In a paragraph
The Victoria is an old pub above The Cross on Watergate Row, best for a central pint, generous Sunday roast and watching Chester pass below.
What it's like
The Victoria wins the first round before you order. It sits above The Cross at Row level, with old rooms, dark timber and Chester moving below. It feels worn in rather than carefully restored.
Old pub, excellent Row position
Sunday roasts and generous pub portions are the safer food reasons to go. The rest is more variable: standard beer, music that can get very loud and a stale old-pub edge that some people will find atmospheric and others simply tired.
Worth knowing
Come for the Row, the view over The Cross and a Sunday roast, not because this is Chester's best-kept pub or most interesting bar. It can be noisy and tired, and the stairs are a real access constraint. With those expectations set, it remains a very Chester place for a pint.
The essentialsVisit
Getting there
under 0.1 miles from The Cross. No venue parking. Use city-centre car parks and walk in.
Hours
Current listed hours are Monday closed, Tuesday-Thursday 11:00-23:00, Friday-Saturday 11:00-02:00 and Sunday 12:00-00:00.
Food & drink
Traditional pub food and Sunday roast are the main food angle. A pint by the Row, Sunday roast, steak and ale pie, simple pub classics or whatever lets you sit and watch The Cross.
Access
The public entrance is reached by steep stairs to Watergate Row. Do not describe this as a confident step-free venue without direct confirmation of another route.
7.9 OpenStreetMap - Hours
- Current listed hours are Monday closed, Tuesday-Thursday 11:00-23:00, Friday-Saturday 11:00-02:00 and Sunday 12:00-00:00.
- Address
- 2 Watergate St, Chester CH1 2LD
- Booking
- Booking or reservations are listed.
- Pay
- cards, contactless
- Dogs
- Dogs are listed as welcome.
- Access
- The public entrance is reached by steep stairs to Watergate Row. Do not describe this as a confident step-free venue without direct confirmation of another route.
- Getting there
- under 0.1 miles from The Cross. No venue parking. Use city-centre car parks and walk in.
Nearby plan
Nearby pubs and bars
Nearby food
Nearby attractions
FAQ
Where is The Victoria in Chester?
It is above The Cross on Watergate Row North / Watergate Street.
Is The Victoria a historic pub?
Yes. It is one of Chester's old Row-level pub settings, with low beams and a central historic position.
Does The Victoria do Sunday roast?
Yes. Sunday roast is one of the more useful food reasons to go.
Is The Victoria dog-friendly?
Yes. Dogs are listed as allowed.
Is The Victoria quiet?
Not reliably. It can be lively, especially Friday and Saturday nights.
