The Old Firehouse Wine & Cocktail Bar in Duncan

40 Ingram St, Duncan, BC V9L 1N7, Canada

★★★★★
(389 reviews)
Categories: Restaurant Brunch restaurant Cocktail bar Pub Wine bar

About

Hip, contemporary bar serving beer, wine & cocktails, plus creative tapas & entrees.

Website
theoldfirehouse.ca
Address
40 Ingram St, Duncan, BC V9L 1N7, Canada
Plus Code
Q7HR+MR Duncan, British Columbia, Canada
Time Zone
America/Vancouver

Business Hours

Sunday
Closed
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
4–10 PM
Wednesday
4–10 PM
Thursday
4–10 PM
Friday
4–10 PM
Saturday
4–10 PM

Services

Service options
Outdoor seating Takeaway Dine-in Delivery
Highlights
Great cocktails Live music
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seating Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Cocktails Coffee Happy-hour food Healthy options Late-night food Organic dishes Small plates Spirits Vegan options Vegetarian options Wine
Dining options
Dinner Dessert Seating
Amenities
Bar on site Toilets Wi-Fi Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual Cosy Romantic Upmarket
Crowd
Groups LGBTQ+ friendly Transgender safe space
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards Credit cards
Parking
Free of charge street parking Free parking lot

Photos

Reviews

4.6
★★★★★
389 reviews

Most Mentioned

atmosphere (48) evening (11) donuts (7) patio (7) tacos (7) wine bar (6) island (6) wine list (5) tapas (5) presentation (5)
5 stars
295
4 stars
56
3 stars
19
2 stars
13
1 stars
6
★★★★★
November 20, 2024

This is now my regular go to spot when I'm on the island. Amazing cocktails! Great atmosphere, kind and friendly people. The food is delicious and presentation is fantastic. If you haven't been your surely missing out! Cheers!

★★★★★
November 3, 2024

What a charming little restaurant - such a treat to have somewhere to go in Duncan with consistently delicious food and a warm, inviting atmosphere. I always get the daily pasta which is freshly made and delicious but everything on the menu is tempting. Great selection of wines, some local, and great service too.

★★★★★
October 20, 2024

We celebrated my daughter's birthday at the Old Firehouse Restaurant on October 17th. It was a memorable experience! Each of us had one of their famous cocktails. I had the pumpkin spice rum, which was incredible. I will certainly order it again. We decided to share several "small plates", which was an excellent idea. The food was delicious and served promptly. The atmosphere was warm friendly, and the service was outstanding. Everyone, including Jeff, the owner, Mariah, and Joel, our server, chatted with us and treated us 'Royally'. All of us thoroughly enjoyed the evening! We highly recommend and will be back again. Thank you for making our evening so special.

★★★★★
September 20, 2024

Legendary spot, best cocktails on the island for real for real. After biking 55km from Nanaimo, half of which in the dark, I needed a drink. My man Jeff let me store my bike inside as it wasn’t too packed, Joel killed it with the hospitality, water temperature, and a seamless inquiry——> drink order experience. Now Jeff SMASHED this out of the ballpark. Custom cocktail not on the menu, not a rarity for Jeff. Smooth, perfect taste, and 3 slices of a perfect peach to top it off 🍑 Can’t wait to be back with my lady.

★★★★★
June 3, 2024

Exceptional service and cuisine at this cozy restaurant in the Cowichan Valley Duncan City Centre on Ingram .Street..did I mention exceptional food and hospitality, yes and the best Wine Bar beverages we ordered fit the evening perfectly..our dinner consisted of Zanatta Dumasco Albacore Tuna , Mushroom Chèvre , Carpaccio and a Strawberry and Rhubarb Cake..the environment surrounding this restaurant is very picturesque with stunning views and beautiful murals..

★★★★★
August 30, 2023

Pleasantly surprised by the food, cocktails and service. Food was fresh and delicious and obviously skillfully prepared. Great drink choices and my server could not have been more courteous. Highly recommend if your looking for an upscale dining experience at a fair price.

★★★★★
June 17, 2022

The Old Firehouse was a lucky shot on our tour through Duncan. I can admit, we would have regretted not going here. The food is simply amazing. Local and presented like an art piece on a plate. The service is warm welcoming and a really interesting chat is always around the corner. My wife and I both highly appreciate the use of local products and the story behind the wines. A casual evening that turned into a romantic and fascinating dinner in our honeymoon. We are looking forward to be back soon.

