Ate Brunch here New Years Day. It was great. Had a fairly basic bacon eggs, potatoes & toast meal and it was all perfection. Great drip coffee & perfectly made mimosas. They have a very nice indoor/outdoor patio, I recommend eating on the patio, it was warm & you get a nice view of the harbour. I'll eat here again my next trip to Victoria. read more

Okay, so we're tourists, but don't treat us like we have some kind of disease; we're infusing $$ into your economy! But oh...the attitude and the service from the server was deplorable! It really took EVERYTHING away from the entire experience of the food, drink and atmosphere. We arrived mid-afternoon, and the place was not very busy. The server was cold and impatient with us when we asked questions about the various microbrews available. She threw down the plates of our food order and slammed down the glasses of the sampler. Ugh! It's a pitty that we'll never step foot in this place again because the food and brew are actually above par. read more

In terms of food and service, it is much below average. Great ambience though. We ordered Asian stir fry and chicken thai curry. These were not even close to how they are supposed to be. Portions are small and not filling. And the service is not polite.... V even had to ask for refill of water and our cutlery. read more

Service was solid but the food leaves MUCH to be desired. We had the nachos and upgraded to chicken and guacamole which made for a $24 plate of zero taste, not even the salt you crave from tortilla chips! Ordered the fried pickles and they were pretty good, but if the appetizers tell you what's next, pay your tab and hit the next bar. Only perk was the raspberry "Berry Ale" was a good fruity beer for a warm afternoon. read more

We went to Victoria to celebrate my birthday, so we were looking for a place with good beer and live music. This place has both and more! The live music is every night; we got there on Tuesday, the band was great and we met the most amazing crowd of people! Ladies in vintage dresses and hats, people drinking and dancing!.. I ordered beer sampler, and liked most of the beers, Brown Ale was my favourite. The service was friendly and quick. The only regret is that we found this place in our last evening in Victoria. I will definitely return for rock n' roll night when I go to Victoria next time. read more

There beers are the real deal. We made this our watering hole for some afternoon time. Tasted the Brown Ale, the IPA, and the Pale Ale. The IPA was excellent, and the other two were above average. Great spot for some beers. read more

We stopped in here just for a few minutes to catch a drink or two and I have to say, it was a lively and fun spot to stop. We could have spent more time there, but we had dinner reservations elsewhere so we were unable to stay for too long. What a fun place though and the drinks were good and reasonably priced. read more

We are big microbrewery fans and went here after a local suggested it. Their Scottish ale is awesome, as was the fish and chips. Great atmosphere and amazingly great service. They even had live music and dancing when we went. Highly recommend it! read more

I only came for the beer sampler and was not dissapointed. The IPA and Brown Ale stand out the most for me. The sampler size was a generous 8oz pour. You can't buy any bottles at the restuarant but they do have a liquor store next door that has most everything that the sampler offers. It was the Canadian version of McMenamin's read more

My favourite place in Victoria. I live in Nanaimo but frequent Victoria on weekends, sometimes weekday trips. I first went to Swans last year and loved the ambience and the beer. I started to frequent this place until it became my go to place, pretty much a staple whenever I visit Victoria. Recently I stopped in for a couple drinks and some dinner, the management had taken notice of me being there and took care of my bill. If you're looking for high quality beer on tap, breakfast lunch or dinner, or just a night out I strongly recommend. read more

In my head if I write this in enough reviews, Yelp will listen and grant my request. I want half stars! This is a perfect three and a half star place. I had a pesto pizza that was good, delicious beer that they brew themselves, and the service was very good. I think it would be an easy four star just for the beer and service while the food is a three star--good but not great. Thus, it really is a three and a half star. If I was in the area again, I would definitely stop; however, I'm not dying to go back or anything as I still have a whole world to explore. read more

I didn't eat a proper meal but the beer and yams fries were amazing. Great atmosphere and fun live music. Worth checking out for a drink and snack. read more

3-1/2 stars! I never turn down good pub food and we kept getting this place recommended to us so stopped in for lunch. We has no problem getting a table on Saturday. Our server was fairly attentive for BC, which was a definite plus after spending over 2 hours at dinner the night before. Ordered the nachos and the Arctic Ale, splurged for guac and chicken on the nachos. They were spendy, but the plate was oversized and they did not skimp on the toppings. The beer was crisp and refreshing. The pub lacked a bit in ambience inside, but the food was above-average pub grub, the beer was great and the afternoon was pleasant. read more

