8 Best Bars in Nanaimo

“Love The Nanaimo Bar! The staff and owner are amazing! The vibe is 100% always. Tasty drinks at a very reasonable price. 🍻“

“We were visiting from Vernon BC and came here for a night of karaoke. Didn't know what to expect but it was beyond our expectations. We had a blast and Erin was a fabulous host. Thanks again.“

“Food was good. Service was good. Black Current Pale ale was tasty“

“The official watering hole of Smashtv“

“I have now been to the Milton Street Pub twice in the past 1.5 weeks. On both occasions I had some of my best ever food experiences. I had 2 different kinds of wings…Monster portions and quality ingredients. I also had the tomato soup ( homemade marvellous) and polenta fries. My partner had the burger which I tasted and fries which are absolutely the best. My Mother in law had the flatbread pizza…Yummy and my nephew had the Mushroom pasta…HOMEmade!!! We had the cheesecake ….WOW. The service on both occasions was amazing. Even gave me a Tylenol when I was in pain. Melanie was our first server…but everyone including the kitchen staff is determined to provide the best cuisine experience. The only issue was the first time atmosphere was a bit noisy and I have chronic pain issues so the chairs are a bit short for my long legs… Otherwise Perfection!!!“

“Good food good service but too noisy for my taste. I understand that's a sport bar but when you look at the clientele it's not just a bunch of young men and women. It would be nice if they would try to accommodate a variety of clientele. Despite all the positives I'll not go back because when I go out with friends I want to be able to enjoy my visit and to have a nice conversation without having to worry about an annoying noise level.“

“I’ve been to many bars, but the service provided by Isha is on another level. They have an incredible knack for remembering regulars and making newcomers feel like old friends. Professional, attentive, and incredibly skilled-highly recommend stopping by when they are behind the bar!“

“We found Lighthouse Bistro through Google Maps while looking for one of the best restaurants in Nanaimo, and after seeing the waterfront location and reviews, we decided to come here and try it for ourselves. Honestly, it was a great choice.

The first thing we noticed was the view. The restaurant sits right by the Nanaimo waterfront, with huge windows looking out over the harbour, boats, kayaks, marina, and mountains in the distance. The natural light coming through the dining room makes the whole place feel relaxed and special. The patio area outside also looked beautiful, especially with the water right beside it.

For food, we ordered the fish and chips and a chicken avocado salad. The fish and chips were exactly what I hoped for from a waterfront seafood restaurant. The batter was golden, crispy, and light, while the fish inside was flaky, hot, and fresh. It was not too greasy, which I really appreciated. The fries were simple but satisfying, and the tartar sauce, lemon, and coleslaw made the whole plate feel complete.

The salad was also much better than a basic side salad. It came with grilled chicken, avocado, egg, cucumber, greens, bacon bits, and a creamy dressing on the side. Everything tasted fresh, and it was a nice balance after the fried seafood.

Overall, Lighthouse Bistro is a great Nanaimo restaurant. It is the kind of place I would visit again and bring my friends over, especially if they want to enjoy the Nanaimo waterfront while having a good meal. Definitely a 5-star experience.“