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The Vic Hotel Footscray

43 Victoria Street, Footscray

Phone: (03) 9224 6168

July 19, 2024

VENUE:

The Vic/Victoria has been a mainstay in Footscray for 150 years, but around seven years ago, made the seismic move to transform into a more modern pub in tune with its changing demographic. Importantly, other than the removal of the TAB, knocking out a wall or two, and moving with the times as far as beer and wine goes, the spirit of a working class pub was retained and now, under new ownership, all that is good about pub hospitality is delivered seamlessly.

Outside the pub’s facade is gloriously nondescript: it looks like an old boozer in the shadows of Middle Footscray station. Inside the cavernous front bar with an expansive horseshoe shape to breast and have one, concrete floors/timber furnishings, is enveloped by neat brick walls, banquette seating, and a pleasant right volume backdrop of British pop from the 60s-90s.

Testament to its success is the mix of old and new chum locals having a fine time.

Pokies: No
TAB: No

The dining room adjacent is a mix of old furnishings and you get to clap eyes on what’s leaving the galley. The beer garden could be any backyard of 50s Footscray/Yarraville/Seddon! Cleverly the pub retains a Carlton tap, but embraces a new chum like Hop Nation with equal zeal. Wine again, around $13-14 per glass, sources little known producers like Brash Higgins ‘Cinsault’ or Escarpment (NZ) Blanc Pinot Blanc.

Steak Nights, Monday, Parma, Tuesday, Trivia Wednesday, Happy Hour of $5 pots; these offers are all part of the pub’s push to embrace your local.

Food’s very good, in keeping with the feel of the pub and its surroundings, the entrees were accessible with a touch of difference. Seven or eight to choose from with the standouts three Cheese Croquettes, aioli, cornichons, (3/$14) and Baked Scallops, tomato, vodka, gruyere, (2/$15). The latter was one of the best entrees this year: Moist, juicy, large scallops with a magnificent, tasty supporting cast.

A ripper.

To the mains. Classics had the usual suspects priced mid $20s-low $30s, but a point of difference was Char Grilled bratwurst, mustard mayo, spiced tomato, sauerkraut, brioche, fries ($26). Beef Shin Ragu, Pappardelle, (34), Mussels Provencal, focaccia to mop up the tomato/chilli broth (33), Sea Bream, seafood chowder, autumn vegetable (36), was their market fish presented so well.

Sunday’s pub highlight was the Roast (again). This time Half Chicken, skin crisp, moist flesh and plentiful, is plated with a deep chicken broth, roast veg, and a perfectly sized yorkshire. At $30, this was such a generous serving.

Like last week’s pub, Railway, South Melbourne, these old pubs are treasures. Run properly, you openly barrack for their success.

The Vic, aka The Victoria, aka Harts, is one such.

SCORE: 14.8

Image: Google Maps