I visit the bar at the Empress every time I'm in Victoria. It's a stunning space. If you visit, make sure you look up at the ceiling. Two things more delightful than the atmosphere: the popcorn (holy shit, the popcorn!) and their Empress 75 made with Empress Gin (the purple stuff). Everything about this bar is exceptional, including the food and the service--You will not find more professional, attentive staff anywhere. To be sure, it's not cheap, but I've never left without a smile and a gaping hole in my wallet. Love this place ... although, a nitpick, the popcorn bowls are entirely too fucking small. I've eaten at the restaurant too, but I don't recall much beyond it being one of the single worst dates I've ever been on. read more

We sat at the bar on our visit. Raj was excellent. He knows his drinks as well. The prices are steep but well worth the service, views, and what you get! If you're just looking for a quick drink or even a long one, the bar isn't a bad choice. Seats were pretty comfy too! read more

Apparently a recently renovated space in the lounge area next to the afternoon tea lobby. A moody, dimly lit ambience that is very ideal during the evenings if you want to wind down or have a romantic evening. I got one of the signature Empress 1908 cocktails - the Empress 75. To be honest, all of the Empress 1908 cocktails are fairly easy to make but I still went with ordering it for the ambience (plus I am on vacation). I love the lighting with the grapefruit pearls since it looks like gold and it makes the drink super pretty. Great for pictures and decent - but the ingredient ratios felt a bit off. For CAD$32 before tax and tip, it was a bit steep but it is what it is for a hotel bar. I wanted to get another drink - the Silk Glove as I tend to get clarified drinks. That one is terrible as they served it over fairly crushed ice so the drink is super diluted - far different from the menu description of a king cube for aesthetics and minimal dilution. I flagged this to the bartender that it's undrinkable but I'm glad they took the drink away and took it off the bill. read more

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This place is Aces from top to bottom. The ambience, the staff, the service. The drinks are crafted masterpieces and worth every penny! Stopped in while on our way back to the cruise ship and really wished we could have stayed longer. A must visit if you're in the area! read more

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Prepare to pay ! Stunning hotel and gorgeous bar . Such a classic traditional feel to this amazing place. Loved coming here for a drink on a rainy afternoon. The place was packed ! Sat at the bar and had a sharp and spirit forward martini royale . Made with their empress gin which is made here in this area. I have always loved this purple gin. Makes a pretty drink. The drink was nice and strong. My friend had a nice glass of Rosé. We had some lovely truffle fries with our drinks and enjoyed the views and the bar. Also tried the espresso martini here . Very good . Beautiful bar and the staff are solid and know their stuff. It is a little old school so the bartenders are not chatty ! Very regal spot in lovely downtown Victoria. read more

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We ordered the tea experience with rose champagne, and I probably would not do the champagne option again (didn't settle right with tea in the tummy). That said, if you opt for the champagne experience just know that the table gets crowded with tea warmers and snack tray too. Service is spectacular, all tea questions are answered regarding which tea to pair with the snacks. It's an experience to try. Having done high tea 3-4 times I think we can safely check that off our list. read more

Gorgeoussss bar in the Empress! Head up to the second floor (valet parking by tipping available), seated right away and address by last name, and delicious drinks! As expensive as you might expect... no drinks under $25. Complimentary snacks were so good too! read more

Q at The Empress - featured cocktails, complimentary snacks - Seafood Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

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Quick breakfast before tour. This is inside the Empress which hotel second floor, customer service is excellent and very accommodating. Very upscale but affordable breakfast. The Avocado toast paired with the smoked salmon was delicious, and the potatoes with the eggs really were very good and seasoned perfectly. Great choice to set and enjoy a cup of coffee and start your day. read more

Q at The Empress - Seafood Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

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Loved the ambience which was so enhanced by the Christmas tree decorations. It's open seating so look for a place to sit at the bar or in a cozy spot in one of the corners. Loved sitting there sipping a glass or two of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut Champagne. Excellent service. Of course, you will pay for it but what an experience! read more

