Popped in for some zero proof drinks and a snack and it was so wonderful to find a place with a great non alcoholic menu! Our server paid allot more attention to the tables near us than they did us and our drinks sat empty for quite a bit before we were able to get a refill but all in all it was a really wonderful place and very delicious.
Wheelchair accessibility: Down steep steps
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Mocktails
Glenn J. MacDonald
Ryan and Kennedy were simply magnificent. Excellent service, wondrous drinks, engaging conversationalists. 10/10 would visit again.
Jeremy Scott
Cool spot. Really interesting cocktail menu. Everything I tried was awesome.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Callum MacBeth
I have been there twice now and it has been extremely disappointing. The cocktails always taste off and the ingredients do not mesh well. Would not recommend any cocktails. Also the beer options are very limited to just a few cans. Service is also extremely slow, even though they are not busy. Would not recommend for cocktails, you are better off going to End Dive or Citrus & Cane way better options.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Kris Toijonen
Excellent selection of cocktails and the dishes were superb. The service was also friendly completing a most enjoyable evening!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Raven Dales
One of my favourite spots in Victoria to visit! Music is always great, the staff are always welcoming and friendly. One of the top safest spots (in terms of feeling safe, the staff and patrons alike looking out for each other) I’ve frequented with great vibes every time <3
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jane Culprit
This is your favourite bartender's favourite bar. It serves every purpose of a third space without pushing to be anything other than a great place to be. It's the only bar I know where I can rock up solo and either read without being bothered, OR be welcomed into whatever delightfully weird conversation is going on with some of the cities most interesting minds. Great vegan and non-alcoholic options for the real party animals out there. Also, if you live in Victoria, it's conveniently located on your way home.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Industry Veteran
A taste of New York in downtown Victoria? Yeah, Cenote is kind of like that. Really cool cocktails, with weekly rotating specials, a small selection of sharable tapas, and a few entrees.
So here's the dirty;
When you walk down the stairs to Cenote on Yates Street, you will come into an urban oasis. There are books and artwork galore — I'd recommend taking a look around because the interior decoration is really cool. Plants are another nice addition. I often see a lot of bars and restaurants where the ONE thing they're missing is the pop of life; greenery.
They have a pretty extensive cocktail list. I believe there is something for everybody, but if you're stuck, I have heard people spit balling with the bartender about making custom drinks for their tastes, so don't hesitate to ask.
The drink specials are also good. Their happy hour runs late (till 7, which is appreciated), and they have a second happy hour at 10PM till close.
Pretty good sharable menu. Seems like it's missing something, but I can't say what. There's nothing deep-fried, which is kind of cool, but maybe my Canadian sensibilities are having me wish for something greasy.
I've only been here a few times, but I've interacted with a few different staff so far, and I can say that so far they're personable and talkative. I feel like people can be themselves here, where sometimes at other restaurants or bars, the staff are going through the motions, or going through a script — at Cenote they really seem to play to their individual strengths.
I've only been here three times, but I've sat at both the bar and at a table with friends. Would recommend either depending on the mood.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Sappho Handy
I’ve been visiting this place since I met my partner 10 years ago, and every experience has been nothing short of amazing. The staff are incredible, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the drinks are always top-notch!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cenote Nachos
Casey Childs
Amazing room, innovative cocktails, incredible staff. It always feels like home at Cenote. My partner and I both work hospitality, and this bar is generally at the top of our local recommendations to our out of town guests. Lovely service and delicious food. Highly recommended for a great local dinner!
Fantastic atmosphere, terrific staff who’s friendly, always attentive and kind, delicious drink with a fabulous back bar, always inclusive and welcoming. If you haven’t been you need to go!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Scott Hopkin
First unfavorable review that I've ever written on here, but this place warrants it. My boyfriend and I were told last night that we had to wait 5 minutes to be seated because "they sat a lot of people at the same time". The place was empty. When I used to live here, I frequented this place a lot and was a good customer and was "good for the bar", until I wasn't. Rotten and homophobic management. Shame on you. Go elsewhere.
Sarah Maxwell
Excellent cocktail bar, Hidden gem! Cocktail menu could be more diverse as it’s mostly gin based drinks. Good service and tasty drinks.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mizz Rory Keewatin
12.5 years of history from a young adult chorus to a Fringe-festival Victoria celebration ? spot. Such a brilliant restaurant and being a restaurant children are welcome!
Dietary restrictions: Not Celiac friendly, gf lite as it were
Kid-friendliness: I was unsure never having had brought a child before with his mom of course
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Huang Wei Chen
Sorry to hear about your negative experience with Cenote. I heard that you met the waitress Catherine there and you felt deeply hurt and disrespected by her unfriendly and racially charged comments and actions. To make matters worse, the bartender displayed aggressive and inappropriate behavior towards my girlfriend, crossing the line and making unwanted advances. This evening was tainted by the shadow of prejudice and harassment, reminding us of the importance of standing up against such injustices in our society.
