Life

Wayne Ralph stands in his tasting room at Victoria Cider Co. (Nicole Crescenzi)

Victoria Cider Co. took a risk making keeved cider, but the results set them apart

A lifelong dream creates prize-winning keeved cider

The 29th annual Great Canadian Beer Festival returns Sept. 8-9. (Courtesy Victoria Beer Society)

Matter of Beer: September Sips and Back-to-School Bashes

Mathieu Poirier’s monthly beer column

One Wave Gathering celebrates the strengths and successes of North and South Pacific Peoples through song and dance. (Don Craig)

Gathering celebrates the culture and the strength of Pacific Peoples

Similar history and concerns transcend geographic separation

  • Aug 25, 2023
Ile Sauvage Lunar Lager 12 Pack. (Photo Supplied)

MATTER OF BEER: Last sips of summer

Beers to have on hand and last summer events to attend before fall

Bartender Olivia Campbell at Irish Times. The Irish Times is a fixture on Victoria’s Government street and features live music seven days a week. (John Atkinson)

BEHIND BARS: Irish Times

Columnist John Atkinson has one of the best desserts he’s ever tasted and a perfect pour of Guinness

  • Jul 20, 2023
Bartender Olivia Campbell at Irish Times. The Irish Times is a fixture on Victoria’s Government street and features live music seven days a week. (John Atkinson)
The Churchill bar manager Michelle Mignealt and head bartender Drew Whiteside. (John Atkinson)

Behind Bars: ‘welcoming divey vibes’ meets high quality at The Churchill

A unique corridor-style bar on Government Street, The Churchill offers quality food, drink and themed nights

  • Jul 13, 2023
The Churchill bar manager Michelle Mignealt and head bartender Drew Whiteside. (John Atkinson)
Monday Mag wine columnist Robert Moyes offers some wine recommendations for July. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen file)

WINE NOTES: Vibrant crowd pleasers

Robert Moyes covers cheap steals to polished, aged sauvignons

Monday Mag wine columnist Robert Moyes offers some wine recommendations for July. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen file)
Clive’s Classic Lounge, one of the longest standing cocktail bars in Victoria, took home the prestigious Whisky Hotel Bar of the Year award at the 2023 Icons of Whisky Awards, presented by U.K.-based Whisky magazine. (Clive’s Facebook page)

Behind Bars: Clive’s bringing European flair to Victoria’s hotel bar scene

Soole, Russell create award-winning cocktails and food at Chateau Victoria

  • Jun 19, 2023
Clive’s Classic Lounge, one of the longest standing cocktail bars in Victoria, took home the prestigious Whisky Hotel Bar of the Year award at the 2023 Icons of Whisky Awards, presented by U.K.-based Whisky magazine. (Clive’s Facebook page)
Market Square transforms into "Market Squared-Circle" when Whistlemania, a Whistle Buoy event with wrestling, beer and music, returns this year in June. (Brit Kwasney)

Matter of Beer: Whistlemania slams us into summer festival season

From pro wrestling at Whistlemania June 24, to the return of the Langford Beer Festival in July, this summer has it all

Market Square transforms into "Market Squared-Circle" when Whistlemania, a Whistle Buoy event with wrestling, beer and music, returns this year in June. (Brit Kwasney)
The Okanagan’s Hester Creek Estate Winery won a handful of prestigious awards for last season’s Old Vine Pinot Blanc, and the new 2022 vintage is similarly impressive. (Image from Hester Creek Estate Winery Instagram)

Wine notes: four fruit-forward wines to enjoy this June

Monday Mag’s wine critic, Robert Moyes, gives us his “perfectly potable” suggestions

The Okanagan’s Hester Creek Estate Winery won a handful of prestigious awards for last season’s Old Vine Pinot Blanc, and the new 2022 vintage is similarly impressive. (Image from Hester Creek Estate Winery Instagram)
Attendees at a previous Victoria International Wine Festival. This year’s event happens Sept. 29-30 at the Victoria Conference Centre. (Courtesy Victora International Wine Festival)

Victoria wine festival returns with 400 wines from 14 different countries

Festival is set for Sept. 29 to 30 at the Victoria Conference Centre

  • May 31, 2023
Attendees at a previous Victoria International Wine Festival. This year’s event happens Sept. 29-30 at the Victoria Conference Centre. (Courtesy Victora International Wine Festival)
Big Bad John’s started in 1962, during a celebration of the World’s Fair in Seattle, where the Strathcona Room was temporarily transformed into “Big Bad John’s Hillbilly Bar.” Due to popularity, the bar has continued in all its quirkiness ever since. (Dave Van)

Behind Bars: Big Bad John’s puts the quirk back into the bar experience

Throwing peanuts, falling spiders, and bras hanging from the rafters – Big Bad John’s has it all.

  • May 11, 2023
Big Bad John’s started in 1962, during a celebration of the World’s Fair in Seattle, where the Strathcona Room was temporarily transformed into “Big Bad John’s Hillbilly Bar.” Due to popularity, the bar has continued in all its quirkiness ever since. (Dave Van)
Victoria Beer Week has six events total this year. (Victoria Beer Society)

Matter of Beer: good times brewing at Victoria Beer Week

Lift Off! happens May 5th at Market Square with dozens of new beers

Victoria Beer Week has six events total this year. (Victoria Beer Society)
The Loft Pub offers live music seven days a week. (image supplied)

Behind Bars: The Loft Pub

Loft raising Gorge spirits with great food, drink and music

  • Apr 25, 2023
The Loft Pub offers live music seven days a week. (image supplied)
Nature Morte (2014), oil. This piece by Rick Leong, artist and assistant professor at University of Victoria, is one of many to be featured at the Symbiosis exhibit. (Courtesy of Art Gallery of Greater Victoria)

Gallery of Greater Victoria exhibit Symbiosis explores artists’ musings about ‘fascinating world’ of mushrooms

The exhibit, starting April 1, is multi-disciplinary, including painting, photographs, science, bio-materials, discussion and even music

Nature Morte (2014), oil. This piece by Rick Leong, artist and assistant professor at University of Victoria, is one of many to be featured at the Symbiosis exhibit. (Courtesy of Art Gallery of Greater Victoria)
Phillips bartender Harvey serves up a cold beer. (John Atkinson)

Behind Bars: creative Phillips brewing up community and fun

Founder Matt Phillips focuses on good product, team involvement, and offering an inclusive space.

  • Mar 24, 2023
Phillips bartender Harvey serves up a cold beer. (John Atkinson)
A couple enjoys the fire at Oak Bay Hotel Boathouse Spa. (Aaron J. Barr)

Choose your own adventure: Things to do for Valentine’s Day in Victoria

Here’s our list of things to do this Valentine’s Day based off what mood you want to set

A couple enjoys the fire at Oak Bay Hotel Boathouse Spa. (Aaron J. Barr)
Kevin Strelaeff points out one of his first tattoos. (Tim Collins)

The Good, the Bad, and the “What the Hell were you thinking?”

Seven things to know before you get yourself a tattoo

  • Jan 25, 2023
Kevin Strelaeff points out one of his first tattoos. (Tim Collins)
Allan Reid food column on 900 Degrees pizza

900˚ Wood-Fired Pizzeria fires up Allan Reid

Voracious, Victoria’s restaurant column

  • Dec 29, 2022
Allan Reid food column on 900 Degrees pizza
Assistant bar manager Bronwyn Hawkins - Wind Cries Mary restaurant

Cocktails and more at Wind Cries Mary

Behind Bars with John Atkinson

  • Oct 28, 2022
Assistant bar manager Bronwyn Hawkins - Wind Cries Mary restaurant