The Irish Pub at Bastion Square
Victoria, BC, Canada (Vancouver Island)
I honestly don't know the name of this pub! It strongly resembled the Penny Farthing, and is located right at the top of Bastion Square in Victoria -- just to the right of the big Bastion Sign itself.
There are plenty of other smaller, cozier pubs in this area. I wish I had time to explore the others. When we were there in 2005, one of the most highly recommended older pubs had just closed for good. We arrived to see them cleaning up the place and moving furniture out. Depressed, we carried our sagging heads across the way to this commercial pub.
I'd swear that the people who built the Nine Fine Irishmen Pub in Las Vegas, Nevada must have built all of these modern, multi-level "Irish" pubs. They are exceptional pubs in their own right, and as satisfying as I find them with their excellent woodwork and good beer selection, I'll always rather be sitting in a cramped 200 year old pub.
About VIctoria:
It is the capital of British Columbia, and it is located on Vancouver Island. This is not to be confused with Vancouver, BC. That's just a big city on mainland British Columbia. Vancouver Island is indeed an island, and one that resembles its mother country, Britain. Yes, it was once upon a time a British Colonial outpost, which means they got some good British style pubs there! During my 2005 visit there, I missed some of the best pubs due to the complications of traveling with friends who weren't as crazy about pubs as I was. Be sure to check out the list of Vancouver Island pubs on the link below.
