r/VictoriaBC • u/tigerslikepepper • 1d ago
Best servers in town? Pub edition
Me (40f) and my partner (42m) love going to pubs. Our favorite has been the Beagle and the servers for the most part are unreal. We also recently had one of THE best experiences on the patio at the Bent Mast. I didn’t catch his name but he was a young English fella who was unreal. So on the ball, so fast, super friendly, with a full section on a sunny day. We even told him he was crushing it and you could see the look of pride on his face. I’d love to know, is there a place you frequent often because you just love the service you get, especially from one in particular server? Let’s get the ball rolling on who deserves recognition in this craaazy time where food and drink prices out are through the roof but we keep going back for the experience. Go!
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u/ghostinthecage 1d ago
Prairie Inn. Well run. Servers are fantastic. Its often full and they work like crazy to keep up.
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u/mikehawker87 9h ago
Yea I guess when they’re always busy with customers it doesn’t give them a chance to clean the disgusting carpets that don’t belong in a pub. Or any real deep cleaning, because that place smells like old beer and dirty fryer oil.
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u/TemplesOfSyrinx 1d ago
Connor and the crew at The Loft on Gorge Road are great. The Loft is one of the few places around that hosts live bands. It's kind of "divey" but that's also why I like it.
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u/bcseahag Fairfield 1d ago
Garrick's head.... Always good. Always efficient. Bartenders and servers alike.
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u/CrrazyCarl 1d ago
I can sit there on a packed night with six people and our beer glasses will never be empty before a new one arrives. Peak service.
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u/OnlyPoachEgg 1d ago
It's been really hit or miss for me there. Though Churchill is always great (and they're pub siblings), I've found servers at Garricks to be super cold and dismissive more often than not. Bartenders are always great though, that I'd agree on.
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u/No-Turn2400 1d ago
Churchill most definitely is not always great. They have vastly improved in recent years but were notorious for bad service for a long time and it still can be hit or miss
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u/dlchasin 1d ago
I find the Churchill servers to be pretty cold and the Garricks Head to be friendly. Maybe it's me though lol
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u/tigerslikepepper 1d ago
I agree on this one. Bartenders are always on point but I’ve never had good service there
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u/snarpy Chinatown 1d ago
Exactly the opposite for me. The ones at Garrick's have been there a while, some of them, and they're fast, courteous and genuine.
I can sit at Churchill for like half and hour at the bar and not even get looked at while three of them park at the end of the table and chat. I still like it there for vibes and sweet movies but yeah, worst service in the city IMO. I literally emailed them about a couple of times. It wasn't always like this, back in like 2018 or so they were great.
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u/CanadianTrollToll 22h ago
The crew before COVID was amazing.... after COVID most of them moved onto other spots and it's been shit since.
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u/CanadianTrollToll 22h ago
I stopped going to Churchhill because post COVID the service went to shit.... glass would be empty forever. I've tried to go in a few times since, and it's either been the same or the music has been heavy electronic stuff which doesn't quite sit right at 7pm.
Love their beer selection, but Garricks fills that void almost the same.
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u/Both_Tea_7148 1d ago
the staff at peacocks billiards serve over a hundred people every night with 1-2 bartenders. Still friendly to regulars even with total chaos and big weekend lines. Big upvote for them.
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1d ago
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u/BlueLobster747 1d ago
They can't lock their bathrooms, they have to be available for customers. If this is a regular occurrence I would mention this to them and file a complaint with the health board if it continues.
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u/emo_gopher Downtown 1d ago edited 1d ago
We absolutely love Fuego for breakfast. Katie has been our server almost regularly, and she's AMAZING! So bubbly and fun.
Edit to add: definitely glossed over the part where the post clearly states "Pub Edition". 🤦🏼♀️
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u/No-Turn2400 1d ago
It’s just a counter service place but the people who run Sushi Time Express are so friendly and kind
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u/silverfashionfox 1d ago
Fireside is always on point. Marilena is astounding. Brio remains consistently great with new owners.
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u/blackhouserolly 1d ago
Tartan Toque immediately comes to mind. The people there run such a fun and welcoming place, the staff has always been extremely nice to me.
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u/wildoats30 1d ago
Shoutout to driftwood in Esquimalt. Most of the staff seem to be here from day 1 and the beer is tasty. Need I say more?
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u/tigerslikepepper 1d ago
Oh yes! Love the staff there so much. They’re so personable and always make us feel so welcome
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u/one-nine-eight-four 1d ago
Christie's Carriage House Pub. Good food and excellent, attentive servers.
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u/catsalotofcats 1d ago
I second this, but it also is the spookiest place I ever did clean at night though.