Wow, what a disappointment. Dive bars are cleaner. The floor was littered with food and it did not live up to the Fairmont standards. When you are paying premium prices and a Michelin recognized establishment you expect more. Service was lacking, and we left with a bad taste in our mouth. read more

Food is not impressive. Feels just overpriced. Weather was very nice and we sat outside, the view is worth it. But food was disappointing. Service was also underwhelming. No attention to details, such as we asked for olive oil and they never brought. read more

We were staying at the connected hotel here this weekend so we decided to check out the restaurant for a quick snack. Obviously we ordered too much for a snack. We weren't expecting their portion sizes to be this large! The inside seating is beautiful and the whole hotel is such a nice walk. Would definitely recommend even if you decide not to eat here. Our service was also incredibly kind and timely. They start you off with some trail mix and charcoal popcorn while you wait for your order. The charcoal popcorn is amazing & she even gave us a second bowl. We got a couple of items: cucumber salad, lemon pepper wings, flatbread, & the bread and butter. The cucumber salad was really good. It came with some hummus and spicy sauce on time of the crispy cucumbers. I would recommend this dish. The lemon pepper wings were good & there were so many of them. This is definitely a shareable option. I would recommend the bread as well. The butter was so soft and rich. The bread was nice and warm and paired well with the cucumber salad. The flatbread wasn't as good as the rest of the items. The sauce and cheese choice didn't pair well together and the crust was thin but soft. Overall the bill was around $100 which is reasonable for the amount we ordered and we had plenty of leftovers for a late night snack. read more

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If you want to try the famous Empress gin, this is the place to go! I was not interested in having high tea at the Empress, so I'm glad that there was a bar for a more casual experience. They have a great list of cocktails with Empress spirit as there are more than just the gin I learned. I wanted to have something with the beautiful purple color so I went with the Martini Royale. It was so smooth and very delicious. This is coming from someone who doesn't like gin normally. I like that they gave you a popcorn snack, and were very happy to keep refilling mine haha. The staff was all really nice. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is just because the price. With tip, $26USD is quite hefty. read more

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The food was great. We ate at the Terrace 3 nights in a row. Service was great. Yogurt desert was exceptional. Chocolate cake took 4 days to finish. Ice cream is also great. Hamburger and wings are my two favorites. The view is spectacular. read more

Our waitress Jasmine was warm,engaging and very knowledgeable. She is an asset to the hotel!!

Don't have dinner for the ambiance. It's crazy loud and chaotic. Nothing feels special when you have to yell to the person next to you in conversation. The Q is a conventioneers happy hour crowd. Having said that the drinks are so so. The food is A+ as is the service. So go for the food and service. Go for the people watching and in-crowd. Stay home for the ambiance. 3.5 stars. read more

This upscale dining restaurant is in a beautiful room, but is open to the often very boisterous bar, which interferes with what otherwise would be an elegant experience. The menu offers a nice selection of appealing starters, but a somewhat limited selection of entrees. We visited twice, because there are, frankly, not a lot of fine dining options in Victoria. Standouts were the Crunchy Leaves (basically a Caesar salad) and the beautifully plated asparagus entree. Least impressive was the sable fish, a large steamed chunk that was pretty much flavorless. Service both nights was excellent. read more

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For a 5 star hotel, this was less than a stellar experience. If I had any idea, we would have gone out on foot over staying in the room. I think a lot of orders are owed to the menu's writer and not the chefs in the kitchen. The hot chocolate was not creamy, tasted watery and just like Swiss miss, not "house-made with Chantilly cream" and was 2/3rds full. The chips were not malty or vinegar tasting, though the dip was tasty with the sunchokes. The sunchokes were generous and enormous! They tasted better with the dip than the sauce they were served with. The kids salmon plate was some of the driest salmon I've ever had, so much so the dip was also used to help make it palatable. The potatoes were perfect. The pizza had a great crust but a super basic sauce, like a kid-friendly sauce they use for all of the pies. The cake also sounded amazing, but again was just ok--the weird orange blobs did not vibe with the cake...better off at Murchie's down the street for something sweet and chocolate. We have rarely splurged for room service and were super excited to try breakfast here but quickly declined after this dinner. Also as someone else noted, this food wrecked our guts and once we chose to eat elsewhere, we felt better. read more