★★★★★
August 31, 2017

Another anniversary, another trip to the old firehouse! Everything we ordered was excellent and fully devoured. The daily cocktails were creative and complex and fun! My favourite book store turned into my favourite restaurant. Sorry about the pics, food was so good it was partially eaten before I could get my phone out!

★★★
Local Guide
September 22, 2024

Food is ok, not much selection. Not great if you have dietary restrictions as most items are premade. Service was fine- our waitress was nice. Was surprised at the prices- $5 for club soda and $5 for refills!! My friend and I spent $20 (plus tax and tip) on club soda I feel if you have made a business decision to do something that no one else is doing, you should let customers know. My favorite restaurant downtown Victoria charges $5 for their signature non-alcoholic drink and no-charge refills.

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 22, 2024

Jeff and the team here serve up some the best cocktails and food I have experienced. I am a foodie at heart and the wine bar never disappoints. 10/10 would recommend to any one of my friends or clients.

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 22, 2024

Great evening Good food Fantastic place to hang out and chat Food : 5/5

August 22, 2024

The food is good (not exceptional, but still ok). But the service is genuinely terrible. We were there on a long weekend, so maybe that was the issue? But you would think that they had some ability to plan ahead. Disappointed.

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 22, 2024

Good food, good service.

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 22, 2024

What an incredible evening. The burrata salad on special had a wide variety of unusual and also familiar greens with an assortment of yellow, green and red tomato that were sweet and fresh. My burger was one of the best burgers Ive had in many years. The dipping sauce for the fries was delicious. The special local clam pasta dish was amazing. We sat on the patio and there was beautiful live music playing for the local community. The servers all worked together to ensure the highest level of attentive and timely service. They were professional and friendly. One of the best nights Ive had in BC.

★★★★★
July 22, 2024

Best food ever best service.. so awesome

★★★★★
May 22, 2024

Cool little place downtown Duncan. Food and service was great!

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 22, 2024

Definitely one of, if not the best burger ive had in a long time (the firehouse burger). Homemade bun, beef was perfectly cooked. Pricey? Maybe.. but everything is these days and you seem to actually get what you pay for here.

★★★★★
April 22, 2024

If you have never been to this place for dinner, you might want to fix that!

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 22, 2024

First time there, I had the chicken fettuccine. Delicious, The food is local, just like the owner, service was friendly and professional. Had a great first experience. Thank you

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 22, 2024

Our spot in Duncan - and Duncan doesnt have many spots. Great food great cocktails great service. Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 22, 2024

Food series event. Sarah and Star knocked it out of the park. Service was great, as well as the beverages from Jeffs team.

★★★★★
February 22, 2024

The best restaurant in Duncan! The crispy chicken drums are probably the best food Ive ever had in my mouth.

★★★
February 22, 2024

WINE/ FOOD PAIRING LOVERS STAY AWAY! We decided to visit the Old Firehouse for the first time for my husbands birthday yesterday as he loves wine/food pairing. I made reservations. However, it didnt seem to matter. We were seated at a tiny little table right next to a closet that shouldnt even be a table. The closet was frequented numerous times by staff. So we had staff bending over with butts in our faces for the first half of our dining experience. The table was not large enough for our plates, so they moved us to the neighboring table, which was a little larger. The lighting and ambiance was nice, apart from the very strange artwork on the walls. One picture was a cow giving birth to a human. It made the vibe quite bizarre. it was also very, very loud. We couldnt hear each other across the table. We ordered olive tempinade, venison carpaccio, simple greens, pumpkin ravioli and regular charcuterie board from the starter and share menu to get an idea about what this restaurant is about, along with both their white and red wine tasting flights. Not a single wine paired correctly with the food. It would have been helpful if the menu provided wine pairing suggestions with their food as well as the server informing us what we were drinking. The same goes for the charcuterie board. We didnt know what we were eating. The wine selection alone was quite nice. However, expensive wine doesnt necessarily mean its the best pairing, and this was evident by their tasting selections. The food itself wasnt terrible but for the prices they charged, it could have been elevated. Overall, the restaurant identity is confusing. Its like they are trying to be both a wine tasting bar/fine dining and a pub catering to the locals. While we havent tasted their cocktails or pub food, their wine and fine dining selections definitely suffer. With a little more effort, planning, and forethought to get their identity more cohesive, this establishment could really stand out as a fine dining experience in the Cowichan Valley.

