Bard & Banker — Restaurant in Victoria

So this happened this past Monday, September 29th. We arrived for dinner at 8:40 pm and were seated at a table for two. No one came by to offer us water or check on us. We eventually ordered drinks, but they never arrived. None of the servers approached us to ask if we wanted starters or sides either. By 9:00 pm, we had to ask where our drinks were, and the waitress simply said, “they’re being made.”

When we finally got them, it was after 30 minutes of waiting. We had asked to add a shot of Blue Curacao (which is super blue in color) to our drink, the server told us there will be a charge for it and we said we are okay with that. We got the drinks at around 9:08PM, super transparent, I asked did the bartender not add the shot we asked, the server had the confidence to say yes she did and then we told her that the drink should be blue or not? Then she took the drinks back to change them. We were sitting on the upper floor and could clearly see the bartender. She was a blonde white girl (for manager to know which bartender it was). SHE INTENTIONALLY SPILLED HALF OF THE DRINK (which had the initial tequila in it for which they are charging $18) THEN ADDED A LITTLE BIT OF BLUE CURACAO AND WATER FROM THE TAP AND SOME MORE ICE. The addition of the blue curacao was NOT A SHOT BUT SOME DROPS OF IT FROM THE BOTTLE ALMOST EMPTY to give it some color for which they charged for a shot. Then server came to us with drinks and we told her what all we saw with our eyes. A $26 drink with tequila intentionally spilled out and some drops of the shot to give a light blue color? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

This review is not for future customers but for management. IF YOU HAVE CAMERAS AND THINK I’M LYING, CHECK YOUR RECORDING FOR THE DATE AND TIME MENTIONED. The way your staff treated us was unacceptable. Slow service, lack of basic hospitality, and careless bartending are not what I’d expect from a place I used to enjoy and recommend. Unfortunately, you’ve lost a loyal customer. I’ve been a loyal customer of Bard and Banker, visiting around 10 times in the past, but after my recent experience, they’ve definitely lost me from this...

I've been coming to The Bard & Banker for years—truly, I’ve lost count. It’s long been one of my favourite pubs in Victoria thanks to the stellar service, vibrant atmosphere, and great live bands. I’ve always appreciated the experience here, which makes this review tough to write.

I was in recently for a bachelor party dinner, and unfortunately, the food this time missed the mark entirely—by a wide margin. I ordered the NY striploin steak with mashed potatoes and vegetables, and at $40, expectations were understandably high. What arrived, however, was one of the most disappointing steak plates I’ve had anywhere in the city.

The steak was undercooked (closer to rare than the medium-rare I requested), riddled with fat and gristle, and so chewy that at least half of it was inedible. The sides were equally lackluster—just a few slices of carrots and six thin, shriveled spears of asparagus, all overcooked to the point of being mushy. No sauce, no garnish, nothing to elevate or tie the plate together. For what is arguably the most premium entrée on the menu, this was far below standard. As someone who’s worked as both a chef and restaurant consultant, I can confidently say the kitchen needs to revisit both sourcing and execution on this dish.

To be clear—the service was excellent, as it always is. The staff handled our group well, stayed friendly and attentive, and made the evening flow smoothly. My issue is purely with the food and, to a lesser extent, the bar.

When we tried to order a Muff Diver shot for the groom-to-be, we were told the bar didn’t have whipped cream on hand. It’s a fun, classic bachelor party drink—and not exactly exotic. I went with a Dr. Pepper shot instead, only to be charged nearly $20 because each component was rung in separately. That felt unnecessarily nickel-and-dimed and out of step with what you’d expect at a well-established pub.

I’m still a fan of Bard & Banker overall, and I’ll absolutely be back for the music and drinks—but I hope this review prompts some reflection in the kitchen. A $40 steak should never feel like an...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Bard and Banker, and overall, it was a pleasant experience.

The restaurant is known for its cozy ambiance and delicious menu offerings. While there were some positive aspects that stood out, there were also a couple of areas that could use improvement.

One of the highlights of my visit was the attentive and accommodating service provided by the waiter. As I arrived with my dog, they went out of their way to prepare a patio seat with a heater for us, ensuring our comfort throughout the meal. This level of service was much appreciated and added to the overall positive impression of the restaurant.

In terms of the food, I found that the dishes were generally well-prepared and not overly salty, which is always a plus. The steak sandwich, in particular, was a standout item on the menu. It was cooked to perfection, tender, and packed with flavor, making it a truly enjoyable choice.

However, there were a couple of areas where Bard and Banker fell short. Firstly, there was no mention of a birthday offer or any special acknowledgment for such occasions. While this may seem like a minor detail, many other establishments offer some form of recognition during birthdays, and it would have been a nice touch to see at Bard and Banker.

Additionally, I encountered an issue with the oysters I ordered. They had a distinctly fishy taste, indicating a lack of freshness. This was disappointing, as fresh seafood is typically expected at a reputable restaurant. It would be wise for Bard and Banker to implement stricter quality control measures to ensure that all dishes consistently meet their expected standards.

In conclusion, Bard and Banker offers a pleasant dining experience overall, with its cozy ambiance, attentive service, and flavorful menu items like the steak sandwich. However, there is room for improvement regarding special occasion recognition and ensuring the freshness of seafood offerings. With some adjustments, Bard and Banker has the potential to become an even more exceptional dining...