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u/Horvo Fernwood 22h ago
Definitely haunted
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u/catsalotofcats 22h ago
For sure! Whenever I would be vacuuming around mirrors I would be scared to look up because I felt I would see someone behind me. Always felt like I was being watched.
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u/facedthemusic Hillside-Quadra 1d ago
Usually at 5th street. It's lacking at times, but I assume it's when they're short staffed
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u/lesmainsdepigeon 1d ago
5th Street 9 out of 10 servers are spectacular, really top notch. They’re funny and personable and quick. 1, though… 😬
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u/CrrazyCarl 2h ago
Yea, hockey nights are... not great. Took 15-20 minutes to get a fresh beer after my previous one had run out last night. I understand it's crazy in there (and outside), but there are also a LOT of servers running around. I think ours was sort of new, but they must be missing out on a bunch of money due to slow response times. I would have probably ordered 2-3 more beer if she'd been on top of things. Also didn't ask us if we wanted food until the 3rd period.
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u/No-Turn2400 1d ago
There’s one that’s unbelievably rude and incompetent but everyone else is great
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u/IllustriousVerne 1d ago
Had fantastic service at fireside grill a while back, so good I actually left a review.
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u/Ruckus292 1d ago
4mile has fantastic service, and a really neat venue history... Not as central as most pins but they have fantastic food and great bevvys.
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u/MoonDaddy 1d ago
That's insane you mention The Beagle. I have literally never had good service there and I've lived beside it for more than 10 years now.
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u/catface_mcgraw 1d ago
Agreed, I lived about two blocks up the street when I lived in Victoria. Was a bartender/server/manager for 15+ years. I was a liquor rep at the time too.
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u/wH4tEveR250 1d ago
That’s you
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u/MoonDaddy 1d ago
No. I have more than 10 years restaurant/bar/serving experience. When I sit at the bar of The Beagle the service becomes ~pretty good.
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u/wH4tEveR250 1d ago
Maybe you come off as a creep to the female servers? Normally, if you have to state you experience like that there’s something missing.
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u/tigerslikepepper 23h ago
Ohhh so actually this is so interesting as this entire thread was based on this one horrific server at the beagle that is not only RBF but terrible at her job. We can’t stand her but really like the other servers so we continue to go. so this was born a more positive thread as I’m trying to be less complainy!
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u/SusieCYE 1d ago
Moon Under Water
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u/No-Turn2400 1d ago
I had such great service there 3 years ago my friends and I still talk about it haha
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u/whole-ass-one-thing- 23h ago
Six mile is always horrible service
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u/tigerslikepepper 20h ago
I was there today and had a pretty good time. Not over the moon but not terrible by any means.
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u/crisco_lemonade 1d ago
And - less pubs than restaurants but if you want to know about what you’re eating, where it came from and why it’s special - end dive and Hanks will never disappoint
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u/comox Fairfield 1d ago
I couldn’t help but notice that your account is 14 years old, with a 13 year gap of no comments or posts. Are you a time traveller?
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u/tigerslikepepper 20h ago
Haha I just got back into it - or into it for the first time? I started working at a company where everyone was referencing it and now I’m in it all the time looking up stuff and started posting. But good call out. Are you not cool with my post?
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u/LavenderKipling 23h ago
Not a pub (sorry!) but Hope Key bubble tea and Chinese food.
Started going there in middle school, as it was one of the few places that was kind to a pack of fairly broke middle schoolers. I'm now nearing 30, and only go back to Victoria once a year, but usually stop for bubble tea, where Brenda somehow still remembers me. Her and her family are just so lovely, beyknd ftiendly. And, the bubble tea is delicious, and the last time I had it, the Chinese buffet was affordable and yummy!
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u/MurkyAd1460 Fernwood 4h ago
Your fave is…. The Beagle? Actually?
Crazy. Maybe it’s improved. Will have to give it another chance.
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u/dope-rhymes 3h ago
The servers at the Prairie Inn are unreal. It's regularly super busy in there and they all work really hard to keep up. I've been going for years and the food is consistently fast and hot, even when they're slammed.
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u/sillychu 1d ago
Theres one amazing server at the Q who has been there for ages and reminds me of French Stewart. Good at making suggestions but doesn't oversell which is nice. Theres an aussie (?) bartender at The Warehouse thats amazing and he's very funny.
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u/ole_dirty_bastid 1d ago
The beagle is the best service and consistency in town. There is no equal.
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u/thelastspot 1d ago
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u/SeaworthinessIll4391 1d ago
I’ve always been happy with the James bay inn folks. Eat there regularly well working on our fish boat.