Q at The Empress - Clockwise from mortadella pizza, vinegar chips and dip, kids salmon, sunchokes - Seafood Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

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We love Rebecca who works on the outdoor patio at the veranda. She was so personable and sweet. We also enjoyed specialty cocktails and fondue on a fire pit table so much we came by a second time. Everything at the Empress is a bit spendy so just expect that going in. It was quite a luxury and we do not regret it one bit. Thanks Rebecca/Linda/Chanel! #iykyk read more

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Really enjoyed the nook we found to sit in. The chairs were comfy and it was away from the bar so that we could sit and relax. The Church & State bubbly was delish. The server brought out some popcorn and it was so tasty! We asked what was on it - and she said - charcoal seasoning! That was so unique! read more

Q at The Empress - Church & State Bubbles - Seafood Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

My husband and I enjoyed a drink and an appetizer at Q for our anniversary. We had the salmon with crispy rice and can't stop thinking about it! Our drinks were good, but the dish was incredible. read more

Dining at Q at the Empress was an exercise in frustration, overpriced disappointment, and basic hospitality failures. This place rides entirely on its historic location and name -- because it certainly isn't surviving on food quality or service. Let's begin with the food: I ordered sunny side up eggs and toast. What I got were dry, overcooked eggs that might as well have been fried in a forgotten corner of the kitchen. The yolks were stiff -- not a hint of "sunny side" to be found. The toast wasn't toasted -- it was plain bread. Flimsy, flavorless, and thrown on the plate like an afterthought. Absolutely unacceptable for a place that pretends to be fine dining. Service? Just as bad. Our server (Amanda) was flighty, distracted, and visibly flustered. She dropped our utensils while clearing the table -- again, no apology -- and nearly served us cloudy, murky water that looked like it came from a tap no one's cleaned in a week. Oh, and let's not forget the coffee. After all the above, I figured at least I could enjoy a hot cup to salvage the morning. But no -- they had no cream. None. At a high-end breakfast service, they couldn't even provide cream for coffee. What kind of operation is this? Q at the Empress is overpriced, overrated, and under-delivering in every possible way. The kitchen needs a complete overhaul -- starting with firing the chef -- and the front-of-house staff desperately needs retraining. This experience was a total embarrassment to the Empress name. read more

Q at The Empress - Seafood Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

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While in Victoria for a nice trip to celebrate, we happened upon this restaurant along the inner harbor. We decided to look at their menu. It appeared to have some nice dishes so we decided to try them out. The restaurant is dark and cozy. Definitely upscale. They seated us quickly and before long the server was there to greet us. We quickly ordered scallops and coho salmon entrees for dinner. We didn't get drinks and only asked for lemons to go with our water. Although the food is pricey, the menu is nicely curated to include a small but nice assortment of seafood and steak as well as vegan dishes. I think it is definitely worth a try. It's a nice treat to celebrate a special occasion. read more

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My friend and I wanted to walk through the hotel to observe what it looked like as we were urged by our tour guide. We were then urged by someone working at one of the shops to try the Empress 1908, which is a gin - I had no interest in imbibing, so I ordered a Muggle Born, which was absolutely delightful; my friend did try the Empress 1908, which she enjoyed but did say it was a little strong. While waiting for out drinks, we were given popcorn that was flavored with charcoal and some other seasoning - it was DEEEELICIOUS! I wish I could've purchased some to go! We had eaten lunch before stopping here so didn't try any food but this bar is posh and vibey. I highly recommend! read more

Q at The Empress - Muggle Born & Empress 1908 - Seafood Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

