Victoria: Six Fun Flaneur Stories
Sliders Cafe
On our first day of our weeklong visit to Victoria when heading to Quadra Village’s Beacon Hill thrift store, we happened upon the Sliders Café sandwich board at the entrance to the Victoria Curling Club. Our immediate thought was, “this could be a fun place for lunch another day.”
We wandered in and were greeted by the owners Ryan Hoskins and Keith Campbell, a former pub owner and his chef. While the décor was “plain jane,” the menu looked appealing with everything from breakfast to burgers, perogies to homemade soups. We made a note to come back.
True to our work, we came back on Sunday at noon, thinking the curling rink might be animated. We ordered the BLT and soup. As we waited, we found out a match between two men’s teams for the final spot in the provincial championship was about to take place. We also noticed people going upstairs where we later found out there is a nice viewing area and bar.
Our beef barley soup was delicious with lots of beef and the BLT was tasty - the bacon crispy and the tomato and lettuce fresh. Unfortunately they didn’t have any apple fritters that day. Guess I will have to come back on our next trip.
Everyday Tourist Tip: If you are visiting downtown Victoria between October and March and you have never seen a curling match, consider a visit to the Victoria Curling Rink for a snack or meal and watch a few ends.
Just look for the building with the huge curling rock above the entrance and you will find Sliders.
Brian: Security Guard / Concierge
While wandering to James Bay Village, we decided to scope out Victoria’s majestic Legislative building. As we got close to the door, Brian, the security guard came out and asked if he could help us. We asked if we could go inside and where the Parliamentary Dining Room was (we had read it is a hidden gem and the public is welcome).
Before we could say anything more, Brian was on his hotline to the dining room and snagged us a table. Though we weren’t planning on going to the dining hall that day given it was 11am and we weren’t really ready for lunch, but we looked at each other and said, “let’s do it!”
First, we had to give up our driver’s licences (which seemed a bit much) and pass through a security check to get in. Then we had to follow the green line along the subterranean tunnel’s walls to finally arrive at the dining room. We were quickly seated and coffee arrived. Given the time we had to order off the breakfast menu but as the French would say c’est la vie. My eggs were done perfectly as was B’s omelette. The service was old school i.e. very attentive.
The room is cozy with lots of historic photos of past politicians; it was a walk back in time.
Everyday Tourist Travel Tip: If you want to dine at The Parliamentary Dining Room book, AHEAD! After such a great breakfast experience, we tried to get a reservation for lunch over the next few days and were unsuccessful getting a reservation. You can’t always count on Brian to come to your rescue. Note: the dining room is open Monday to Friday and only for breakfast and lunch. The prices are great.
At the top of these stairs is where we met Brian the friendliest security guard ever.
Little Dickens
Belfry Theatre is charming at night.
One day, while flaneuring Fort Street I saw a colourful poster for the “Little Dickens” show at the Belfry Theatre hidden at the bottom of a door to a shop.
Upon closer look, I noticed it was for a puppet show by Ronnie Burkett, Canada’s leading puppeteer.
Backstory: Ronnie was one of the artists in the “Return to Laughter” exhibition I curated for the Muttart Art Gallery back in 1986. I booked us tickets for the next night.
Wow! I have great respect and admiration for Ronnie who at 68 year perform non-stop for two hours. He not only manipulated the 20+ different puppets, two at time, but also was the voice of each puppet, quickly going back and forth from one voice to another.
He also skillfully engaged four audience members to come up on stage and participate. It was an incredible performance to watch, as he stands on a platform 12 feet high behind the stage and works his magic. It was probably the most fun and entertaining experience for me in 2025.
Everyday Tourist Tip: Check to see what’s playing at the Belfry whenever you visit Victoria. Go for dinner or lunch at the nearby Fernwood Inn before a show as it is buzzing with patrons and locals. Also arrive plan to arrive early to admire the theatre itself - a converted Baptist Church built between 1887 and 1892. It was converted into two theatre spaces in 1974.
