The Victor Tavern - 2nd & University

The Victor bills itself as a sports bar and seems exactly like the type of place that would thrive on a warm summer evening as downtown office workers trickle out of the gleaming steel and glass tower that rises above it. This was surely the idea when it was conceived but as we all know, the return to office has been slow, and so when we stopped by the other night we were among just a handful of patrons. The menu focuses on burgers with 7 or 8 varieties on order. We started off with the everything bagel pretzel bites which were oversized and forgettable and moved on to the burgers. I had the classic which was described as “The best Dick’s you’ve ever had” and my dining partner had the truffle burger. Both were totally fine though the buttered salt + pepper fries stole the show. They do the burgers on brioche which I find isn’t my preferred bread to meat ratio but I understand that some people love brioche. My dream version of this place is less restaurant and more bar with smaller portions, lower prices, a tighter menu, more interesting beers and a real focus on sports. The kind of place where you might want to stay and watch the whole game with friends and a few snacks. Overall though, friendly staff, decent food and some room to grow.

Victor Tavern is a sports bar nestled into an alley right below 2nd Ave on University. As you approach, there's lots of outdoor seating although most is for the buildings surrounding it and you can only eat/drink at the tables within the marked area for the Tavern. It's has a smaller menu, although a different one for happy hour between 4-6pm. Their food is alright, fries, pretzel bites and calamari were good, but wings were small and jalapeño poppers were just OK. Their prices are lower because the proton sizes are smaller. The staff is super friendly and nice, also always around to ask for more or recommendations. They have a bunch of TVs inside showing games which is nice, and the walls open during the summer to become a total outdoor space. Theres probably 8 tables outside and a dozen inside total. Starting September 25th, they are only open 11am-7pm Monday through Friday, closed on the weekends due to slow fall/winter numbers. Overall a cool place to go after work.

Big servings, delicious and friendly staff. Not busy on Friday nights. Fish & chips- crispy (not too thick) on big chunks of fish. Tons of fries- seasoned, cooked well and thin. Squash salad is large, love the the dressing (started eating fast so only have half in pic). Dessert was so light and fluffy - pumpkin flavored panna cotta. Place has a lot of seating spread out & area outside too.

I love this place! Central business district needs this place. Happy hour M-F 4-6pm. Delicious drinks (I had the floradora x2) fries on point. Can’t wait to come back next week and try more things. Semi private outdoor patio to appreciate the good weather without the street noise and chaos. So much to love about Victor Tavern! Stop by on your way to/from Seattle Art Museum, the waterfront, Pike Place Market, after work. Good for groups, friends, business associates, and couples seeking a bit of urban solitude. Service quality, wit and attentiveness is 5 stars. Clearly there’s a good group of people here and I’m so glad this is in the neighborhood.

Great spot, pretty decent happy hour, polenta fries were fun, calamari was pretty good, drinks reasonable, but my burger was cooked well after being ordered mid rare, ill survive. Nice staff, comfortable inside, will forgive and stop by again

This was a fun place for a little happy hour after work. It did seem small but it may be bigger in other areas. Unique menu but everything you want. Service was too notch.

To get here: Enter from University, the northwest corner between the buildings. You can also go through a covered walkway and down two flights of stairs from 2nd. Atmosphere was okay, but the place is very small. Our waiter was great, he did let us know about the new 22% service charge before we ordered. I thought the drinks were pretty good. We got the brussels sprouts which were very good, the sauce is just the right sweetness for the bitter sprouts. Frying them was an interesting choice, a little more crunch than roasted. We got the polenta fries as well which were simple too large, it left a mass of the creamy inside. The crust was great though, so these would be really good if thinner. I thought the consistency was good but I found them far too rich, very cheesy. I also got the apple crisp which was very good, the apples were the perfect amount of firmness. Both of the appetizers were huge, enough for like 4 people. We didn’t even get to the entrees. Overall I thought it was a pretty good meal, and I’m glad I tried it, but I probably won’t go back again.

Place was too loud to have a conversation. The food was OK but nothing special. Fries a bit overcooked and spicy calamari not spicy at all. Burgers are very focused on the meat, but that's all the flavor there is so more of a mouthful of homogenous flavor. Menu is pricey overall for a pretty standard bar. Again, food isn't bad, just not great in comparison to other burger or bar places. Staff were fine, no complaints with them.