I've been going to Swan's for years. And up until a short time ago, it featured great live music, great staff, and great beers brewed in house. That's all changed now. I went there last night. I was surprised to discover that the unique craft brews people have been ordering for years have now been removed from the menu. When I inquired as to why, our server told us it was because they'd just hired a new brewmaster. She then offered us free tasters of three of their new concoctions: Kolsh, a pale ale, and one other I can't recall. So, without exaggeration, all three were undrinkable. My buddy was just as perplexed as I was. All three were stupidly hoppy and bitter, and I think it was the Kolsh which tasted just like you would imagine a melted rubber tire would taste. This place used to have some of the best beer you could get. Indeed, that was one of its main attractions. So why replace them at all, let alone with genuinely lousy drinks? I don't understand how any manager or owner could ever think it was a good idea to completely alienate a loyal customer base by getting rid of the popular live bands, the popular staff, and the popular brews. For years, decades, couples have fallen in love at this place, danced the night away, enjoyed their unique house brews, gotten to know the (long-time) staff, and happily blown thousands of dollars there. Now, the live music is all but gone, the brews are truly lousy, the staff is young and inexperienced, and seriously, the place was nearly empty last night - a Saturday night at 7:30. That would have been unthinkable only a little while ago. (No, I didn't even bother to order the food. After the lousy beer tasters, we departed for one of the many now superior choices in this town.) I won't be going to Swan's anymore, and obviously, I'm not the only one. Really a pity what's happened to this place. ++++ read more

Worth the trip to Canada on its own. Food is killer. The only real issue is that the drive from Vegas is to far to eat there again. The duck burger was awesomeness on a bun. Even the extremely picky 3 year old in our group enjoyed his meal, and that is saying something. read more

Nice staff. Great local brews. Amazing how the place suddenly got almost packed after ten on a Sunday night.

Decent variety of food and drinks, almost diner - like atmosphere with a great corner view. I had the Asian chicken salad, a bit of a hodge podge of hot chicken and veggies piled on top of lettuce, could have been presented better as it became more of a stir fry salad. read more

I can only take in so many beer calories a day. And I didn't think their cream ale or Lager were worth the expenditure.

So disappointed. The atmosphere is gone from the old Swans. They have remodelled and although it makes sense how they have opened up the place by removing walls, the removal of all the beautiful indigenous art makes no sense. Why leave that awful portrait of Pierre Trudeau? Beer brewmaster must have changed as well. We had three out of four drinks that were unpalatable. The dark black Pilsner with chamomile tea was awful. Could not drink it. Did not have anything that reminded me of Pilsner and no flavour of chamomile. The raspberry blond was also a fail in my opinion. We did not have food so can't speak about that. Won't be back. So disappointed with the changes. read more

I love Swan's for the same reason I love coloured food sprinkles. The pub's dance floor can be seen (and heard) from the indoor patio, through glass windows. This is the perfect recipe for watching people of all ages swing dance their butts off. Seeing a 60 year hold sweating and giggling and laughing, and proclaiming that they have not had so much fun in 20 years, is like watching the happiness of coloured sprinkles leak their dyes onto delicious vanilla cupcakes. It is a brew pub, and I like their beer (but I'm not a connoisseur), and they have yam fries. The patio is great for conversation and people watching, while the inside is good for dancing. They have an attached restaurant, hotel, and private eating/meeting rooms. The service varies, but doesn't present anything out of the ordinary. read more

Stayed for dinner, still love their beers. This time I started with a raspberry shandy--their raspberry ale mixed with ginger ale. I love lemon shandys, but was a bit cautious. One sip and I was hooked. I will be attempting to make this from home (only with 'Murrican raspberry beery that will not be as tasty). read more

I love Swans! Their beer sampler is amazing! So many great choices and the staff are really friendly. The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because while sitting in the enclosed patio I saw a mouse. We were very close to a door that leads to the outside but I'm terrified of mice, I wasn't really able to relax after that (even with all the beer I drank) I would still go back though! Many many more times. read more

Try the beers! Wife and I spent several afternoons killing time here and had a great time. Good beers, acceptable food.

