I have been coming here since you first opened and have always enjoyed my time. Usually your staff is very knowledgeable, engaging, and efficient. I brought a few of my friends in last night who had never been before and know I rave about the place. I'm not one to write poor reviews but the service we had last night was very disappointing. You had multiple staff members but it took over half an hour to be given menus after seating us, our server did not even know what whiskys were on the menu and needed us to physically point them out and we were not given the option for water or rocks on the side of our Whisky. Our server also poured water all over our table while filling our glasses and then simply left so we were left with a large pool of water on the table for the rest of our stay. When one of the whiskys we tried to order had run out (completely understandable) our server was not able to recommend something similer as a replacement, when going to a self proclamed whisky bar I would expect a certain level of whisky knowledge. There was also disparity between two glasses of the same cocktail, the two tasted like completely different drinks. Which with a standardized recipe should not be the case. This experience was not worth the $100+ we spent there, not to mention our server pre selected a 20% tip for both bills, which was optimistic to say the least. If the service is going to remain this way I don't think I will be returning to or recommending this place.
HARDxCORE MEDIA
First time being here after hearing amazing things. We were seated after a few minutes of waiting. We sat down and waited about 20-30 minutes to get menus, and maybe another ten minutes to get our orders in. The female server didn’t seem to know anything on the menu, so she wasn’t able to make any recommendations. There was a second male server who came back to let us know they didn’t have one of the whiskeys that was ordered. We reordered and upon receiving our drinks requested to to sit at a table by the wall that had seating at arm height as the original table made us crouch down for our beverages. The female server came back after a while to refill our waters, looked around the table, refilled one glass and poured water onto the table. Didn’t say sorry or offer to get napkins but instead smirked and walked away. Upon payment the terminal was presented with an included 20% tip which was added before prompt of payment method. Don’t think I’ll come back.
Advait Vij
Having lived in New York for many years, I've had my fair share of speakeasies, and let me tell you, Artemis Whiskey Bar in Victoria is something special! The moment you step inside, you're transported to another era—it's intimate, stylish, and has that elusive speakeasy charm down to a tee. The whiskey selection is top-notch, with both rare finds and classic favorites. The owners are true artists, crafting some of the best drinks I've had.
The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with just the right amount of mystery. It’s clear that a lot of thought has gone into every detail of the space, from the décor to the lighting. Whether you're a whiskey aficionado or just looking for a unique night out, this is the place to be.
Highly recommend if you're in Victoria!
J Carlsen
Incredibly disappointing! We were there in the early evening, not busy at all, just two of us with open seating. Another couple was sitting elsewhere on a cozy couch. Party of 6 walked in and the wait staff forced the couple to move elsewhere to accompany the bigger party. This couple was not asked, they has no choice. When confronted, the wait staff shrugged it off that the seating better accompanied a bigger party! It was not necessary as there was plenty of seating. We were a party of 2 and deeply offended by what we witnessed. If you want to select where people sit, do so and don't leave it open seating. Disgusting!!!
Funny thing... your response from someone that wasn't there and we heard the conversation. Glad you comp'd their drinks after we raised an issue and left! There was plenty of seating and yes... your all about the money and not the experience.
Jacqueline Ross
Artemis Whiskey Bar is a hidden gem located in downtown Victoria, offering a unique and intimate atmosphere. This speakeasy-style bar invites patrons to step back in time and indulge in a world of craft cocktails and premium spirits.
The bar's entrance is hidden behind a bookshelf. We won’t give away which book does the trick - you’ll need to find it yourself.
The bar's interior is designed to evoke a sense of old-world charm. The dim lighting, cozy seating, and vintage decor create a welcoming and inviting ambiance. The pressurized door and some space-related decor give it fun alien feel.
Artemis boasts a wide range of whiskies from around the world. We tried the classic whisky on the rocks and a whisky sour. Both drinks were expertly prepared and delicious!
Overall, Artemis Whiskey Bar is a fantastic choice for those seeking a unique and memorable night out in Victoria. With its exceptional drinks, friendly staff, and atmospheric setting, it's a must-visit for any whiskey lover or cocktail enthusiast.
Sherry Jensen
Super cool place!
