Bars & Pubs
Riptide Marine Pub
Campbell River
THINGS TO DO · CAMPBELL RIVER & QUADRA ISLAND
Grab a stool by the marina, sip farm-grown whisky, or catch a ferry for a coastal pint.
6 places in this guide · Updated October 2026Things To Do Guide · Campbell River Guide
Photo: Riptide Marine Pub via Google
01AT A GLANCE
The details that matter.
The local craft beverage circuit stretches from downtown taprooms to a seaside farm south of town. You will find small-batch ales near the marina, single malt whisky distilled on agricultural land, and historic island taverns just a short ferry ride away.
- Best Season
- May to October
- Book Ahead
- Ferries to Quadra Island
- Best Area
- Downtown and Waterfront
- Good to know
- Shelter Point Distillery is south of town
02THE STORY
Make an afternoon of it: beer, whisky and a ferry.
Start with a brewpub downtown, finish with a single malt or a pint on an island deck.
Begin at Beach Fire Brewing & Nosh House, which brews its own beer on 11th Avenue. Then head to the marina for a pint at Riptide Marine Pub.
Drive south to Shelter Point Distillery, where barley from the farm becomes single malt whisky.
On another day, take the ferry to Quadra and end at the Heriot Bay Inn Pub. Always plan a designated driver.
01THINGS TO DO GUIDE
Breweries & pubs to tour
Taprooms, flights and waterfront pints across the region.
Bars & Pubs
Beach Fire Brewing & Nosh House
Campbell River
Bars & Pubs
Tyee Pub & Lounge at Painter's Lodge
Campbell River
Bars & Pubs
MVP Pub and Family Restaurant
Campbell River
Wine & Spirits
Shelter Point Distillery
Campbell River
Bars & Pubs
Heriot Bay Inn Pub
Heriot Bay
Hover for a closer look.Tap a card for a closer look. A conversation takes you further.
•LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
Pints and Spirits on the Coast
Mapping out the local drinking scene means matching your glass to the landscape. We break down exactly where to find fresh pours along the passage, deep in the farmland, and across the water.
The short answer
Begin your afternoon at Beach Fire Brewing & Nosh House for house-made food and fresh ale. If you prefer a water view, walk over to the Riptide Marine Pub to watch the marina traffic from the patio.
01Central Taps
Downtown and Waterfront Pints
The central grid and adjacent marina hold the highest concentration of local taps. You can easily walk between spots while keeping an eye on the marine traffic in Discovery Passage.
Grab a table at Beach Fire Brewing & Nosh House to pair small-batch beer with their scratch-made food. A quick walk toward the water brings you to the Riptide Marine Pub, where a massive patio looks directly over the boat slips.
Heading slightly north, the Tyee Pub & Lounge at Painter's Lodge gives you a front-row seat to the local salmon fishing fleet. If you have kids in tow, MVP Pub and Family Restaurant has a casual dining room and a solid list of local beers on draft.
Local tips
- Walk the paved Sea Walk down to Willow Point to burn off lunch.
- Look up weekend live music schedules on the individual pub websites.
- Keep watch for passing cruise ships from the outdoor patios.
- Drink plenty of water between your tasting flights.
02Grain to Glass
Whisky on the Farm
A short drive south on Highway 19 takes you away from the city grid and into active farmland. Here, Shelter Point Distillery produces single malt whisky and vodka right on the edge of the ocean. The operation relies on barley grown in their own surrounding fields.
The tasting room sits inside a heavy timber building with views of the copper pot stills. Staff explain the mashing and fermenting process while pouring samples of their core lineup. It is a quiet, rural contrast to the busy downtown pubs.
Visiting the farm gives you a clear sense of Vancouver Island agriculture. You get to see exactly where the grain grows before it ends up in your glass.
Local tips
- Verify the tasting room hours online before driving south.
- Assign a designated driver for the highway trip back to town.
- Ask the staff about limited cask releases only sold on site.
