please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
My last stop of 15 in Rugby yesterday was the Victoria Inn. It is a little out of the town centre. But, with it being only 10-11 minutes walk to the station, with a chip shop on the way, it made for a handy last beer. I'm normally quite appreciative of an old boozer. But, I'd maybe had one too many to be too appreciative of the Victoria. In fact, I left feeling a little underwhelmed, probably due to my choice of beer. Being an Atomic pub, I decided to try their Bomb. But, it seemed to be on the turn. Also from Atomic was Strike, with other ales being Hook Norton Hooky, Abbeydale Belfry, Titanic Plum Porter & Castle Rock Harvest Pale. There was no sign of a real cider or perry. But, it's possible that there was one in another room. By no means the worst pub I tried in Rugby. But, it felt distinctly average.
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Went in to the small public bar with pool table this visit and it was a bit like being in an episode of 'Shameless'. The Atomic brew was good though.
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Was back on form on this visit - decent pint here.
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Good looking pub on the outside although a little bland inside but the locals welcomed our 16 strong party and the beer was excellent , particularly the Atomic and Deception.
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Busy evening with a quiz going on. A range of excellent beers including a very good pint of Half-Life from their own Atomic brewery. Really pleasant atmosphere.
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Disappointed on this revisit. The Atomic brews were cloudy and one of our party even switched to lager. It was busy and would have expected more of a throughput of ales to result in better beer.
anonymous - 18 May 2013 14:20 |
Excellent pub for ales. Went in as it opened and was only one in there for a while. The three seperate ales I tried (two Atomic ales brewed on the premises and a Titanic brewed one) were all on top form which for the first ales out of the day is surely a good sign.
anonymous - 18 Jan 2013 17:33 |
What a pub! Visited during their Autumn Beer Festival 2012, great selection of real ales on offer, 14 handpumps and 8 barrels racked up for the festival. Abbeydale, Ossett and Oakham had their beers on offer. Traditional Victorian corner pub, original features. Once you go in you don't want to leave.
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Can anybody tell me which brewery owned this pub in the 70's? I'm sure it was Watney's but then it could have been M&B ?
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Old fashioned pub with traditional interior. Fantastic choice of real ales on offer. There was also a beer festival under canvas in the garden. All ales sampled were top quality.
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Well what can I say. The place was rammed with a band about to strike up. I couldn't belive the choice of ales on the bar but getting to it was a problem. I was only intending to pop in for one drink but found myself still trying to talk over the band an hour later. Some recent work has taken place in the newly refurbished toilets which were immaculate! I thought the Dyson was a nice touch. This is the best real ale pub that I have been into this year but I will make sure I go in on a quieter night next time!!
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Atomic ales good, as was the quality and choice of the guest ales.
If ever in Rugby again, will pop in.
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The beer selection is great and the quality superb. The building has a nice pub feel.
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For sale at 250k in this month's Morning advertiser
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The previous comment is a little strange. The Vic has what I would describe as excellent staff. Young friendly and enthusiastic. Beer choice is about the best in Rugby although the Merhants runs it close. And the quality can range from good to exceptional. This is regularly a very busy pub with a tremndous atmosphere so what the previous reviewer was on about I have no idea!!!
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I would have rated this pub a nine or ten two years ago manager caz was great knowledgeable and kept good beer now its football flat beer and no atmosphere not worth the train journey or fare now
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Blimey! Used to drink in here '72-'76 when I was at Lanch Poly( now something different). Only choice of beer in those days was Watney's or something equally bad-keg no doubt! Used to be a Chinese on the way back to Lanch and never quite sure if it was the beer or the food which ended up out of the window later!
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Old fashoined Victorian drinkers pub, located just out of Rugby town centre.
A cracking selection of ales was on offer. I believe there are 14 hand pumps, with a few normally dispensing 'Atomic' ale - the brewery which is owned by the Victoria. There is a Bar area with Pool table and SkyHD, Lounge area with SkyHD, couple of other rooms too with dart board.. there is also a secluded area out side. It's not the most spacious pub, but it always seems to have a friendly atmosphere.
Would definately recommend visiting.
Only downside,.. one slice of Ham in the roll?? You're having a larf!
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Couldn't wish for a better range of ales. Second to none. However, in general the pub is tatty inside and out and needs some money spending on it. Pity as this could be a real gem.
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Outlet for the Atomic Brewery, and a propor old-fashioned local. Currently looks a bit tatty from the outside as it appears to be part-way through being repainted (but keeping the same bright colours). My pint of Reactor was fine, and went down very well with a basic (but cheap) cheese roll. I was a bit surprised that it wasn't busier as it had a very good range of guest ales on too.
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beer cloudy ,toilets stunk
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Genuine local pub. Lovely atmosphere, good beer, good people. Top pub.
