Mac Rating: 5.00 | Votes: 1 | Date: 20/06/2026 18:27:00

Directly across from Derby's railway station on Midland Place, the Victoria Inn, known locally as the Vic, is a traditional real-ale pub and live-music venue. The pub was refurbished and reopened in July 2022 under new management, who restored it as a destination for cask beer and cider while keeping its cosy, traditional character. Its bar carries six rotating real ales that change weekly along with a dozen traditional ciders, plus keg beers and a broad range of spirits, an offer that has earned it recognition in local CAMRA cider awards. Live music is a central part of the week, with local musicians playing every Friday and Saturday, and the pub describes itself as one of the few dedicated live-music venues in the city. The layout pairs a small, cosy front bar, complete with leather seating, a fireplace and walls hung with pictures of old Derby, with a larger room leading through to a function space at the back used for music and private events. Beyond the gigs, the pub runs a regular weekly programme including a Monday quiz followed by bingo, building a loyal local following alongside the trade drawn from passengers and commuters using the nearby station. With a capacity of around 150, a strong drinks range and a busy events calendar, the Vic combines the feel of a community real-ale pub with the role of a small grassroots music venue in the heart of Derby. The cluster of real-ale pubs around Derby's station and city centre has given the city a strong reputation among beer enthusiasts, and the Vic's rotating cask and cider range places it firmly within that scene. Its July 2022 relaunch under John Smith and Emma Middleton revived a traditional corner pub as both a beer destination and a live-music room, and the combination of an ever-changing bar, weekend gigs from local musicians and midweek quizzes and bingo has built a loyal following. Its position opposite the railway station also makes it a convenient first or last stop for travellers passing through Derby.