Featured in Drink 2008

Wine bars elevate simple glasses of grapes to conversation starters and quests. Division Street watering hole Victory does the same for hops, without all the big, clunky brewery decor. Amid a strident indie-rock and old soul soundtrack, proletariat-homey trappings—just look at those sweet “Fuck the Draft” print curtains—and high bar belly fillers like creamy spätzle with Gruyere and shallots ($7, $5 happy hour, mmm), the little bar boasts a mind-blowing roster of ales, pils, bocks and lagers, with special emphasis on curious Belgian brews (although it was a funky-floral Bam Bier Farmhouse Ale from Michigan’s Jolly Pumpkin, $5.75, that blew us away on our last visit). Then again, with Victory’s penchant for creating its own tonic water, horchata and Stumptown coffee liquor in house as the mood strikes, it’s not like the red- and gold-hued boite’s cocktails are anything to sniff at either. Victory is ours!
Perfect Patron: Swivel your head to gaze at that young gent sitting next to you on the No. 14 bus who's balancing a copy of Brewing Techniques magazine, The Devil’s Dictionary and his MacBook on his lap. It’s him. (KC)
HAPPY HOUR 5-7 PM, 10 PM-CLOSE MONDAY-SATURDAY: $5 MENU, $1 OFF WINE AND DRAFTS.
DRINK AND FOOD SPECIALS, BOARD GAMES, SMOKE-FREE, OUTDOOR SEATING.