The Victoria Hotel, Beeston  

Nottingham's finest? Quite possibly - I've known people who take the short train ride from the main station out to Beeston just to enjoy this Victorian railway hotel which has won pretty much every accolade going. Many old school drinkers will be mightily relieved to learn that despite the fact this place take its food seriously, it takes beer just as seriously and doesn't have that oh-so irritating air of pretentiousness which makes many gastropubs so off-putting if you're just looking for a drink. It helps that the place is spacious (including a big beer garden cum heated smoking area), and that's just as well since it gets pretty full at meal times; but such attractions as 20 different real ales (including plenty of good local stuff such as Castle Rock's range) a singular ambience, a ban on mobile phones, a fire on cold days, quirks such as the shrine to the deceased pub dog and a loyal clientele make it the sort of local everyone would love to have round the corner. If you don't live in this part of Beeston (and you're not missing anything there, trust me), well... there's always the train. We've heard rumours that its proximity to the station attracts a few trainspotters, but console yourself that it should be easy enough to avoid them.

reviewed:
22/1/2007

pub features:(click on an icon to see an explanation)

large beer garden

live music jazz and r&b

if they behave, they are tolerated until 8pm.

extensive eating area

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