Victoria After Dark
When night falls over Victoria, a whole new personality emerges—cheeky, adventurous, and full of surprises. You’ll find yourself chatting with friendly locals in candlelit nooks, catching impromptu music drifting from lively pubs, and feeling the playful spirit that sweeps through seaside streets after dark. Victoria at night invites you to join in, explore a little further, and discover why the city truly shines when the sun goes down.
Late night on the water | Late night activities | Late night tours |Late night bites | Late night brews | Late night wine & cocktails | Late night shopping | Late night vibes | Late night sights | Late night lights
Late night on the water
Featuring one of North America’s most dazzling harbourfronts, lined with illuminated, historic architecture, the evening time can be one of the be most beautiful moments to take to Victoria’s tranquil waters.
Ocean River Sports
Start the night right with a Sunset Kayak Harbour Tour with the folks at Ocean River Sports. On your tour, you’ll paddle through the iconic Inner Habour, passing by historic architecture, and soaking in the pastel hues of a dazzling Victoria sunset. Experience Victoria like never before, from the water, as the city twinkles during the golden hour.
South Island SUP
South Island SUP offers more than one way to get your evening dose of vitamin sea. You can join the SUP squad for a sunset tour and watch the sun slip behind the Olympic Mountains for a breathtaking end to your day, or for those who aren’t afraid of the dark, you can embark on a bioluminescence tour (during the summer and early fall) of the Saanich Inlet, paddling through an astounding light show beneath your feet.
Hot Tub Boat Victoria
Yes, you’re reading that right. It’s everything you love about boating from the comfort and warmth of a hot tub with Hot Tub Boat Victoria. Each boat can hold up to six passengers and comes equipped with waterproof speakers, making for a floating party you’ll never forget. The boats are filled with fresh, hot water and kept warm by an onboard stove fueled by briquettes.
Local tip: Don’t swim after eating? Well, boat while you eat, then! Grab your friends and some burger patties and explore Victoria’s Upper Harbour aboard one of Hot Tub Boat Victoria’s BBQ Boats.
HAVN Saunas
Let your stresses melt away like the sunset at HAVN Saunas. Soak in harbourfront views like no other from a floating barge turned spa on the Inner Harbour. HAVN’s 2-hour late night sessions start as late as 8:30PM, for spectacular sunset views while you sauna, soak, and plunge through their hydrotherapy circuit. Nestled just footsteps from iconic sights like the Fairmont Empress and the BC Parliament Buildings, you’ll have front row seats for when Victoria’s architectural icons illuminate for the evening.
Photo credit: @angelmrdz (Instagram)
Sunset whale watching tours
Embark on an adventure across the Salish Sea on a sunset whale watching tour with one of Victoria’s many certified whale watching tour companies. You’ll explore the waters in search of orcas, Humpbacks, Grey whales, sealions, and more, while the sun gently sets behind the Olympic Mountains turning the sky into a postcard-worthy portrait of pastel hues.
Late night activities
From heart pounding adventures to head-to-head battles, late-night Victoria is jam-packed with fun things to do, no matter the size of your group.
Forged Axe Throwing
Unleash your inner Lumberjack at Forged Axe Throwing. Let one of the talented coaches at Forged introduce you to this unique pastime, where you’ll learn the basics of axe throwing, before taking to the lane to test your aim as you chuck axe at pine. This target practice game is just like darts, if darts had a grizzled beard, a flannel shirt, and a bottle of hooch. It’s fun, it’s Canadian as heck, and it’s available late-night at Forged.
Haunted Manor Victoria
If you golf like me, the only boos you hear are when you’re on your sixth “practice” swing. Well, thankfully the folks at Haunted Manor Victoria are here to take the pressure off, with boos of a different nature, as you putt your way through 18 interactive holes of haunted minigolf. It’s spooky sporting fun, loaded with puzzles, putting, and poltergeists.
Quazar’s Arcade
It’s a blast from the past. If you’re a retro video game nerd, you’ve found your happy place at Quazar’s Arcade. Quazar’s serves up a rotating collection of classic and current video games, right in the heart of downtown. Put your paddles to the test and multi-ball your way through an unforgettable evening. What’s your high score?
