Victoria Wine Tasting vs. pub

[rainyrosie]

Anyone with experience using a tour co. for wine tasting in Victoria? We will be there from 7 - 11 pm. Is there more than one winery? I think that "pub hopping" on our own would be fun too, but am afraid if we do that, we wouldn't see much of Victoria (granted it will be evening). Thanks

[cruiseryyc]

There are several wineries in the Victoria area, none of which are close enough to tour in that limited space of time (Unless of course there is a ship's tour). A better bet would be to walk around the inner harbour area and stop in a couple of pubs.

[Putterdude]

Here is a Victoria pub crawl that I put together for some folks who were with us on a cruise in May:

 

These five pubs are in the downtown area and not more than 3 blocks apart so quite walkable. You will likely want to take a cab or shuttle from the pier to the Empress Hotel then start walking. Hugo’s by the way is a trendy brew pub and not in the English Pub tradition.

 

Bartholomews in the Executive House 777 Douglas St.

 

TheSticky Wicket in the Strathconna 919 Douglas St.

 

Hugo’s Brew Pub in the Magnolia 623 Courtenay

 

The Old Bailey at 777 Courtenay

 

There is the Irish Times Pub at 1200 Government …..it is kind of touristy.

 

You could also walk over to the Swans at 506 Pandora, which would be about a 7 block walk from the Sticky Wicket so you might want to cab it.

 

If you decide to go to the Swans then you may as well carry on by cab to the Vancouver Island Brewing company at 2330 Government St. Then again by cab to Spinnakers at 308 Catherine St.

 

The cab fares should all be under $10 and a pint of beer will run you about $5 and most of these places will have wine, spirits and soft drinks available for the non beer drinkers.

 

Should you decide to go by cab, I would start at Spinnakers then the Van. Is. Brewing Co., then Swans then come into the Sticky Wicket and then you walk to the others.

[rainyrosie]

Thanks!

[Luckysll]

There is also a new pub called the Bard and Banker, which just opened up a few weeks ago. It's located at the corner of Fort and Government Street. The "Bard" in the name is for poet Robert Service.

 

It's been featured on the local news and the renovations have been quite impressive looking.