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 five top 10 nominations for “Best International Hotel Bar” at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards (2011, 2012, 2014, 2019, 2022), and more top 10 nods than any other cocktail bar 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.

About us

Our History

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.

clive’s cocktail for a cause

“Who Runs the World”

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 “Who Runs the World” is a blend of La Gritona Reposado Tequila, blood orange oleo and Fever-Tree Lime Yuzu Soda, a classically inspired highball that showcases the tequila, which is very special to Cara’s heart.

La Gritona is a distillery run by master distiller Melly Barajas Cardenas in Valle De Guadalupe, Jalisco; La Gritona is ran almost entirely by women. In an interview for the New York Times in 2018, Ms. Barajas Cardenas said “From the girls in the agave fields to those who cook the agave, process the fermentation, it’s all women. Some of it is really hard work, like cutting the agave. Most men could do this faster. But it’s not something women can’t do. It just takes a little bit more time.” Currently there are around 152 master distillers in Mexico, only 12 of those are women. Ms. Barajas Cardenas has spent the last two decades perfecting her craft and has made her mark on the Tequila industry, all while empowering women along the way.

The charity that was chosen for this menu’s “Cocktail for a Cause” is Victoria Sexual Assault Centre, the VSAC is a feminist organization committed to ending sexualized violence through healing, education, and prevention. We are dedicated to supporting women and all trans survivors of sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse, through advocacy, counselling, and empowerment

Every “Who Runs the World” sold, with collaboration of Clive’s Classic Lounge, Reserva Brands and La Gritona will be donating $7.50 from each cocktail towards the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre.

Meet Shawn Soole

Lounge Manager

What began as a youthful ambition to craft the perfect cocktail, has matured into a proficiency across every aspect of beverage service. Twenty 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 co-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.

Meet josh chilton

Clive’s Chef

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. 

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Hours of Operation

TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY

5:00PM to 11:00PM

FRIDAY & SATURDAY

5:00PM TO Midnight

 

 

Connect With Us

Tel: 250-361-5684

Email: clives@chateauvictoria.com

Address: Lobby Level, Chateau Victoria,

740 Burdett Ave, Victoria,

BC, Canada V8W 1B2