Pricey drinks at the iconic Empress are a must for any tourist, right!? Already had The Empress on my list of places to visit on my one day in Victoria, so I figured why not grab a drink since I assumed there had to be a bar, and thus I found myself at Q. I was already expecting some expensive drinks & the $399 cocktail I saw which I did not order met that expectation. I went with a local beer (Driftwood IPA) while the wife got something a little more fitting the environment, the Empress 75. The IPA was very hoppy, one of the most I've had in awhile so that just makes the beer seem strong, I'm not sure of the actual alcohol content. The cocktail, containing prosecco, was most of what I could taste, but the grapefruit pearls definitely looked (& tasted) nice atop the drink. They also served complimentary Charcoal Popcorn which I'm glad was not stale. The waiter was really nice & attentive. It's a sleek a hotel bar that is more open than a separate closed off room. If you come be sure to ask for a seat by the window so you can have the water view. When I went, what looked like an entrance directly to the bar actually was a sigh directing you on where non hotel guests should enter. So be sure to pay attention to the signs. I don't think I'd come here all the time for drinks if I was a local but it's a good spot for a celebratory drink or something like that. Cheers! read more

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What a lovely setting! You are always in a for a good time! Fairmont Empress never disappoints because of their elevated experiences. Everything here is precise and proper. Love the Q bar's decor and ambiance. We love coming here for some drinks, food, and cocktails. It's great for supper, cocktails, afternoon tea, lunch, and breakfast. It's a great delight to visit Q at the Fairmont Empress. The bartenders are pleasant, approachable, and well knowledgeable. The hosts consistently delivered top-notch service which is truly appreciated. The food, beverages and cocktails are excellent. The Empress Lemonade, Empress Old Fashioned, and Martini Royale have all been ordered. Additionally, their popcorn is delicious, distinctive, and made in-house! On the weekend, there is live music which gives off a great vibe! Highly recommend! read more

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Exceptionally average breakfast/brunch despite the premium price. While the service was great, the eggs Benedict is average with many better options available within a short walk. Consider the Blue Fox or Jam is outstanding alternatives for brunch. Also, Munchies is wonderful as well if you don't mind ordering at the counter. Unless your options are limited to the Q, seek out other options for quality food and at a better price. read more

A really great liquor list. When at the Empress be sure to have empress 1908 gin. It's where it all began. Listening to the soothing live music and enjoying a drink is a great way to finish off your day. Service was great. Ambience was classic and beautiful. read more

Q at The Empress - Seafood Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

Watching the sun melt into the horizon over the marina from Q at The Empress was pure magic. The golden light danced on the water as boats swayed gently in the evening breeze. With each sip of our beautifully crafted drinks, it felt like time slowed down--just us, the view, and the perfect ending to the day. read more

Absolutely incredible! i came here for a simple pancake breakfast and received the best pancakes I've ever had in my life. Pancakes were cooked to perfection with great flavor and texture, i could name how good all the food was but that would take years. The staff were so kind and my grandma had a whole conversation with a waiter about canada and the us. Service 10/10 and the ambiance was wonderful with beautiful paintings of queen victoria everywhere and beautiful furniture all around you. read more

So underwhelming. We are high end diners and this was a huge disappointment. Oysters- pls give us plates so we don't have to use our bread plates. Bread was amazing. Oysters were ok. Halibut was terrible. "Crunchy salad" was room temp. Therefore not optimal. A few tweaks and it could be great. Service was terrible. Skip it. read more

Absolutely beautiful hotel bar. Ordered a few drinks and hung out. I loved the popcorn they served. It had some sort of charcoal dust on it. The bartender was awesome. read more

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This review is based on just one visit. We were staying at the Empress, feeling like steak and not wanting to go far for it. We did go down to the restaurant rather than getting room service. I had the Sunday roast and husband got the filet mignon. He liked the filet mignon just fine. They kindly agreed to serve it with mashed potatoes, which was not on the sides menu. Service was very nice. My Sunday roast consisted of a pretty chewy piece of prime rib with some parts being better than others. Pretty good flavor on the outside crust but not much on the inside. It was served with the same mashed potatoes my husband got and we were both surprised at how very sweet they were. Like, should have been on a dessert menu, sweet. There were a couple nicely cooked pieces of vegetables and the sorriest yorkshire pudding I've ever had. Stale and dry as a bone. I was mostly looking forward to that and the meat. So the fact that neither was good was disappointing. I also ordered the squash veloute to start. Flavor was just ok and it was so thin and runny that it was off putting. The room is gorgeous and the service is truly good. Our server looked genuinely concerned that I didn't like the food. I said it was just big portions because I felt bad since she was so nice! But I wouldn't go back based on this experience and the fact that the menu was kind of small and nothing else stood out to me. read more

