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Beer of the Week (w/e 14th April 2024) with Mobyduck
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by Blackthorn _
Submitted on Sunday, 15th September 2019
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Detail Pages
Victoria Stakes, N10
N10
N10 3TH
Served areas
Victoria Stakes
Tonight launches BT sports showing in our Yard at the Victoria Stakes.
Europa League Final
Champion… https://t.co/LaaItO7geN
9:59 AM May 29th 2019 from Twitter for iPhone
Reviews of Victoria Stakes (Average Rating: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Steve of N21 left this review about Victoria Stakes
First post covid visit back to the Victoria Stakes when I popped in before making the climb up to Ally Pally, in the knowledge that no real ale awaited me when I got to the Palace. I had utilised this independently owned, and family run free house a few times before the pandemic, but also did not visit before it suffered a massive fire in 2016 (not really what I would call recent), so have only seen the remodelled version as it is today. That is basically a small one bar pub with a dining room upstairs. However, this time I made it out into their external covered courtyard area to the back of the pub past the toilets, referred to as their Yard, that doubles the available downstairs undercover seating space. I never made it out here before, so cannot comment if it has always been like this, or was revamped and improved due to the Pandemic restrictions, but its certainly a pleasant spot now. And if you do prefer real alfresco drinking then there are always the bench seats to the front of the pub, although these do overlook the busy road junction on which this pub sits.
Real Ale is taken seriously here in my experience and it’s unfair to review places negatively during the pandemic as none were functioning normally during this period. Three of the four hand pumps were in operation for my latest visit with TT Landlord, Oakham OPA and a very decent Anarchy Brew Co Blonde Star. Then there was Magic Rock High Wire Grapefruit Pale Ale alongside Beavertown and Signature Brew offerings on the keg taps. Buzzing with a good mix of drinkers and diners on this early evening this remains the closest pub to Alexandra Palace with a decent ale range, especially as the Starting Gate at the other end of Alexandra Palace South Terrace continues to misfire post covid.
On 15th August 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2109 recommendations about 1991 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about Victoria Stakes
A mid-19th century pub, nestled in the foothills of Alexandra Park, from where John Loggie Baird undertook the world’s first TV broadcast, a mast is still just visible. The name apparently originates from a race at Alexandra Palace Racecourse, with a winner buying the Victoria with his winning stake.
The exterior retains attractive glazed tiles, thought apparently this pub was recently damaged by fire, so I don’t know what it was like before, but it’s very gastrofied, with much in the way of annoying plague measures still in place. The walls are either smoky blue or pale grey with Anaglypta and white Anaglypta ceiling, from which hang crystal chandeliers. There are swag curtains, with furniture comprising modern tables topped with little bottles of dried flowers and tea lights in glasses, with central columns and conventional chairs; there are tall tubular stools to the bar and at front left, there’s a sunken snug of sorts with more comfortable furniture and framed butterflies on the walls. To the right side, is a banquette upholstered in blue fabric. To the left, there’s a staircase sweeping up to the restaurant with a corridor leading off to a large nicely presented courtyard and lavs to which music is piped and where décor – yes, décor in the lavs – comprises a multitude of former pump clips in little black framed compartments to the walls. Music was loudish, the crowd mixed with professional staff.
A trip to the loo is a clear indication that real ale was once taken seriously here, but despite the clips, all four pumps were unclipped so I plumped for a half of Neck Oil at a horrific £3.30, delivered to my table where I paid the masked waitress, who intended to set up a tab for me, as she didn’t ask for immediate payment.
This place may possibly serve great food and is fine for locals who want to pop out for a lager without the minor inconvenience of visiting superior pubs in Crouch End ‘village’, but otherwise this pub isn’t really worth the effort unless, as others have mentioned, you're looking for a place to take the wife.
On 16th September 2021
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1982 recommendations about 1949 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about Victoria Stakes
A good looking gastro pub in Muswell Hill just opposite the road entrance to Alexander Palace, which actually suffered a fairly damaging fire just after the last review and was repaired and redecorated and reopened in late 2017.
The pub has three main areas, primarily the main bar area downstairs, the restaurant upstairs and an outside courtyard area under a glass cover roof which is imaginatively branded as The Yard.
The two inside areas are still wooden floored with mainly wooden table and chair seating and the usual pastel shades gastro colour scheme.
The bar has a bank of six hand pump and there are usually four ales provided on these and for my recent visit these included Dark Star Hop Head, Hammerton N1 Pale Ale and a very passable Tiny Rebel Stay Puft Porter. For some reason I inexplicably failed to note down the fourth one.
It was fairly quiet for my recent late Friday afternoon visit but had the advantage that most others in were drinking and not dining. I find this a comfortable pub in which to grab a beer, but concur with the previous reviewer it’s probably better suited for taking your better half to for a bite to eat.
On 18th January 2020
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2109 recommendations about 1991 pubs]
View more reviews of Victoria Stakes (6)
Pubs Galore is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
- Official site of the Victoria Stakes, contains menu and beer list - www.victoriastakes.co.uk
- Randomness Guide to London - Victoria Stakes entry
- Facebook - Victoria Stakes
- Twitter - Victoria Stakes
- CAMRA WhatPub :: Victoria Stakes - whatpub.com
Hornsey, 1.13 miles, 21 min walk (show)
Crouch Hill, 1.39 miles, 26 min walk (show)
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 16 September 2021 by Tris C
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 16 September 2021 by Tris C
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 16 September 2021 by Tris C
- Beer Garden : Yes last updated 08 May 2008 by Moby Duck
- Car Park : No last updated 16 September 2021 by Tris C
- Darts : No last updated 16 September 2021 by Tris C
- Dog Friendly : Yes last updated 16 September 2021 by Tris C
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 29 July 2013 by Dave McNally
- Jukebox : No last updated 16 September 2021 by Tris C
- Karaoke : No last updated 16 September 2021 by Tris C
- Live Music : No last updated 16 September 2021 by Tris C
- Live TV Sports : No last updated 16 September 2021 by Tris C
- Micropub : No last updated 16 September 2021 by Tris C
- Pinball : No last updated 16 September 2021 by Tris C
- Pool Table : No last updated 16 September 2021 by Tris C
- Quiz Night : Yes last updated 16 September 2021 by Tris C
- Real Ale : No - Four pumps at the time of visit, all unclipped. - last updated 16 September 2021 by Tris C
- Real Cider : No last updated 16 September 2021 by Tris C
