That guy with a full sleeve of tattoos chowing down on a soy burger on his way home from the record shop might not turn many heads here in Victoria.
But it's a sure sign that Victoria is one of the coolest cities in Canada 鈥� at least according to the online betting blog Betway.
Victoria finished right on the heels of Vancouver as the second coolest city in Canada. The ratings were based on median age, prevalence of vegan and gluten-free restaurants, hidden gem cafes and bars, number of record stores, upcoming music events and tattoo parlours.
"Victoria earns second place, standing out for its culinary scene, boasting 89 dietary-friendly restaurants per 100,000 people (644 in total), catering to a variety of preferences, including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. For those looking for an experience off the beaten track, the city is home to 14 hidden gem restaurants per 100,000 residents," according to a release from Betway.
The site also points out the city is home to 2.4 record stores (per 100,000 residents), 22.4 upcoming music events and 5.2 tattoo parlours.
Betway says Vancouver's chilly climate isn鈥檛 the only thing that makes it cool, pointing to a progressive multicultural vibe paired with breathtaking natural surroundings.
"Its streets are alive with creativity, boasting 16 vinyl record stores, while the 48 tattoo parlours add to its edgy appeal - both making self-expression part of the city鈥檚 cultural fabric."
The rest of the top-10 list includes Montreal, Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa, Toronto, Surrey, Quebec and Winnipeg. Boston was named the coolest American city.