Peter Rowand
Whiskey heaven
Peter Rowand
A blend of whimsy and passion below Market Square. Unparalleled whiskey knowledge ready to be imparted to the discerning
Joe Cheng (joeFNcheng)
What a fantastic place and additional to the cocktail scene in Victoria. Gus the bartender and Marlow are excellent drink ambassadors! Fantastic hidden gem. ❤️
Soren Childs
I need to separate my feelings about this place qua whisky bar from my feelings about this place qua "unrealistic expectations born of a combination of marketing blurbs and news stories."
To be brief: I went here to drink whisky by myself and had a great time. I'd never tried an Indian whisky before, but the bartender recommended a Rampur single malt double cask and it was the best "new to me" whisky I've had all year even after I attended Whiskyfest in Duncan back in March. I had a good time chatting with another patron at the bar. The service was excellent, and the room was as cool as it looks in all the pictures.
This is a great whisky bar and the 4/5 star reviews are slander.
THAT BEING SAID. I had heard of the place months ago thanks to googling Whisky bars near me; I didn't go at the time for personal reasons. Last weekend —in a totally unrelated thought process— I thought to myself "I wonder if there are any secret nightclubs or speakeasies in town" and resolved to find them. This was the first result I found on that quest, and after saying "hey! I've heard of that place before!" I resolved to visit the following Friday (tonight). I looked into the bar's website and all news coverage I could find. Because the Geotag seemed to be deliberately wrong, I used exterior photos and the name of the neighbouring restaurant to find the location (very satisfying). What's more, from news stories about the bar, I learned about the entrance hidden behind a bookcase; because of a line urging readers to "be sure to select the right book" I suspected that people caught selecting the wrong book might be turned away from the door —the stakes for this adventure seemed to be rising! So, next I looked for pictures of the bookshelf; I found one, and anybody who has seen it can tell you that my fears of being barred from entering were totally unfounded. In person tonight, the 'secret entrance' was unfortunately as disappointing as I had feared from seeing the pictures; it would not have deceived a small child and it did not close automatically (thus, another patron leaving it ajar denied me the opportunity to open it myself, although I did try to fiddle with the book) There were two additional details in the news coverage, only one of which turned out to be relevant to my experience. First was that patrons who demonstrated knowledge of the book used to enter the bar would be granted access to the VIP area, and second, that somewhere in the bar was a second, more secret sci-fi book which contained the bar's secret menu (I didn't bother looking for that). After discovering the book used to open the door, I found the audiobook and listened to the whole thing twice. When I got to the bar, I took the seat second from the end (like the protagonist of the novel) and ordered a Bowmore 15 (I'd never had one, and the protagonist drinks one in the book). Unfortunately, it turned out that the bartender serving me had not read the book. I had come expecting to be grilled about the FFC Cambridge process while trading jokes about "reconstituted Bowmore", but it was not to be.
In summary: this is a great whisky bar, but an unfortunate letdown of a marketing maneuver. I will definitely go here again when I have whisky-loving friends with me, but I think I will continue my quest for secret clubs elsewhere and not content myself with becoming a regular here for the time being. I applaud the owner for trying to produce the effect he seems to have gone for; it took courage and vision to do something this weird. I will remember fondly the projected video of the moon-landing I watched on the wall while drinking my Bowmore in Jazz Bashara's seat at the bar. I hope to get the chance to discuss the book with you the next time I visit; it was a really good book.
Not only was the service impeccable, the care and passion made with each cocktail is unmatched. Best speak easy I’ve ever been to, and it’s not close
Alexandria Johnstone
Awesome drinks, cool vibes, bad service.
Dhaval Ahir
Artemis Whiskey Bar in Victoria is the real deal for whiskey lovers. ? They gave me a secret coin, a golden ticket for whiskey wonders. My Instagram now looks like a whiskey-themed fairy tale. Highly recommend it for a sip and a laugh! ??
