Although it hasn’t been ten years since my prior post about what are the most haunted restaurants in Victoria, BC, a lot has changed. Some have closed and for operations that have taken over the space, is it still haunted? The new managers aren’t saying, but I’m curious!

Most of the ghosts one may encounter aren’t malicious, but due to the nature of how we react when encountering something paranormal, to be fearful is a natural reaction! Also, there’s no such thing as real life ghostbusters and the best paranormal investigators can do is tell the wayward spirit that it’s best to move on and hope it does so. The stuff you see on television where folks are attacked are very rare, and in my opinion, mostly embellished. The stuff you see on the tube (or streaming) leans more on entertainment than anything else!

But for anyone looking for a supernatural experience, presented here is a list of operations reputed to have some kind of paranormal activity. To note, the operations located near Bastion Sqaure and Market Square perhaps has more ghosts per block than any other area! The 👻 rating is on the scale of out of ten for a chance of an encounter. The food review score is not included in this guide as they all offer fairly tasty delights, for any budget! Some I’ve reviewed before in this blog’s long history of being active. Links are provided where possible. Listed in no particular order are:

Fireside Grill
👻 · 4509 W Saanich Rd

For a touch of the historic along with what defines authentic west-coast style Canadian cuisine, this place is one to make a reservation for and dine in! The only reason I don’t haunt this place often is mostly due to its out of the way location. When I do visit, it’s usually for special occasions. When I first came here, the history was flowing everywhere, and the female spirit is said to linger outside than inside! 

Darcy’s Pub Downtown
👻👻 · 1127 Wharf St

Most pubs have their residential spirits, and quite typically they’re not out to cause problems. They do, like to make themselves known because they want the recognition, and for this operation, it’s just business as usual if a phone rings and nobody answers or a glass falls off the shelf, and shatters.

Pendray Inn and Tea House
👻👻 · 309 Belleville St

Although tragedy struck the Pendray family, who were a fixture in ye olde Victoria, just why they chose to remain isn’t hard to figure out. For those staying here hoping to meet them, maybe asking them to sit down for a spell to join you for a sip of tea is all you need for a chance encounter. They won’t necessarily manifest, but you can at least sense them!

Six Mile Pub + Eatery
👻👻 · 494 Island Hwy

This way station is home to many lost spirits. Over the years, some have decided to take up residency here than continue to the other side. It’s tough to say who haunts this place, but for the staff, they’ve had experiences and this has been a place I’ve actually investigated when I was with PARAVI, a local paranormal investigative group. Sadly, real life took precidence and we no longer operate.

The Bent Mast
👻👻 · 512 Simcoe St

Maybe the ghosts who linger here are those of the families who lived in this building before it became a pub. Upstairs is particularly heavy with a vibe that’s partly influenced by the decor, but also with the fact that’s where the bedrooms once were. Just what happened is uncertain, but to get to the bottom of it means interviewing those families before they sold it and it became a pub.

Bodega Bar
👻 · 620 Trounce Alley

The alley has more stories than the individual diners that operate here. And when considering not every business manager is willing to tell all, to boil down which diner or restaurant depends on dining at each place, and perhaps leaving a sizable enough tip in hopes the waitress has something to tell. But all in all, usually the stop as at either end of this alley to which a story is told during Discover the Pasts’s Ghostly Walks. It’s a known stop. Next up are also known locations where this tour makes frequent pauses at to recount some recent occurance. where even more tales can be told!

Bard & Banker
👻👻 · Pub · 1022 Government St

This old-school pub is very lively at night and the food is always tops. With the bands that come into play during the weekends, it’s very lively here. But when it’s all said and done, the ambience when everything closes down doesn’t feel spooky on the nights I’ve jaunted through. When considering this area is home to the famously haunted Bastion Square, I rarely think I’ll see or hear anything!

All the buildings and nearby establishments in this area have a spook or two, perhaps just wanting to stretch their legs after everyone leaves. They rarely do a lot to draw attention to themselves, and nobody will expect it! On this list includes the following nearby operations:

Murchie’s Fine Tea & Coffee
👻 · 1110 Government St

Garrick’s Head Pub
👻👻 · 1140 Government St, 69 Bastion Square

Irish Times Pub
👻👻 · 1200 Government St

Nautical Nellies Steak & Seafood House
👻 · 1001 Wharf St

The Keg Steakhouse + Bar
👻 · 500 Fort St