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Ratings and reviews

#30 of 91 Bar in Victoria
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere

Details

PRICE RANGE
US$15 - US$22
CUISINES
Bar, Seafood, Contemporary
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options
View all details
meals, features, about
Reviews (144)
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134 results
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74
44
14
1
1
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LanguageEnglish
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Traveller rating
74
44
14
1
1
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Reviewed August 20, 2023

Did not try the food, just had drinks while waiting for our transporation, but it was ok just to take a beer outside and the terrace was fabolous. Price for a beer was very cheap and they had excellent hazy IPA on tap.

Date of visit: August 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed February 24, 2023

Gourmet dining experience-the food was great with interesting cuisine. We shared a wonderful pear and arugula salad. I had the catch of the day which was an interesting combination of flavours. My partner had the duck confit which was superb. Service was good. While the...wine list was small the parings we chose went very well with the entrees. Our only complaint is that the room gets quite noisy especially with the live music. While we initially appreciated being seranaded whilst dining, the music started to grate after a while.More

Date of visit: February 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sean Myers, General Manager at Bar 500, responded to this reviewResponded July 22, 2023

Thank you so much for your honest and kind review. We appreciate your great feedback and I'd love to take care of your first round the next time you're in. Mention my name to your server and I will make sure you receive this token...More

Reviewed December 26, 2022

We booked the Christmas Eve special 3 course meal for $49 each and were really happy with the quality and value. More people should try this restaurant or just come for a well-prepared cocktail in a modern and relaxing setting. I will definitely return to...eat and drink here on my next visit to Victoria!More

Date of visit: December 2022
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sean Myers, General Manager at Bar 500, responded to this reviewResponded July 22, 2023

Thank you so much for your honest and kind review. We appreciate your great feedback and I'd love to take care of your first round the next time you're in. Mention my name to your server and I will make sure you receive this token...More

Reviewed June 18, 2022

ordered wine which arrived with coffee grounds in the glass and when asked for a side salad to go with the meat balls got told 'no'.. it was okay but had to in effect pay for two mains. very limited chi=icews The brownies were so...hard as to be inedible and the singer and pianist were far too loudMore

Date of visit: June 2022
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed September 24, 2019

I found it great to eat here after my day sightseeing and too tired to get the glad rags on and go out again. It has a very relaxing atmosphere and though the menu is small it is interesting and I'm a pickey vegetarianMore

Date of visit: August 2019
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OswegoHotelManager, General Manager at Bar 500, responded to this reviewResponded October 21, 2019

Thank you! We appreciate you taking the time to post a review. The O Café and Bistro is a relaxed area in the hotel that many guests come for dinner or relaxing with a book with a coffee or to come and listen to music....More

Reviewed September 15, 2019 via mobile

I mostly came here because they open at 7 and offer almond milk for your coffee needs. And I was pleasantly surprised at how good the latte was! A little pricey, but par for a hotel coffee shop. Very enjoyable and I’d go again.

Date of visit: September 2019
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OswegoHotelManager, Manager at Bar 500, responded to this reviewResponded September 21, 2019

Hello Meagan, Thank you for your review for O'Cafe & Bistro! We are pleased you enjoyed your coffee, we showcase a local artisan Bows & Arrows Coffee Roasters. And actually we open at 630am. Hope to welcome you back soon, Ryan Schmidt Hotel Manager

Reviewed June 19, 2019

Had a great light meal at O Cafe tonight. We are staying at the hotel but people come in for the live entertainment. I had the small size of beef rib with vegetables and potatoes. Just perfect. My husband had the Thai wings and he...really enjoyed them. Thank you for a great meal.More

Date of visit: June 2019
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OswegoHotelManager, Manager at Bar 500, responded to this reviewResponded June 29, 2019

Hello Diane, Thank you for joining us at the O'Bistro for jazz night! We are proud supporters of local music, and we are also partners of an initiative called "Meal Share" that supports a local charity for persons in need. We donate funds for every...More

Reviewed January 16, 2019 via mobile

This very small cafe is located in the Oswego Hotel - 14 seats. When you arrive you place your order at the counter, pay and the hostess brings it to your table. A small menu but it had lots to offer. My wife had the...quiche and I had the breakfast wrap. Both were good, steaming hot and a nice size if you want a smaller breakfast.More

Date of visit: January 2019
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OswegoHotelManager, General Manager at Bar 500, responded to this reviewResponded January 19, 2019

Thank you for taking the time to post a review. We have listened to our guests that wanted a more casual experience. With all of our suites having kitchens we found that many guests enjoy the flexibility of cooking in their suites. However, we offer...More

Reviewed January 14, 2019

While the small plate concept is advertised, in fact the portions are minuscule but the prices aren’t. And the drinks are even smaller than the food portions. If you’re hungry, go somewhere else. We were very disappointed with the value proposition here!More

Date of visit: January 2019
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OswegoHotelManager, General Manager at Bar 500, responded to this reviewResponded January 19, 2019

