Victory

You'll find Victory tucked away on Duke Street, where the North Laine's artsy energy starts to give way to something a bit more lived-in. It's got that comforting pub atmosphere—exposed brick, good lighting that doesn't try too hard, and a bar that feels like it's been pulling pints since people actually knew their neighbours. The real draw here is the ale selection; they take that seriously without being precious about it. Food's solid, the kind of thing that goes down well with a drink, and you won't feel like you're paying London prices for it either. It's the sort of place where you can have a proper conversation without shouting.