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Big Bad John's Strathcona Hotel
Categories: Event Planning & Services Hotels Hotels & Travel Hotels Nightlife Bars Dive Bars Hotels, Dive Bars [Edit]
919 Douglas StVictoria, BC V8W 2C2
(250) 383-7137
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
14 reviews for Big Bad John's Strathcona Hotel
14 reviews in English
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Review from Elif F.
3/8/2011
The best dive I've ever been in. Let me tell you, I've been in an inordinate number of them.
I have a bra of mine on the ceiling here. Been going there for years. Great drinks, awesome bartender, and probably the most unique atmosphere ever. A place not to miss!
P.s. Thanks John for understanding that I was the DD the other night. He kept the diet cokes flowing with out even asking! -
Review from Joan Y.
12/21/2011
Plenty of TVs and space to watch games. The food here was good. The drinks were a hit or miss. The special drinks were good and worth trying. A friend ordered a red bull vodka, but there was no vodka. When we addressed the lack of vodka we got this lame excuse about how the red bull covers the taste of vodka. Even if that was true we should be able to feel the vodka or may be even smell it. The 2nd server (our original server's shift ended during our time there, who was great) and bartender were stupid and gave lame ass excuses. We just felt disrespected and talked down to. This place kind of has a snooty feel to it.
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Review from Megan S.
11/22/2010
I can honestly say this is one of my favorite bars ever! It is a combination of a deep dive bar, a carnival haunted house and an episode of 'Hee Haw'.
The owner, Big Bad John, is a real character. He plays pranks on the tables with an intricate series of creepy objects and fishing lure. There are bras on the ceiling and peanuts on the floor (you get a basket and toss the shells). The drinks are stout and reasonably priced. And you'll get them with a sassy comment, which is just the way I like it from my bartender. Oh, and the music is the best.....let's just say it really sets the tone for the rest of the shenanigans that go on!
You cannot miss this place if you're in Victoria! We had the best time! -
Review from christine c.
Victoria, BC
1/24/2011
This place is A-OK for something... but I'm not too sure what.
Every time I'm here I feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone. Why? I can't explain it. It's the Twilight Zone. Unexplainable. Oh that's right. It brings out the freaks. As a lady you may experience the most bizarre come-ons (as I've sadly endured). And I suppose it does make for some interesting people watching.
Also, if you're claustrophobic like me you won't last very long in this joint.
You've been warned ;) -
Review from Kas D.
Vancouver, BC
9/5/2011
This place is fabulous! Great ambiance, decent drink selection, very kitschy and cozy. It's the perfect place to knock down to for a few pints with friends. Well worth checking out.
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Review from Greg G.
8/12/2010 1 Check-in Here
I'm not sure if this place is authentic or a well disguised tourist haunt. No matter, Big Bad John's (BBJ) is a dirty, tacky little place in the tourist area of Victoria. I was there in mid afternoon and the three other customers were locals. BBJ's is the definition of "dive", but the bartender was nice, the rockabilly music was refreshing, and the beer prices were cheap.
Near the end of my stay a drunk female local came in and provided me with some entertainment (not gratis, as I bought her a cheap beer). Eventually she dumped all of the nearby containers of free peanuts in her bag and was told to leave and not come back. Her visit was more entertaining than the weird-ass fishing line tricks the bartender pulls. (If you want to know more about them, you'll need to visit BBJ's) -
Review from Tony S.
5/1/2010
If, for nothing else, visit Big Bad John's (adjacent to/attached to The Stickey Whicket) just to oggle the wall and ceiling 'appointments'. No, John's didn't hire Ralph Lauren or Laura Ashley do to the decor......WE all did........memorabilia (of innumerable mention) is tacked or taped to every inch of wall space and the ceiling....and then some.
Bar seating (limited) and cozy (so to speak) booths and nooks offer opportunities for convo with your fav bev (full bar). Taps include numerous local micros. Prices are very affordable. Tupper-ware bowls of peanuts are offered without charge. Shuck your own, leave the shells anywhere you like....adds to the interior decorating!
C&W tunes are played through hidden speakers throughout the joint. A curious, and longstanding, pub in an otherwise very provincial community. -
Review from Adam Q.
10/3/2011
If I was in the mood this place could be a lot of fun. But it is a little cheesy and cliche. If you want to drink cheap beer to get drunk and pick up girls this is probably a pretty good place.
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Review from Till L.
3/20/2010 2 photos
Been once or twice with my cousin and friends I LOVE IT!!!
want to go back over and over, great vibe amazing decor, eating peanuts that come in whatever container they may have handy throwing the shells, good people better than all the other bars in the area!
you must go check it out!! -
Review from Laurie S.
9/6/2010
What a fun place! My husband and I stumbled upon this place after doing a late night walking tour. Great atmosphere, super laid back. There are bras all over the wall. Peanut shells on the floor. Our waiter was in overalls. The only place we found in Victoria where we could get a pint for pretty cheap ($3-5).
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Review from Bryan W.
Vancouver, BC
10/4/2010
This is one of the best bars i've been too. Its small but it has a lot of character.They supply you with all the free peanuts you want while you chug down your beer.The prices for beer aren't too expensive either.There is no dress code here as the staff wear overalls.A very casual place to have a good time.I can imagine this place gets very packed and rowdy on the weekend anc college nights and i can see why.
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Review from Amy N.
8/11/2009
I only wish I had found this place at the beginning of my 3 day trip. It's one of those dark bars that has cozy seating and not an empty patch of wall or table or post. The appreciate people leaving notes, messages, bras, ect all over the place. The drinks are tasty and the staff is great. When you walk in they give you a bucket of peanuts for you to eat and throw the shells on the floor. It's definatley a must visit!
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Review from Karlie M.
1/24/2011 1 photo
Big Bad John's is a unique bar and a place that I really loved. It's hard to describe a place when you've only been there once and felt like, if you lived in that city, it would probably be your regular haunt, but I'll try. BBJ's is located in the Strathcona Hotel, and is the first place in BC to have a liquor license. When you walk in, it's like an old saloon on acid or something. The room itself is small, with only a handful of tables in the narrow space. The actual bar is right there when you walk in. The walls are absolutely, entirely covered in, among other things, money (with messages written on the bills), posters, flyers, pictures, ticket stubs, business cards and more. Several of these items are also stuffed in between the glass on the tables. There are multi-coloured Christmas lights draped around the room and several bras hanging from the ceiling (also with messages written on them). You can order at the bar, or the bartender will come to your table, and with your drinks you get a basket of peanuts. Don't worry about where to put the shells, just throw them on the floor! That's the crunchy feeling you had when you first walked in. It's kind of liberating to be able to throw your food on the floor and not feel bad about it. I can't really comment on what variety of beer they have, as I was with a friend who lives in Victoria and she just recommended something, but I can say that it was extremely cold and tasty, just the way beer should be. BBJ's plays old country music and the bartender looks like Neil Young. It was awesome.
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Review from Jamie D.
2/16/2010
What a fun environment! Big John's is a hole in the wall hick bar. I feel like it is something i would only find in the deep south of the USA. If you are a local or just visiting Victoria make sure you go to Big John's at least once you wont regret it! Be open minded and have some fun! Don't be afraid to write on the walls or place a signed dollar bill on the walls.
Ladies bring an extra bra that you no longer wear... Your bra will be suspend to be worshiped forever. LOL, have fun at Big John's and don't expect to be wine and dined.
BTW, watch out for the spiders and snakes... JK
Love Big John's and I make sure to stop by once a day while visiting Victoria!