Gavin D’Eathe
I don’t usually write strong reviews but this place is more than worthy of extensive praise. From the bartender/owner to the decor/to entering. This place is fabulous from beginning to end and that’s not an exaggeration. The best service I’ve ever experienced. Please please check this place out
Nivag D
I don’t usually write strong reviews but this place is more than worthy of extensive praise. From the bartender/owner to the decor/to entering. This place is fabulous from beginning to end and that’s not an exaggeration. The best service I’ve ever experienced. Please please check this place out
I have been coming here since you first opened and have always enjoyed my time. Usually your staff is very knowledgeable, engaging, and efficient. I brought a few of my friends in last night who had never been before and know I rave about the place. I'm not one to write poor reviews but the service we had last night was very disappointing. You had multiple staff members but it took over half an hour to be given menus after seating us, our server did not even know what whiskys were on the menu and needed us to physically point them out and we were not given the option for water or rocks on the side of our Whisky. Our server also poured water all over our table while filling our glasses and then simply left so we were left with a large pool of water on the table for the rest of our stay. When one of the whiskys we tried to order had run out (completely understandable) our server was not able to recommend something similer as a replacement, when going to a self proclamed whisky bar I would expect a certain level of whisky knowledge. There was also disparity between two glasses of the same cocktail, the two tasted like completely different drinks. Which with a standardized recipe should not be the case. This experience was not worth the $100+ we spent there, not to mention our server pre selected a 20% tip for both bills, which was optimistic to say the least. If the service is going to remain this way I don't think I will be returning to or recommending this place.
First time being here after hearing amazing things. We were seated after a few minutes of waiting. We sat down and waited about 20-30 minutes to get menus, and maybe another ten minutes to get our orders in. The female server didn’t seem to know anything on the menu, so she wasn’t able to make any recommendations. There was a second male server who came back to let us know they didn’t have one of the whiskeys that was ordered. We reordered and upon receiving our drinks requested to to sit at a table by the wall that had seating at arm height as the original table made us crouch down for our beverages. The female server came back after a while to refill our waters, looked around the table, refilled one glass and poured water onto the table. Didn’t say sorry or offer to get napkins but instead smirked and walked away. Upon payment the terminal was presented with an included 20% tip which was added before prompt of payment method. Don’t think I’ll come back.
Having lived in New York for many years, I've had my fair share of speakeasies, and let me tell you, Artemis Whiskey Bar in Victoria is something special! The moment you step inside, you're transported to another era—it's intimate, stylish, and has that elusive speakeasy charm down to a tee. The whiskey selection is top-notch, with both rare finds and classic favorites. The owners are true artists, crafting some of the best drinks I've had.
The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with just the right amount of mystery. It’s clear that a lot of thought has gone into every detail of the space, from the décor to the lighting. Whether you're a whiskey aficionado or just looking for a unique night out, this is the place to be.
Highly recommend if you're in Victoria!
Incredibly disappointing! We were there in the early evening, not busy at all, just two of us with open seating. Another couple was sitting elsewhere on a cozy couch. Party of 6 walked in and the wait staff forced the couple to move elsewhere to accompany the bigger party. This couple was not asked, they has no choice. When confronted, the wait staff shrugged it off that the seating better accompanied a bigger party! It was not necessary as there was plenty of seating. We were a party of 2 and deeply offended by what we witnessed. If you want to select where people sit, do so and don't leave it open seating. Disgusting!!!
Funny thing... your response from someone that wasn't there and we heard the conversation. Glad you comp'd their drinks after we raised an issue and left! There was plenty of seating and yes... your all about the money and not the experience.
Artemis Whiskey Bar is a hidden gem located in downtown Victoria, offering a unique and intimate atmosphere. This speakeasy-style bar invites patrons to step back in time and indulge in a world of craft cocktails and premium spirits.
The bar's entrance is hidden behind a bookshelf. We won’t give away which book does the trick - you’ll need to find it yourself.
The bar's interior is designed to evoke a sense of old-world charm. The dim lighting, cozy seating, and vintage decor create a welcoming and inviting ambiance. The pressurized door and some space-related decor give it fun alien feel.
Artemis boasts a wide range of whiskies from around the world. We tried the classic whisky on the rocks and a whisky sour. Both drinks were expertly prepared and delicious!
Overall, Artemis Whiskey Bar is a fantastic choice for those seeking a unique and memorable night out in Victoria. With its exceptional drinks, friendly staff, and atmospheric setting, it's a must-visit for any whiskey lover or cocktail enthusiast.
Super cool place!
