please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Probably the best looking pub in Leeds interior wise with some interesting looking booths and back bar, ceiling is interesting. Hard to describe it really just worth visiting. I was also impressed with the price, 2.75 a pint is good value in Leeds city centre. I'm not sure if this is a Monday special or not but my impression was not. There were 8 handpull, 7 occupied, by Sharps doom bar, great heck stout, tetley bitter, rudgate brass monkey, Great neck treasure IPA, Bad company Love over gold, Kirkstall Pale ale and Westons Old Rosie. Went for Great Heck stout and it was okay, kept fine but flavour was a bit hit and miss for me. As it's the most impressive pub in Leeds and its well priced then I'll surely be back.
|
Sunday lunchtime visit to this Nicholson’s pub. I’ll come to the interior in a bit.
Another Leeds pub that appears in the 2014 GBG so it was a tick that I had do.
Very large inside with the main bar to the right as you go through the front door, a long wooden and brass bar appears to your left and offers 9 hand pumps that on my visit were serving 6 different ales. My choice was Black Sheep’s Monty Pythons Holy Grail @ 4%. A very decent pint poured and topped up without asking by the friendly bar man.
As with all Nicholson’s pub there was the board up on the wall showcasing the up and coming ales.
Very ornate interior, coving, ceiling & hanging lights are lovely but the huge fireplace in the main bar as you enter is stunning, it’s a real talking point and should always be preserved.
Quiet on the Sunday lunchtime I visited, just 2 other punters who both ordered food, definitely worth another visit soon....really attractive pub with a good range of ales.
I’d like to come back at a busier time.
|
Nothing I didn't like about this jewel. The St Peter's Mild was lovely; the bar is ravishing; the booths are great for small groups; the service was quick and cheerful; and the tasty food was reasonably priced.
|
Now 100% Nicholson branded but stillnothing taken away from its uniqueness.
|
The old place seems to have upped its game on service and so was back towards its best. A bit strange no TT in but a decent range of local ales and some from further afield.
|
Quite literally an architectural gem ! Even though it's a building. The beer used to taste like p*ss but this year it's improved so much it's quite drinkable. Actually quite nice actually. Sometimes. Free live Jazz from 9.30ish on Thursdays. There's a lottery for the band but they don't rig it even if you tell 'em it's your birthday. Bit mean I think. They're good but should vary their repetoire a bit more. It's now officially a crime to walk past this pub without popping in and having one !
|
One of the best pubs in Leeds, interesting real ales and friendly knowledgable staff, try the T-shirt trail.
|
It's definately still open. Decent enough pub with a decent range of hand pulled beers that are usually kept well but there's never enough staff behind the bar. Try Friday after 5 p.m. and you could die of thirst before getting served. A bit pricey too
|
It isn't closed.
Why are there two seperate pages for the same pub?
|
Had intended to spend a couple of hours there before the game, but it was shut due to a power cut. Went to see if it was open after and it was but oh my god their was a que at the bar. Didn't take long to realise why, staff practically statueqse, no urgency or concern. For the first time in 15 years going there I left in a huff. Am revising my score down by 2 to 8 as a consequence.
Sad day.
|
I love this place, but that's because I live 200 miles away and that sometimes blinds me to its minor faults, the top of which is variable service. Another moan is they never have enough staff on Saturday afternoon (they seem to think they are outside the Leeds fans range when they ain't). And while I'm at it, OPEN ON A SUNDAY!!
Beer mostly good, food consistant but much more importantly it looks like a proper pub and it had better stay that way.
|
Part of Nicholsons chain (same as Scarborough Hotel) but Victoria is the sausage specialist whereas the Scarborough is the pie specialist. Not tried the food yet but beers were good - reasonable range of beers with helpful tasting notes on the pump clips for the unitiated.
Old fashioned interior where you can hide yourself away if you like.
Only criticism on my visit was the worrying music - it was loud and it sounded like Rolf Harris on speed. It disturbed me so much that I had to leave. However, I will put it down to a dodgy choice by the bar staff and will definitely return on a calmer evening.
|
A nice pub, full of character and always a good place to while away an evening.
|
Following our disappointing experience in December we were invited back to the Vic to sample the food now that they have employed a new chef. The service, beer and food were all superb! Thanks to Lou and all at the Vic for taking the trouble to put things right.
|
Called in the other day.
A good pint of Barnsley bitter with a decent selection of cask ales available.
The food was reasonable and good value for money. However, beware... the blackboards all advertise food served till 10pm, but the day I was in they stopped serving at 8pm!
alexw - 19 Jan 2008 12:59 |
this one has a good read-up on the internet.
tried it on a recent weekend visit. closed.
visitors please note this noe is currently closed all day sundays.
|
Visited recently after some months, very disappointed. I have used The Vic regularly when passing through Leeds for years and it was excellent, not so on my last visit I'm afraid.