Popped in for some zero proof drinks and a snack and it was so wonderful to find a place with a great non alcoholic menu! Our server paid allot more attention to the tables near us than they did us and our drinks sat empty for quite a bit before we were able to get a refill but all in all it was a really wonderful place and very delicious.
Wheelchair accessibility: Down steep steps
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Mocktails
Ryan and Kennedy were simply magnificent. Excellent service, wondrous drinks, engaging conversationalists. 10/10 would visit again.
Cool spot. Really interesting cocktail menu. Everything I tried was awesome.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I have been there twice now and it has been extremely disappointing. The cocktails always taste off and the ingredients do not mesh well. Would not recommend any cocktails. Also the beer options are very limited to just a few cans. Service is also extremely slow, even though they are not busy. Would not recommend for cocktails, you are better off going to End Dive or Citrus & Cane way better options.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Excellent selection of cocktails and the dishes were superb. The service was also friendly completing a most enjoyable evening!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of my favourite spots in Victoria to visit! Music is always great, the staff are always welcoming and friendly. One of the top safest spots (in terms of feeling safe, the staff and patrons alike looking out for each other) I’ve frequented with great vibes every time <3
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is your favourite bartender's favourite bar. It serves every purpose of a third space without pushing to be anything other than a great place to be. It's the only bar I know where I can rock up solo and either read without being bothered, OR be welcomed into whatever delightfully weird conversation is going on with some of the cities most interesting minds. Great vegan and non-alcoholic options for the real party animals out there.
Also, if you live in Victoria, it's conveniently located on your way home.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A taste of New York in downtown Victoria? Yeah, Cenote is kind of like that. Really cool cocktails, with weekly rotating specials, a small selection of sharable tapas, and a few entrees.
So here's the dirty;
When you walk down the stairs to Cenote on Yates Street, you will come into an urban oasis. There are books and artwork galore — I'd recommend taking a look around because the interior decoration is really cool. Plants are another nice addition. I often see a lot of bars and restaurants where the ONE thing they're missing is the pop of life; greenery.
They have a pretty extensive cocktail list. I believe there is something for everybody, but if you're stuck, I have heard people spit balling with the bartender about making custom drinks for their tastes, so don't hesitate to ask.
The drink specials are also good. Their happy hour runs late (till 7, which is appreciated), and they have a second happy hour at 10PM till close.
Pretty good sharable menu. Seems like it's missing something, but I can't say what. There's nothing deep-fried, which is kind of cool, but maybe my Canadian sensibilities are having me wish for something greasy.
I've only been here a few times, but I've interacted with a few different staff so far, and I can say that so far they're personable and talkative. I feel like people can be themselves here, where sometimes at other restaurants or bars, the staff are going through the motions, or going through a script — at Cenote they really seem to play to their individual strengths.
I've only been here three times, but I've sat at both the bar and at a table with friends. Would recommend either depending on the mood.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
I’ve been visiting this place since I met my partner 10 years ago, and every experience has been nothing short of amazing. The staff are incredible, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the drinks are always top-notch!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cenote Nachos
Amazing room, innovative cocktails, incredible staff. It always feels like home at Cenote. My partner and I both work hospitality, and this bar is generally at the top of our local recommendations to our out of town guests. Lovely service and delicious food.
Highly recommended for a great local dinner!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Daiquiri Domingo
Restaurantji Recommends
Fantastic atmosphere, terrific staff who’s friendly, always attentive and kind, delicious drink with a fabulous back bar, always inclusive and welcoming. If you haven’t been you need to go!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
First unfavorable review that I've ever written on here, but this place warrants it. My boyfriend and I were told last night that we had to wait 5 minutes to be seated because "they sat a lot of people at the same time". The place was empty. When I used to live here, I frequented this place a lot and was a good customer and was "good for the bar", until I wasn't. Rotten and homophobic management. Shame on you. Go elsewhere.
Excellent cocktail bar, Hidden gem! Cocktail menu could be more diverse as it’s mostly gin based drinks. Good service and tasty drinks.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
12.5 years of history from a young adult chorus to a Fringe-festival Victoria celebration ? spot. Such a brilliant restaurant and being a restaurant children are welcome!
Dietary restrictions: Not Celiac friendly, gf lite as it were
Kid-friendliness: I was unsure never having had brought a child before with his mom of course
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sorry to hear about your negative experience with Cenote. I heard that you met the waitress Catherine there and you felt deeply hurt and disrespected by her unfriendly and racially charged comments and actions. To make matters worse, the bartender displayed aggressive and inappropriate behavior towards my girlfriend, crossing the line and making unwanted advances. This evening was tainted by the shadow of prejudice and harassment, reminding us of the importance of standing up against such injustices in our society.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Loading...