Local Tip: Can’t get enough Pinball action? Then head on over to Pinhalla Pinball Pizzeria, which is home to over 35 machines
Horror Escape Victoria
Enter if you dare! At Horror Escape Victoria, you have 45 minutes to find clues, solve puzzles, and escape. The only catch, these rooms are totally terrifying. From occult houses to haunted forests, and murderous hotel rooms, you’re going to need your wits to find your way out. With options ranging from more family-friendly “PG-13” to gory “18A” escapes, there’s an adventure that matches the thrill level you’re looking for.
Late night tours
See Victoria through the eyes of a local night owl. These tours show you a different side of the city, that only comes out after dark.
Off the Eaten Track
Munch your way through the city’s late night food scene with Off the Eaten Track. On your Late Night Food & History Tour you’ll explore the city’s night sights while tucking into samples from at least six of Victoria’s favourite evening eats. You’ll even get to try a cocktail on your tour (with non-alcoholic options available). This one’s for the foodies! Tuck into a feast fit for the history books.
Ghostly Walks
As the oldest city in the Pacific Northwest, Victoria has a haunted history unlike anywhere else in our region. Experience the eerie side of Victoria with Ghostly Walks. On your tour, you’ll walk down alleyways and through historic squares learning tales of murder, hangings, romance, and hauntings. The Ghostly Walks team is versed in over 500 accounts of ghostly encounters in Victoria, so no two tours are the same. It’s a spooky spectacle you’ll never forget.
Tally-Ho Carriage Tours
Named for the Queen herself, Victoria is steeped in Victorian (and Edwardian) history. Experience the city as it were in a bygone era with a horse drawn carriage tour from Tally-Ho Carriage Tours. These stately tours wind through the city’s historic street, taking you past the iconic BC Parliament Buildings, Beacon Hill Park, and through Victoria’s oldest neighbourhood. With tours ranging from 15-90 minutes, you’re sure to find one that fits your itinerary.
Late night bites
Victoria is a foodie’s city, and our locals are fit to feast at any time of day. From handhelds to haut cuisine, find exactly what you’re craving, at almost any hour.
Fire + Water Restaurant
Taste the best of land and sea at Fire + Water, where the Executive Chef and culinary team find inspiration in all things local, sustainable, and fresh, from right here along our Pacific Coast. This is dining West Coast style. Whether you’re looking for a great meal, or casual cocktails after a day of exploring, Fire + Water offers unforgettable food in an elegant, yet relaxed, atmosphere.
LURE Restaurant & Bar
If you’re looking for iconically Victoria, look no further than LURE Restaurant & Bar. With sweeping views of the Inner Harbour, this is the place to be for breathtaking views paired with a side of culinary excellence. As the city twinkles across the Harbour, tuck into a wide-ranging menu that features everything from shareables to handhelds and locally sourced favourites.
Local tip: LURE is home to one of Victoria’s best patios. It’s pet-friendly, with its own pet menu, and boasts stunning views of the harbour.
10 Acres Bistro
It doesn’t get more local that 10 Acres Bistro, who source much of their ingredients from their own 10-acre farm on the Saanich Peninsula. Beyond their own hyper-local stock, you can also tuck into the freshest foods from across the Island such as locally sourced seafood and cheeses. With a seasonal and rotating menu, 10 Acres offers you a taste of Victoria that you just can’t find anywhere else.
Wind Cries Mary
A local favourite, Wind Cries Mary serves up a locally focused menu that changes like the tides. Break bread with your besties and indulge in their farm-to-table share plates that serve up the best of the island. Open until 1AM every seven days a week, this is Victoria’s late-night go to for gourmet grub. But after dark is when things really come alive, as Birdman pop’s-up each evening into the space every night at 11PM (10PM on Mondays). Birdman’s famous fried chicken sandwiches and cocktails are sure to provide the fuel you need to push into the early hours.
Milestones Restaurant
Nestled on the Lower Causeway of the Inner Harbour with views across the water to the BC Parliament Buildings and famed Steamship terminal, Milestones might arguably have the best location in the city. Better yet, they have food that does the views justice. Take in some bites, and take in the sights, if you can keep your eyes off your plate.