★★★★
February 22, 2024

My review today is about the Valentines 5 course dinner. My husband and I arrived and before we even had a drink in our hand, we had two of the courses delivered to the table. We asked them to slow down the process so we could sip our cocktails and then perhaps talk about some wine pairings. Once this happened, the meal became a bit more enjoyable and I did receive a wine pairing for each of the courses going forward (but no explanation of what they were) I asked for a list before I left which they hand wrote. For a wine bar I expected this would be an add on that they would have thought about in advance? The food was just ok. Some courses were absolutely incredible (ravioli with egg yolk, crispy beef shank and the pork belly were mouth watering, as was the dessert). The green olive accompaniment to the black cod was way too strong, and I love olives. The soy cured salmon was very fishy. The portion sizes were extremely small, so given we were paying $100 per person ($20 a course!), we did not feel we got value for the meal. Waiter was nice, but very busy- he did his best. The atmosphere was not romantic. Lights were too bright and tables/chairs are too rustic, more of a pub style than fine dining (to match the prices). Final thoughts: Will go back in the hopes I can have more of the food I enjoyed, but never again with a set menu.

★★★★★
January 22, 2024

expectional service delicious food a wide selection of fancy non alcoholic drinks as well as wines and other spirits Food : 5/5

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Incredible food and cocktails. Excellent customer service beyond the call of duty. Always a pleasure to go there and always something new, exciting and delicious. Highly recommend.

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

This is a beautiful venue with a great atmosphere which made for a wonderful date night. However, the food fell a little flat for me. I had the scallops which I felt was quite expensive ($38) considering there was only 5 on the plate. They were well cooked but the meal lacked flavor. The presentation was beautiful but unfortunately having black rice on a black plate with dim lighting made it quite hard to even see the effort that was put in.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

The only place I have ever been that made me think there needed to be a sixth star. The ambiance is warm and welcoming the drinks are refreshing and unique and the food is just plain delicious. Well done... I cant wait to go back.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

This incredible local small business is a gem in our community. Everything youll experience here will be top shelf. The food, drinks and service are wonderful in this cozy atmosphere. The patio in the summer is also amazing to take in the several music events that happen in the square throughout our 39 Days of July music festival, as well as, all the other great evenings we have in the summer. I have traveled all over and I can honestly say that Jeff makes the absolute best Bourbon Sours Hands Downey! They also make incredibly delicious mocktails and Speak Easy blends for those who still wish to go out, be social and Partake without the alcohol.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

The BEST place to eat on this part of the Island. The food is outstanding (menu changes seasonally - Ive never had a bad meal here. If you cant decide, go for the burger. Its incredible). You cant visit without getting either a cocktail or a NA cocktail. Both lists are extensive and creative and delicious. The owner and staff are wonderful. If the weathers good, sit out on the patio - youll be right in the heart of Duncans old town and its so lovely.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Very tasty, friendly, cozy and we had fun, the wife and I...

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Best seats in the Duncan Town Square to listen to some excellent music thanks to the 39 days in July music festival

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Delicious burgers. Unusual cocktails. Very friendly helpful staff.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Great place, solid selection of local beverages. Food and service was very good.

★★★
December 22, 2023

Food was good, but not fabulous at an average $35 plate. Note to those that want to bring in their own cake, they charge $5 per person. Best part was our waiter, who was a star, but honestly wouldnt go back for a meal - overpriced.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Really excellent cocktails and the nicest staff. Also the fries are unusually delicious.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

My favourite cocktail spot in Duncan and the place I recommend most to friends and family! Great cocktails and good food.

Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Not great, very crowded

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Food is always super good. I love the atmosphere. People who work there are always super friendly.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Great burgers! I would go again.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Fantastic unique cocktails and a fab atmosphere !! Highly recommend.

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Great food, great service A touch of class. Thank you

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

The 5 course dinner with pairings was amazing! I want to cook like that. And I want the drink recipes too!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

10/10! 10/10! 10/10!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Absolutely fantastic restaurant. Had the three course menu, it was delicious. Drinks were excellent. Service was fantastic. Would recommend and will be back when in the area!

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Great service. Delicous menu choices for vegetarians and omnivors. For the sweet tooth, dont pass on the mini doughnuts. It is a favourite dinner stop for us.

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

The 3 course meal for the Dine Around Cowichan was a tantalizing dance for the taste buds. The Winter Salad set you up beautifully for the Flat Iron Steak with parmesan potato pave, carrots, red wine sauce, mushrooms relish and topped with crispy shallots. The Matcha Cheesecake with peach, honeycomb and crispy Phyllis was just scrumptious! Capped off with their Bourbon Sour. Simply fantastic. Jeff and his team provide an unforgettable experience. Be sure to put them on your list for your next dinning adventure in the Cowichan Valley.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

I chose the Dine Around Cowichan set 3 course menu and it did not disappoint! My partner chose the market pasta. I would give my left arm to eat here for free for life! OMG the flavors were unlike anything weve ever tasted The atmosphere, service and music was excellent too. My reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is I feel if Im spending good money on a meal, it should be up to the kitchen or server to box up any leftovers instead of us. Otherwise, no complaints!! We will DEFINITELY be back!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Amazing cocktails, delicious food and fantastic service. Highly recommend!

