Clive’s Classic Lounge
A little about us
Clive’s Classic Lounge has etched itself into the heart of Victoria as the city’s longest standing cocktail bar.
Established in 2008, Clive’s quickly became an internationally respected pillar in the cocktail community. To date Clive’s has received seven top 10 nominations for “Canada’s Best International Hotel Bar” at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards (2011, 2012, 2014, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023), and one of the most awarded cocktail bars in Canada. Clive’s has been embraced by cocktail enthusiasts both locally and internationally.
Our passion for cocktails is fueled by the desire to introduce guests to unique and magical cocktail experiences with each visit to our bar. Our bar team is in constant search of new products and ingredients that keep Clive’s Classic Lounge on the forefront of this ever-evolving cocktail culture. Lead by Lounge Manager/Executive Bar Keep Shawn Soole, the Clive’s bar team is continually reinventing themselves with exciting cocktails for our dynamic and seasonally changing cocktail program.
The man, the legend…
Who is clive?
Clive Piercy (or “Mr. P” as he’s fondly referred to) was the founder and owner of the Chateau Victoria.
He was a fierce supporter of Victoria’s arts communities, and an avid outdoorsman. At the entrance to the hotel, on your way to Clive’s you will notice a life size statue of Mr. Piercy in full fly fishing attire, with his trusted companion Shaker by his side. Upon entering the bar, you will witness some of Clive’s trophy fish as well as some more commissioned artwork. It is rumored that much of this art was bid on by Clive in an effort to raise the auction price for the charity that would benefit from the many local fundraisers he attended.
Mr. P was a little reluctant to have the lounge take his moniker, but it was the employees of the hotel who rallied to have the classic lounge named after him in 2008, in place of the previous establishment, Victoria Jane’s.
Clive passed away in 2017, but his spirit still thrives throughout the hotel today. Nowhere is that more emphatic than in Clive’s Classic Lounge. From day one, Clive’s took on the reputation of being a cozy place to bring your best friends who appreciate the timeless spirit of class. A fitting tribute to our founder.
“Lucha Libre”
Clive’s cocktails for a cause
Our latest initiative to give back to our community, spearheaded by our Lounge Supervisor, Cara MacLeod. Inspired by Keith Walbauer from Doctor’s Office in Seattle, Cara developed a cocktail that gives back.
The “Lucha Libre” is Cara’s take on the Oaxacan Old Fashioned, but blending Estancia Raicilla and Bozal Ensemble Mezcal with agave and our house aromatic chocolate spiced bitters.
Raicilla is a spirit made in Jalisco using wild agave over the classic tequiliana agave; rustic and expressive, it’s perfect for this riff on the classic Oaxacan Old Fashioned.
The charity that was chosen for this menu’s “Cocktail for a Cause” is Big Brothers, Big Sisters Victoria, a cause close to Cara’s heart as she herself was once a Big Sister. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria Capital Region is committed to sustaining an environment where representation matters, diversity is celebrated and everyone is welcomed. We believe that each and every child has limitless potential – this means that all people and their diverse abilities, gender identities and expressions, biological sex identities, 2SLGBTQIA+ identities, races, religions, cultures, and orientations are worthy of support, respect and empowerment. We honour the diversity and intersectionality of people, families, cultures, traditions and experiences. We uphold the rights of all our volunteers, youth, families, staff, students and community to respect, dignity, fairness, caring, equality, self-esteem and inclusion.
Every “Lucha Libre” sold, with collaboration of Clive’s Classic Lounge and Reserva Brands will be donating $7.50 from each cocktail towards the charity.
Cara MacLeod, Lounge Supervisor
Lucha Libre
Lounge Manager
Shawn Soole
What began as a youthful ambition to craft the perfect cocktail, has matured into a proficiency across every aspect of beverage service.
Twenty five years after being named State Title winner by the Australian Bartenders Guild, Shawn Soole continues to view the service industry as a medium to deliver his unique style of exceptional customer experience.