03Across the Passage
Quadra Island Taverns
The local beer circuit naturally extends across the water. A ten-minute BC Ferries ride connects you to Quadra Island, dropping you at Quathiaski Cove. From there, a quick drive across the island leads you to the eastern shore.
The Heriot Bay Inn Pub sits right on the harbour. This historic timber building has served locals and boaters for decades. You can drink a cold pale ale while watching the floatplanes and ferry traffic move through the bay.
Pairing a pint with a hike at nearby Rebecca Spit makes for a full afternoon. The island pace is noticeably slower, and the waterfront views are unobstructed.
Local tips
- Arrive early for the ferry during the busy summer months.
- Order local seafood to go with your draft beer.
- Watch the water for eagles and whales during your crossing.
04Boats and Beers
Post-Fishing Pints
Many visitors spend their mornings on the water before hitting the tasting rooms. Local charter operators run daily grizzly viewing trips up Bute Inlet and traditional rowboat fishing sessions for Chinook salmon with the Tyee Club.
Coming off the boat usually leads straight to a bar stool. Several fishing resorts, including Painter's Lodge, operate their own taprooms on the property. You can step off the dock and walk directly into the Tyee Pub & Lounge to warm up and recount the trip.
Summer charters book up fast. Securing a boat from May to October requires advance planning. The local guides spend hours on the water and usually know exactly which taproom has the freshest seasonal kegs.
Local tips
- Reserve your boat trips months ahead for peak summer dates.
- Ask your captain where they prefer to drink after a shift.
- Pack a windbreaker for the boat ride, as the inlet gets cold.
05Tasting and Transporting
Flights and Growlers
Ordering a flight lets you sample multiple drinks without committing to a full glass. Both Beach Fire Brewing and Shelter Point Distillery serve these wooden paddles loaded with small tasting glasses. It is the smartest way to figure out your preferences.
A standard beer flight might include a blonde ale, an IPA, a seasonal fruit sour, and a dark stout. The bartenders will happily build a custom board based on your usual tastes. At the distillery, you can line up different ages and finishes of whisky.
When you find a favourite, you can buy a glass growler to take it with you. These 32-ounce or 64-ounce jugs are filled straight from the tap and sealed for transport. Breweries also stock tall cans in their lobby coolers for easy packing.
Local tips
- Split a tasting flight with someone else to double your samples.
- Wash your empty growler with hot water as soon as you finish it.
- Store filled growlers in the fridge and drink them within three days.
06Safe Transit
Planning Your Route
Planning your transportation is critical when drinking. The downtown grid is compact and flat, making it easy to walk between the central taprooms and the marina. You will not need a vehicle if you stick to the core blocks.
For trips further out to Painter's Lodge or the distillery, call a local taxi. If you plan to visit Quadra Island, you can leave your car behind, walk onto the BC Ferry, and grab an island cab at the terminal.
BC Transit runs regular bus routes up and down Highway 19. It costs very little and drops you near most major commercial areas. Active visitors can also rent a bicycle and pedal the paved Sea Walk.
Local tips
- Program the numbers for local cab companies into your phone.
- Check the BC Transit schedules online to time your bus rides.
- Bring a heavy lock if you plan to leave a bicycle outside a pub.
•THE FULL LIST
All 6 places in this guide.
Search by name, narrow by type or community, and sort by the most-reviewed or highest-rated. Every card opens a full profile.
See them on the map6 places
Bars & PubsRiptide Marine PubCampbell RiverBars & PubsBeach Fire Brewing & Nosh HouseCampbell RiverBars & PubsTyee Pub & Lounge at Painter's LodgeCampbell RiverBars & PubsMVP Pub and Family RestaurantCampbell RiverWine & SpiritsShelter Point DistilleryCampbell RiverBars & PubsHeriot Bay Inn PubHeriot Bay•FAQ
Good to know
You will find a solid mix of downtown taprooms like Beach Fire Brewing and rural producers like Shelter Point Distillery.
