Nightlife · Victoria · Canada
Victoria nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Victoria, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Michael Schneider from Sargans, Switzerland, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Quick answer
Victoria's nightlife is low-key: craft-beer pubs, cocktail bars, live music and theatre, concentrated downtown and in Vic West. The main areas are Downtown and LoJo, Rock Bay and Vic West and Fernwood.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 3
- Stay near the action
- Downtown and Old Town
- Local drink
- London Fog
Where to go out
Downtown and LoJo
Pubs, cocktail bars and live-music venues around Johnson, Yates and Wharf streets.
Rock Bay and Vic West
Craft-brewery taprooms and waterfront brewpubs.
Fernwood
A neighbourhood pub and the Belfry Theatre for a quieter evening.
Nightlife tips
- Bars in BC can serve until 2am, but many close earlier on weeknights.
- Book Belfry or Royal Theatre shows ahead in season.
- Use a taxi or rideshare late at night outside the downtown core.
Evening sights
Architecture · Inner Harbour and James Bay
BC Parliament Buildings
Come back after sunset to see the building lit up, reflected in the harbour.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Architecture
- Free
- After dark
- History
What to drink
- London Fog — An Earl Grey tea latte with steamed milk and vanilla syrup, a British Columbia café staple well suited to rainy winter days.
- Craft beer — Victoria was one of the first Canadian cities with brewpubs, and it now has a dense cluster of craft breweries around downtown and Vic West.
- Saanich Peninsula cider — Orchard-grown craft ciders from farms on the Saanich Peninsula, made from heritage apple varieties.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. July has the warmest evenings, with lows around 11°C (52°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 16:45 | 1°C (34°F) | 18 |
| April | About 20:04 | 4°C (39°F) | 12 |
| July | About 21:11 | 11°C (52°F) | 4 |
| October | About 18:25 | 6°C (43°F) | 13 |
Getting home late
- Walking — The Inner Harbour, downtown, Chinatown, Beacon Hill Park and the Dallas Road waterfront are all within about 25 minutes' walk of each other.
- Bus — Check the BC Transit website or app for routes and fare options before you ride.
- Ferry — BC Ferries sail from Swartz Bay, about 32 km north, to Tsawwassen near Vancouver in about 1 hour 35 minutes, and to the Southern Gulf Islands.
Late-night bites
- Fish and chips — Stands at Fisherman's Wharf and waterfront shacks along the Inner Harbour.
- Smoked and candied salmon — Fish shops and specialty stores downtown; it travels well as a gift.
Staying safe at night
Victoria is generally relaxed for visitors, but there is visible homelessness and some street disorder in parts of downtown, especially around Pandora Avenue; keep valuables out of sight in cars. On the coast, the water is very cold year-round, beach logs can roll in waves, and tides can cut off rocky shelves, so check tide tables.
- Emergency number
- 911
Where to stay for nightlife
$$$ · Best for first-timers, food lovers, shopping, nightlife and solo travellers
Downtown and Old Town
North of the harbour, Government Street, Market Square, Bastion Square and Lower Johnson Street ('LoJo') hold restored 19th-century buildings full of shops, pubs and restaurants. Chinatown, with Fan Tan Alley and the Gate of Harmonious Interest, is at the northern edge. Most mid-range hotels and the best-value dining are here.
- Good
- Most restaurants and bars in walking distance; Wide hotel choice; Five minutes to the harbour
- Watch out
- Visible street disorder in some blocks; Weekend noise near the bars
- Nearby
- Chinatown, Fan Tan Alley, Market Square, Bastion Square
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Victoria?
Downtown and LoJo, Rock Bay and Vic West and Fernwood. Pubs, cocktail bars and live-music venues around Johnson, Yates and Wharf streets.
+Which area of Victoria is best for nightlife?
Downtown and Old Town: Victorian brick shopfronts, Chinatown and the LoJo boutiques.