"Mounted animal heads, a live stage, a diner, an indie-filled jukebox and cupcakes on the bar!!"

Added Tue 24 May 2011 by T.A.O

Once you’ve finished all the walking or whatever you happen to be getting up to in Victoria Park, there’s the decision of which pub to head to and although some fine choices sit right on the cusp, the Victoria on Grove Road is worth a little more strolling. The traditional pub sits strong ignoring the derelict boozers that have shut their doors on this street and one look inside tells you why. Stuff! Mounted animal heads, live stage, a diner, indie filled jukebox and cupcakes on the bar- and that’s just the things you can see. What the eyes can’t take in is the range of events that go on in this gothic pub. Cinema nights, live bands, jumble sales, art classes and now and again even a barbershop. It likes its macabre side and attracts a young ‘alternative’ crowd with its one stop shop of horrors and there’s a DIY attitude to it all with homemade club nights and open mic. Expect to hear lo-fi surf-pop by the load and ingratiate by nodding along to Wavves records and whatnot.

This isn’t just a pub with a live stage and a bunch of exciting hobbies crammed under one roof though, because there’s a diner too. Serving basic vege chilli burgers, hot dogs and cheeseburgers, it gives you what you want in a place like this.

In dressing up the concept of a pub as a rec-centre with the frills of the creatives, The Victoria should have more and more wandering this way from the park.