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Best food ever!! And cocktails! Best place to go in Duncan. The staff are the sweetest! We shut the place down and there were no taxis in Duncan so the owner was kind enough to offer a safe drive home! Awesome!!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Great cocktails and tapas, casual vibe, warm ambience, long term staff. Tell Jeff I sent you. :)

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

One of the best meals Ive ever had. Wonderful service and drinks as well. Cant wait to go back.

Local Guide
December 22, 2022

They have great reviews but i was not impressed, will not return

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

They can make all the drinks and a fairly unique experience for the area. I look forward to my next round there.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Delicious food, great drinks. Superb service. You need to try it yourself.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Excellent food and service

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Charcuterie board was a little sparse for the price but it was nice to see some local products. Also, I would pass on the fry bread thing. It was basically a donut and it cost $10! $2 more if you wanted something to dip it in (should be included in the $10 price for Petes sake)

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Wonderful Experience, Beautiful Decor, Owner Jeff is a long time Business Owner in Duncan and a True Local : ) Support Local. Delicious Meal, custom order non alcoholic drinks. Go There ....

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

The burger was unbelievable. Every bite was so delicious! The outside of the beef patty was crisp and seasoned and the bun was fresh and made in the house Someone at the table said wow this is one of the top three burgers I have ever had. And I definitely agree! I would drive up to Duncan just for one of these burgers another time :-) Wish I got a good picture!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

What a blasty blast! Food was amazing and the service was phenomenal will definitely mow down another plate

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Worth every penny. Fantastic drinks and food!

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

This place is Duncan s hidden gem!! Amazing food and even better wine and spirits! A must!

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

This our favourite place in Duncan to come for a date night or to bring a couple friends. The mixed drinks are next level, the food is always great and the service is very friendly.

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Had a lovely little meal prepared by that handsome chef Dan. What was the secret ingredient? I cant quite put my finger on it

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

I love this place. They always put so much care into everything they do, and at the same time, its a very relaxed environment. Dress up if you want or show up in your hi-vis. You can get a beautiful and delicious dinner, and try out local wines, or munch on some appys with a pint of Piggy.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Nice place, nothing but good things to say about the service. Food was decent, cocktails were pretty darn good. Sound design is a bit wonky since certain parts of the rooms conversations would reverberate lot more loudly than youd expect, but heck everyone deserves a fun night out. Look forward to going again

★★★★
December 22, 2022

Wonderful food and friendly staff. We had a lovely dinner followed by an amazing dessert. The chocolate salted caramel doughnuts are a must.

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Hands down favourite date night place to go in the valley. Amazing food and cocktails. The staff and service are even more amazing!

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

The Old Firehouse Wine and Cocktail Bar is fabulous! We were trying to secure a reservation for a large party for a wedding rehearsal dinner, and Jeff went above and beyond to help us. I was scheduling from out of the area, and they were so friendly and accommodating. And the food was amazing!! I had the pasta of the day, which was a mixed mushroom pasta with fresh egg noodles, it was delicious. Their Hungarian Fry Bread is so tender and tasty, I could eat plate after plate. Service was absolutely top notch! Thank you Jeff and Joel for a truly delectable and wonderful dining experience! I d give you 6 stars if I could!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Yes to everything here. Fab food, service and atmosphere.

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

The Old Firehouse - Literally the only reason to go to Duncan on purpose. Looking to surprise your spouse? No problem. Trying to impress a new tinder date? Easy. Excellent food, outstanding off the cuff drinks, and brilliant service. Easily one of the best restaurants on the South Island and one we are sorry we only just learned about. We had a nice little date night that cost us a few dollars more than expected but absolutely worth it. We have wasted no time in spreading the word and will certainly be returning again. Oh, and don t be afraid to ask the bartender to surprise you with a drink. We didn t know ginger beer could taste amazing, but somehow the crazed cocktail artist pulled it off. Delicious.

