The Victoria

Walk into The Victoria and you're in proper local territory—the kind of place where regulars actually know the bar staff's names. It's positioned nicely on Knifesmithgate, close enough to the town centre to catch the after-work crowd but far enough to feel like it's got its own rhythm. The craft beer selection is genuinely thought-through rather than just Instagram bait, and they take their food seriously too. You'll find yourself settling in for longer than planned, which is exactly what a good pub should do.