown basement, Wind Cries Mary could be easily overlooked—but foodies and cocktail aficionados alike would be remiss to skip it. For something to nibble on during happy hour, consider the briny olive and red pepper tapenade served with tortilla chips from the local Mexican restaurant Maiiz, or the crispy and creamy salmon cakes (served with tartar sauce, of course). Drinks are excellent here, too, from classics like a dirty gin martini (done to perfection) to proprietary creations like the Soup No. 2 (a vibrant-hued mix of purple cabbage aquavit, vodka washed in yogurt and beets, and bitters made from soup vegetables).
___
So-hip-it-hurts café Routine serves some of the city’s best hot drinks, from basic coffees to fancy salted chili mochas. The café also has a selection of cold canned drinks for takeaway, as well as treats including ice cream from Esquimalt’s Kid Sister.
___
A shining beacon on Victoria Harbour, the Fairmont Empress hotel might be best known for its elaborate British-style afternoon tea service (and its plush lodgings, of course)—but its fine-dining restaurant, Q at the Empress, is equally worthy of attention. It’s here that eaters can enjoy signature cocktails such as the Green Park (vodka, celery bitters, basil, egg white, lemon) or zero-proof creations like the Fauxgroni (non-alcoholic gin, non-alcoholic amaro, bitters). There is also a special Empress 1908 menu created in celebration of the hotel’s own brand of gin (the flagship product changes colour when mixed with tonic). When it comes to the food, the seasonal offerings celebrate the best of West Coast fare—such as Pacific sablefish with seaweed butter or risotto with garlic cream, parmesan, and wild mushroom madeira sauce. End the meal with a nightcap in the adjoining Q Bar, complete with plush couches and colourful renderings of Queen Elizabeth.
