The Victoria, NW1

Attractive facade with plenty of flowers, but a rather ropey pub sign. Very dimly lit, and despite being well after dusk, it wasn't immediately obvious that the place was open. Indded, the two customers who entered just before me asked the man behind the bar whether it was closed. Peering through the gloom, I could just about make out a slightly tapering 'U'-shaped bar counter and mostly upmarket decor (particularly the lounge area at one end, with more modern furniture at the other). Wooden benches out front and to the side. Pizza menu. Two of three handpumps, offering Pride and Bombardier (£3.50). Overall, a quiet place for a pint despite being close to Camden High Street (but perhaps a bit too quiet?).

Set away in the quiet back streets near Mornington Crescent tube, the Victoria is not one of the better known pubs in the area and is generally a pretty sedate place for a peaceful pint away from the crowds. The curved interior reflects its corner position with the long, almost semi-circular bar being the primary feature. It’s a bit of a odd mixed bag when it comes to furnishings and décor with some traditional retro furniture such as unusual wedge shaped metal top tables alongside more loungy and contemporary tub chairs. One end has panelled walls and a small but obscured fireplace whilst the other appears to feel more homely than pubby. The lighting is at best subdued and at worst quite gloomy, not helped by the dark colour schenme. There was a mixed selection of background music but I didn’t note anything like TV’s and it certainly isn’t your typical Camden pub as far as atmosphere goes. There are a few benches out the front on what is a relatively quiet road. The beer engines are spaced widely apart and the 2 hand pumps are easily overlooked upon first glance. The couple of times I have been here London Pride was the only ale although the quality has been good and the current price tag of £3 is about as good as you will get in the area. The only food menu on display was for pizzas priced between £7-£9. It seems to be a pub that’s just happy to plod along for a few locals without wishing to jump on the Camden bandwagon and from my experiences here, it isn’t a place for which the words bustling and lively appear to have been invented. There are however times when you just want to disappear from Camden’s vibrancy scene and just chill out in a quiet but friendly spot and the Victioria is juust such a place although I can’t imagine wanting to stay for any great length of time.

This place was heaving with people inside and out on Friday night. The management are obviously doing something right as this pub is tucked away in the backstreets so wouldn't get that much passing trade. My Pride was good and even though it was busy I was served in a reasonable amount of time by a nice enough member of staff. If in the Camden area this pub is well worth the extra two minute walk away from the high street.