Whiskey heaven
A blend of whimsy and passion below Market Square. Unparalleled whiskey knowledge ready to be imparted to the discerning
What a fantastic place and additional to the cocktail scene in Victoria. Gus the bartender and Marlow are excellent drink ambassadors! Fantastic hidden gem. ❤️
I need to separate my feelings about this place qua whisky bar from my feelings about this place qua "unrealistic expectations born of a combination of marketing blurbs and news stories."
To be brief: I went here to drink whisky by myself and had a great time. I'd never tried an Indian whisky before, but the bartender recommended a Rampur single malt double cask and it was the best "new to me" whisky I've had all year even after I attended Whiskyfest in Duncan back in March. I had a good time chatting with another patron at the bar. The service was excellent, and the room was as cool as it looks in all the pictures.
This is a great whisky bar and the 4/5 star reviews are slander.
THAT BEING SAID. I had heard of the place months ago thanks to googling Whisky bars near me; I didn't go at the time for personal reasons. Last weekend —in a totally unrelated thought process— I thought to myself "I wonder if there are any secret nightclubs or speakeasies in town" and resolved to find them. This was the first result I found on that quest, and after saying "hey! I've heard of that place before!" I resolved to visit the following Friday (tonight). I looked into the bar's website and all news coverage I could find. Because the Geotag seemed to be deliberately wrong, I used exterior photos and the name of the neighbouring restaurant to find the location (very satisfying).
What's more, from news stories about the bar, I learned about the entrance hidden behind a bookcase; because of a line urging readers to "be sure to select the right book" I suspected that people caught selecting the wrong book might be turned away from the door —the stakes for this adventure seemed to be rising!
So, next I looked for pictures of the bookshelf; I found one, and anybody who has seen it can tell you that my fears of being barred from entering were totally unfounded. In person tonight, the 'secret entrance' was unfortunately as disappointing as I had feared from seeing the pictures; it would not have deceived a small child and it did not close automatically (thus, another patron leaving it ajar denied me the opportunity to open it myself, although I did try to fiddle with the book)
There were two additional details in the news coverage, only one of which turned out to be relevant to my experience.
First was that patrons who demonstrated knowledge of the book used to enter the bar would be granted access to the VIP area, and second, that somewhere in the bar was a second, more secret sci-fi book which contained the bar's secret menu (I didn't bother looking for that).
After discovering the book used to open the door, I found the audiobook and listened to the whole thing twice. When I got to the bar, I took the seat second from the end (like the protagonist of the novel) and ordered a Bowmore 15 (I'd never had one, and the protagonist drinks one in the book). Unfortunately, it turned out that the bartender serving me had not read the book. I had come expecting to be grilled about the FFC Cambridge process while trading jokes about "reconstituted Bowmore", but it was not to be.
In summary: this is a great whisky bar, but an unfortunate letdown of a marketing maneuver. I will definitely go here again when I have whisky-loving friends with me, but I think I will continue my quest for secret clubs elsewhere and not content myself with becoming a regular here for the time being.
I applaud the owner for trying to produce the effect he seems to have gone for; it took courage and vision to do something this weird. I will remember fondly the projected video of the moon-landing I watched on the wall while drinking my Bowmore in Jazz Bashara's seat at the bar. I hope to get the chance to discuss the book with you the next time I visit; it was a really good book.
Restaurantji Recommends
Not only was the service impeccable, the care and passion made with each cocktail is unmatched. Best speak easy I’ve ever been to, and it’s not close
Awesome drinks, cool vibes, bad service.
Artemis Whiskey Bar in Victoria is the real deal for whiskey lovers. ? They gave me a secret coin, a golden ticket for whiskey wonders. My Instagram now looks like a whiskey-themed fairy tale. Highly recommend it for a sip and a laugh! ??
I don’t usually write strong reviews but this place is more than worthy of extensive praise. From the bartender/owner to the decor/to entering. This place is fabulous from beginning to end and that’s not an exaggeration. The best service I’ve ever experienced. Please please check this place out
I don’t usually write strong reviews but this place is more than worthy of extensive praise. From the bartender/owner to the decor/to entering. This place is fabulous from beginning to end and that’s not an exaggeration. The best service I’ve ever experienced. Please please check this place out
Loading...