The Victoria, Deptford, SE8

Tris C left this review about The Victoria

Dating from the early 19th century and with a view over Pepys Park, this was originally the King’s Head, renamed in 1851 upon the mid-to-late 19th century monarch’s accession to the throne.
For much of its history it occupied an utterly bleak location surrounded by the likes of scrap metal dealers and car breakers; Google from 2008 paints a depressing picture. Today, the area is undergoing substantial gentrification by developer Lend Lease who did up the pub – which was derelict from before 2010 to 2020 – presumably as a fillip to attract buyers of their ‘looxury’ flats. Little if anything of the original interior remains, with a modern boarded floor, new mirrored bar array, white exposed brick, black paint, conventional furniture and eclectic prints. Customers were young incomers; certainly, traditional locals are here no more, with a quiz in full swing on my Thursday evening visit, me taking a pew in the smart patio garden, complete with piped music.
There’s no cask, a half of Guinness costing £2.85, served by a friendly barmaid.
This place is just about ok, but the lack of a decent cask is a major loss, but it’s useful if you live locally, otherwise it’s a bit of a trek to reach.

On 24^th June 2023 - rating: 4
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