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Beer of the Week (w/e 2nd August 2026) with Wittenden
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Victoria, Clifton, Bristol
Bristol
BS8 2BH
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Blackthorn _ left this review about The Victoria
Tucked away in the back streets of Clifton between the village and the Whiteladies Road strip, this has recently been refurbished and reopened under new ownership following the demise of the Dawkins brewery.
The basic layout remains unchanged, but it’s certainly had a spruce up, and whilst it might not be quite as traditional as it was, it is still nonetheless very pleasant. It consists of a single, fairly small L-shaped room, with dark wooden boards on the floor and wood panelling on the lower part of the walls that has been painted in pale pastel shades of blue and green. To the left is something of a feature wall with full height wood panelling painted in a deeper blue making it look quite elegant. A few pictures and mirrors were dotted around the walls, as well as a stag’s head, and there was an old fireplace with Victorian style tiling off to one side. The bar counter was also clad with Victorian style green tiling, although going on it’s pristine condition this must be reproduction rather than original. A sign indicated that further seating was available in an upstairs snug, although we did not investigate this.
Beers on tap were Independence and Fortitude from the Bristol Beer Factory, along with Frome’s RA. Ciders meanwhile were Inch’s Medium Apple, Old Mout Berries & Cherries and Rosie’s Pig Rhubab. Overall I thought they’d done a decent job of the refurbishment and it was certainly very pleasant, if lacking much in the way of any real character, perhaps.
On 3rd August 2026
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2148 recommendations about 2044 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about The Victoria
The Victoria is a back street corner pub that is a short walk off Whiteladies Road.
Once inside this seemed like a proper pub with two small rooms that have been opened out,there is comfy bench seating and some normal tables and chairs.
There was a decent choice of real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Dawkins Bristol Blonde,which was a very nice drink,the other beers noted Dawkins Best,Dawkins Mosaic and one called Red Bear.
I thought this was a very pleasant pub to have a drink in.
Pub visited 4/2/2017
On 16th April 2017
- rating: 8
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Victoria
A classic street corner pub with lots of original features and insignia of the Dawkins brewery,I thought it was a charming place to visit.The small interior is split into two sections around a small bar,with the handpumps on one side .The furniture is a mix of pews,benches and traditional chairs and tables,there is an original and working Victorian fireplace with two fine mirrors at either side of the interior.It wouldn't take many folk to fill up the inside,and there is a community feel with a regular quiz night .Pickled eggs and a selection of nuts complimented a choice from 6 handpumps,real cider and even some craft keg from Blue Moon and Tiny Rebel.Being a Dawkins house their ales will dominate and on my trip there was Bristol Best (served in a dimple,good nick ,classic best bitter),Bristol Blond ,Resolution IPA and Foresters Black ,with a single guest in Good Chemistry Solar Inpulse with a pump unused.Real ale pricing started at £3.90 which I thought was a little pricey given the location ,although there is a CAMRA discount on Dawkins ales.The welcome was friendly,and light muzak of Irish ballards was playing.A very relaxing place,authentic and if I lived closeby I would pop in regularly for a decent pint.In the 2016 GBG.
On 26th June 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3211 recommendations about 3211 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ben Smith left this review about The Victoria
Oh dear, we've lost a good pub here. What was a cosy pub with an open fire is now all bright lights and cold atmosphere. The new landlord is aggressive and rude, don't dare complain or he will just become abusive and threatening. Such a shame. Try the Portcullis instead for a real atmosphere.
On 6th November 2015
- rating: 1
[User has posted 1 recommendations about 1 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Victoria
A two-bar backstreet pub run by Dawkins (who have a handful of other pubs in the city) next to the recently renovated Clifton outdoor swimming baths. Both rooms inside are fairly cramped, dimly-lit and covered in beer mats. The wooden bar back is attractive and the trademark Dawkins stained glass above the bar also makes an appearance. Plenty of ales on tap as was to be expected, with a number from the Dawkins range plus Plain and Salopian. The quality of all the ales we tried was pretty average despite the pub being quite busy (we bagged the only spare table). Some proper ciders were also available. The board games and open fire were a welcome distraction. Overall I was a bit disappointed by this one, I was expecting more than it delivered.
On 27th December 2012
- rating: 6
[User has posted 6249 recommendations about 6228 pubs]