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Never have I had a bad experience at the Old Firehouse. A welcoming atmosphere and fantastic food, from fresh in-house pasta to the charcuterie board. This was my first time dining solo, I was made to feel so appreciated. Sitting at the bar, it was a pleasure to see how the staff interacted with each other and the positivity in the kitchen. Owner Jeffs calm and respectful exchanges with the staff made for an uplifting experience. Overhearing that they grind their beef, for what I already knew to be the best burger in Duncan made it impossibly greater. Thank you Firehouse staff. Victoria and Nanaimo take note, well worth the trip.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

I went for a cocktail tutorial evening for our friends birthday! It was fun, informative, they provided some snacks that accompanied the cocktails wonderfully, and the bar tender just blew us away with everything he knows and has done there. Cool mood, great evening place, good vibes and great cocktails.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Great atmosphere, amazing food, and affordable!

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Hands down my favourite place , if you want artisanal drinks made from scratch, THE BEST !! Each drink is made with many ( maybe 8?? ) separate fresh ingredients and is a work of art and so delicious thank you ! And the food is fantastic too !! Vegetarian options: I think so Dietary restrictions: Because They make all the food from scratch , they can accommodate my dietary restrictions. Parking: Lots at night

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Two words: VENISON CARPACCIO!!!!!!! Ok, more than two... still dreaming/salivating over it!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Nice restaurant, had a nice time and good food!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Love hitting this place up for date night, great wine selection, good tunes fun staff

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

FANTASTIC old fashioned and a great bourbon sour. The polenta fries were Huge and delicious. The fry bread was great but was abot small for the price

★★
December 22, 2022

Honestly as a single diner I wasnt pleased because the couple beside me arrived after me and was served first and then mine took forever so I got it to go and when I got to finally eat the burger was super pink in the middle so I didnt end up eating it ended up disappointed in stopping on my way home from work but got 2 stars because I dont like giving people 1 star

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

My husband and I went here for a date night for the first time the other night and really enjoyed ourselves. The atmosphere was nice, our server was very friendly and attentive, and we thoroughly enjoyed our meal and drinks. We had the pork belly tacos which were incredible, and the falafel which was also delicious. We tried the pumpkin spice cheesecake for dessert and it was very yummy as well. We both liked our cocktails too. Definitely will be back, but I recommend a reservation since we got the last table!

★★★★
December 22, 2022

Great olives

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

Amazing place! Perfect drinks!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

The single best place for food and drinks in Duncan, beating out most restaurants in Vancouver in Victoria too!

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

Wonderful romantic spot in Duncan! The tapas menu and extensive wine and cocktail offerings are reasons enough to go there, but the exceptional service, led by owner Jeff, will keep you retuning!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Best Mocktail menu around

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

Great food and drinks! Awesome service!

December 22, 2021

We decided to go here for our anniversary night out, along with another couple. 3 of us ordered from the tapas menu as it was featured in the dine and sip page. VERY disappointed: the absolute WORST tapas we have ever experienced! Everything came at once, all was cold ( except the French fries and marinated olives.) one of us ordered from the entree menu and said it wasn t good at all. A VERY high price to pay fo a VERY poor meal. Will not return.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Such a great spot to visit with a great menu and wonderful cocktail and beer menu. Came here for a late Valentines dinner and everything was made with care. The staff was super friendly and super informative with everything on the menu. Considering that they had alcohol free spirits on the menu made for a wonderful evening in that we could have an alcohol-free cocktail along with our meals. Definitely want to come back again soon

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Food and drinks were outstanding. Great atmosphere as well. Highly recommend. Were are vegans and had plenty of options.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Absolutely love this local restaurant and bar owned by a wonderful person. Very friendly and personable. Delicious menu with amazing chefs offering a local selection of drinks, appies, mains, desserts, and even mocktails. Enjoyed a cocktail with a friend on the outdoor patio. No wait on a Friday night. Affordable gourmet food. Very adoptable to covid restrictions including outdoor dining and regular sanitizing. Tables distanced as well. Covered seating incase of rain as well. 10/10 recommended

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

Jeff and his team take great care of us. Veggie burger 10 stars and I am not vegetarian!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Oh my from the cute outside dining area to the unique drink choices this place was a definite must try if your in Duncan! From before dinner drink to appy the entrée and dessert this place definitely impressed and will try again

★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Went for dinner on quite Friday evening for a 7pm reservation. The burgers and cocktails were excellent but the service was terrible. It took over an hour for two burgers and the server was hard to flag down to order more of the great cocktails available. Maybe it was an off night but it was frustrating and disappointing

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

The food is delicious and Jeff is a cocktail wizard!