Late night brews
From casual beers with friends to self-guided brewery tours, these late-night brewers and beerhalls keep good times on tap.
The Drake Eatery
If you’re looking for some late-night drinks without blaring music, you’ve found your spot at The Drake. This conversation-friendly environment, situated in a comfortable space with high ceilings, brick walls, and live edge wood surfaces, boasts a tremendous rotating craft beer selection of 29 draught taps of hard-to-find west coast beer and cider, as well as a menu that offers both small plates and individual meals with ingredients sourced from local suppliers.
Swans Pub & Brewery
After more than 30 years serving Victoria, Swans Pub & Brewery has become a bit of a local institution. And it’s well deserved; their award-winning beers and locally sourced menu have become a staple of the city’s late-night scene. As the only industrial warehouse pub in Victoria, it’s a great place to connect with friends and locals while savouring small-batch beer.
Whistle Buoy Brewing Co.
Beer like never before, at Whistle Buoy Brewing. This experimental taproom is always up to something new, and whatever it is they’re working on, you can bet your bottle that it’s inspired by the natural beauty and urban energy of our coastal home. Featuring island grown ingredients, these beers are sure to be unlike any pour you’ve had before. Located in the heart of market square, Whistle Buoy is the closest brewery to many downtown Victoria attractions and hotels.
Swift Brewing
It’s all about the retro vibes at Swift Brewing. One moment you’re walking along Victoria’s Upper Harbour, the next, you’re transported to an 80s style basement party filled with good vibes and even better beer. With a social setting perfect for chilling with friends, Swift Brewing is a must stop for any late-night pub crawl.
The Churchill
Boasting one of Victoria’s largest craft beer menus (over 50 taps from across the Pacific Northwest) and an extensive whiskey and cocktail menu, The Churchill is the perfect place to wind down your evening in a social setting. Stop by this intimate, local setting with your friends, or make some new ones when you grab a seat at their bar.
Late night wine & cocktails
Evenings of elegance unfold at these Victoria wine and cocktails bars. Raise a glass to an unforgettable night out.
Fathom
Sink into Victoria’s deepest whiskey menu at Fathom. With over 200 hand-selected whiskies from across the world, including their own house whiskey, Spirit of the Deep, even the most seasoned connoisseurs are certain to find something they’ve never tried before. Whiskey not your thing? Fathom also houses an extensive collection of local wines from BC’s top vineyards. This elevated cocktail and wine experience boasts live Jazz and DJ sets every Saturday night, making for an elegant night cap for your evening in Victoria.
Q Bar
When you’re in need of an elegant evening, why not settle down for cocktails at a venue fit for a queen? Q Bar at the Fairmont Empress might just be the crown jewel of Victoria’s cocktail scene. Sip vibrant, expertly crafted cocktails, explore an extensive wine list, or even settle down for a casual craft beer, amidst a colourful, regal setting, that still embodies Vancouver Island’s playful spirit.
Local tip: Be sure to try the Empress 1908 experience. Where the Empress’ own namesake gin transforms before your eyes from a vivid indigo blue to a floral pink.
Clive’s Classic Lounge
This isn’t your average cocktail bar, this is one of the most awarded cocktail bars in all of Canada. Clive’s Classic Lounge’s ever evolving cocktail lineup showcases the best local and international spirits that are sure to be the talk of your night out. With a wide-ranging selection to choose from, the hardest part can be narrowing down which one to try next, but Clive’s makes it easy for you with a selection of “Snacktails” that give you a taste of some of the favourites from the menu. Cheers to a night you won’t forget!
Late night shopping
Shopping doesn’t have to stop just because the sun has set. Find exactly what you’re looking for at these late-night retailers.
Rogers’ Chocolates
Made with sustainable certified Cultivate Better cocoa, and steeped in over 140 years of tradition, Rogers’ Chocolates are a sophisticated chocolate that goes well beyond the bar. But once you step foot in their National Historic Site store front, you’ll still feel like a kid in a candy store. You’re spoiled for choice with an assortment of chocolates ranging from their storied Victoria Creams to sea salt caramels, truffles, snackables, artisan tins, and much more.