We appreciate you coming into the O Cafe and Bistro. I apologize that you felt our small plates menu was small. With our menu we do encourage our guests to enjoy a selection of dishes in a family style ambiance. Your comments I will pass...More

Reviewed September 2, 2018 via mobile

This isn’t just a place for travellers, with a great live piano player on Sunday, good drinks and food it should be a Mecca for the local James Bay residents. We enjoyed a share plate of steak, the feature burger and Brussel Sprouts. All was...good but the sprouts. These sprouts were up to 80% un chewable stem. Spouts should be roasted and ready to pop into your mouth. Instead I struggled to cut out the indigestible stocks. Piano player was a pleasure. Very skilled.More

Date of visit: September 2018
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OswegoHotelManager, General Manager at Bar 500, responded to this reviewResponded September 4, 2018

Thank you for taking the time to post a review. We apologize that you felt the Brussel Sprouts were not to you liking. So many of our guests have previously commented positively about this dish that this summer we added them to our main menu...More

Reviewed July 30, 2018

We used to enjoy a reasonably priced tasty dinner in this bistro when staying at the Oswego Hotel, but were completely disappointed with the the current “plates to share” menu. Minuscule portions and $70 dollars later we went to our room and ate cheese and...crackers! Too bad, never again.More

Date of visit: July 2018
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OswegoHotelManager, General Manager at Bar 500, responded to this reviewResponded August 5, 2018

Thank you for your review but we are disappointed to read your comments and dissatisfaction. We promote in our marketing that our menu in the bistro is a small plates menu for sharing. Many of our guests enjoy the variety or choices. All dishes are...More

Reviewed July 22, 2018

Lounge like, bistro style,regular tables and chairs, small patio, Share plates if you choose. Sunday night piano accompaniment,More

Date of visit: July 2018
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OswegoHotelManager, General Manager at Bar 500, responded to this reviewResponded July 27, 2018

Thank you for posting a review Yes we offer our O Cafe daily from 6.30am to 10pm and our Bistro from 4pm-10pm. Smallplates are popular for our guests and we also offer live music on Wednesday and Sunday. We support local and work with the...More

Reviewed June 7, 2018

We discovered this charming Bistro when seeking a quiet alternative to the large noisy bistro that was attached to our nearby hotel on Victoria harbour. We could hardly believe how good it could be. Very friendly service, a small number, but very tasty selection of...reasonably priced share plates and a nice quiet table looking out on the gardens of the Oswego Hotel. An absolute gem.More

Date of visit: May 2018
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OswegoHotelManager, General Manager at Bar 500, responded to this reviewResponded June 11, 2018

Thank you! We love that you enjoyed us. We agree that we think our culinary team offer a very unique menu. Although smaller, it has many seasonal small plate dishes from locally sourced places. Our service is low key but offers warmth and is genuine....More

Reviewed January 3, 2018

We stayed at the Oswego Hotel from January 1st to 2nd and we ordered room service on the morning we were departing. It was affordable, delicious and came very promptly. We will utilize room servicefrom the O cafe and Bistro again when we stay at...The Oswego in the future.More

Date of visit: January 2018
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OswegoHotelManager, General Manager at Bar 500, responded to this reviewResponded January 5, 2018

Thank you for taking the time to post a review. We appreciate it! Our O Cafe and Bistro offers a smaller but amazing menu. Our Cafe is open from 6.30am - 10pm, 7 days a week and our Bistro 4pm-10pm nightly.We work with many local...More

Reviewed November 16, 2017 via mobile

Excellent selection of small plates, all very delicious. Cozy room and friendly service. Can’t wait to returnMore

Date of visit: November 2017
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OswegoHotelManager, General Manager at Bar 500, responded to this reviewResponded November 19, 2017

Thank you! We love that you enjoyed your experience. Our atmosphere in our O Cafe and Bistro is warm and authentic partnered with an awesome and talented culinary and front of house team. We support local farms and suppliers and this is integrated into our...More

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Questions & Answers
Ask a question
Hungryceliac
July 30, 2018|
Answer
Response from OswegoHotelManager | Property representative |
Thank you for your inquiry. No we cannot guarantee 100% celiac friendly. Whilst we strive to achieve this we have a small kitchen, regards Oswego Hotel
0
Votes
christians272
August 15, 2016|
AnswerShow all 4 answers
Response from OswegoHotelManager | Property representative |
Absolutely! Our menus can be found on the dining section of our website. Please let us know if you have any trouble accessing them. As well, please feel free to contact me directly to make a reservation. Warm... More
0
Votes
Pembina61
December 1, 2015|
AnswerShow all 3 answers
Response from Ross P | Reviewed this property |
The place is too open for a group to gather and converse in. I would not recommend this bistro for that purpose. I do not think you would be comfortable gathering and trying to have a group discussion in such an open concept... More
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BAR 500, Victoria - Downtown - Updated 2023 Restaurant Reviews, Menu & Prices - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Bar 500

Bar 500 is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4.5
  • Service: 4.5
  • Value: 4
  • Atmosphere: 4.5