December 22, 2021

Made reservations for our 10 year anniversary here and it was horrible service.we ordered chiveche and waited 50 mins with no food, not to mention, as soon as they knew it was a reservation they did not have a place to seat us and were yelling back and forth were to seat us . we left due to being ignored, poor service( there was a nice lady that we could tell felt for us, she said our drinks were on the house tho I was willing to pay and just leave, she made a difference at most, thank you) but to be honest I looked up fine dining on Google and this place came up. Their fine dinning menu had a max of 12 items to chose from ??!!! Will not go back!!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

This is my favourite restaurant in Duncan by far! High quality food and truly the best cocktails in town make for a great meal every time!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Absolute 5 stars! From the drinkers to service to the food. Simply amazing flavor and a very comfortable atmosphere. Will return again and again!

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

Its the cocktails for me. Yes the food and service are excellent, but those cocktails are the best I have ever had. In. My. Life.

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Too expensive

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Wonderful friendly staff. Delicious food and ambiance. Thank you.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Overall, Id say the old firehouse is good. Could it be better? Yes. We had a lovely server but where things could improve is in the kitchen. We ordered fries at two different times. The first batch was perfect! Hot and crispy. The second batch, wilted and cold. Why do chefs try and pawn off less desirable food? We sent it back and the chef had to make a new, proper batch so if they were concerned about food wastage, it happened anyway. Then there were the donuts for the dessert...the quality and presentation was not the same as a few days earlier. Not only were the actual donuts smaller, there was less blackberry curd and macerated blackberries. The other food we had was great but I dont have a previous comparison to see if the kitchen was trying to take shortcuts. On top of great customer service, consistency in the kitchen is key for long term success. You can see that in successful, long time American restaurants.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Fantastic service, drinks and appies.

★★★
December 22, 2021

Severe staffing issues at the moment. Expect long wait for food and drinks.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

So funny

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Great food and mocktails

★★
December 22, 2021

A first and last for us. My wife ordered the $8 taco. If you re charging that for a taco it s gotta be great. Was not. I decided on the burger. Was unbelievably salty. Fries were ok but the 45 minutes we waited for our order, pretty unbelievable considering there was only a table of 4 waiting for food ahead of us.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

I have wanted to try this place for 5 years. Stopped in about 3pm to have a beer and apps, was not disappointed. The gentlemen waiting on us was great.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Cocktails were amazing, I started with the Southern Sweetie, then the Pamplemousse Caribbean and finished with the Maple Sour. I highly recommend all of them. I tried the firehouse burger, with bacon, cheese and onions. It was phenomenal, the French fries were great but I could not eat them all. Service was great and we called to get a table and they put a sign on the table with your name. It was a nice start to a great dining experience.

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

Fabulous service, tacos, homemade tortilla chips, guacamole and pico de Gallo. Great ambiance. Will be back as often as I m in Duncan.

★★
December 22, 2021

If you have to wait more than one hour for your meal to come, you would expect it to be awesome and perfectly cooked. Unfortunately far from that, we waited that much and my wifes dish ( the most expensive in the menu) was an overcooked halibut, while mine seemed to have waited a while as it was not hot. No apologies by the waitress though. Definitely cannot recommend this place

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Great atmosphere, food was great but small portions for price.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Amazing cocktails and food with outstanding service!!! Also a great mocktail menu!!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

one of my fave places in bc. Delicious food and desserts! Must try!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Best food ever!nice service,delicious short rib,fantastic salads,hamburgers,even desserts are great!definetely will come again

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Although this review is giving five stars I should note that we are basing that off of cocktails and late night ambience only. We sat at the bar and had the most delightful and genuine conversation with the owner for quite some time. We felt really special that he took the time to get to know us, but I wouldn t say that we are the only ones to receive such treatment. This place has a real Cheers-y vibe, and he knew everyone s name. Cocktails were spectacular. Can t wait to go back.

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

Incredible food, fantastic cocktails and an inviting atmosphere

★★
December 22, 2021

We had the tacos- they were lack luster. It is a cozy place but certainly not fine dining.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Great service! Friendly think on their feet staff. Delicious food that is not the usual fare. Osso Buco was melt in your mouth. Ravioli was delicious!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Amazing food and service !! Even the Moctail was delicious!!

★★★★★
December 22, 2020

Loved it there very friendly staff an super great food an drinks. i reccommend making a reservation if going for lunch or dinner with friends or family an also have patience considering they do make everything fresh an usually have lots of orders ahead of them. Expect to hear more noise then silence. In the odd times the place can be quite dead an the place is quite magnificent to enjoy to yourself

★★★★★
December 22, 2020

Decided to head in since I heard they make wicked cocktails... and holy epic hell did they ever deliver! Definite win, awesome atmosphere, friendly staff with good humor! Absolutely recommend this place.

