In need of a tropical vacation but don’t have the means to indulge?
Whistle Buoy is welcoming back another series of Big Patio Days, and with their first of 2025, they’ll be bringing the tropical vibes to you, with a luscious Jungle Boogie event!
Cheekily named ‘Welcome to the Jungle’, it will be complete with real greenery, themed artwork displays, lawn games, contests and groovy music.
It will take place on Saturday, February 8th from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., with the first DJ set from Jonas Robinson starting at around 12:30 p.m.
Robinson and Cabin Fever will set the tropical island vibes, while other featured performers Ollie Happyness and Friends will bring the live funk later in the evening.
Plus, a pop-up from Dumpling Drop will be available, so if you’re feeling peckish, they’ll have delicious themed dumplings as well as some other signature flavours.
In an interview with Isaiah Archer, co-owner and Sales & Marketing Manager with Whistle Buoy, he said that this will be the first time they throw the event in the winter.
“Personally, we are feeling a little cooped up and need an excuse to get together with people and have some fun,” Archer said.
“It’s colder and darker, so the idea is to bring some lightness and energy into a dreary time of year.”
In addition to some epic music provided to keep everyone moving, they’re incorporating a fully immersive and interactive art display, created by Ryan Steele.
He’ll be using the walls of large tents as a canvas for animated digital art, projecting gorgeous jungle scenes for everyone to enjoy.
“The idea is to create this experience where you’re a part of the art…and to give people the opportunity to feel like they’re somewhere warmer.”
Archer added that the theme was initially going to be centered around dark beer, but in the end, they decided as a team that people would appreciate something a little more vacation-esque.
“We were all like ‘I wanna go to Mexico’ or ‘I wanna sit on a beach’…that was a common theme—to get away and go to a warmer place. So even if you can’t go somewhere, we wanted to create this fun experience that gives people a taste of that,”
“If you can’t go to the tropics, we’ll bring it to you.”
To complement the theme, Whistle Buoy will also be launching a feature beer, the Mango Sticky Rice Lager—a collaborative nod to Dumpling Drop’s mango sticky rice.
And lastly, for those feeling brave and bold, there will be a dumpling eating contest, as well as a non-alcoholic beer chugging contest. Bring your iron guts, and let’s go!
Not only will Whistle Buoy be creatively leaning into their theme to a larger extent than previous Big Patio Days, but visitors will not be asked to pay a cover charge for Jungle Boogie.
This is due to the successful landing of the City of Victoria’s Downtown Ideas grant, which specifically designed to help businesses animate their spaces in the city during the quieter, less touristy months of the year.
It is meant to encourage people to come out of hibernation, enjoy the downtown spaces and engage with the community.
“It removes that one barrier for entry, and everyone’s welcome! You can even bring your dog down,” Archer added.
“Come hang out, listen to some tunes and check out the art…we’ll have lots of good food and beer available as well.”
See you there—and yes, there will be heaters!
Big Patio Days: Jungle Boogie
- Where: Whistle Buoy, Market Square, Lower Courtyard, #63 560 Johnson Street
- When: Saturday, February 8th from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
