10 Well Known Haunted Pubs and Restaurants in Victoria, BC, 2023 Edition

Scarey Victoria BCAlthough 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 đź‘» 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:

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Updates on Esquimalt’s Ribfest 2021

Free admission, live music and kid's activities. Ribs and craft beer

Bullen Park
527 Fraser Street

September 10th to 12th

Admission: Free

Esquimalt’s Ribfest is on this year, and it’s following in the heels of British Columbia’s rollout of the vaccine passport. There won’t be any gatekeeper checks. But for anyone people concerned about catching that virus are best advised not to attend (entrepeneurs would make a killing through Uber Eats or Door Dash should this suddenly pop up), but for those craving the best pork/beef ribs (and chicken too) that House of Q, Prairie Smoke, Gator, Grizzy, and Boss Hog are cooking up–nothing’s gonna smoke ’em out now. The operative word should be stop, but will Two Hungry Blokes be there?

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Blue Bridge Theatre Announces 2021/22 Season

Blue Bridge Theatre is well known in the Victoria, BC community for having local talents define their work. Their base of operations is in the heart of Quadra Village and the building has a heritage that’s hard to beat. The venue has a unique intimacy for whatever has played here. Whether that’s with it being a truly old style movie theatre house or that it’s a place for live stage shows, the acoustics are second to none. It’s a unique venue for the latter, as it has had concerts too.

It’s also a home to smaller companies needing a venue to put on their show to a live streaming audience. As a business, they’ve got it all–including putting on shows this summer which includes Salt-Water Moon (currently playing), Day after Day, a Musical Tribute to Doris Day and Cats in the Garden (their fundraiser to which fully vaccinated people can attend in person).

Soon, they’ll be offering shows that people can physically attend.

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Intrepid Theatre Victoria Updates

Red on Red enews banner 3

Please visit Intrepid Theatre’s website for viewing links and biographies of the performers.

Nobody is certain if the world will be back on track Summer 2021. This includes upcoming Canada Day celebrations.

In Victoria, BC, not a lot of festivals are confirmed to take place and for those Fringe theatre enthusiasts, no official word is announced. It’s certainly safe to say online (virtual) style events will be offered where available, and for Intrepid Theatre’s end of summer tradition is unconfirmed at time of writing. However, it’s not to say they aren’t hosting other events.

This free online show will be available June 20 – 26 and it’ll spotlight social justice through the performing arts. Red on Red is looking like it’ll be available to view for anyone to see world-wide.

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[Vancouver, BC] Remembering EXP Restaurant + Bar

Image result for exp bar vancouverEXP Restaurant + Bar
309 W Pender St
Vancouver, BC
(604) 558-1337

EXP Restaurant & Bar has been operating since late 2012 and sadly, by the time I visit this place again, it will be closed. I came across this article about the problems of keeping such operations afloat in a tough as nails city core. I can only hope and let readers know that if the Rio Theatre can be saved by Deadpool himself, is there hope for EXP? Sadly, no.

Their latest Facebook post made the news of closing official. I’m posting this article in memoriam and can only hope a future exists in another space. I get the feeling the owners and operators are not going down easy. They may have an alternate plan in the works but do not want to jinx the future.

Reprinted (in part) from otakunoculture.com:

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The Songhees Have a Beat at Victoria Clipper

this-is-canadas-first-aboriginal-food-truckSonghees Seafood & Steam
Victoria Clipper Terminal
254 Belleville St
Victoria, BC

Visitors arriving at Victoria, BC via The Clipper will be in for a treat! Not only are they arriving in a city originally occupied by this First Nation, but also they have an opportunity to partake in this culture’s yummy in my tummy traditions. From fried bread (I love this over Naan) to salmon, their selection is delectable. Their homemade jam (usually made from blackberries) makes for a perfect dip with the bread they offer. At the end of the day, they may give away the leftover supply so a fresh batch can be made for the next. For this dough, it’s best experienced warm than cold. With my extra piece which I could not finish, I got to try both extremes.

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In what this place supplies is basically comfort food. You’ll find french fries too (I don’t believe this is a cultural product, but that’s okay), and I had their version of poutine and it was very filling. The fries were very good, and the paprika mayo dipping sauce certainly helped make this dish over the top!

Next time, though, I will have to try one of their burger combinations. There’s the choice between salmon and portabella as the main source of protein, and both sound good. My money is on the latter on my next visit. As much as I love bison, I find it hard to believe that some of these creatures roamed to this land during the last Ice Age to settle here. They may have but I find prairie type of oxen better tasting!

3½ Blokes out of 5