Cozy Pubs in Victoria: 9 Great Places for a Pint on a Rainy Day

The Drake Pub and Eatery, Old Town

Cozy Pubs in Victoria: 9 Great Places for a Pint on a Rainy Day
There’s something about Victoria that makes pub weather feel like a good thing.
When the temperature drops, the rain starts tapping against the windows and the days get a little shorter, settling into a warm pub with a pint suddenly seems like an excellent way to spend an afternoon. Fortunately, Victoria has no shortage of places that fit the bill.
Our city’s British heritage certainly plays a part. Victoria has embraced the neighbourhood pub in a way that few Canadian cities have, and downtown in particular has an impressive collection of historic buildings, dark wood interiors, fireplaces, local beer and the kind of atmosphere that makes you perfectly happy to stay for another round.
If you're visiting Victoria during the fall or winter — or you've simply been caught by one of our famously changeable West Coast days — here are some of our favourite cozy pubs in and around the city.
The Drake Eatery
Tucked into historic Market Square, The Drake is one of the best places in downtown Victoria for anyone who takes their craft beer seriously.
Rather than trying to recreate a traditional British or Irish pub, The Drake has its own distinctly West Coast feel. It’s relaxed and unpretentious, with communal tables, a constantly changing beer selection and a strong focus on independent breweries from Vancouver Island and around British Columbia.
Market Square itself is worth exploring while you're there. Dating back to the late 1800s, this part of Old Town was once surrounded by hotels, saloons and businesses catering to people arriving in Victoria during the city's early boom years. Today, the restored heritage buildings surrounding the square make it one of the most atmospheric corners of downtown.
Grab a beer, find a seat and watch the rain fall into the courtyard outside. On a grey Victoria afternoon, it’s hard to beat.
Bard & Banker
If you're looking for the classic Victoria pub experience, the Bard & Banker is difficult to miss.
Located on Government Street in a beautiful heritage building dating from the late 1800s, the pub gets its name from one of the building's former employees — Robert Service, who worked as a bank clerk before becoming famous for poetry inspired by the Yukon Gold Rush.
Inside, the Bard & Banker is everything you might hope for from a grand old pub: dark wood, high ceilings, historic details, plenty of beer and a lively atmosphere. There’s often live music in the evenings, while afternoons tend to be a little more relaxed.
Its location also makes it an easy stop during a day exploring downtown. The Inner Harbour is just a few minutes away, so it works particularly well when the weather suddenly changes and you decide sightseeing can wait until after a pint.
Irish Times Pub
Almost directly across Government Street from the Bard & Banker is another Victoria institution, Irish Times.
Set inside a restored heritage building, Irish Times leans wholeheartedly into the traditional Irish pub experience. The interior is a maze of cozy spaces, woodwork, historic photographs and tucked-away tables, making it surprisingly easy to forget you're sitting on one of downtown Victoria's busiest streets.
There’s a large selection of beer and whisky, hearty pub food and regular live music. On a wet fall or winter evening, the combination of the warm interior and the historic surroundings makes Irish Times particularly inviting.
And if you're visiting Victoria and wondering why we have so many pubs within such a small area, you're starting to discover one of the city's better qualities.
Darcy's Pub
Head toward the waterfront and you'll find Darcy's overlooking Bastion Square and the Inner Harbour.
Darcy's has long been one of downtown Victoria's livelier pubs, particularly later in the evening, but during the afternoon it can also be a great place to settle in for a casual drink. Its location is a big part of the appeal. Bastion Square sits on one of Victoria's most historic sites, while the waterfront, Government Street and Old Town are all within a few minutes' walk.
It’s less "quiet fireside pint" and more "friendly downtown local," but that's part of what makes Victoria's pub scene interesting. Not every cozy stop has to involve whispering beside a fireplace.
Sometimes you just want a beer, some pub food and somewhere warm while the rain passes.
