Victoria Stakes, The Bar

We were served by TJ, amazing service, kept it very friendly and funny. The food was amazing and the outside area was reasonably well heated. The atmosphere is really nice and calm, it was about 15 of us that met up for a family reunion and they were really accommodating, even serving us food on a drinks only booking which we greatly appreciated. Would recommend!!

🚇Highgate 🍺 £6.80 Estrella The Victoria Stakes sits at the foot of Muswell Hill, close to Alexandra Palace, in North London. The nearest Tube is Highgate. This pub dates back to the mid-19th century and was originally a coach house and stables. Its name comes from a horse race once held at Alexandra Palace Racecourse, with a winner apparently buying the pub—then known simply as The Victoria—with his winning stake. Much like the exterior, the interior has a splendid traditional feel. This is a one-bar pub with the servery along the back wall. The bar area is split-level, with a dining space down on the left. The rest of the area is mixed-use but mainly for drinkers. The decor is classy, with a boarded floor, cobalt blue walls, rich woodwork, and comfortable seating. Upstairs is a dining room; at the rear is covered courtyard, at the front are a few benches for watching the world go by. The beer selection is solid, with well-known brands, some craft options, and two cask ales. I went for an Estrella — great pint, though a bit punchy on price. Food-wise, it’s pub classics. We were peckish, so ordered the short-rib cheeseburger with chicken-salt fries. Tasty burger, crispy fries — £18 all in. Roasts take centre stage on Sundays. We arrived at 5pm on a warm, sunny Saturday in August. The pub was quiet inside, with a couple dining in the corner, while a dozen or so punters enjoyed the weather outside. Soon after, a burst of whooping came from a wedding party spilling out of the upstairs dining room, giving the place a lovely buzz. We grabbed a table inside, tucked into our grub, and chatted about films — including Blazing Saddles and the original Blade Runner. Service was top-notch, and the team were friendly and courteous. The pub hosts a weekly quiz and is also known as a popular wedding venue. This is the kind of pub you’d love on your doorstep. An independent spot offering a traditional all-round pub experience, a good beer line-up, hearty grub, and warm hospitality. We really enjoyed our time here, a must-visit if you’re in the area. Follow @victoriastakes for updates. 📅 2nd August 2025 If you want to see all my pub reviews in one place, head to @londonpubmap on Instagram or Facebook. 🍻

We had our wedding at Victoria Stakes and they absolutely smashed the day!! We hired out the whole pub as we wanted a real pub feel. The staff went above and beyond to help us create the day we wanted. The food was amazing all our guests commented on the steak. The bar staff were amazing and could handle the amount of baby Guinness's that were ordered on the night and that's no mean feat! If you're planning a pub wedding we'd highly recommend Victoria Stakes. Emma &Will