The Victoria

The Victoria

pub
pet-friendly
lgbtq-friendly
outdoor-seating
live-music
LocalsTourists
4.4Google (102 reviews)

No-nonsense London pub where time stands still: genuine local atmosphere, perfectly pulled pints, unpretentious charm, and a beer garden that whispers classic British pub magic.

Price range:

About

Just what London needs - another pub claiming to be a proper neighborhood watering hole. The Victoria in London's maze of streets initially struck me as yet another unremarkable establishment trying desperately to prove its "authentic local" credentials. Rolling my eyes, I pushed open the heavy door, bracing myself for disappointment.

Look, I've seen enough "traditional London pubs" to last several lifetimes. They're usually about as authentic as a politician's smile. But something about The Victoria caught me off guard. Maybe it was the complete lack of pretension - no carefully curated "vintage" décor or chalkboards announcing craft beer flights. Just honest-to-goodness wooden floors that have survived countless spilled pints, and regulars who look like they've been perched on those barstools since the dawn of time.

The London Pride here actually tastes like it should, which is rarer than you'd think in this city of increasingly corporatized pubs. I watched the bartender pour it with the kind of care usually reserved for handling rare artifacts, and I hate to admit it, but it was perfect. The head settled just right, the temperature spot-on, and not a hint of that metallic taste that plagues so many establishments.

Here's the thing about The Victoria that really gets under my skin - it's genuinely affordable in a city that seems determined to drain your wallet faster than you can say "another round." The prices are almost suspicious, making you wonder if there's a catch. There isn't. Unless you count the way the regulars might briefly pause their conversations to size you up when you walk in, like a scene from an old Western. But give it five minutes, and you'll likely find yourself drawn into a debate about football or local politics.

The beer garden is a particular revelation during London's brief flirtations with sunshine. It's not one of those Instagram-ready, fairy-light-festooned spaces that seem designed purely for social media. Instead, it's properly lived-in, with mismatched furniture that somehow works, and enough shade to prevent spontaneous combustion during those three days of actual summer we get.

They've got a jukebox that doesn't exclusively play whatever's trending on TikTok, and the occasional live music doesn't make you want to flee for the nearest exit. The LGBTQ+ friendly atmosphere isn't announced with rainbow flags everywhere - it's just genuine acceptance that comes naturally to a place that's seen it all and couldn't care less about anything except whether you're decent company and can hold your drink.

The Victoria manages something increasingly rare in London - it's a pub that actually functions as a pub should. The wifi isn't great, and there's no artisanal small plates menu, but that's exactly the point. You come here to drink, chat, and possibly challenge someone to a game of darts that becomes increasingly competitive as the evening wears on.

Let's talk amenities, because they matter even in a place trying its hardest not to be fancy. Yes, there's a proper restroom (always a concern in London's older pubs). They take cards (including contactless, dragging themselves reluctantly into the 21st century), and the sports-watching setup is surprisingly decent. Dogs are welcome, which adds to the homey atmosphere, even if it occasionally means stepping over a snoozing labrador to reach the bar.

The staff deserves special mention, if only because they've mastered the art of being simultaneously attentive and completely unfussed. They'll remember your usual after a few visits, but won't make a show of it. It's service without servility, which is exactly what you want in a proper pub.

Look, I didn't want to like The Victoria. London's pub scene has burned me too many times with promises of authenticity that turn out to be carefully manufactured nostalgia. But this place is the real deal - a genuine neighborhood pub that's survived by simply being what it is. If you're in London and find yourself craving a proper pint in surroundings that don't try too hard, you'll find me here, probably complaining about something while secretly enjoying every minute. Just don't tell them I sent you. I've got a reputation to maintain.

Contact Information

Address

2 Victoria St, Belvedere DA17 5LN, UK

London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the)

Opening Hours

Sunday: 12 PM - 10 PM
Monday: 12 PM - 8 PM
Tuesday: 12 PM - 8 PM
Wednesday: 12 PM - 8 PM
Thursday: 12 PM - 8 PM
Friday: 12 PM - 8 PM
Saturday: 12 PM - 12 AM

Amenities

Restroom
Live music
Allows dogs
Serves beer
Serves wine
Good for groups
Outdoor seating
Serves cocktails
Good for watching sports

Photos (6)

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