From bar/restaurant concept creation, menu formulation, staff training and launch guidance, to branding, marketing and public relations strategies – Shawn’s experience and advancement of the industry have been prolific.
Shawn has authored the books Cocktail Culture (2013), Great Northern Cocktails (2019), and BC Spirits (2021) and provides ongoing contributions to publications such as Liquor.com and EAT Magazine.
Now in 2020, he has returned to the bar that started it all and is looking forward to continuing having Clive’s Classic Lounge as the epicenter of cocktail culture for Victoria and the island.
Clive’s Chef
JOSH CHILTON
If you have popped in for dinner or been lucky enough to come to one of the Supper Clubs, you may or may not have met the tour de force in the Clive’s Kitchen, Chef Joshua.
Chef Joshua is a Victorian-raised chef who is trained in classic French cuisine by cutting his teeth with time spent at Brasserie L’ecole and Globe Kitchen in Montreal. Before taking over the kitchen at Clive’s, he had spent the past 10 years gaining international experience globe trotting with Club Med Resorts, with stops in Mexico, China, France, Japan & the Caribbean.
Chef Joshua’s food is simple, elegant, and approachable which compliments the beverage program out front. Chef Joshua has become a much-needed collaborator with the front-of-house team in creating the Supper Clubs, along with creating a food menu that is perfect for the predinner snacker or the discerning diner.
Fueled by Passion, Driven by Excellence
clive’s crew
The team is dedicated and passionate, not just about the fine art of hospitality but the endeavours of knowledge that they can transpose it to our guests
SHAWN – BarSmarts, BNIC Certified Cognac Educator, Stave & Thief Certified Bourbon Steward, Edinburgh Whisky Academy Gin Certification , Edinburgh Whisky Academy Irish Whiskey Certification, Edinburgh Whisky Academy Scotch Whisky Certification, Society of Wine Educators Certified Spirits Specialist, Wine & Spirit Trust Spirits 2
CHEF JOSH – Edinburgh Whisky Academy Gin Certification, Edinburgh Whisky Academy Irish Whiskey Certification, Edinburgh Whisky Academy Scotch Certification, Wine & Spirit Trust Spirits 1
CARA – Agave Institute Introductory Course, BarSmarts, Edinburgh Whisky Academy Gin Certification, Edinburgh Whisky Academy Irish Whiskey Certification, Edinburgh Whisky Academy Scotch Certification, Wine & Spirit Trust Spirits 1&2
HARRY – BarSmarts, Edinburgh Whisky Academy Gin Certification, Edinburgh Whisky Academy Irish Whiskey Certification, Edinburgh Whisky Academy Scotch Certification, Wine & Spirit Trust Spirits 1&2
JADYN – BarSmarts, Edinburgh Whisky Academy Gin Certification, Edinburgh Whisky Academy Irish Whiskey Certification, Edinburgh Whisky Academy Scotch Certification, Wine & Spirit Trust Spirits 1
AMBER – BarSmarts, Edinburgh Whisky Academy Gin Certification, Edinburgh Whisky Academy Irish Whiskey Certification, Edinburgh Whisky Academy Scotch Certification
DAYNA – Barsmarts
ALEX – Barsmarts
SARAH – Barsmarts
Making Headlines
Recent Media
50 Best Discovery
World’s 50 Best Bars
Handsome Whisky Haven
Best Cocktails
Victoria News Best in the City
2023 Best Cocktails Award
Best Cocktail Lounge 2023
Yam Magazine
Clive’s Classic Lounge in the Chateau Victoria hotel is everything that a classic cocktail bar should be — dark, clubby, comfortable and with a team of brilliant mixologists behind the bar.
#13 in 2023
Canada’s 50 Best Bars
The choices are epic at Clive’s Classic Lounge — named Whisky Hotel Bar of 2023 by Whisky Magazine — where legendary West Coast barkeep Shawn Soole began Victoria’s cocktail revolution and returned, in 2020, to elevate it.