Merchant Quarters General Store
If you took Victoria’s shopping scene and condensed it down into a single storefront, you’d have Merchant Quarters General Store. From Birkies to Blundstones, this is how you style yourself West Coast chic. Conveniently located steps from the Inner Harbour, Merchant Quarters is the perfect first-stop, last-stop, and maybe even a few stops in between of your late-night shopping spree.
Oceanside Gifts
If you’re looking for a keepsake from Victoria, British Columbia, or even a unique piece of Canadiana, look no further than Oceanside Gifts. Nestled right down on the edge of the Inner Harbour, along the Lower Causeway, Oceanside offers a wide range of, well everything, from t-shirts to postcards, to Indigenous Artwork, and beyond, you’ll find something for yourself and just about everyone on your list.
Late night vibes
Tired? Already? We’re just getting going! Victoria’s late-night scene keeps the night alive with cold beers, great music, and good vibes.
Sticky Wicket
It seems like the night never ends at the Sticky Wicket Pub & Restaurant. The Sticky (as its known to locals) boast multiple venues under one roof including a classic English-style pub (with pool tables, of course), nightclub, western-themed peanut bar, and a rooftop patio that hosts the world’s only rooftop beach volleyball courts. Whether you’re looking to socialize, dance, or play, the Sticky Wicket has exactly what you’re looking for to make this night, and any night, a memorable one.
Bard & Banker
Make your night out one for the history books. Situated in a remarkable heritage building that was once home to a Victorian-era bank, the Bard & Banker has established itself as a beacon for good times. Grab a pint from one of their 31 craft and import taps, or have a bottle from their award-winning wine list, while you dine on a locally-sourced (where possible) menu and rock-out to live music in this one-of-a-kind venue.
Irish Times Pub
The Irish Times is famous for good food, good brews, and good vibes. Located in a heritage building first built in 1894, this classic Irish Pub, which has been named the Best Irish Pub in North America, embraces the Irish spirit in everything they do. Stomp and clap to local music until 1AM seven days a week, while you enjoy pub classics like bangers and mash, beer from their 40+ taps, and the largest selection of Irish whiskeys in Canada.
Late night sights
Forget sightseeing, we’re night-seeing! These iconic Victoria landmarks offer a whole new perspective at night.
BC Parliament Buildings
Arguably Victoria’s most iconic landmark, the BC Parliament Buildings have graced the harbourfront for over 125 years. While the architecture is truly stunning to admire during the day, the buildings really comes to life at night when over 3,600 lightbulbs illuminate the space for a truly dazzling spectacle.
Local tip: Spectacular at any time of year, the BC Parliament Buildings are extra special during the holiday season, as holiday lights and a beautiful tree illuminate the front entranceway.
Inner Harbour Lower Causeway
With views of most of Victoria’s major architectural landmarks, the Inner Harbour is an Instagrammers paradise after dark. But it’s more than just the sights on display, peruse the harbour shopping at local vendor stalls and perhaps even catching a busker show or two.
CPR Steamship Terminal Building
Many of Victoria’s iconic landmarks were designed by famed architect Francis Rattenbury. The Steamship Terminal is another example of his craftsmanship tucked along our Inner Harbour. The Steamship Terminal is a great nighttime photo op when it’s towering columns are lit up from below.
Fairmont Empress
Canada’s Castle on the Coast the Fairmont Empress not only offers a luxury stay in the heart of Victoria, but it also stands as one of the city’s most beautiful landmarks. This world-renowned hotel has been the face of many postcards, magazines, calendars, and family photo albums. You probably snapped a few pics during the day, but we recommend returning at night to capture the space in a whole new light as the hotel’s façade and walkways are aglow with lights.
Late night lights
Explore Greater Victoria with the stars as your guide.
Skywatching in Victoria
Sometimes late-night means getting away from it all; soaking in the tranquility of the stars overhead and the gentle roll of the waves along the shoreline. If your late-night vibes include wrapping yourself in a blanket, sipping a thermos of hot chocolate, and losing yourself in the wonder that dazzles above, be sure to read our blog on Skywatching in Victoria, and find the perfect place to cozy-up amongst the cosmos.
Photo credit: @murraysharrattphotography (Instagram)
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