The Victoria, Chester

On the first floor of the rows situated at The Cross, this pub has a splendid Victorian interior. Just inside the door is a seating area at leather upholstered banquettes and cast iron based wooden tables. I’m not sure how much is original or started life in this pub, some bits are obviously repro but it looks the part. Beyond to each side is the horseshoe bar, hand pumps on the right hand side, keg T-bars on the other. A prosaic range of Adnams Southwold, Deuchars IPA, Robinsons Unicorn and a house badged beer on the four pulls, my Deuchars was less than inspiring. There’s a higher level seating area at the back leading to a beer garden.

The Victoria is a tourist pub located on the first floor up some stairs from the main high street. The U-shaped interior has seating around the walls so can get a bit ‘cosy’ when busy as this isn’t the biggest place. The décor is traditional, and the left-hand wall is lined with etched mirrors. The bar supports four hand pumps that were drawing Adnams, Caledonian’s Deuchars and Victoria Ale, the fourth was unused. Standard keg is also available alongside Birra Moretti and Amstel. I went for a half and didn’t receive my 10p change. The surly barmaid looked like she was chewing a wasp, so I didn’t ask for it. Traditional pub grub is served. This is probably the worst pub I have visited in Chester so I will leave it to the unsuspecting tourists in future.

A fairly dull, touristy, food led pub. The place is spread around a central bar and to be honest is pretty bland. Expensive beers including standard national real ales. You'd be better off walking down to Lower Bridge St.