★★★★★
December 22, 2020

Yummy food, service was on par

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Excellent food great staff

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Amazing atmosphere. Solid food and drinks as well!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Very relaxing atmosphere . Super staff and had the best burger i have ever ate in my entire life.

★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Service is sloooooooow. Kitchen staff more into jamming to the music than making food orders on time. Fascinating drink selection but filled to the brim with ice.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Jeff is a rockstar. Absolutely amazing

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Their cocktail selections are good. Must try the raspberry balsamic something. Delicious. Food was okay, not as impressive, but the doughnut.. oh you must try their doughnuts!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

The burger was absolutely delicious, and the fried donuts were delicious too. It was weird that at 4pm they were already out of duck but everything else was done perfectly. Great place for dinner that I havent been to yet and most definitely would return. Huge wine and cocktail list which was also great.

★★★★★
December 22, 2020

Love this place. So happy they can still do take out. I cant wait to be in there again for drinks.

★★★★★
December 22, 2020

Duck carnitas saved the hungry gardeners and parents today. Thanks, team!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

We enjoyed a night out at The Old Firehouse Wine and Cocktail Bar and ordered a couple of tapas and dinner. The restaurant is located in the heart of Duncan and is a cozy space with a nice vibe. The food was tasty and well presented. The grilled veges were a little overdone. Our server was pleasant. The prices were reasonable.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

The food and drinks are amazing!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

This place is Excellent! As a new resident, this will most likely be my go to. Heres why: Simple Menu - 1 page apps, 1 page entrees. This means they do their selection VERY WELL! Nothing worse than staring at a menu for 10 minutes! Their Beverage selection is supreme offering local craft beers and VQA wines. The Veg Burger and the Pork Belly tacos are INCREDIBLE. Huge shout out to the proprietor holding it down. and the service staff. But not least, BOH.

★★★★★
December 22, 2020

We were driving home after a long day and googled a place to stop to eat. Our time at this restaurant was absolutely delightful. The owner went above and beyond to make our time deliciously pleasant and our groovy waiter felt like meeting old friends. Fabulous food, atmosphere and community. THANKS OLD FIREHOUSE

★★★★
December 22, 2020

Great food, decent drinks and great staff.

★★★★★
December 22, 2020

The cocktails and food are fantastic, and the service is phenomenal! The owner is so personable and is always up to the challenge of putting a new spin on an already amazing cocktail. Definitely recommend this place if you are in Duncan. Cheers!

★★
December 22, 2020

Very expensive. $20 burger was far too salty and the presentation on the plate was haphazard at best. Other than the salt, which overwhelmed the taste of the burger, the meal was insipid. The cocktail was nice, once I chased away the fruit flies.

★★★★★
December 22, 2020

Good food. Good people.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Good happy hour cocktails

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

The cocktails are incredible, with lots of great variations on the old classics - very talented team behind the bar!

★★★★★
December 22, 2020

Highly recommend! My Fiancé took me here for my birthday dinner and it far exceeded expectations! So many delicious cocktail choices and fun mocktails for those that dont drink alcohol. The bartender even made a special cocktail for my birthday. Our waitor was friendly and attentive. The atmosphere was perfect, the pictures online really dont do it justice. Food was incredible, definitely recommend the mushroom croquettes as an appy! 10/10 cant wait to go back

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Always amazing Great food and atmosphere

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Amazing food, great atmosphere, and lovely drinks. Always a pleasure every time I go there. They never disappoint.

★★★★★
December 22, 2020

Absolutely fantastic appies and equally amazing entrées. Such a great local restaurant with wonderfully friendly staff. I definitely recommend the Pan Con Tomate..delicious!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Excellent! Highly recommend!

★★★★★
December 22, 2020

Jeffs pretty good at guiding wine-tasting menu.

★★★★★
December 22, 2019

Great food, service and atmosphere. Never disappointed when we visit!

