Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
Random news of the day with rpadam
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
Victoria Stakes, N10
N10
N10 3TH
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Steve of N21 left this review about Victoria Stakes
First post covid visit back to the Victoria Stakes when I popped in before making the climb up to Ally Pally, in the knowledge that no real ale awaited me when I got to the Palace. I had utilised this independently owned, and family run free house a few times before the pandemic, but also did not visit before it suffered a massive fire in 2016 (not really what I would call recent), so have only seen the remodelled version as it is today. That is basically a small one bar pub with a dining room upstairs. However, this time I made it out into their external covered courtyard area to the back of the pub past the toilets, referred to as their Yard, that doubles the available downstairs undercover seating space. I never made it out here before, so cannot comment if it has always been like this, or was revamped and improved due to the Pandemic restrictions, but its certainly a pleasant spot now. And if you do prefer real alfresco drinking then there are always the bench seats to the front of the pub, although these do overlook the busy road junction on which this pub sits.
Real Ale is taken seriously here in my experience and it’s unfair to review places negatively during the pandemic as none were functioning normally during this period. Three of the four hand pumps were in operation for my latest visit with TT Landlord, Oakham OPA and a very decent Anarchy Brew Co Blonde Star. Then there was Magic Rock High Wire Grapefruit Pale Ale alongside Beavertown and Signature Brew offerings on the keg taps. Buzzing with a good mix of drinkers and diners on this early evening this remains the closest pub to Alexandra Palace with a decent ale range, especially as the Starting Gate at the other end of Alexandra Palace South Terrace continues to misfire post covid.
On 15th August 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2111 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about Victoria Stakes
A mid-19th century pub, nestled in the foothills of Alexandra Park, from where John Loggie Baird undertook the world’s first TV broadcast, a mast is still just visible. The name apparently originates from a race at Alexandra Palace Racecourse, with a winner buying the Victoria with his winning stake.
The exterior retains attractive glazed tiles, thought apparently this pub was recently damaged by fire, so I don’t know what it was like before, but it’s very gastrofied, with much in the way of annoying plague measures still in place. The walls are either smoky blue or pale grey with Anaglypta and white Anaglypta ceiling, from which hang crystal chandeliers. There are swag curtains, with furniture comprising modern tables topped with little bottles of dried flowers and tea lights in glasses, with central columns and conventional chairs; there are tall tubular stools to the bar and at front left, there’s a sunken snug of sorts with more comfortable furniture and framed butterflies on the walls. To the right side, is a banquette upholstered in blue fabric. To the left, there’s a staircase sweeping up to the restaurant with a corridor leading off to a large nicely presented courtyard and lavs to which music is piped and where décor – yes, décor in the lavs – comprises a multitude of former pump clips in little black framed compartments to the walls. Music was loudish, the crowd mixed with professional staff.
A trip to the loo is a clear indication that real ale was once taken seriously here, but despite the clips, all four pumps were unclipped so I plumped for a half of Neck Oil at a horrific £3.30, delivered to my table where I paid the masked waitress, who intended to set up a tab for me, as she didn’t ask for immediate payment.
This place may possibly serve great food and is fine for locals who want to pop out for a lager without the minor inconvenience of visiting superior pubs in Crouch End ‘village’, but otherwise this pub isn’t really worth the effort unless, as others have mentioned, you're looking for a place to take the wife.
On 16th September 2021
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about Victoria Stakes
A good looking gastro pub in Muswell Hill just opposite the road entrance to Alexander Palace, which actually suffered a fairly damaging fire just after the last review and was repaired and redecorated and reopened in late 2017.
The pub has three main areas, primarily the main bar area downstairs, the restaurant upstairs and an outside courtyard area under a glass cover roof which is imaginatively branded as The Yard.
The two inside areas are still wooden floored with mainly wooden table and chair seating and the usual pastel shades gastro colour scheme.
The bar has a bank of six hand pump and there are usually four ales provided on these and for my recent visit these included Dark Star Hop Head, Hammerton N1 Pale Ale and a very passable Tiny Rebel Stay Puft Porter. For some reason I inexplicably failed to note down the fourth one.
It was fairly quiet for my recent late Friday afternoon visit but had the advantage that most others in were drinking and not dining. I find this a comfortable pub in which to grab a beer, but concur with the previous reviewer it’s probably better suited for taking your better half to for a bite to eat.
On 18th January 2020
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2111 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about The Victoria Stakes
Victoria Stakes is a smart looking pub that is situated at the bottom of Muswell Hill and faces a very busy road junction.
Once inside there is a squarish shaped room with the bar facing,the room is bare boarded,the seating normal tables and chairs,the front left area is down two steps.
There were three real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Purity UBU which was a very nice drink,the other beer noted was Hopback Summer Lightening.
I presume there was a dining area upstairs,the main bar area was empty apart from me.
The background music was crap.
I thought this was a pleasant pub,the sort to take your wife to.
Pub visited 4/8/2016
On 25th September 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Victoria Stakes
Quite an attractive food-led pub, although the basic wooden benches out front detract from the external appearance a bit. Very busy when I called by, with a clientele to match the gastro-pub furniture and decor. Separate dining room for those seeking a Sunday roast. Garden advertised (but not visited). Three of four handpumps in service, offering Tribute, Purity Mad Goose and Sambrooks Wandle (£3.90).
On 15th March 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Victoria Stakes
I was in here last Friday afternoon and although it was dead I could imagine it being very good with the right crowd and less of the depressing blues music. The beer garden was shut, but hopefully it is now open with all this bright sunshine we've been having this week. I saw signs for a restaurant upstairs and I thought that the downstairs seating was plentiful and well laid out with a sunken part by the windows. You can spot the gates to Alexandra Palace through a sea of cars and traffic lights.
Normal lagers plus some premium on offer alongside Addlestones, Wessex Red and Whippet of Oz.
This is not a bad pub and the walk down the hill from Muswell Hill is nice, but I'm not sure it is worth the walk home again.
On 8th May 2008
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5254 recommendations about 5222 pubs]