Tag Archives: Victoria

02.04.26
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Franchised, Familiar, and Forgettable? University Heights Mall’s New Appetite

University Heights MallAlthough University Heights Mall is no longer what it was more than five years ago, if not a decade, the new façade of tall, looming structures stacked over lived-in space feels sterile and uninviting. What replaced it lacks the charm I grew up with: the roundabout staircases, the awkward corners, the small-town feel that made the mall feel human. No, I’m not asking to live forever in some nostalgic loop, but when news broke that the property had been sold to an American firm, my heart sank for good reason.

There used to be smaller brunch spots and a sense of community here, back when Gauntlet Games occupied the space. These were places run by people you recognized, places that felt rooted. Now, as glass-and-concrete buildings near completion and independent eateries quietly vanish, the corporate blueprint becomes impossible to ignore. What made this area distinct is being flattened into something efficient, repeatable, and ultimately disposable. When local businesses are replaced almost entirely by franchise food operations, the direction isn’t subtle. The decision has already been made.

With the arrival of Kinton Ramen, Chipotle, and Ono Poké & Grill in the new centre, brand loyalty replaces discovery. Fans of these names know exactly what they’re getting before they arrive, which is precisely the point. These operations anchor the ground floor, apartment towers stacked neatly above them, creating a self-contained ecosystem where residents are encouraged to spend without ever leaving the building. The smell of hot food drifting upward isn’t accidental; it’s part of the design.

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12.03.25
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When the Hype Is Hotter Than the Chicken: Cafe Malabar

Don at Cafe Malabar

Cafe Malabar
407 Swift St
Victoria, BC

Hours: Weds–Thurs: 12–2:15 p.m., 4–8 p.m.
Fri–Sat: 12–2:15 p.m., 4–8:30 p.m.
Sun: 12–2:15 p.m., 4–8 p.m.

Website: cafemalabar.ca
Phone: (780) 600-0005

DK: Well it took us a while, but we finally touched down (please forgive the aviation pun) at Victoria’s representative in Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants for 2024 list. They’ve also gone back to back belly to belly as Yam Magazine’s Best South or Southeast Asian restaurant in 2024 and 2025. To be specific, the cuisine of Kerala. So naturally there were some expectations going into this one. Would the Kerala Fried Chicken be “something to write home about” as Air Canada “eater-in-chief”

Tara O’Brady said in her review? Or would I be saving the stamp and just clickety-clacking out a few weary witterings to Ed?

ES: This travel weary individual would say yes, while some dishes popped, other did not.

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10.01.25
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Halloween 2025 in Victoria; What’s Howling Best This Year in Live Theatre!

Spooky Theatre Victoria Halloween 2025 Halloween 2025 in Victoria, BC is shaping up to be terrifyingly good. The shows that are being performed this year promise chills, thrills and perhaps more! This year’s lineup spans immersive cabaret, dance tributes to classic monsters, sketch comedy, and even site-specific shows. From werewolves to phantoms, and from haunting elegance to campy chaos, there’s something for every spooky season fan.

Atomic Vaudeville Doppelgänger Show PosterDOPPELGÄNGER

Oct 23–Nov 2, 2025
(selected evenings)
Victoria Event Centre
1415 Broad St

Atomic Vaudeville’s 90th Cabaret mines uncanny doubles, surreal sketches and live music in a feverish, comedic horror romp. Sliding scale tickets $20–60; VIP tables available. Equal parts laugh and goosebump — a late-October must for fans of weird, wild cabaret.
This season, the show moves to a more intimate venue to heighten its eerie energy and bring audiences closer to the action.

Beetlejuice Jr. Musical Title ArtBEETLEJUICE JR!

Oct 24–26, 2025, 7:00 PM
Belmont Secondary
3041 Langford Lake Rd

“It’s showtime!” Get ready for a delightfully dark and wildly entertaining ride with Beetlejuice Jr. A musical comedy packed with heart, humour, and a whole lot of haunting fun. This junior adaptation of the Broadway hit brings the outrageous world of the afterlife to the stage in a high-energy production that’s perfect for all ages.

Dance with the Devil Cabaret PosterDANCE WITH THE DEVIL

Oct 17–18, 2025,
7:30 PM Metro Theatre
1411 Quadra St

Presented by Pandora’s Box Cabaret, this immersive burlesque descends through all nine circles of Hell with drag, pole, and contemporary dance. Ages 19+; dress code: macabre elegance (black & red).

Bring your most decadent dark finery — this is theatre with a bite. The piece explores themes of guilt, temptation and redemption through provocative choreography and visual metaphors.

High Moon Werewolf Western Theatre PosterHIGH MOON

Oct 15 onward, evening Heritage Acres
7321 Lochside Dr

A tense, character-driven piece set late in the Civil War where two brothers face impossible choices. Choices will have to be made. A curse must be faced. Who is right? In this a moody, intimate theatrical experience, many will find out!

For an interview, see this feature. Period atmosphere and close-quarters drama — perfect if you prefer your Halloween with grit, not gore. Expect ambient soundscapes and subtle stage illusions to amplify the sense of dread.

Haunted Market SquareHaunted Histories: An Improvised Ghost Tour

Oct 23, 2025,
4:00 PM & 6:00 PM
Market Square
Main Gate

560 Johnson St

This isn’t your typical ghost walk. Join D’Arcy Briggs and guest performers for an improvised, audience-inspired ghost tour blending local folklore, eerie legends, and spontaneous storytelling. Tours last about an hour; tickets $20.

Part ghostly history, part improv comedy — a one-of-a-kind haunted experience shaped by you. The route may shift at a moment’s notice based on audience suggestions, making every tour unique.

