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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by S Armstrong
Submitted on Tuesday, 30th May 2023
With picture contributions to 1045 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (30 more images)
Detail Pages
The Victoria, Durham
Durham
DH1 3AS
Served areas
Reviews of The Victoria (Average Rating: 9 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about The Victoria
I had a strange experience as I approached this pub, as the street and the pub itself seemed so quiet that I got the impression the pub was closed, though I knew that it should have been open. All I could see was the closed door (front right) and no lights visible. Just then, the door opened and four people came out - they didn't have the demeanour of drinkers, and looked more like they were staying in the rooms upstairs. I walked to the left, and now I could see an entrance in the front left corner that had been previously hidden, and a globe lamp in the front that I had also been unable to see because of the window frame. Mystery solved, I entered the pub with some relief.
What a first impression. One of the best and as it happens most welcoming public bars I have ever been in. Just a handful of customers, quite clearly regulars, and a helpful and welcoming man behind the bar. There are five hand pumps, with beers from four different north-eastern breweries: Hadrian Border, Big Lamp, Allendale and Durham. I went for a half of Big Lamp Bitter, which was in superb condition. I got involved in a bit of conversation and then went to have a look around the other rooms - there were another handful of people in the back room. Everything was delightful, well preserved, interesting and tasteful.
I decided to have a second half, this time Allendale Golden Plover, from one of my favourite breweries; although this was another excellent beer, it was ill-advised from the point of view of the number of pubs on my schedule, and I compensated in the next pub by having a cup of coffee. But back to the Victoria, whose many good qualities had occupied my visit to the extent that I had not written any notes. I scrawled "words fail me" in my notebook, my only thought being that it's a shame that 10 is the maximum rating available on reviews on Pubs Galore. I don't award many 10s, and this is my first 11.
On 25th May 2022
- rating: 10
[User has posted 4273 recommendations about 3935 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Victoria
The Victoria is an unspoiled gem not too far from Durham city centre and near to the university. Nevertheless, it had no students in for my late Thursday afternoon visit. Customers all appeared to be locals who knew one another.
The pub's coal fires were in full working order and supplying the heat needed to ward off the chill of a late autumn day.
I managed to grab a seat in the main bar and didn't explore the other two rooms. But they both looked quite quaint when observed from the bar.
Big Lamp Bitter is the regular beer here. Also on were Big Lamp Prince Bishop Ale, Maxim Swedish Blonde, Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted & Durham Moana. They also had a real cider, which was Weston's Rosie's Pig.
On 27th November 2021
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3040 recommendations about 3038 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about The Victoria
Unspoiled Multi roomed Victorian Pub. Busy front bar. Quiet Snug. Walls covered with pub paraphernalia.
Friendly staff and locals.
Good Beer Guide 2021 and the Big Lamp Bitter was in perfect condition. At least 4 other handpulls on.
On 4th September 2021
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1563 recommendations about 1543 pubs]
View more reviews of The Victoria (16)
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- Official site of the Victoria Inn - www.victoriainn-durhamcity.co.uk
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Victoria - whatpub.com
- Historic Pub Interiors - pubheritage.camra.org.uk
Chester-le-Street, 6.87 miles, 2 hr 12 min walk (show)
Bishop Auckland, 11.13 miles, 3 hr 34 min walk (show)
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : Yes - 6 rooms - see website for details - last updated 25 May 2022 by Will Larter
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 10 July 2015 by Quinno _
- Beer Garden : No last updated 10 July 2015 by Quinno _
- Car Park : Yes last updated 04 May 2014 by Alan Hurdle
- Child Friendly : Yes last updated 04 May 2014 by Alan Hurdle
- Darts : No last updated 10 July 2015 by Quinno _
- Dog Friendly : Yes last updated 10 July 2015 by Quinno _
- Hot Food : No last updated 25 May 2022 by Will Larter
- Jukebox : No last updated 10 July 2015 by Quinno _
- Karaoke : No last updated 10 July 2015 by Quinno _
- Live TV Sports : No last updated 10 July 2015 by Quinno _
- Micropub : No last updated 10 July 2015 by Quinno _
- Pinball : No last updated 10 July 2015 by Quinno _
- Pool Table : No last updated 10 July 2015 by Quinno _
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 10 July 2015 by Quinno _
- Real Cider : Yes last updated 10 July 2015 by Quinno _
- Wheelchair Access : Yes last updated 04 May 2014 by Alan Hurdle
