Swans Pub — Restaurant in Victoria

A reply to Swans: I appreciated your explanation about the situation. However, wedding’s after party is one of the most important event in a person life. As this is our first time ever been to Swans, we are very disappointed that we did not receive any requirements prior to the reservation. Also, the person who claimed to be the restaurant’s owner was being extremely rude and unprofessional as he tell my friend to shut up and won’t allow her to come in even if she had her ID while she is trying to speak for the bride who is tearing up due to how the restaurant greets and treats her. And yes I do see where you were coming from but most of the guests are pub’s owners, managers, and bartenders, we are all coming from the same industry and yet there is still pubs that doesn’t require any ID upon entry until you order alcohol beverages. Most of us was not there to be drunk, everyone is taking their time off just to see this new marriage couple smile, laugh and happy on their most special night. Your mistake cause more than 50 people to wait outside for over 20 minutes and have to walk around downtown for another 15 minutes to find a place to celebrate. This experience has left a lasting negative impression not only on my family but on all our guests who attended the event. As a result, it is truly disheartening to have to make this decision but I regret to inform you that we will not be patronizing Swans in the future. However, the culmination of unprofessionalism and rudeness on such an important day is simply unforgivable. Thank you for taking the time to read my feedback and I urge you to take this feedback seriously and reevaluate the quality of service as I don’t want this to happen to anyone else’s wedding...

This afternoon I had the pleasure of discovering Swans Pub Patio. This was my first time visiting this beautiful corner pub directly across from the Johnson Street Bridge. They have taken Covid protocols to an all new level that is exquisitely professional and efficient. Upon entering, the Hostess is there to greet, record information, and offer sanitizer in a spray mist format from a bottle that only the Hostess handles. Tables and seating has been clearly distanced from other guests, and all employees are wearing PPE properly and appropriately. Every employee was kind, courteous, vivacious with exceptional communication and customer service. Our server, Rachel, was incredibly friendly, very helpful, Diamond Quality customer service. 5 Stars all the way. I have exceptional dietary requirements, and this pub and staff went out of their way to accommodate my needs. Rachel listened very carefully, then made intelligent and caring suggestions that enhanced our experience. The quality of the ingredients used in their dishes is second to none. Real full Grilled Chicken Drumsticks, in a hemp chimichurri, and the Smoked West Coast Fish Dip with grilled sourdough was divine and completely safe for my unique lectin-free diet. I made a couple of suggestions which Rachel was willing to take to the Chef.

I told Rachel I was a local guide for Google and asked to take a few pictures for my review to my delight, she willingly agreed. Thank you, Swan Pub, for making protocols feel normal and comfortable. Thank you for being so considerate and...

Used to come here at least once a week and the food was decent to good - especially loved sharing the nachos. Once they changed the seating/snug it wasn’t as comfortable IMO and stopped going. However was in the area yesterday with family and figured it would be a safe bet. I’d noticed - not surprisingly - the menu & prices had changed. I wasn’t very hungry but was hopeful for some good fries to snack on. Asked the server specifically if they were “made in house” & she said yes. For $10 they came & not only was the portion size tiny, but they were obviously frozen ‘’MacCain style’ fries - plus they were over cooked. To be honest, if the waitress had ever come back with our requested ketchup (she didn’t appear until everyone finished eating despite hardly anyone there), I’d have just sent them back. I only ate about 5 fries total.

Apparently the owners like to reply to any negative reviews of their food with a comment about how they’re going for a “nostalgic” thing; if that’s the case they need to make it clear they’re charging gastropub prices for childhood frozen diner food quality or have quality foods with a nostalgic twist. For the same price you could get much better fries at a number of places within a block radius. Personally , there’s a reason most of us don’t eat like children anymore.

The poutine was similarly small & didn’t have real curds and the carpaccio was also very small portion.

Sadly would only recommend for drinks & to...