It was fairly obvious on arrival that only 2 barstaff on a busy Saturday afternoon meant that the pub was seriously understaffed. After queing for 10 mins for a drink and requesting Mild I was told it was "off" though the clip was still showing. I selected an alternative and we managed to find a free table loaded with dirty crockery from the last diners (most were) After my partner returned her glass as it was covered with lipstick from the previous user we ordered food. Even though the pub was becoming quieter, 35 to 40 minutes later our food was delivered, the dirty crockery still not cleared from our table. Both meals were cold and the gravy on my partner's meal congealed! Both meals were rejected and a full refund given though without apology or offer of any restitution.
Very sad state of affairs, doubt I'll be back.
|
Hard to add anything to the comments made. Very good food, amazing decor and suprisingly decent beer. Happy staff and a very mixed clientele, which is not surprising with the law courts close by. I always take foreign visitors to this pub first.
|
Splendid three-roomed city centre pub, between the Town Hall and the Infirmary. Only the main bar open on this visit, but a feast for the eyes in itself: High ceilinged with lots of wood, leather, mirrors and a warm red decor. Almost reminiscent of a classy French brasserie.
Four regular ales: Acorn 'Barnsley Bitter', Taylor 'Landlord', Tetley Bitter and Mild. (The barman assured me that the Victoria is one of only three pubs in Leeds that now sell Tetley Mild). There are normally up to three guest ales, but only Hambleton's 'Stud' this evening. The Acorn and Stud were both nicely cool, flavoursome and well pulled.
Young, friendly, enthusiastic barstaff.
The only downside was the piped music being intrusively loud, (also 70's and 80's funk seemed totally out of place). However, that's a small quibble.
Still highly recommended.
|
Lovely Victorian pub, very pleasant to spend time in. Good varied menu and good service. Good place to meet up for lunch if you work in this neck of the woods. Even better now that there is no smoking there!
|
Headed off a plan by the owners Bass to refurbish the pub and take away its character in 2001, and has been rewarded with a rise in customer numbers. Three separate rooms, and six high quality real ales.
|
Lovingly restored Victorian hotel that has recently found itself on a new drinking circuit and hopefully gained a few new fans. The back rooms are better than the main bar, which is just slightly over the cosiness event horizon, but the beer is varied and good, with three or four regular guests, mostly from Yorkshire. As has been mentioned, acts as the musicians' bar for the Town Hall, so can be a struggle to get served before and after show, in the intermission and occasionally between acts and solos. Can be understaffed at times.
|
A magnificent pub. The grandeur of the Victorian decor makes you feel quite humble as you sup one of the excellent real ales on offer. If only I could recall what this pub looked like prior to its tasteful restoration.
Don't miss this place if you are in Leeds.
|
Worth a visit just to look at the decor, but the beer is also good and the service is OK (provided you aren't trying to get served when the orchestra nips over from the Town Hall for a drink during the interval!)
|
Grand interior and large no-smoking areas. Good range of ales, quality OK.
|
best guest ales in the leeds area great atmosphere good service from friendly staff.
anonymous - 3 May 2006 13:51 |
THE BEST REAL ALE
GOOD FOOD
LIVE JAZZ THURSDAY EVE
FRIENDLY STAFF
GREAT ATMOSPHERE
lorac - 17 Apr 2006 13:12 |
Updating... We visited the Vic last night and I'm pleased to report that the beer was still good, the service fine and the pub mostly empty by 7pm. Phew.
AngeK - 18 Feb 2006 15:51 |
Used to be a great place to go and drink, with a huge non-smoking room and Bridgets Bar (free for parties). It got extremely busy for an hour or so when the hospital/banks finished work. I hear that it has a new landlord and consequently the quality of the beer has taken a tumble and it takes even longer to get served at the bar. Anyone been recently?
|
Love the pub to look at...like the booths,mirrors,layout etc.....just never rated the beer...and thats been over a very long time,I keep going because this pub has everything else....plus its on a fairly new pub trail with Lloyds,Hogshead etc....Just hope it makes it!
|
i used to work here, it is a beautiful pub with some of the best cask ales you'll find. If you are in Leeds, this is definatly worth a visit. Not the most "trendy" of places, but a great pub for a good session.....
Keith - 24 Sep 2004 14:38 |
Big, traditional city centre pub, with the original victorian decor recreated. One of the classic Leeds pubs, so I'm surprised it isn't already here!
Johnno - 20 May 2004 08:30 |
