Victoria Dock represents Hull’s urban answer to leafy suburbs, replete with parks, playgrounds and new-build properties overlooking converted marinas. However it lags behind other fashionable areas of the city in one crucial regard, having little in the way of bars and restaurants. In fact, it has only the Timber Dock. Can one pub take the strain of serving a whole community, and make a good job of it?

The Venue
The Timber Dock is a neat and functional building, unassuming but not unattractive, situated on the fringe of Victoria Dock Village and conveniently close to the A63. Ample car parking and a covered area for smokers are available, but the design of the pub has more to offer than mere efficiency; the nearby Victoria Park offers a pleasant option for anyone wishing to take advantage of plentiful outdoor seating, and a play area will keep the kids entertained. It all adds up to one of the best exterior bar environments in Hull. The only drawback is the location, a stone’s throw from the Humber, as the wind can make sitting outside a chilly experience.

If the weather does drive you inside however, the pub can still boast much to recommend it. There is plenty of space, arranged around a large central bar with several separate rooms which blend together. A homely raised platform is used primarily for dining and is also served by a flat screen TV, two more of which are in the main drinking area, and all show continuous live Sky News, unless sport is in progress. At the rear of the pub are sofas where drinkers can recline in comfort.

The decor is unfussy and tasteful, primarily modern but with timeless dark wooden furniture. For those who need entertainment there are quiz machines, slot machines, a juke box and weekly quiz nights. The atmosphere is lively and friendly at any time of day.

The People
As the only pub serving Victoria Dock, residents not in the mood for a walk into the city centre are obliged to take their custom to the Timber Dock. This captive audience gives the pub a varied clientele, particularly in terms of age, but overall the atmosphere is a family one, with children welcome. The community feel is noticeable, as almost all customers are regulars to a greater or lesser extent.

The immediate bar area can become crowded, and the staff are not always as eager as they might be, which means you can sometimes face a wait to be served. The service when it comes is polite enough, and knowledgeable, and does not detract from the general experience.

The Drink
The bar offers a choice of lagers on tap. Fosters (£2.35) and Carling (£2.40) are well priced, while Kronenbourg and Stella Artois (both £2.70) give an option for the more slightly more discerning drinker. Bitter lovers are somewhat less well catered for, with only Marston’s (£2) permanently on sale. It is a decent pint however, and on occasions when a guest ale is available, it is usually worth a taste. The Timber Dock’s safe but unspectacular attitude to drink is summed up by the wine. There is little variety, but the house wine (£2.50 a glass) is appetising enough and fairly priced.

The Food
If the drink is reasonably priced and offers less variety than might be hoped for in a perfect world, the food makes up for it. The Timber Dock makes no effort to compete at the top end of the restaurant market, but it does serve a nice selection of good quality food at very competitive prices.

Main meals start at just £2.75, and that’s for a decent portion. The menu has all the old pub staples: pies, burgers, seafood and sandwiches, and the service and presentation are excellent. The popularity of the pub as an eating destination is testament to the calibre of the meals. A particularly popular option is Curry Night, where a good choice of curries is augmented by nan bread, poppadam and a drink, all of which is included in a price of £4.95.

The Last Word
The Timber Dock makes a success of a catering for a wide range of people in a simple and effective way. Whether taking the family for a meal, looking to find a companionable place to watch rugby and football, or just meeting friends for a drink, the Timber Dock can meet your needs.

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