Navigating the lively streets of Victoria? Whether you’re a local seeking a new haunt or a visitor looking to soak in the neighbourhood’s pub culture, you’re in for a treat.
From time-honoured establishments proudly claiming the title of ‘proper pubs’ to trendy craft beer havens and gastropubs that turn Sunday sessions into culinary adventures – Victoria’s pub scene has it all.
So, if you’re thirsty for a pint and hungry for a good time, join us on a journey to uncover the finest pubs in and around Victoria. Get ready to raise your glass to history, character, and an unforgettable pub experience!
The Orange Public House & Hotel Victoria
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Location: 37-39 Pimlico Road, London SW1W 8NE, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7881 9844
Pricing: €€€
This smart gastropub attracts a well-heeled crowd with its deliberately distressed decor – think weathered walls and reclaimed wood tables dressed with vintage French posters.
The ground-floor bar fills up fast, so make your way upstairs for a more relaxed vibe. Here you can fully appreciate the British ingredients spotlighted on the menu. Expect a foodie tour from Cornish new potatoes to Anglesey sea bass, Bath Pig chorizo and beyond.
Equal care is paid to the drinks, featuring small-batch British brews, a dozen wines by the glass and signature cocktails that don’t skimp on creativity. With panna cottas, sticky toffee pud and sweets all at £7, the dessert menu leaves nothing to be desired.
The St George’s Tavern
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Location: 14 Belgrave Rd, Greater, Pimlico, London SW1V 1QD, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7630 1116
Pricing: €€
If walls could talk, The St George’s Tavern would have tales to tell from the days when only the rich dared to sip their spirits within its hallowed halls.
Fast forward to today, and it stands as a testament to transformation, a pub that welcomes all like a long-lost friend returning from the trenches of the workweek. But let’s not beat around the proverbial bush, the real star of the show here is the dining experience.
Sunday Roasts at The St George’s Tavern are the stuff of legend. Picture this: 21-day aged Roast Sirloin Beef, Roast Chicken, or for the veggie virtuosos, a choice between Vegetarian or Vegan Nut Roasts.
The Jugged Hare
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Location: 172 Vauxhall Bridge Rd, London SW1V 1DX, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7828 1543
Pricing: €€
If you’re picturing dark woods, deep red walls, and an atmosphere that screams Victorian chic, you’ve hit the bullseye. The furnishings at The Jugged Hare are like a well-aged scotch – vintage, sophisticated, and just the right amount of intoxicating.
But here’s where The Jugged Hare takes the gastropub game up a notch – the mezzanine seating. This elevated enclave isn’t just a stylish addition: it’s a throne from which you can survey the entire pub kingdom.
Talk about a pub with a view! It’s the kind of spot that makes you feel like the protagonist in your own Victorian novel, sipping a craft beer while contemplating the complexities of life below.
The Phoenix
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Location: 14 Palace St, London SW1E 5JA, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7828 8136
Pricing: €€
First things first – head straight up to the first floor. Why? Because that’s where the bar extends seamlessly onto an outdoor terrace. Picture yourself sipping a cold one on this enclosed terrace, soaking up the vibes while indulging in some seasonal dishes from the menu.
Trust us, these dishes come with our seal of approval – highly recommended.
Now, let’s talk about the first-floor bar. It’s a burst of colour and coolness. The wallpaper is an artful choice, and the plush leather seats add a touch of sophistication. Definitely the pub to be in.
Cask & Glass
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Location: 39-41 Palace St, London SW1 5HN, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7834 7630
Pricing: €€
Cask & Glass is a cosy haven where the warmth of wood meets the comfort of leather, creating an atmosphere that feels like a snug embrace.
Inside, you’ll find yourself in the company of chatty locals, the unsung heroes of any good pub. It’s a place where conversations flow as smoothly as the cask ales, and camaraderie is as essential as the froth on your pint.
Speaking of ales, Cask & Glass takes its liquid libations seriously. Despite its size, this pub boasts an impressive array of cask ales on tap. It’s a haven for beer enthusiasts and a playground for those eager to explore the world of ales, one pint at a time.
The Duke of York
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Location: Duke of York, 130-134 Victoria St, London SW1E 5LA, United Kingdom
Contact: [email protected]
Pricing: €€
Tucked away on a side street in Victoria is a little slice of quintessential British pub heaven – The Duke of York.
The place has a wonderfully cosy, lived-in feel, like a favourite jumper. Between the tapestry rugs, vintage odds and ends, and stained glass windows, exploring The Duke of York is a bit like rummaging through one’s grandfather’s attic, but in the best possible way.
You can even lose yourself in a dog-eared copy of Dickens plucked off the shelves. The 21st century seems to melt away. It’s easy to imagine being in a 19th-century London pub, waiting for Sherlock and Watson to walk through the doors.
The Albert
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Location: 52 Victoria St, London SW1H 0NP, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7222 5577
Pricing: €€
This pub is fully equipped to cater to all your needs. With a stellar range of cask ales and craft beers on tap, it will satisfy both casual drinkers and beer aficionados alike.
