Victoria Family & Commercial Hotel, Leeds

Somehow I had never found my way here before so I have no idea how much (or little) is original, but I found it a rather splendid Victorian-style historic pub with a good atmosphere, bustling trade and most importantly a good selection of ales. I settled for the Five Points Railway Porter, which was in excellent condition. The Double Diamond by the way is genuine, well at least the regenerated brew from Allsopps which is supposed to actually taste ok, although luckily I didn't have time to try it and see.

Now reopened (Dec2025) in the safe hands of Kirkstall Brewery and Whitelocks , nothing has changed from before apart from the beer line up. Mostly Kirkstall and friends on cask with Allsopps, Five Points Railway Porter and Harveys Sussex Best sharing the eight pulls with a selection of three Kirkstall and Leeds Pale. The pulls are in a bank of four at each end of the counter with two groups of six keg taps, no usual suspects other than Guinness and Westons cider. The keg taps are supplemented at each end by retro keg founts for Guinness and the awful Double Diamond or “DD is K9P” as Camra used to say. Three rooms open, the main bar, Bridgets and Alberts dining room. Toilets roughly with the same rear corridor location but now in basement.

Called in by chance last evening - hadn't been in for some time. Not too bad but could have done with more bar staff. Had a pint of Moorhouse's Witch Wood which was on form. Not a bad place.

Can't believe that this pub hasn't been reviewed since 2013! Great old Victorian pile of an old hotel come drinking emporium. The fantastic internal architecture is matched by the selection of beer, all in good condition. Well worth the short walk from town, stop for a couple and play some cards.