Every neighbourhood should have a pub like the Fernwood Inn.
Children’s Choir
The is the mural, church and alley entrance that was the catalyst for this fun flaneur story.
Another day, as we were off to catch the bus to head to Oak Bay Village, I noticed a Haida mural on a wall next to a church across the street and thought the political juxtaposition of the two would make for a good photo.
But as the bus was coming I made a mental note to come back later and take the photo. And I am glad I did.
As we were heading back to our apartment later that day, I said to B go back and wait for me in the lobby as I want to get that photo.
As I was taking the photo, I noticed people were going into the church, so I asked what was happening and was told there was children’s choir recital starting in 15 minutes. I asked if there were still tickets and was told yes. As I went on my phone to purchase two tickets, I was approached by one of the ticket checkers who said, “someone had called to say they couldn’t use their tickets, and he could give them to us.” I graciously accepted.
I ran back to our apartment on the next block, and we both hustled back to the church. We were greeted by the same man, and he had checked us in and led us right into the church.
We enjoyed a two-hour recital of various children’s choirs (ages 7 to 18) as part of the Victoria Conservatory of Music program. The Conservatory is housed in the huge, historic (circa 1890) Metropolitan Methodist Church built. The horseshoe-shaped interior has beautiful stained glass window, a large stage perfect for large choirs and good acoustics (for my layman ears).
Everyday Tourist Tip: If you see a bunch of people heading into a building, it never hurts to ask what is happening!
The National Toy Museum of Canada?
This is the entrance to the Toy Museum at the back of the toy shop.
Another day while “window licking” in downtown Victoria, I spotted a sign at the back of a large storefront window saying, “The National Toy Museum of Canada” and wondered how this could be.
I thought all of Canada’s “National Museums” were in Ottawa, except for the National Music Centre in Calgary and Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg.
Heading inside to investigate, I found out the museum at the back of the Cherry Bomb Toy retail shop, is a private collection and not really a “national museum.” The owner told us he was surprised when he applied for charitable status, he got to pick four names, and this was one of the ones approved. We had a quick chat and decided to come back when we had more time.
Returning a few days later, we discovered there are 40+ display cases packed with toys, games and figures from the past 50+ years. There are no what I would call really old/antique toys i.e. early 20th and 19thcentury. Each display case is devoted to a different toy theme, from Star Wars to Star Trek from My Little Pony to Barbie. It has the feeling of antique mall.
That being said, there is lots to look at and everything is well organized and lite. They even had a few fun scavenger hunts for the kids, like finding the two “Where’s Waldo” figures hidden somewhere in the museum. We found one of them.
Unfortunately, taking photos is prohibited, but I did find some online.
Everyday Tourist Tip: The museum and retail shop is a good place to take the family on a rainy day. And there are plans to expand the museum in the near future.
Really Old Books
While in Oak Bay Village, we stumbled upon a Fine Bookbinding store and decided to go in. We were immediate greeted by owner Paul Tronson who quickly gave us his “Cole’s Notes” lecture on how he conserves, restores and binds aquarian books i.e. books printed before 1900. Yes, these books are old and yes, they are rare.
Paul explained how he can use natural materials to get stains out of the paper, how he can restore the bindings of the old books and even reproduce missing pages to look exactly like the originals. Most the books he works on are 200+ years old. He works for clients internationally, including the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC.
The walls of the shop are lined with various tools that give the store the look of a “butcher meets carpenter” shop. And the aroma of an old tea shop or library. It is remarkable what careers people have.
I think he would have given us the Bookbinding 101 course if we wanted as he seemed keen to chat.
Everyday Tourist Tip: If you are intrigued by a store, don’t be afraid to go in. You never know what you might find and learn.
We have passed by this shop many times in the past, but this time we decided to go in and we were surprised by what we found.
Last Word
It is amazing how we continue to find new things to see and do in Victoria even after visiting 10+ times over the past 30+ years. That is one of the fun things about being an everyday tourist and a flaneur, there is always something new waiting to be discovered.