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I visited the Vic last week and had an excellent time. The staff were very inviting especially a young man called Sean ( he also thinks hes a bit of a Whizz on the pool table!!) there is some building work going on in the gents but it has not caused much incovenience ( no pun intended) The beer as u sual was excellent. I cannot recommend this pub highly enough. I would suggest a visit to any real ale lover. Oh and although the Raglan Arms won the rugby Camra pub of the year, the Vic is a far nicer place to drink
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I'm not an Atomic ale fan, but always plenty of others to chose from, always well served & friendly staff
Sounds petty but as one of the most popular, and presumably therefore affluent pubs in Rugby I wish they would sort out the shockingly bad toilets!
Also noticed on last visit the ceiling in the lounge needing attention.
In short, a decent pub, feel could be a little less tatty in places
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Trad split-bar pub with the best range of English beer in Rugby, which makes it my favourite pub in the town.
As has been said, they perform well not only because Atomic beers are quality, but also because their guests are well-sourced.
Staff friendly, comfortable area with small round tables. Football on, but not overpowering everything else.
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Great pub to start or finish your crawl of Rugby (if arriving or departing by train - 10 min walk from the station). Comprehensive selection of Atomic Ales, for which they are the main outlet and also an additional range of micro-brewers' beers. I loved the fact that it retains two quite different bars, thus giving it the true feel of an old fashioned public house. An essential visit!
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Very nice cosy old style pub a bit off the beaten track from the town centre. Five of their own Atomic brews were on offer. I wasn't especially enamoured with the one I tried at random (Fusion I think) but there were guest ales on offer too.
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Travelled to the Victoria Autumn beer festival. One of the best selections of rare and unusual beers I have come across in a long time. A lovely pub full of charm and character. Managed to get a tour of the cellar which was an experience in itself. Very impressed with the Atomic Bomb which is brewed by the landlord. This is a must try for visitors to Rugby.
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The Victoria Inn was the highlight of my recent Visit to Rugby. I met one of the lads from the Atomic Brewery who forced me to sample about every beer on the bar!! Not bad considering ther were 12 differnet ales on at the time. The pub itself is a typical Victorian boozer reminicent of a London Pub. I managed to get a very cheap curry that evening as there had been a curry competition going on. I then had to catch the later train back to brum. Oh well it was worth it.
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What a fantastic pub with brill ales served by friendly landlord. Excellent condition in great surroundings. Not only a good selection of their own Atomic beers, but a good selection of guests from micro breweries.
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A lovely boozer with a staggering 14 handpumps. Ale in very good condition. This is a serious ale lovers pub so much better than the last time I visited Rugby. All in all a very enjoyable trip out.
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As a visitor to the town I think the previous comments need updating - the pub is now well run with a fine (huge) set of real ales and the olde worlde victorian residence is in truth a fine building and premises. The bar staff are fine with the catholic priest sometimes stepping into serve the punters when required. There's a big lounge are with seperate snug and a pool room with it's own bar too. A need to get the regulars to keep dogs on leads while in the pub is something to enforce but as for service from the lovely Karen, the guys and el padre then it can't be knocked. Keep up the good work Kaz, you're a beauty.
Mcloj - 15 May 2008 12:54 |
The last time I was in The Victoria it was quiet with very bland beer and a grumpy old landlord who asked me to leave. I honestly couldnt belive the difference when I popped in last Wednesday. Ten yes ten beers were on tap along with some mind blowing perry. The place was heaving and everybody seemed to be having a good time. I enjoyed the Atomic ales which I had tried to get at the Alexandra Arms! This must be the most improved pub I have been in this year!!
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It appears this pub is under new management as the previous owner seemed to have gained a bad reputation with his high prices, poor beer and unwelcoming manner. Pub now has 7 real ales, 4 from the Atomic Brewery and much cheaper prices. Sky TV, pool and darts and the addition of a outside drinking area make this pub a must visit.
anonymous - 10 Aug 2007 13:21 |
New owners have transformed this pub which is now the Atomic Brewery tap. Currently 7 real ales with a wide selection of bottled beers make this a drinkers paradise. The Lounge is now non smoking with a very welcoming atmosphere. The taditional victorian bar is ideal for pub games which are very popular. The landlord is a beer fanatic.
Pughy - 12 Mar 2007 21:25 |
have always had a great time here good food good atmosphere very nice lounge good beer not expensive at all. Always good sport on there tv
ROBERT - 20 Sep 2004 18:28 |
I am current working on a mortgage application, with a view to affording a pint in here.
nimnimnim - 1 Mar 2004 21:59 |
Traditional pub with sports TV and pool table. Not one to stay in for ages but worth popping in for a swift half
Richard - 9 Sep 2003 10:54 |