Ok food. Basically I ate my lasagna with a knife because it was so burnt. Atmosphere was pleasant. Either the manager or owner stopped by our table to inquire about the homemade lasagna. I shared that it was ok and it was burnt. No credit towards our bill. I would pass on this restaurant the next time read more

I had the pleasure of meeting with one of the partners, Mike Boyle. His hospitality is second to none. I had the earl grey ipa which was amazing and the chicken wings are so good. Pull the trigger and get your butt down there. read more

We ate there for linner today around 3 pm. The food was pretty good, the place was loud even though it was only half full and our service was pretty good until our waitress disappeared after giving us our bill. We had fish & chips, soup and Monte Cristo sandwich (sandwich wasn't the one ordered, but good) and the club sandwich. My wife had the Arctic Ale which she said was tasty. I ordered iced tea and received sweetened iced tea - a little surprise but I happened to be in the mood for that today. They serve Coke from the bar - no Pepsi. read more

This was a real nice spot to sit in the glassed in room and enjoy a nice huge plate of fish and chips. What more could one want? Oh, yes, beer, something of a specialty for them (mictro brewing) and worth going if you're a suds fan. Had a great time. They let me use my cell phone for my "very important" call, even though the sign said "no cell phones." I would give it three AND A HALF if I could. read more

Absolutely outstanding service and food. The fish and chips were perfect and by perfect I mean, not greasy, perfect crispy fish and fries and not overdone. Likewise the service provided by Melissa was attentive and detailed but not smothering either. All in all a great dining experience. read more

Front desk agent was excellent. Waitress was good. Restaurant manager was a complete jerk. Food was mediocre but beer selection was good.

Love this place. Great service. Great beer. Great atmosphere. I spilt my beer and they replaced the whole glass. A class act.

I've been here before and it was great. I came on a business trip because I remembered it as being decent. But now, the tables were crowded. It was incredibly noisy, and uncomfortable. The service was very slow. But the worst part was an aggressive bouncer who kept trying to coerce my husband into leaving because he wasn't ordering drinks or food. The rest of the family was eating, so it was very irritating to be pressured this way. He didn't seem to realize we were all waiting endlessly to pay. When we left, he kept repeating "don't come back." No worries pal, we won't be. read more

I can't believe no one has Yelped about the art collection in this place...it is unreal and worth a Yelp. Stop in and have a pint and check out what is on the walls, the owner is quite the collector of Canadiana, it is like a little National Gallery of Canada; with beer! Look for the phenomenal portrait of Pierre Trudeau that presides over the bar; well they move him around the place; anyway he looks like Lestat or Johnny Cash in that painting; amazing! read more

This place is great! They have a nice beer selection, the food is delicious and they have bands playing on the weekends (maybe also during the week, I'm not sure though). It does get very crowded and loud on Fri/Sat night. read more

Good food at a good price. Nothing fancy and great for a friends night out. Recommend the steak sandwich. Fantastic selection of beers. Live music and good atmosphere. read more

Been to this place many times to meetup with friends over beer. Their own brewed beer is good. The Oatmeal Stout, and the seasonal Double Shot Porter are must tries if you like dark beers. Food quality is okay and fresh but the prices are a bit expensive. Pizza there never lets me down and probably the safest thing on the menu for the price. Watch out for the drink specials for beer which are very good value and only available on certain weekdays. Service is attentive. Place can get packed and loud during the late evenings when live music performs in the main pub area. read more

Overall experience was good. Beer was okay, nice to try, we had the oatmeal stout and Appleton Brown - reasonably priced. Food was good, had fish and chips and the veggie black bean burger with onion rings. Typically pub food fare. (18$ for fish and 12 for burger). The service was good. Overall it was a good experience, we sat in the sun room at dusk, which we really beautiful. Would go back, nice place to hang out. read more

We have stayed at The Swan for years but rarely ate in the pub. Tonight, after a lovely movie at the Vic, we came in for a light dinner. No sooner had the server brought our dinner than I noticed two mice running around under the tables. Now, I'm no sissy but I don't like rodents and I surely don't like them in restaurants. When I told the server and the hotel staff, The were not surprised at all. In fact, I was told that is a common occurrence! I live in a seaport tourist town and mice are NOT an acceptable occurrence in the downtown cafes and restaurants. I understand that they are indigenous out but, please, not running around like pets!! Ugh. Left my dinner on the table and scurried up to my room. Did I mention.....UGH! read more

Pritty good place if you are stuck for place to eat late night - service is adequate, food can be a bit scary ie. burgers undercooked, but fries are amazing - stick with the fries and beer and solarium seating. read more

From best to worst... Swans was built with with love, with a vision of West Coast art and style. Beer is varied and interesting, as it should be at a brewpub. The dance floor can feel "intimate" and the music loud (the bar is not large, so arrive early). Service is OK to leisurely. Sometimes overworked and then under tipped? As the food improves in relation to the amount of beer you drink, book a room. Rooms are slightly outdated but comfortable. The food is poor, unless you expect and like mediocre pub food. Worst, UVIC owns Swans now, and they do not have any vision for the place. At all. A lovely place with SO MUCH potential. read more

The food is a bit drab, but not bad. That said, if you get a spot in the sun room, it makes up for it with a good view and some good beer.