The Bent Mast
For something with a completely different atmosphere, wander out of downtown and into James Bay.
The Bent Mast occupies an old Victorian house on Simcoe Street and feels much more like a neighbourhood pub than a downtown attraction. The building itself gives the place much of its character, with different rooms, creaky old-house charm and the feeling that you've stumbled onto somewhere locals have been keeping to themselves.
James Bay is one of Victoria's oldest residential neighbourhoods and is well worth exploring on foot. The Legislature, Beacon Hill Park, Fisherman's Wharf and Dallas Road are all nearby, making The Bent Mast a good stop after a day of wandering.
On a cool or rainy afternoon, there are few things more satisfying than coming in from James Bay's windswept streets and finding a warm table waiting inside.
Bartholomew's Public House
Bartholomew's is another downtown favourite that sometimes flies a little under the radar compared with the larger pubs on Government Street.
Located near the Inner Harbour, it has the warm wood, comfortable booths and traditional pub atmosphere that works particularly well during Victoria's cooler months. It’s also conveniently positioned if you're staying downtown and want somewhere casual for a pint and a bite without venturing far from the harbour.
It has the feel of a proper local pub despite being right in the middle of the visitor district — an increasingly rare combination.
The Snug Pub
If you're willing to venture a little farther from downtown, The Snug at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel offers one of the most memorable pub settings in Greater Victoria.
The setting is the real star here. Perched above the water in Oak Bay, The Snug combines the comfortable atmosphere of a traditional pub with beautiful views across the Salish Sea. On stormier days, those views can be even better. There’s something especially satisfying about sitting somewhere warm with a drink while watching the weather roll across the water outside.
It’s a different experience from Victoria's historic downtown pubs and a good excuse to explore Oak Bay while you're here.
Six Mile Pub
The Six Mile Pub takes Victoria's pub history considerably farther back.
Located west of downtown, Six Mile traces its roots to the 1800s and is often described as one of British Columbia's oldest pubs. It has evolved considerably over the years, but it still offers exactly what you want from a neighbourhood pub: a comfortable atmosphere, good food, local beer and plenty of character.
You probably wouldn't stumble across it while walking around downtown Victoria, but if you have a car and are exploring farther afield, it’s worth knowing about.
Sometimes the best pubs are the ones that require a little journey to reach.
Saxe Point Public House
Across the harbour in Esquimalt, Saxe Point Public House is another good choice when you want to escape the busiest parts of downtown.
The pub has a relaxed neighbourhood feel and makes a particularly nice addition to an afternoon exploring Esquimalt. Nearby Saxe Point Park is one of our favourite places for a waterfront walk, with rocky shoreline, views across the Strait and plenty of classic West Coast scenery.
Our suggestion? Take a walk first and earn the pint.
On a crisp fall day, pairing a waterfront wander with a warm pub afterward is about as Victoria as it gets.
Victoria Was Made for Pub Weather
Visitors naturally picture Victoria during the summer — hanging baskets along Government Street, patios around the Inner Harbour and sunshine along Dallas Road. But fall and winter reveal a different side of the city.
The historic buildings seem a little more atmospheric. Chinatown's narrow streets and Old Town's brick alleyways look particularly good after the rain. And suddenly all those pubs scattered throughout the city make perfect sense.
So don't worry too much if there's rain in the forecast during your visit. Bring a jacket, explore the city anyway and keep this list handy.
After all, in Victoria, bad weather can simply be an excuse to find a better pub.
Explore Victoria With Us
Want to discover more of the food, history and hidden corners that make Victoria special? A Taste of Victoria Food Tours explores Chinatown, Old Town and the Inner Harbour while introducing guests to some of the local businesses that make our city's food scene unique.
And if craft beer is more your style, our Alleyways & Ales Craft Beer Tour combines Victoria's historic streets and hidden alleyways with local beer and food along the way.
Rain or shine, Victoria is a city best explored on foot — preferably with something good to eat and drink along the way.