If you get peckish, they serve up hearty classic British pub food like fish & chips, bangers and mash, and steak & ale pie.
Inside, there are plenty of big screens scattered throughout the premises, perfect for catching live sporting events with a pint in hand. The atmosphere is always buzzing, whether it’s for a football match or just a regular Saturday night.
Colonies
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Location: 25 Wilfred St, London SW1E 6PR, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7834 1407
Pricing: €€
Nestled on a quiet street just a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace is a charming little pub by the name of Colonies. This quintessentially British pub packs a lot into its compact Victorian-style space and is a favourite of the post-work crowds.
But the real jewel of Colonies is its heated outdoor garden area, which fills up fast thanks to its popularity.
Don’t let the typical London weather deter you – the Brits enjoy boozing rain or shine! You may need to haggle for a seat here, but it’s well worth it to soak up the atmosphere with a pint in hand.
The Victoria
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Location: 1 Lower Belgrave St, London SW1W 0NR, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7730 8069
Pricing: €€
Talk about truth in advertising! This pub is so nice, that they named the area after it. Well, not quite – but The Victoria is truly fit for royalty thanks to its regal atmosphere and prime location in the heart of Victoria station.
One glance at the jaw-dropping interior and you suddenly understand why Queen Vic herself would have felt right at home sipping a pint here. Luckily for us commoners, the food and drink selection at The Victoria is anything but stuffy.
When it comes to beers, this royal refuge goes for greatness over pretentiousness by offering a range of cask ales and craft selections on tap. Fancy a bite? Fill up on British pub grub favourites like fish and chips made with beer batter – now that’s our kind of palace cuisine!
Victoria Taps
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Location: 27 Gillingham St, Pimlico, London SW1V 1HP, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7096 6991
Pricing: €€
Need to whet your whistle after a long day exploring London? Make haste to Victoria Tap, a haven for beer aficionados tucked away right by the train station.
One step inside this wood-laden drinking den and you’ll see why the crowds flock here – a dazzling array of ale taps stretch across the bar, beckoning thirsty punters to belly up.
With a rotating cast of over 20 cask ales, good luck choosing just one! From India pale ales to chocolatey stouts, the knowledgeable bartenders relish walking you through the options like hoppy sommeliers. Ask nicely and they may let you sample a few to discover your perfect pint.
Shakespeare
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Location: 2 Goswell Rd., Golden Lane Estate, London EC1M 7AA, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7253 6116
Pricing: €€
Nestled right across from Victoria Station lies a spacious gastropub by the fitting name of Shakespeare. Like the famous writer himself, this pub weaves tales over food and drink within its timber-framed interior.
With myriad nooks bearing names like “The Snug” or “The Den”, you’ll find intimate hideaways for nursing a creamy pint.
Unfortunately, given its prime locale and expansive real estate, it’s no wonder Shakespeare fills up fast. You can often find patrons mingling outside, braving the elements with pints in hand. But battling the crowds is worth it once you get your mouth around their full English breakfast.
Plumbers Arms
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Location: 14 Lower Belgrave St, London SW1W 0LN, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7730 4067
Pricing: €€
While this compact Victorian boozer doesn’t flaunt its brush with infamy (it was the site where Lady Lucan reported a notorious 1974 murder), it has earned a devoted clientele thanks to quality beers and quintessential English fare.
Inside, you’ll find a humble setting akin to a traditional builder’s haunt, with boxed-in seating that historically reflected patrons’ working-class status. But make no mistake – this pub delivers when it comes to refreshments.
A rotating cast of regional guest ales flows from the taps, alongside mainstays Timothy Taylor’s Landlord and Black Sheep Ale at perfect cellar temperature.
Speaker
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Location: 46 Great Peter St, London SW1P 2HA, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7222 4589
Pricing: €€
True to their sign, gimmicks won’t distract you here – no booming music or flashing screens. Just the comforting murmur of patrons tucked into vintage wood booths beneath walls lined with lovingly curated novels.
While the chatter skews more constituents than parliamentarians these days, the Speaker’s warm, lived-in feel seems to inspire leisurely conviviality between neighbours and tourists alike.
But this pub’s heart beats thanks to their tireless devotion to real ales. An ever-changing cast from Britain’s finest small-batch brewers is proudly presented on chalkboard taps. You may even find a floral Ilkley Black Ale or malty Cornish Merry Maidens Mild awaiting your tastebuds!
The Thomas Cubitt
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Location: 44 Elizabeth St, London SW1W 9PA, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7730 6060
Pricing: €€€
As any history buff may guess, this distinguished venue earned its handle by honourably serving as the watering hole of choice for esteemed 19th-century architect Thomas Cubitt and his craftsmen brigade.
Today, the cavernous Cubitt pays homage to those glory days with exposed original brickwork and sprawling al fresco dining right on Belgravia’s doorstep.
But beyond the bespoke decor, it’s the drinks program that has cemented Cubitt’s reputation as a destination for discerning pub-goers. Their exhaustive menu reads like an encyclopedia of brews, bubblies, wines and expertly mixed cocktails – all impeccably sourced.
