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Detail Pages
The Victoria, Bermondsey, SE1
SE1
SE1 4HL
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Tris C left this review about The Victoria
This pub dates from the mid-19th century but was rebuilt around 1886 with an interwar-years exterior of absolutely fantastic Truman’s glazed tiling and four of their lanterns; there’s an interwar-years interior too, garnering a citation on CAMRA’s list of pubs with historic interiors, this being of Outstanding National Historic Interest; a photo can be seen on CAMRA’s site, where there’s a comprehensive description; it was also mocked up as the Winchester Club in Minder, series 11 and made appearances in London’s Burning, Ashes to Ashes and Hustle.
The pub has been run by the same brothers since 1983, when I suspect that the two mechanical cash registers were state-of-the-art. Otherwise, it’s a simple unfussy affair, with traditional furniture and dark green vinyl studded banquettes along with some pews; there’s food here but it’s simple fayre such as scampi and chips; no laid tables anymore. On approach I overheard a young female incomer seated outside discussing the films of David Lynch, but once inside the customers are resolutely local and like the pub, are of interwar-years vintage and a very sweary bunch at that, which may explain the absence of woman, though towards the end of my stay two old birds were spotted inside a nook.
Two ales were present in the form of Sussex Best and Tribute (£2.60 a half), good and served by a friendly barmaid.
This is a must-visit heritage pub, but perhaps not when a match is on when expletives are probably at their peak.
On 15th June 2023
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Victoria
The only real ale on was London Pride – it was OK but not at its best – plus there was another unused handpump. I didn’t look at the full menu as I was just after a sandwich, but if the sarnies are anything to go by it will be reasonably priced. I had a tuna and salad baguette with a big bowl of chips (not fries) for £3.90.
The exterior is quite impressive with its original Truman’s signage, plus some foliage giving it a more rural look than the surrounding area as a whole. There were a handful and tables and chairs outside in a small patio area. Inside it’s a one room pub, with green plastic covered banquettes round the sides, with matching green stools, and standard tables. All the tables were covered by green tablecloths and were laid for diners, and all had a single rose in a small vase. All a bit chintzy in fact. So, it must be a food led pub then. As I was eating I sat at one of these tables (all the outside tables were occupied), but I tend to get the impression when all are set for diners that they don’t really want them to be occupied by those only drinking. But maybe they are available to drinkers when it’s not busy (there were only a handful of punters at the bar when I was in) – I don’t know, but in any case the place settings would act as a deterrent to drinkers. There were the usual stools at the bar, as well as at a small ledge just inside the door. Nonetheless, I quite like this pub. The landlord was friendly and welcoming, seemingly pleased to see a customer who had not been in before, which I appreciated. I don’t think that I would venture far out of my way for a pint of Pride (which was a bit iffy on my only visit), but I would be happy to give it another go when I’m next in the area.
On 18th June 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]