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Disappearing and 'in peril' breweries with Tris39
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Detail Pages
The Victory, Cambridge Heath, E2
E2
E2 9DQ
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 4½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Victory
The pub dates from at least the mid-19th century, but the exposed beams to the exterior hint at a brewers’ Tudor makeover (or rebuild), possibly dating from the 1930s; the pub’s exterior also features in an episode of Minder, utterly unchanged.
The interior also looks as if it might date from the ‘30s, with simple bare boarding, some field panelling, a little bare brick by the fireplace and a simple bar and bar back array with pot shelf. There’s traditional furniture with peripheral banquettes, half cloth upholstered to the bolster then half brown vinyl to the upright. Décor comes in the form of some pot plants, knickknacks and nautical photos, with lighting being Victorian-style tulip sconces above swag curtains; what’s not so attractive is the rather knackered section of ceiling, though it doesn’t dominate in the same way the pool table does, taking up nearly half the floor space. Mood music comes from a jukebox and a games machine flashed away merrily in a corner. There were just two other customers on a balmy Thursday - when all of the area’s other pubs, bars and restaurants were heaving - both hipster types, playing pool and talking at great length about their time at ‘Uni’.
There’s no ale here, me opting for a half of Guinness (a rip-off at £3.00) served by the aforementioned south-east Asian landlady, seated in front of the bar, asking of me somewhat suspiciously ‘Can I help you?’ on my arrival; another customer (?) co-owner (?) was equally suspicious and questioning.
This is an interesting time warp pub, but I don’t see how it can survive, especially given the backstreet location and erratic opening times; the pool table taking up half the customer space can’t help, but the Victory has a certain period charm which warrants a visit; a good real ale would of course get the score up.
On 10th July 2022
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1993 recommendations about 1959 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
custodian 42 left this review about The Victory
L-shaped pub with the bar to the rear. Pool table to the right. Two hand pumps - one off - the other Doombore. Rest keg.
On 17th September 2018
- rating: 3
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Victory
Popped my head in here on a late Saturday afternoon , there were no customers or even anyone behind the bar in sight, with a solitary Doom Bar on display I decided not to stay.
On 17th December 2017
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 1875 recommendations about 1848 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Victory
This is a small corner-site, one-room pub just off the Regent’s Canal. One handpump was dispensing Doom Bar (£2 a half), with another pump having a Darkstar Original clip reversed. There was a strong smell of oriental food, although I didn’t see a menu. But the landlady was clearly of South East Asian ethnic origin so maybe it was her supper cooking out the back somewhere.
There are some brewer’s Tudor style beams on the exterior facade, and a few picnic benches on the pavement. Inside there’s a pool table on the right in a small wood panelled area not much bigger than an alcove. Furnishings are banquettes and standard issue tables and chairs; decor includes various odds and ends but seems to be, most appropriately, mainly HMS Victory related.
This seems to be quite a homely and comfortable pub. But I have to say that the Doom Bar wasn’t brilliant, even by Doom Bar standards. I supposed if I visited another day and had a top notch pint of Dark Star Original I would probably come close to rating a hidden backstreet gem. It’s probably worth the stroll down from Mare Street if you’re passing by to see if you score a hit with the ale. But they have to be given credit for serving at least one (and presumably sometimes two) real ale.
On 17th March 2014
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]