The Victoria

Walk into The Victoria and you'll immediately clock why it's pulled in over a thousand reviews: this is the kind of place where the bartender knows your name by your second visit. Located on Victoria Road in Surbiton, it's got that reliable, unpretentious vibe that's increasingly rare in Kingston these days—no craft cocktail theatrics, just decent pints, proper pub food, and a crowd that skews local rather than weekend-trip tourists. The space feels lived-in without being tired, with enough character to make you want to linger over a second drink, and it's exactly the sort of spot you'd recommend to a mate visiting from out of town because it actually represents how people in Surbiton spend their evenings.