April - Victoria
Victoria Hotel
438 Wilmslow Road, Withington, Manchester M20 3BW
The Stockport & South Manchester CAMRA Pub of the Month award for April 2018 has been won by to the Victoria on Wilmslow Road in Withington, writes Jim Flynn.
This very busy, late 19th century pub with its period exterior and etched windows has been a Hydes house for 114 years. Over time the pub was opened out but the most recent refurbishment almost created separate rooms again, giving the pub a more intimate feel. At the rear is an attractive outdoor beer patio.
The excellence of any pub is measured by the quality of its fare and the warmth of the welcome. On these points the Victoria scores extremely highly under the guidance of Alyson and Paul Mitchell who arrived in late 2012. However, along with the excellence of the beer, the overriding feature of the pub is the remarkably friendly atmosphere they and their staff have created.
Their efforts have ensured that this is a pub which is very much at the heart of its community, attracting an eclectic mix of customers including families, pensioners, locals and more mature students. They hold quiz nights on Thursdays, have a DJ on Fridays and live bands on Saturdays. The Victoria won Hydes' Best Cask Cellar of the Year 2017, with seven different excellent cask ales at all times including beers from the Hydes portfolio and four or more guest beers, along with four traditional ciders. On a Monday to Thursday all cask beers are 10% off, with 1863 just £1.99 a pint on those days, so all bodes well for the presentation night.
Please join us in making the Pub of the Month Award to Alyson, Paul and their staff on Thursday, 26 April when, I'm sure, a really great night will be enjoyed by all. Don't miss it!
The pub is on one of the UK's busiest bus routes with, amongst others, the 41, 42, 43, 142 and 143 from the city centre and 42 from Stockport and 42A from Reddish and the Heatons passing the door.