Entertainment in Vancouver Island
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Sticky Wicket
This cavernous complex is the place to head if you want a noisy night out with the locals. The Wicket's main bar serves popular (if slightly pricey) Irish beers, while its menu serves up heaping plates of pub grub, ranging from burgers all the way to chicken strips. Live sports are pumped through the TVs and there's a poolroom upstairs. The highlight bar is Big Bad John's, a tiny hillbilly nook with tree stump tables and a carpet of peanut shells.
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Belfry Theatre
The excellent Belfry Theatre is a showcase for contemporary, especially Canadian, plays and is one of the country's most respected independent theatre companies. It's housed in a converted 1890s Baptist church.
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Cinecenta
UVic's Cinecenta is where old classics and curiosities rub shoulders on a nightly changing schedule.
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Dinghy Dock Floating Pub
The name is no lie; this popular pub and restaurant combo floats offshore from Protection Island. See Nanaimo from the outside (especially pretty at night), rub shoulders with some salty locals and knock back a few malty brews. The menu doesn't stretch far beyond standard pub fare but there's live music on weekends. To access the pub, take a 10-minute ferry ride from the harbor.
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Glo
Victoria's best mod lounge bar, Glo has waterfront views, cozy oversized booths and a warming red-hued ambience. A great spot for nighttime cocktails, this is where the city's beautiful young people come to ogle each other. The food is also worth an ogle: the flatbread pizzas are great and the dessert menu covers all the bases. DJs spin a few tracks on weekends.
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Logan's Pub
A short stroll from downtown, this old-school sports pub looks like nothing special from the outside, but its roster of shows is the heart and soul of the local indie scene. Friday and Saturday are your best bet for performances but other nights are frequently also booked - check the pub's online calendar before you arrive.
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Old City Station Pub
A convivial recent addition to Nanaimo's nightlife options (it used to be the Press Room nightclub), this pub has plenty of finger-licking food options available. The equally healthy beer selection includes a significant proportion of Canadian tipples, including Alexander Keith's and Granville Island brews.
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Strathcona Hotel
This multivenue complex includes the rooftop volleyball courts of Sticky Wicket Pub; hillbilly, peanut-shell-on-the-ground haven of Big Bad John’s; and touring musical acts at Legends.
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Legends
Conveniently located under the Sticky Wicket pub, Legends is a mainstream hang-out known for its Saturday Top 40, hip-hop and R&B night. Friday is also popular and there are additional live acts throughout the month.
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Red Room Lounge
A smoking night-time hang-out (with no smoking) for Nanaimo's beautiful people, the Red Room has dark, rich interiors and an epic cocktail menu. Live music or DJs perform Tuesday to Saturday on the tiny stage.
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Prism Lounge
The city's raucous gay and lesbian hang-out, Prism Lounge hosts nightly events, including drag fests, karaoke evenings and bear rendezvous. The Friday and Saturday night dance parties are its main attraction.
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Darcy’s Pub
This laid-back downtown bar offers free live acts every night, ranging from weekend cover bands to a Monday-night open-mike session. There’s beer from Vancouver Island Brewing.
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Queen's Hotel
Nanaimo's best live music and dance spot, the Queen's Hotel hosts an eclectic roster of live performances and club nights throughout the week, ranging from indie to jazz and country.
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Sugar
A long-standing, popular club that's only open a few days a week, Sugar offers mainstream house and Top 40 DJ sounds (under a giant disco ball) plus regular live events.
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Canoe Brewpub
The own-brewed beers include hoppy Red Canoe Lager and summer-friendly Siren’s Song Pale Ale. It’s also good for a meal and there’s a great waterfront patio.
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Big Bad John’s
Evocative little hillbilly-themed pub where the floor is covered in peanut shells and the ceiling has a few grubby bras hanging from it. Great fun.
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Lucky Bar
This club, a Victoria institution, offers live music from ska and indie to electroclash, plus dance-floor tunes when there’s no band performing.
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Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub
Lip-smacking craft brews here include light Honey Blonde Ale and dark Nut Brown. The superior food menu includes excellent seafood.
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Royal Theatre
The Royal Theatre hosts mainstream theatre productions, and is also home of the Victoria Symphony and Pacific Opera Victoria.
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McPherson Playhouse
McPherson Playhouse is one of Victoria's center stages. It offers mainstream theater productions.
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Vic Theatre
One of Victoria's best arthouse cinemas, the Vic Theatre screens lesser-known first-run movies.
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Port Theatre
The Port Theatre presents local and touring fine-arts performances.
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Irish Times
Residing in a handsome old bank building, this lively Celtic bar is a cut above standard Irish pubs. The interior is a pleasing fusion of high ceilings and dark wood finishes and the draft selection is a cornucopia of popular favorites from Ireland, France, Belgium and the UK. Daily food specials are offered (pizza and beer is $9.99 on Wednesday), plus there’s nightly live Irish music.
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