Just went to the bar for some drinks and listen to some live music. Had 3 different whiskey drinks…read more Bartender, wish I remembered his name, nice dude, recommended the Winters Calling. Love it. Then had a Whiskey Sour and finally The Grand Desire. Nothing came close to that Winters Calling though. Very unique drink. Also got to sit and listen to some of the most angelic voices I've heard in a long time. It was a nice, chill place where I could escape for a bit. Definite highlight on my trip from Seattle.

The Pacific Lounge is a great place to meet friends and coworkers near the heart of Victoria. The…read morelounge is replete with tons of cozy loungers and is illuminated as such that u may carry on discrete conversations while enjoying a beer or single malt. Despite the convenience of this being primarily a hotel bar, I would recommend this for locals seeking a waypoint as they make their way to the abundant local culture - be it the parliament building, bay, or BC museum.

TL;DR: A worthwhile cocktail bar with the right mood and…read moresolid execution. Setting your expectations correctly is key here. Drinks: We had four cocktails between the two of us. All were good and well made, but a couple felt slightly out of balance, keeping them from hitting the excellent tier. Service: Attentive, professional, and engaged. The bartender knew what they were doing and kept things moving smoothly. Vibe: Dark, old-school, and moody in the best way. You quickly forget you're in a hotel once inside. Comfortable and easy to settle into. What could be better: Tighter balance and consistency in the cocktails. A small refinement would make a noticeable difference here.

A cozy cocktail bar with great drinks and appetizers. The service was outstanding. We enjoyed the…read moreSpanish Croquettes with a Cottage and a Negroni.

The drinks are amazing! The aura of the bar is perfect, and music is a perfect level and the…read morebartender was a doll! Definitely coming back for the late night happy hour more often

Swing in before we visit the Lincoln Theater. Fun drink selection in a very cozy establishment…read more Finding a seat may be an issue and service is at a slower pace. Have only ever ordered appetizers but we're always good.

Inside the hotel so you know you are paying hotel prices. However, the location is great and even…read morebetter at night. You see all the lights around the water!! You really can't beat it. We came in for drinks and dessert. I got the white sangria and it didn't have quite as much fruit as others I've had. However it was good. We ended up getting the scallop as a snack and they were soft and I enjoyed the sauce. We also got the 2 desserts for $25. I really liked my lemongrass creme brulee with the macaroon. I enjoyed it and my cousin enjoyed her chocolate one as well. It was very chocolately. Overall, not bad for a hotel. Beautiful nighttime views!!

This restaurant located inside of the Marriott is super convenient and has great service. It's a…read morebit pricey - I paid $18 for a bowl of oatmeal but it was served with dried fruit, toasted pistachios, and fresh fruit and small container of warm turmeric honey latte. My husband said his bowl of lavender yogurt with granola and fruit was also very good ($20) For dinner, my husband had the sous vide short rib and I had the prawn tagliatelle. The short rib was a pretty small portion, but he said it was very good. I really liked the pasta! For dessert we shared the apple tart tatin with ice cream. It wasn't my favorite - I think I wanted more crust and chunks of apple. We were here on a Thursday night. The live music was wonderful. The musician has a beautiful voice!!

Could not be happier that the Arbutus Lounge exists (and the distillery) in our town. This place…read morerivals the best quality cocktails I've had in major cities, and when you factor in the INCREDIBLY low price, it truly can't be beat. From the classic martini to the weird and wonderful Where the Wild Things Are, and everything in between, the drink list is unique and exciting with something for everyone. The mixologists are amazing, and they even have board games and snacks available. They also do a happy hour, but I can never get there in time so can't speak to it. By far the best kept secret in Nanaimo!

Just discovered this place! Awesome craft cocktails from a serious mixologist. Never even knew this…read moreplace was here, as it's kinda hiding out of sight on a bit of an industrial park road. Nice cozy eclectic atmosphere with herbs and flowers drying all around. The cocktail menu is lengthy and def has something for everyone. Each drink has a chart letting you know sweet, herbal, boozy, etc. Not very busy on a Friday night, I imagine people haven't discovered it just like we didn't! Check it out!

