Finn Reeves, landlord of The Victoria in Clifton, pictured behind the bar with a copy of an article dating back to the 1800s, which mentions the pub(Image: Paul Gillis/Reach Plc)
It’s only been open for a week but I could feel a pulse of new life coming from The Victoria in Clifton from the moment I got to Southleigh Road. And it was only just starting to welcome customers, so wasn’t in its busy period yet.
On a bright and sunny and incredibly warm Wednesday afternoon, the doors of the pub on the corner next to The Lido were wide open, welcoming in fresh air and showing off the pub’s even fresher new look. Just like new man at the helm, Finn Reeves, told me before he opened on July 3, it really did feel like a home away from home.
The interior decor is light yet cosy, inviting, stylish and I could have stayed there all day. Plants hung above windows, old photos of Bristol rugby players hung from the wall – as did an eclectic yet beautifully arranged display of pictures, photos and wall hangings that perfectly infused the space with some of Finn’s personality.
Finn introduced himself with one of the warmest smiles I’ve ever received – and smiley faces are another theme of the pub if you look hard enough. When asked how his first week open had been, it was obvious that Finn was still getting used to the fact that not only was he in charge of such a beloved pub in such a prime location, but that even the usually quietest periods of the week had so far seen crowds of pubgoers enjoying the reopened venue.
Inside The Victoria in Clifton (Image: Paul Gillis/Reach Plc)
He added that even the older locals who have been coming here for decades had been impressed when they walked back through the doors. Some even have their own preferred spots in the pub where they’ve been sitting – and still sit today – for years. And there’s no sign of them going elsewhere instead.
One gentleman even brought in a copy of an article from the Bristol Mirror in the 1800s, mentioning the pub.
An old Bristol Mirror article from the 1800s mentioning The Victoria pub in Clifton(Image: Paul Gillis/Reach Plc)
When you head to the bar, you’ll be taken aback by the stunning green tiles, the bar shelves and lamps, and the array of drinks on offer. While Finn says he has put together a selection of many different drink offerings in preparation for the opening and to see what works best here, he’s hoping to swap out some of the selection further down the line to show off more local brews.
There’s everything from Guinness and Inch’s, to Old Mout and Red Stripe on tap – and even Japanese lager Sapporo, which has been among his bestsellers. These are priced between £5.80 and £6.80. Wine has been a popular tipple here over the past week, and there’s even a cocktail menu.
Inside The Victoria in Clifton (Image: Paul Gillis/Reach Plc)
Finn made me a pisco sour in honour of his relatives in Chile. It’s one of only two places in Bristol he knows of that serves it, and it was a treat to see Finn at work behind the bar with cocktail shaker in hand. The cocktail itself was delicious and well worth the £11 price tag.
In fact, during my visit, among the crowds of graduation parties which flocked into the pub for a celebratory drink while waiting for their tables to be ready at The Lido Restaurant next door, one woman who had travelled from out of town had to pull Finn back to check if her payment had gone through as she said she couldn’t get over how cheap the price was for her drinks here.
The Snug, upstairs, has already been used by people in the community and Finn is looking for more people interested in hiring out the space for community events, clubs or tastings, and the like. And he even has plans for a diary of events – so watch this space for perhaps a pub quiz, music themed events and other niche activities.
During the current hot weather, pubgoers will be pleased to learn that there are a selection of tables outside to soak up some sun with a pint, while reading one of the hospitality magazines to be found at the bar. And, if you visit often enough, you may even end up with your photo on the wall – an idea Finn is really keen for over time.
A Pisco Sour cocktail from The Victoria in Clifton(Image: Paul Gillis/Reach Plc)
After such an unnecessarily stressful time preparing to open, which saw Finn’s pub fall victim to a break-in days before its big day, it was truly something special to see so many people flock here on a weekday afternoon.
With the current obstacles facing the hospitality industry right now, Finn’s attitude is as warm, welcoming, light and refreshing as the new-look pub itself. The drinks are delicious and very reasonably priced, especially considering the location, and the space is simply gorgeous. I can’t wait to see how it flourishes over the coming years.
The Victoria is found at 2 Southleigh Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 2BH.