Victoria Cocktail Week

Congratulations to — officially crowned makers of the Best Shaft in the City 2026 🏆

Their winning Viet Iced Coffee Shaft: Vietnamese coffee, vodka, coffee liqueur, finished with oat coconut cream. And it’s vegan!

A huge cheers to everyone who voted and every venue that entered. Victoria clearly takes its Shafts very seriously…as we should.

and are hosting the official Victoria Cocktail Week Wrap Party tonight from 8pm to 2am at The Mint. Come celebrate Victoria’s incredible and talented craft spirits and cocktail industry.

this is my child 🦜

✨ MEET THE MAKER - Bartender Edition ✨

📍

~ Patel ~

Featured Cocktail:
DEIMOS
Tequila • Creme de Cacao • Pineapple Juice • Syrup • Citrus • Bitters

—

About:

Patel has been bartending for a minute, bringing creativity and personality into every drink he makes. Growing up in his hometown, he and his brother were obsessed with a legendary chocolate pineapple sandwich that defined their childhood. That sweet-and-salty craving never really left.

So Patel turned the memory into something even better: Deimos — a bold cocktail blending tequila, silky crème de cacao, and bright pineapple for a nostalgic flavour combination with a grown-up twist.

His personal favourite is a peated Old Fashioned of any kind — a fitting choice for someone who appreciates bold, memorable flavours. 🚀🥃

✿ Wind Cries Mary | Victoria Cocktail Week Feature ✿
❀ 45 Bastion Square, Victoria, BC
vic brings a playful, elevated approach to dining and cocktails, known for bold flavours, inventive menus, and a space that always feels a little bit special.

✿ Plains, Trains, and Automobiles
→ 3 rotating selections: Peach Fleet, Raspberry Station, and Go-Go Juice
→ A curated trio of cocktails designed to be explored side by side


celebrate often, drink responsibly

Step inside Canada’s most awarded craft distillery, for an immersive whisky experience as part of Victoria Cocktail Week. 🥃✨
Start with a behind the scenes with a 45-minute tour to witness the craftsmanship and salt-laden Pacific air that shapes every bottle. Following the tour, enjoy a curated tasting to explore the depth of their internationally recognised spirits.
The experience culminates with those same whiskies transformed into thoughtfully crafted cocktails, perfectly paired with a selection of artisanal charcuterie.

Event Details:
• Dates: April 16, 17, & 18
• Experience: Tour + Tasting + Cocktails & Charcuterie
• Location: Macaloney’s Island Distillery
• Requirement: 19+ only

🎟️ Must buy tickets ahead of time – link in our bio and on Eventbrite. Only 20 guests per time slot.

Questions? Reach out to [email protected]

✿ The Drake | Victoria Cocktail Week Feature ✿
❀ 517 Pandora Ave, Victoria, BC

brings a classic pub atmosphere together with a thoughtful, craft-forward approach to both food and drink.

✿ Old Town Fat Fashioned
→ Fat Washed Lot 40 Dark Oak Rye Whiskey
→ Citrus Simple Syrup
→ Angostura & Aztec Chocolate Bitters
→ Dehydrated Citrus Garnish


celebrate often, drink responsibly

✿ Bray’s | Victoria Cocktail Week Feature ✿
❀ 460 Pandora Ave, Victoria, BC
vic delivers bold, flavour-forward cocktails in a lively downtown setting, with a menu that doesn’t shy away from colour or creativity. Featuring from , this one’s as local as it is eye-catching.

✿ You Wish
→ Empress Indigo Gin
→ Dillon’s Blackcurrant Liqueur
→ Blueberry, Kiwi + Sumac Bitters
→ Citrus
→ Sumac + Salt Rim


celebrate often, drink responsibly

✨ MEET THE MAKER - Bartender Edition ✨

📍 .victoria

~ Jason Odense ~

Featured Cocktail:
SIPPIN’ ON THE DOCK OF THE BAY
Wisers 10yr • Woods Amaro • fresh lemongrass • maple • ginger • clarified coconut milk

—

About:
Jason has been bartending for over 10 years and brings a deep passion for the craft and artistry behind perfectly balanced cocktails. One of his standout creations, Sippin’ on the Dock of the Bay, is inspired by Asian flavours with a uniquely Canadian twist, featuring maple syrup.

His personal favourite is the classic Co**se Reviver No. 2, a true reflection of his appreciation for timeless, well-crafted drinks. You’ll often find Jason behind the bar, creating fun and inventive cocktails while delivering a memorable experience for every guest.

Victoria runs on Shafts, but who actually makes the best one?

Bars across the city have entered and now it’s your turn to decide.

Voting is open until April 19 → link to vote in bio