Unfortunately, we only got the chance to hang out at the Q Bar for a few hours before our Clipper departed back to Seattle on a lovely and sunny Sunday afternoon. Of the little, we got to experience of the Q Bar, which is the specific "Bar" area of the Fairmont Empress Hotel, not to be confused with the Tea area or Dinner area, we loved. The ambiance is on the swanky side, but the bartenders nor the servers gave off a pretentious vibe like we were expecting. As walk-ins, we quickly snagged bar seating and served complimentary popcorn bowls with charcoal salt, it was a nice touch, and we proceeded to enjoy a few cocktails before trekking to the Clipper station and back home to Seattle. We were left with a positive impression and will be back, except we may stay in the hotel and include a visit to the dinner and tea areas! read more

Q at The Empress - Empress G&T-Features the purple Empress 1908 gin, so refreshing! - Seafood Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

COVID #48 Not quite a dark and stormy. Instead, a couple of variations of a martini. Empress 1908 Gin. This stuff is spectacular. Not only in terms of tast but a visual spectacle as well. I came two nights in a row. First was rather quiet. Second was busier but not crazy. You won't find 20 somethings here driving you insane with drunken debauchery. This is a more mature and subdued crowd. More my kind of scene. I felt iunderdressed in tis environment, but don't let that fool you. You're welcome to come as you are. I'm just a braggart and stuck up person. They've done some beautiful renos whilst still maintaning the old charm. Come for a cocktail or two. I certainly did. read more

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Ambience is nice but the drinks are pricey and not that great. We had a martini and it just wasn't James Bond material. It was okay but for $28 was not worth it, even at the Empress. read more

Q at The Empress - Lounge at Q - Seafood Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

Every so often, you have to just treat yourself to something extra special. Q at The Empress can do just that for you! We needed a comfy place to unwind before our ferry ride to Vancouver and we decided to spend some time at the gorgeous lounge in the Empress. They have comfy sofas, high tops or bar seating to choose from. Our waitress was friendly and professional, helping us with whatever we needed. We decided on getting the fish and chips to share as light snack and couldn't resist the call of their Empress Old Fashioned. The kitchen was nice enough to split our plate into two for us so we didn't have to vye for the condiments. Amazing fish with a great batter and their fries were excellent also. The Old Fashioned was so good that we will be trying to recreate it when we get home! read more

Q at The Empress - Half of the Fish and Chips and the Empress Old Fashioned - Seafood Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

amazing experience. A bit on the pricey side as compared to toher tea experience in Victoria who give similar teas and eating options, but i guess the price if for having tea in 5-start with 5-start service at an outstanding interior location. Glad the they had vegetarian options in tea menu. Server was very courteous and friendly. read more

This was a recommended stop when visiting Victoria Island and I had my heart set on having tea somewhere while in Canada! We took our chances while visiting The Empress hotel to see if we could get a table at the Q same day, and we lucked out! It's definitely worth the price for the experience you get. So much food comes with the tea that I would plan your meal around this stop. Everything we had was so delicious. I loved the selection of teas to choose from and you get A LOT with just the one kettle per person. They provide tea warmers, so your tea will stay warm the whole visit too. We really enjoyed the desserts and you can even take food to go if you have leftovers. The staff helping us was so friendly. Definitely stop in if you're in the area! read more

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Great dinner on a quiet evening , the music in the bar added to the ambiance . We were a little late but were allowed our choice of table , the portions were not oversized but prepared with care read more