Rocky Horror LipsRocky Horror Picture Show (All-Drag Cast)

Oct 23–26, 2025 (four nights)
McPherson Playhouse
3 Centennial Square

A riotous drag-cast revival of the cult classic. 19+ only; theatre-approved prop kits required; costumes encouraged. Seating is GA or VIP tables. High camp, big energy, and the ultimate Halloween weekend tradition — don’t dream it, be it.
Expect audience participation cues and surprise callbacks to original film moments.

Sketch Night LiveSketch Night Live

Oct 31, 2025, 8:00 PM
Metro Theatre
1411 Quadra St

Victoria’s sketch troupe serves a Halloween-themed evening of original comedy sketches and improv. Expect quick jolts, crowd riffs, and costume callbacks. Light on horror, heavy on laughs — ideal for a fun, late-night Halloween outing.

Universal MonstersUniversal Horrors

Oct 10–11, 2025
Metro Studio Theatre
1411 Quadra St

Broken Rhythms reanimates monster-era cinema through rhythmical contemporary dance, inspired by early gothic films like The Phantom of the Opera. Duration ~50 minutes; all ages welcome. A nostalgic, physically inventive tribute to the original screen terrors.

Witch Perfect at the RoyalWitCH PERFECT

Oct 11, 2025, 8:00 PM
McPherson Playhouse
3 Centennial Square

The hysterical award-winning spooktacular, Witch Perfect, is a live-singing, comedy parody of Disney’s Hocus Pocus. Starring RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni Tina Burner, Scarlet Envy, and Alexis Michelle. Campy, musical, and unapologetically fun — the Sanderson sisters like you’ve never seen them before.
Tickets start at about $49.25, and the show runs approximately 90 minutes with one intermission. 

09.03.25
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Doner Delight Takes Over Broad Street — Will It Last?

Doner Delight Storefront1280 Broad St Victoria, BC Phone: (250) 382-3147 Menu: donerdelight.ca Hours: 11 am tp 9pm (most days) Delight has taken over the space that used to be Old Vic Fish & Chips, and suddenly I feel old. The former establishment and its owners tried to keep it afloat, but sadly, that wasn’t meant to last. Also gone is West Coast Waffles, which closed as the pandemic faded. It had been a local favourite for more than a decade, so its closure came as a surprise. Among the remaining eateries in and around Trounce Alley, a few have withstood the test of time, but there’s a sense of a slight curse affecting this block. With Doner Delight now in the mix, I’m not convinced this new place will last either. One reason for my skepticism is the price: a doner averages $16. I expected an American-sized, stuffed portion—something I can usually get at Maham & Pop’s Donair & Poutine on Quadra (currently temporarily closed). With similar operations popping up around town, the question of “who does it best” is wide open. I tried the beef donair with the works, but somehow I was hungry again almost immediately. Traffic during my late-lunch visit was light, and sadly, I don’t think this spot will last much longer either. Looking back at past eateries on Broad Street / Trounce Alley paints a colourful picture of the block’s history. Old Vic Fish & Chips (1316 Broad St) closed in January 2023 due to redevelopment of the historic Duck’s Building into a 135-room hotel. Toby’s, remembered locally as a classic fish-and-chips spot, and Lee’s Smorgasbord, an upstairs restaurant, also lived in community memory. Further back, Medieval Inn and Peking Buffet appear in local history threads. And of course, West Coast Waffles (1235 Broad St, 2010–2024) delighted the neighbourhood with inventive sweet and savoury waffles, gluten-free and vegan options, and late-night hours—even until 4 a.m. Its closure marked the end of a decade-long era for locals. Old Vic and West Coast Waffles both represent the charm and nostalgia of Broad Street’s culinary history. Doner Delight now steps into this space, but between the price point and light traffic, I’m unsure it will withstand the test of time. Only time will tell if it can carry the torch or join the growing list of short-lived ventures on this block. 3 Blokes out of 5
06.04.25
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H-mart Victoria Is Finally Open! And Everyone Loves This Operation, Moreorless. 

H-Mart Front

Although H Mart is a U.S. based grocery store specializing in Asian (Korean) products, the current climate in Canada to not support American-based operations/goods did not stop the masses from checking out the grand opening. This place can do better by not carrying the usual Coca-Cola, Ferrero Group and the like, but I digress. Even on the second weekend, when I visited, it was packed. It felt like I was walking through a mini-Costco at Mayfair Shopping Centre. I sampled as much Korean food as possible and looked for the deals.

And the range of expanded Asian goods, when compared to other local operations, is the best I’ve seen in ages. I’ve visited T&T Supermarket in Vancouver, and the vast range of products is equally comparable. Had this operation decided on selling only South Korean, Chinese, and Japanese manufactured items, I’d shop very often here. Sadly, the pricing is no better than other places. A careful buyer is best advised to monitor H Mart’s weekly flyers to know where to go to buy those 5 packs of instant ramens!

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05.07.25
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At Himalayan Flavours, Skip The Buffet and Try Dine-In Instead

Don at Himalayan Flavours3945 Quadra St
Victoria, BC

Phone: (778) 966-7755
Menu: himalayan-flavours.com

Hours: Tues to Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

DK: “Momos, as far as the eye can see!” Is what I’d be saying if Himalayan Flavours lived up to my food fantasies. Instead, we got primarily a parade of standard buffet items. Oh well, you wanna stick to the dance floor fillers I can deal with. But zero naan on the line? That’s insane, Jeremy.

ES: Although I had a sneaking suspicion a name change would not help this former Indian food restaurant any, when Don suggested this place for lunch, I was hoping. Ultimately, it would look for those dumplings. We’re already crying foul for misleading information. There wasn’t even a yak in sight.

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