Pub Tour - English, Irish and Scottish Style

Our evening started at the Scottish Pub, the Bard and Banker on Government Street at Fort in the heart of Victoria. General Manager Brad Skerrett greeted us as we arrived and made sure he got around to every table to meet and greet his the guests! This has to be the most beautifully designed and decorated pub around. It is visually striking, the food is great and the beer even better with a choice of over 40 beers on the menu. Cocktails and wine are also available, providing visitors with a very impressive selection of spirits under one roof. The pub is large with 12,000 sq. ft. and seating for 320. For years, the building was a bank. With the live music Wednesday thru Saturday, this place rocks! Outdoor seating on the Government Street patio completes the scene.
From the Bard and Banker we hopped on the gigantic Big Bus and we given a tour of Victoria’s gorgeous waterfront, down Dallas Road in Victoria and then through Oak Bay ending at the Penny Farthing Olde English Pub in the middle of Oak Bay Village. We received a warm welcome from General Manager John McDonald who was waiting for us as we arrived. This pub has fires crackling in four fireplaces, dark rich wood, Victorian etched glass doors and windows, a fascinating collection of memorabilia and a fabulous bar. Break through Oak Bay’s tweed curtain and enjoy a true British experience at the “Penny”. This Pub is connected to the VIS-à-VIS WINE BAR + CHARCUTERIE which has a restaurant licence so all family members can go there, or you can choose to eat in the Penny Pub. We had dinner in the VIS-à-VIS which served well for our group function.
As the sun set, we all boarded the Big Bus and returned downtown to the Irish Times Pub. Warm and inviting, it is located in downtown Victoria at 1200 Government Street, just two blocks north of the Bard and Banker. The Irish Times Pub is home to 190 seats on two floors with 80 seats available on the patios, opening onto both Government Street and historic Bastion Square. This pub is a fun place with authentic live music 7 nights a week. The tradition of Ireland has also been extended to the menu, which features Irish Pub Food as you would see in Ireland today. After our meal at the Penny Farthing, we were treated to Irish Coffee and a yummy brownie dessert covered with Irish Cream liqueur and pistachios. General Manager Nancy Stewart had joined us at the Bard and Banker and was with the group through the entire evening.
Thanks to these three establishments for a great evening of English, Irish and Scottish hospitality, just as it should be. We enjoyed being so close and personal with the staff and management of the Victoria Pub Company operations.For more great pictures of these amazing pubs, click here.