Loved the Zombie last time I was in, a bit pricey but ambiance was worth it. Hope to come back…read moreagain. Any happy hour specials??

TL;DR: Yes, it's a tiki bar. That's about as far as it goes…read more Drinks: Coming from someone with a rum shelf and a closet of tiki mugs, this was thin. Very limited rum selection, nothing distinctive. The menu reads like flashcards: Trade Winds, Trader Vic's Grog, Saturn. Correct, competent. Vibe: The ambiance is fun and well done. It checks the boxes, but it doesn't push past them. What could be better: Depth. The rum program feels bare, and there's no sense of curiosity. Bottom line: If you don't know tiki, you'll probably have a good time. If you do, have a daiquiri and move on. My review matches what the locals say - Yup, it's a tiki bar.

Got a little thirsty so decided to drop by at the lounge. I ordered the Fruit Shrub which consists…read moreof seasonal fruit, sugar, vinegar and soda. Very refreshing. Very courteous service and a lovely place to rest my feet after the museum.

We love coming here every time we come to the island. Which has been a few times a month these last…read moreseveral months! We love sitting on the couch by the fire or in the lounge by the windows overlooking the bay. I love the appetizers...especially the oysters and the lettuce wraps. They also have a couple of lively barrel aged beverages. They normally have a barrel aged Manhattan (The Manhattan project) and a barrel aged Sazerac. So good! The burger is great too. Juicy and delicious. Also the steak salad. Really good! Have a great time and tell them Tim sent ya! ;)

Stopped in before the Soul Asylum show. Live music was awesome. Lounge layout has something to be…read moredesired. Not much room to order a drink and with only two staff and no floor service, less of a lounge and unfortunately more of a bar feel. Great selection off the menue... just have to locate one. Bartenders were nice but over taxed. Comfortable chairs and nice place to relax.

They have more than just whiskey! Popped over for a drink or two solo at the bar top and was…read moregreeted right away. I was looking for champagne, which they had an unfamiliar brand but it was really light, more on the dry side, and crisp - exactly what I was looking for! The bartender was informative and kept busy during my time there. The ambiance is warm and loungey with lots of different seating options. Some facing the hotel lobby for people watching, a couple of intimate booths, group seating around the fireplace, and bar top seats. A group came in for whiskey, and played board games that were available in the seating area. The holiday decorations made it cozy and the perfect spot to read a book while sipping on a good champs!

Rebar looks so much better refreshed! Food was much better than before and the clean look feels so…read moremuch better! Nice to see Victoria classic thriving!

From the owner: "The Urban Rebar is where Rebar’s legendary culinary tradition meets bold, South Asian–inspired…read morefusion. Located in downtown Victoria, we offer the original Rebar menu alongside modern delicacies, handcrafted cocktails, and a vibrant lounge ambiance. Every dish is made with creativity, quality, and heart. We are committed to reviving Rebar’s beloved flavors while introducing fresh experiences for today’s diners. The Urban Rebar - Eat Really Well."

Big Bad John's is a particular lounge, where you can get plenty of drinks made by the bartender but…read morealso get ciders and other bottles or canned alcoholic drinks, and local beers on draft. Two other characteristics of Big Bad John's is the decoration and the shelled peanuts. The walls has stickers, hand written notes, pictures, and other artifacts, such as bottles and bras. As for the shelled peanuts, you can get a bucket full of them and throw the empty shells on the ground. Don't worry, it's allowed!! At the end of the evening, the floor is full of shells and the only sound you hear is "CRUNCH." The music is entirely country music!!

A very cool bar to check out while in Victoria. They have cider, beer, and full bar for cocktails…read more The aesthetics inside were nice and ladies if you feel compelled you can leave your bar behind! Overall a cool dive bar spot