★★★
December 22, 2019

Great atmosphere, great waitress and good wine / cocktail selection. First time there and a little disappointed though. We were excited to have a local bottle of Enrico / Unsworth wine as indicated on their website; however neither bottle was listed on their menu in the restaurant. If that s the case, and you re going to maintain an online presence then the menu should reflect what s in the restaurant. Ordered the firehouse charcuterie and cheese plate. Again, very disappointed. Poor presentation ...meats/cheeses and spreads plopped on a square cold plate. Probably the poorest I ve seen...But the thing that was very surprising was that there were no crackers or bread served with the board?!? What are you supposed to spread the dips on? Your hands? Mentioned it to a manager/owner (not sure) and he seemed perplexed by the question. Had to order some bread on the side with my charcuterie appetizer. I have never ordered a charcuterie board that doesn t come with either some type of cracker or baguette. It s hard to believe that a place with chefs could omit something so basic. It s like ordering spaghetti with no noodles. Again, it s a good wine bar for Duncan.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Amazing food. Amazing staff. Amazing atmosphere!

★★★★★
December 22, 2019

Amazing cocktails! Great atmosphere! Beautiful location!!! A must visit in Duncan BC!

★★★
December 22, 2019

Every staff member seemed very frazzled. We came in for drinks and potentially an appy/dessert but ended up leaving to go elsewhere. It was hard to tell who our waitress was because 3 or 4 different people tending our table in the 20 mins we were there. It was very confusing. The menu was interesting but some pretty odd combinations. The dessert menu was a bit all over the place. Would be nice to have a standard staple option like cheesecake or a chocolate cake or something that doesnt sound like its trying to be fancier than it is... Lets not forget, this is Duncan after all.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Good food, great drinks, friendly staff

★★★★★
December 22, 2019

AMAZING!

★★★★
December 22, 2019

Very nice staff, and very nice little place

★★★★★
December 22, 2019

Ok folks, best place I have eaten at in years! I have traveled North America and this place is in my top 3 if not my #1. Seriously eat here and enjoy the atmosphere and food. Drink and be Merry! Jeff and the team are outstanding. I can t even say enough...when the bill came I had to make sure they charged enough because the bill was so reasonable for what we had. Thanks

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Amazing burger and good service. I am not often in the area, but Ill be back next time Im around!

★★★★★
December 22, 2019

As per always, everything is awesome here.

★★
December 22, 2019

Hit and miss. Mostly miss.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Amazing drinks, and the staff are excellent. Beautiful place to enjoy an excellent cocktail.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

COCKTAILS at the bar! Sooooo good

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Good wine. Patio for drinking outside during the summer when the weather is nice.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Top quality gourmet food in the heart of Duncan! MUST visit!

★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

This place has potential but they need to focus on the basics. The food, wine & drinks menu looked great but we passed on food as we felt the place was a bit dirty & rundown. A rustic firehouse should be more brick & mortar not shabby drywall, peeling tables, dirty floors & chairs. We ordered a flight of wine & they substituted the Pinot Grigio with another white without telling us. Disappointing.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Great food, great drinks, good people, brilliant chat and one of the worst hangovers Ive had this year. Thank you Jeff and team!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

The Old Firehouse is a wonderful place to connect with people. The atmosphere is great, service is always friendly, and the food is on point! Delicious. Jeff and his staff keep an interesting menu of cocktails, mocktails, and a lovely wine list, too. And..... it s open late!

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Nice place. A bit pricey but it was the only place open late for dinner on a Friday night!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

With its amazing atmosphere, stellar drink menu and above and beyond staff this is the place to go if you would like to unwind and relax while enjoying some great high end cuisine. What a wonderful experience. Thank you.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

This is where I take out of town guests. It has a great atmosphere, superb service, and beautifully constructed food with beverages to pair. A few of the guests have now expressed interest in moving to Cowichan I am sure in part to their dining experience - mission accomplished :)!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Great drinks, but a bit pricey. I got a non-alcoholic and it was $8.50 plus tax. Excellent service and nice ambiance.

★★★★★
December 22, 2019

Friendly, great service, great food and fantastic specialty drinks!

★★★
December 22, 2019

Just not as advertised. Looks dated food wasnt great. Was just expecting more

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Great burgers, fries, charred broccoli with Thai peanut sauce, and more (updated seasonally), plus unique cocktails

★★★★★
December 22, 2019

Great drinks and open late!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

We shared a great first time here with friends. The service and food was exceptional and the atmosphere was perfect. Would visit again.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Great service. Great food. Owner is very personable.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

My most favorite restaurant in Duncan. Absolutely the best food you can find. A great menu to choose from, incredible wines and cocktails and a perfect atmosphere.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

An amazing dining experience. Beautiful ambiance, with an incredible owner and staff. The food was fantastic, just an all around awesome time.

★★★★★
December 22, 2019

Our favorite place in town

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Really delicious food, locally sourced.

★★★★★
December 22, 2019

Great cocktails, great food, and great service!