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- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
7 reviews for Clives Classic Lounge
All Reviews
Clives Classic Lounge
8/9/2010
Holy crap. We never would have found this place if it wasn't for Yelp, so thank you previous reviewers! I was unsure when I saw that Clive's is a small bar in a mid-range hotel, but I can't be happier that we gave it a try. As other have said, this is a place to go if you're serious about cocktails. It reminded me very much of Seattle bars like Zig Zag Cafe, Knee High Stocking Co., and Tavern Law, and I think I actually like Clive's a little more than those. We went on a Saturday night, which is the Dead Bartender's Society where the bartender Shawn chooses a classic bartender from the past and recreates his drinks. My husband and I had a variety of drinks, I remember a mint julep, mai tai, zombie, sorrel rum punch, and Pimm's cup and all were excellent! We also got the yam fries, which were yummy and a much larger serving than the price would suggest. Our waitress was extremely friendly and had great drink recommendations. Overall an excellent experience, probably my favorite part of our trip to Victoria.
As a side note, for a Saturday night this place was surprisingly empty. While it was a refreshing change from the above mentioned Seattle bars, I hope they continue to get at least a steady crowd as this is the kind of place you want to stay in business forever.
Clives Classic Lounge
7/1/2010
Clive's has serious drinks for people serious about their drinks.
It's been a few weeks since I've been so I won't regale you with the details of all the amazing concoctions I've consumed. But. Understand you want to consume them. Shawn is a master. As in the best in Victoria. Aside from his beautiful cocktails this guy also patented a muddler and sold it to the Keg.
Friday nights are the best, because that's when Shawn does his 'homage night.' He basically picks a few cocktails from a world renowned bar in another country and replicates them.
My only qualm, and I won't fault them for it, is that I always seem to drop way too much money each time I go, hence the small hiatus.
I would recommend sitting at the bar for the best experience, but I don't want you take my seat so find a cozy booth and enjoy ;)
Clives Classic Lounge
6/5/2010
9 Check-ins Here
A classic Cocktail Lounge with a nod to the past, Clive's -- and master mixologist Shawn -- will re-introduce you to what a well-made cocktail is supposed to be.
Those that have been to the Chateau Victoria hotel in the past will be struck by how much things have changed as much as how they have stayed the same: the ambience is still relaxed, comfortable and inviting, however this is now a modern, dare I say "hip" place where the staff really care about what they do.
Don't bother asking for a Cosmo or a Jager-bomb; there are plenty of bars and clubs in Victoria if that's you're thing. Clive's dips into the past to bring back drinks from an era when the Cocktail was King. Be sure to visit during a "theme night" - either an "homage" to bartenders from centuries past, a special tasting or hand crafted beers or local spirits.
Clive's is THE place in Victoria for a great night with great drinks and good people.
Clives Classic Lounge
8/15/2010
Was skeptical upon entering, but the drink menu blew me away. Tons of great classic drinks using high quality and unique liquids. Drinks were executed pretty well. Food was good too. Definitely worth checking out.
Clives Classic Lounge
For some reason I decided to trust this Tom W. guy's review and check out Clive's Classic Lounge. Boy am I glad I did. I would call Clive's Victoria's answer to NYC's Milk & Honey, to Seattle's Zig Zag Cafe, and to Tacoma, WA's 1022 South.
Walking in I have to say I was a bit nervous about the place. It is in a hotel and has a pretty nice lounge interior. It doesn't look like the type of place you would normally associate with incredible cocktails. But I plopped myself down at the bar and was excited to try it out.
From looking at the extensive cocktail list on their website (http://www.clivesclass...) I could tell that whoever ran this place was a true mixologist. And lucky for me Shawn, the guy who runs Clive's, was working the bar last night when I stopped by (he takes Monday and Tuesday off).
As usual with all great bartenders he was personable, funny, and willing to give recommendations on places to check out in the area. He is also Australian and has a killer accent. He definitely was a commanding presence at the bar but makes you feel very welcome.
I started off with a sazerac. I hadn't had it before so he gave me a bit of the history (it comes from New Orleans) while I was drinking it. From the first taste of my drink I knew Shawn was for real. I ended up having an Alaskan after the sazerac since it is my bar comparison drink. He hadn't made it before but did a great job anyway. He probably could have used some bitters with a bit more kick in the Alaskan but it was still a great drink. And at $9 a piece they were very reasonably priced for such great cocktails.
On top of Shawn being a great bartender and the amazing drinks they do a lot of cool stuff here. Sunday nights tend to be industry night (and you know a good bar when all the local bartenders like to drink there). They also have the dead bartender's society where Shawn takes great bartenders of years past (William T. Boothby at the moment) and recreates their famous drinks with a modern twist. He also has homage night where he takes the menu of another bar and recreates it with a local twist.
They also serve food which I didn't get to try. Shawn let me take a cocktail menu with me so I can look at it when I am in Seattle and wish I was back at Clive's. I'm going to make sure I spend at least one other night here before I go back to Seattle though. I love great bars and I know that I lived in Victoria I'd pretty much live at Clive's.
If you love great cocktails go here now; Clive's is the real McCoy. And make sure to ask Shawn about the three types of ice he has at the bar because one of them is particularly awesome.
Listed in: Victoria May 2010
Clives Classic Lounge
7/14/2010
3 Check-ins Here
Ignore the fact that this place is located in a crappy outdated hotel. The lounge is nice and it is the best place for cocktails in the city hands down. Shawn the bartender is passionate about what he does and it comes through in the drinks. Really there isn't much else to say, this place is head and shoulders above anywhere else in Victoria.
Clives Classic Lounge
4/19/2010
If you are looking for a 'macrobrew' or your everyday cocktail, go somewhere else. But if you really enjoy well mixed unique libations created by a true master of the mixology art, then go see Shawn at Clives in the Chateau Victoria. You will find many liquors and bitters you just can't find anywhere here. Kudos galore!
