The Victory, E2

L-shaped pub with the bar to the rear. Pool table to the right. Two hand pumps - one off - the other Doombore. Rest keg.

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.

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.

Victory site - thevictory.co.uk

Victory site - thevictory.co.uk