Sienna Bentley
Next up on the festival circuit, we’re heading to Victorious for an insane weekend of great music with a seaside backdrop.
This one is special, because it’s coming home. I mean, bite mag is coming home. Whatever.
Before bite mag dug its roots in London, we grew up in Portsmouth. I attended the first-ever Victorious Festival as a young teenager and for several years it became the must-attend event in my summer holiday calendar. Then when I was old enough to drink (legally) and serve alcohol, I worked the main stage bar, listening to Lewis Capaldi’s set and serving my old school teachers (bizarre).
I said farewell to Portsmouth for good soon after that, and have only been back once. I’m feeling excitement and anticipation in equal parts. Portsmouth had such a deeply formative impact on me that leaving felt strange, but coming back feels even stranger. I spent so many years being shaped by a place that I may not even recognise anymore. And I’m not remotely the same person I was when I left, so what if my home doesn’t recognise me?
Victorious had a hand in that impact, too – my love for music truly blossomed when I was a young teenager, as did my interest in festival culture after going to one for the very first time. It’s a real full-circle moment to come back to my first ever festival, only this time as press.
Anyway, getting a bit deep for a Monday morning. My point is, I know the city well. If it’s your first time venturing down south to the naval city, I’ve got you covered. It’s been a few years, sure, but one never forgets their favourite local haunts. I’m taking a trip down memory lane and I’m doing it for you (mostly).
You are free to come and go from the festival as you wish – until 8pm when there’s a strict no re-entry policy. I would recommend trying the many stalls that will be set up on Southsea Common, but you’d be missing out on all that Pompey has to offer if you don’t venture out a little.
Food
Pie & Vinyl
Exactly what it says on the tin. A fab record shop with everything you could ever want. Oh, and pie.
Location: Castle Road
Sakura
Straight-up the best Japanese food I’ve ever had. I miss it so much.
Location: Albert Road (King’s Theatre end)
Mick’s Monster Burgers
If you know you know. Requires a car as it’s not on Portsea Island, but it’s worth it. Trust me. A cliff-top burger van with the best panoramic views of Portsmouth and the BEST chips in the entire world, I’m not even being dramatic, I still dream about them to this day.
Location: Portsdown Hill, Cosham
Drinks
Portsmouth is the UK’s booze capital with roughly 12 pubs per square mile (double the density of London), so it would be totally remiss of me not to list a few of my favourites.
Albert Road is probably where you’ll want to be, famous for its many, many independent pubs stretching down the mile-long street.
Some of the good-uns include:
- The Merchant House
- The Vaults
- Bold Forester
- Gin & Olive (more refined)
- The One Eyed Dog (…less refined)
Spice Island Inn and Still & West
Right on the water with views of Gunwharf Quays. Ferries going in and out to France are so close you can almost touch them. My absolute favourite place in Portsmouth.
Location: Spice Island, Broad St
I was going to say the pub in Eastney where I played my first gig, but I’ve just been informed that it’s a house now. I guess they heard me sing and decided no one else deserved to suffer.
Fun
Clarence Pier – a theme park on the water
Accessible from the festival itself (I think?), Clarence Pier has rollercoasters (one looks like it’s made of scaffolding but is 100% safe, I swear), a tree-top obstacle course, crazy golf (I went on my first-ever date there) and rides that I can’t hack anymore.
Location: Pier Road
Shopping
Brocante of Southsea – quirky antiques from France
Location: Castle Road
Dress Code – awesome vintage clothes, gifts and vinyl
Location: Albert Road (King’s Theatre end)
Bored of Southsea – merch; need I say more?
Location: Albert Road (King’s Theatre end)
