The Courtyard Patio and Games Room at the Penny are now open! Enjoy lunch or dinner on our beautiful patio next to our outdoor fireplace and just step inside for a game of darts with friends. Consider the Penny Farthing for your next party or event. We are now taking reservations for parties ranging in size from 1 to 150. Contact us for more information or to reserve your date today!

The Penny Poem

Pints at the Penny make a great day
A place for a person to spend a day's pay
Excellence in service, the staff are just great
They ply their trade and drinks they create
Nifty the way they get their job done
The pleasure is ours aft' the Noon Day Sun
Never a dull moment, you'll see someone there
Take on a pint, pull up a chair
Youthful and bright as a penny can be
The staff are just fabulous, we all agree
Factual or fictitious even funny you'll hear
Conversation at the Pub, over a beer
Always a pleasure to drop on by

Tranquil or festive, but never dull or dry
Raucous behavior is no option here
Time at the pub is for sharing a beer
Tunes can be heard some nights of the week
Singing and dancing, bubble and squeak
Harmony is the key to the PF Pub
Great beer, Fine Whiskey, Nice Wine, Good Grub
Interesting chatter makes this place hum
Enjoy the whole crowd or enjoy with a chum
New no longer, it's one year later
Let's hoist up a pint to Matt, the creator
Guinness is the order of the day
Enjoy a great beer, have another - do stay!

- kindly written and shared by a Penny Farthing Guest

From Us to You

ABOUT THE NAMESAKE, THE PENNY FARTHING

The Penny Farthing Pub takes its name from the innovative bicycle of the 1870's with an impossibly large front wheel coupled with a miniscule rear wheel. The immense height of the front wheel meant that the rider perched high above the street in order to both ride and control the bicycle.

North Americans may not be aware that the bike's name came from two low value historical British coins: the Penny, a large heavy round coin (also known as a copper), and a Farthing (worth ¼ of a Penny), a much smaller and lighter round coin. The silhouette of the Penny Farthing bicycle has come to represent the whimsical ambience and adventurous, playful spirit of the late Victorian period and turn of the century.

HOW THE PUB GOT ITS NAME

Years before the Penny Farthing Pub came into existence, local businessman Matt MacNeil was already thinking of opening an authentic British pub in the heart of the Oak Bay Village. Each year in both the annual Oak Bay Tea Party Parade and Victoria Day Parade, Matt loved watching an antique Penny Farthing bicycle skillfully maneuvered by well known local Jack Leonard. Jack rode his bike at the head of the Oak Bay Tea Party Parade for 55 years! His parade participation was a Victoria tradition. While watching the Oak Bay Tea Party Parade and admiring Jack's ability to handle his machine, Matt MacNeil had a flash of inspiration: the English pub that he dreamed of opening some day would be called "The Penny Farthing Pub"!

The remarkable Penny Farthing Pub that exists at 2228 Oak Bay Avenue today is a testament to the strength of Matt MacNeil's vision and persistence. Matt is now the publican and a whole community has gained a special gathering place with unique old world charm. And you're wondering what became of Jack Leonard's original handmade Penny Farthing bike? The next time you drop by The Penny, see if you can spy it in its place of honour at the Penny Farthing Olde English Pub!