The rules have changed so you no longer need to look like a traditional restaurant with your food primary license.
To put things in perspective, ask yourself what the physical difference is between the Sticky Wicket's horseshoe bar and adjacent table seating, and a Browns Crafthouse with its bar and adjacent table seating? The truth is there is no difference.
Physically, there's very little difference at all; and that's just the problem when I-the-consumer can go with some friends into one establishment and spend the evening drinking beer (on the assumption that's what the place is there for) without anyone batting an eyelid but will probably get asked to leave the other establishment on doing the same thing.
Put another way: when listing the current pubs/bars in Greater Victoria, what counts and what doesn't? Does the Shark Club count? Original Joe's in Gordon Head? McRae's on Shelbourne?