Victoria has multitudes of cocktail bars that locals and tourists both frequent in order to wet their whistle, several of which have been recognized with province-wide and nation-wide awards.
In this year’s Canada’s Best 100 Bars which was announced on May 16th, one of the nation’s most prestigious awards, two cocktail bars in Victoria have been recognized for their drinks and atmospheres.
The relatively new Citrus & Cane as well as Victoria mainstay Clive’s Classic Lounge both made the esteemed list of Canada’s top 100 barrooms.
Citrus & Cane – #42
If HBO’s White Lotus was a bar, Citrus & Cane would be it.
One of the city’s most iconic and aesthetic cocktail lounges will transport its patrons to another time and place where there are only good vibes and so much rum.
This bar is for those who have a zest for the sweet life as many drinks feature juices and spirits that make truly delicious creations that are refreshing, sweet and of course, citrusy.
If you like pina coladas, tropical cocktails and rum, you will like just about anything on their menu.
Citrus & Cane’s ‘banana hammock’ cocktail is a must-try from their drink list. It is made with a blend of rums, Sons of Vancouver Amaretto, banana liqueur, Citrus & Cane falernum, mango, lime and bitters.
- Where: 1900 Douglas Street
- When:
- 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday
- 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday and Thursday
Clive’s Classic Lounge – #13
Clive’s Classic Lounge is no stranger to awards, hot off the win of Top 10 International Bar Team of the Year, and their latest achievement is that they cracked the top 15 in the Canada’s Best 100 Bars list, which is no small feat and very well-deserved.
Established in 2008, this lounge has become a mainstay of the city and helped the cocktail scene grow and expand by leading the way for others to emerge and find their own success.
Now, Clive’s is an internationally renowned bar, with more ‘top 10’ nods than any other bar in Canada at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards.
They will soon need a bigger trophy case to show off all they’ve accomplished.
Head Barkeep Shawn Soole knows that to stay relevant, a cocktail bar needs to keep up with the competition. He has led his team in such a way that they are always at the head of the pack when it comes to new discovery and creating truly beautiful experiences for their patrons through the art of a good cocktail.
Clive’s Classic Lounge’s menus change with the seasons, but one must try from their menu that never leaves is their French-style absinthe dripper.
Using an art deco-esque absinthe fountain, water is slowly dropped over a sugar cube resting in an absinthe spoon which slowly dilutes and sweetens the drink.
- Where: 740 Burdett Avenue
- When:
- 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Tuesday to Thursday
- 5 p.m. to 12 a.m., Friday to Sunday
Click here to see the full list of bars that made the list across the country.
