Located in the heart of downtown and now run by the fourth generation of the original owners, the Strathcona has a beehive of options for a buzzing nightlife. The old hotel, built in 1913, is strictly utilitarian, with small, basic rooms, but if you're staying here you probably won't be spending much time sleeping. The recently renovated Game Room offers pool tables, dart boards, and a room full of television sets broadcasting sports, while the Sticky Wicket is a cricket-themed, multi-level pub with a well-stocked bar. The Clubhouse is another cocktail bar that transforms into a disco at night, while Club 9one9 provides an eclectic offering of live bands from around the world. Then there's Big Bad John's, Victoria's original hillbilly bar, where patrons toss their peanut shells on the floor and hang personal memorabilia from the ceiling and walls. When the weather permits, the hotel's Rooftop Surf Club is the place for beach volleyball games, barbecues, and yet another bar.