Haunted Sips of Victoria: A One-Day Itinerary Through the City’s Spirited Side

Victoria may be British Columbia’s capital of charm by day, but by night, it belongs to its ghosts.

A City That Whispers Between Sips

By daylight, Victoria is all teacups, coastal walks, and tidy manners. But when dusk slides over the harbour, the polite façades loosen, and the stories begin to breathe again.

Over the past weeks, I’ve wandered through the city’s most haunted cafés, pubs, and landmarks for my Haunted Sips of Victoria series, listening, sipping, and occasionally questioning whether that chill was from the draft or something more deliberate.

Now, for those curious or courageous enough, here is how to spend one unforgettable day tracing their footsteps.

Morning Start: Where Secrets Still Steam

📍 Union Pacific Coffee (via Fan Tan Alley)

Begin your morning slipping through the narrow shadows of Fan Tan Alley, once home to gambling dens and hidden doors. Follow the scent of espresso to Union Pacific Coffee, where brick walls hold stories far stronger than the brew.

Order something bold; you will need it. The rest of the day only gets stranger.

Late Morning History and Haunts

📍 Garrick’s Head Pub, Canada’s Oldest Pub (est. 1867)

Pull up a stool at Garrick’s Head Pub, where miners once celebrated their luck and occasionally mourned it. It is Canada’s oldest pub, and regulars claim a few loyal spirits never cancelled their tabs.

If your pint ripples when no one is near, that is just Garrick’s hospitality.

Afternoon Reflections in Oil and Echoes

📍 James Bay Inn, The Ghost of Emily Carr

Once a hospital and later the final home of artist Emily Carr, the James Bay Inn carries a quieter kind of unease. Have lunch or a drink in the pub below; locals swear Emily still lingers, perhaps pausing to admire her old haunt one more time.

It is haunted, yes, but tastefully so.

Twilight Drama in Stained Glass

📍 Craigdarroch Castle

If ever a house deserved its own séance, it is this one. Built by coal baron Robert Dunsmuir in the 1890s, Craigdarroch Castle is all wood-panelled staircases, scandal, and whispers in the wallpaper.

Visit near sunset, when the stained-glass windows cast fractured light across the rooms, soft, beautiful, and just eerie enough to make you wonder who else might be admiring the view.

Evening Toast to the Departed

📍 Bard & Banker Pub

Once a bustling bank, now a Victorian-era pub where the vaults that once guarded gold now guard Guinness. Order a pint, toast to the city’s lingering souls, and mind your balance in more ways than one.

Nightcap with a Nod to the Past

📍 The Bent Mast Restaurant & Pub

Few places in Victoria feel as genuinely haunted as the Bent Mast. The creak of its old staircase, the flicker of lamplight, and the feeling that someone might be listening from the landing make every sip feel slightly shared.

If the chandelier sways, do not panic. It is probably just the building breathing.

Final Stop: Grand Dreams and Ghostly Company

📍 The Fairmont Empress Hotel, 6th Floor if You Dare

End your night in Victoria’s most iconic hotel. The Fairmont Empress has played host to royals, writers, and at least one resident who never checked out.

Guests have reported flickering lights, phantom footsteps, and a kindly spirit who still tends to the corridors. Sleep well, if you can.

Before turning in, wander out for Victoria’s Haunted Ghost Walking Tour, and let a lantern-carrying guide reveal the stories that still roam after dark.

Plan Your Own Haunted Date in Victoria

Whether you are planning a date, a girls’ getaway, or a solo adventure in good company, alive or otherwise, this itinerary blends Victoria’s charm and chills perfectly.

Just remember, ghosts prefer respectful visitors and a toast now and then.

Watch the Full Haunted Sips Series

Experience every stop before you go:

TikTok: Watch the Series on TikTok

Instagram Reels: See the Highlights on Instagram

YouTube Shorts: Watch the Full Series on YouTube Shorts

Plan, Sip & Stay Curious

If Victoria’s haunted charm has you curious for more, I have gathered everything you need to plan your own spirited getaway, from ghost walks to guided history tours.

Head to my Day Trips, Food Tours & More page and scroll down to find my hand-picked Haunted Victoria experiences, including the city’s best ghost walking tours, historic pub stops, and after-dark adventures.

Each one has been carefully chosen for travellers who love a good story served with a side of goosebumps.

Whether you are planning a date, a girls’ night, or just testing your courage, it is all waiting for you there.

Plan boldly. Sip slowly. Stay curious.