Portsmouth's Best Ale Houses

Among Portsmouth's vast array of pubs there are a number that any serious beer drinker should seek out. This page features some of the city's best real ale houses, which vary from quiet back street locals to busy town centre pubs. The real ale fan is sure to find something of interest in any one of the following.

The Webmaster can personally recommend each of these pubs.

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THE SIR LOIN OF BEEF 152 Highland Road, Eastney
Tel: 023 9282 0115	no website
This former Eldridge Pope pub is now a thriving, friendly, genuine free house, with a wide variety of real ales on offer, mostly from independent breweries across the south of England. There is a large u-shaped drinking area around the bar counter, divided into two distinct areas. A variety of quality bottled ales are also available. The licensee holds a monthly beer festival which sees a good range of beers from a featured brewery, all available at discounted prices. Occasional live music is performed and quiz nights are held. Well worth seeking out.
Click here for map	Featured Breweries:	Hop Back, Downton, Ringwood
	CAMRA Good Beer Guide '09:	Not Included
	Opening Times:	Mon-Thu 11.00am-11.30pm; Fri-Sat 11.00am-12.30am Sun 12.00pm-11.00pm
	Bus Stop:	Eastney Health Centre
	Bus Routes:	1C 6 17 18 27B 57

THE WINCHESTER ARMS 99 Winchester Road, Buckland
Tel: 023 9266 2443	no website
Until the late 1990s the Winchester Arms was a rundown, keg-only local with little custom. It was then sold to a member of the local Hartridge family (producers of soft drinks) and was transformed into one of Portsmouth's best real ale houses, complete with microbrewery at the rear. The latter has since ceased operating, but the pub continues to serve a large selection of quality ales, mainly from the Oakleaf Brewery in Gosport. Well worth of visit indeed.
Click here for map	Featured Breweries:	Oakleaf
	CAMRA Good Beer Guide '09:	Included
	Opening Times:	Mon 4.00pm-11.00pm; Tue-Sun 12.00pm-11.00pm
	Bus Stop:	Queens Road (Kingston Road)
	Bus Routes:	1 3 23 38 40 41 57

THE HOLE IN THE WALL 36 Great Southsea Street, Southsea
Tel: 023 9229 8085	www.theholeinthewallpub.co.uk
This small, friendly former wine bar is arguably the best public house in Portsmouth. Consisting of a small split level, L-shaped bar room, with an even smaller snug to the rear, there is much exposed wood in evidence. Six real ales are on offer, with at least one from the local Oakleaf Brewery always available. The remainder are sourced from independent brewers the length and bredth of the country and often include seasonal or limited edition offerings. Real cider is always available as is a selection of Belgian bottled ales. Additionally, the pub is a rare outlet for Grandma's Weapons Grade Ginger Beer from Cornwall's Wheal Maiden Brewery. Service is always welcoming and weekly quiz nights are held on Thursdays. Good quality food is served. If you are visiting Portsmouth & Southsea and would like a quite location in which to enjoy superb ale in a convivial atmosphere, look no further that the Hole In The Wall.
Click here for map	Featured Breweries:	Oakleaf
	CAMRA Good Beer Guide '09:	Included
	Opening Times:	Mon-Thu 12.00pm-2.00pm & 4.00pm-11.00pm Fri-Sat 4.00pm-12.00am Sun 12.00pm-2.00pm & 4.00pm-11.00pm
	Bus Stop:	Kings Road
	Bus Routes:	1C 4 15 23 40
	Railway Station:	Portsmouth & Southsea / Portsmouth Harbour

THE LEOPOLD TAVERN 154 Albert Road, Southsea
Tel: 023 9282 9748	no website
Thoroughly refurbished in mid 2007, the Leopold Tavern has now joined the ranks of Portsmouth's best ale houses. Offering six, high quality cask beers, mostly sourced from local independents and micros, the pub is now very popular, especially at weekends. The single bar room is divided into three separate areas and seating consists of a mixture of high stools, sofas and traditional tables and chairs. Sporting events are often shown on television and darts is played. For those feeling peckish, a selection of filled rolls is available at £1.30 each. This welcoming pub is well worth checking out.
Click here for map	Featured Breweries:	Bowman, Oakleaf, Irving, Hop Back
	CAMRA Good Beer Guide '09:	Included
	Opening Times:	Mon-Thu 10.00am -11.00pm; Fri-Sat 10.00am -12.00am Sun 12.00pm -11.00pm
	Bus Stops:	Albert Road
	Bus Routes:	16 17 18

THE FIFTH HANTS VOLUNTEER ARMS 74 Albert Road, Southsea
Tel: 023 9282 7161	www.gales.co.uk
This long-standing Good Beer Guide entry and birthplace of Portsmouth CAMRA in 1973 has changed little in the last 20 years. The two roomed pub consists of a comfortable rear lounge bar and a larger, basically-furnished public bar. Now in the hands of Fuller Smith & Turner following their acquisition of George Gale & Co in 2006, the pub stocks the regular Gales range, plus one beer from the Fullers stable - and always in good condition. The public bar also features an excellent jukebox, with plenty of classic rock albums to keep the discerning music lover happy.
Click here for map	Featured Breweries:	Fullers, Gales
	CAMRA Good Beer Guide '09:	Included
	Opening Times:	Mon-Thu 12.00pm - 12.00am Fri & Sat 12.00pm - 1.00am; Sun 12.00pm - 12.00am
	Bus Stop:	Albert Road
	Bus Routes:	13 14 17 18

THE FLORENCE ARMS 18-20 Florence Road, Southsea
Tel: 023 9287 5700	www.theflorencearms.com
A street corner pub situated a stone's throw from the sea front, the Florence Arms features a public bar, a lounge and a larger function room/restaurant. The summer of 2007 saw the pub return to its roots as a cider house and now offers an impressive choice of fifty ciders in the public bar - six of these on draught dispense. Four well-kept real ales are also a popular draw - one of these is rotated monthly as a guest beer, ensuring that there is always something of interest at the pumps. The pub is popular with locals, real ale fans and seasonal holiday makers. Weekday evening meals are available. Highly recommended.
Click here for map	Featured Breweries:	Adnams, Youngs, Ringwood
	CAMRA Good Beer Guide '09:	Included
	Opening Times:	Mon-Sun 12.00pm -11.00pm (often extended)
	Bus Stops:	South Parade; The Triangle
	Bus Routes:	1 3 4 5 6 7 23 24 40

THE BARLEY MOW 39 Castle Road, Southsea
Tel: 023 9282 3492	no website
Designed in the mid 1920s by A E Cogswell, this two-bar street corner local is currently experiencing a resurgence in popularity thanks to current licensee Judith Burr. March 2008 saw the pub win a prestigious national award for the quality of its cask ales, of which there are six on offer, with examples from large independent breweries as well as an ever-changing choice from micros. The Barley Mow offers a traditional public bar and a homely, wood paneled lounge bar as well as an attractive beer garden. A popular weekly pub quiz is held on Monday evenings and inpromptu folk music sessions are sometimes held.
Click here for map	Featured Breweries:	Fullers, Greene King
	CAMRA Good Beer Guide '09:	Included
	Opening Times:	Mon-Fri 12.00pm -12.00am; Sat 11.00am - 12.00am Sun 12.00pm - 11.00pm
	Bus Stops:	Kings Road
	Bus Routes:	1C 4 15 23 40
	Railway Station:	Portsmouth & Southsea / Portsmouth Harbour

Good Beer Guide 2009
Below is a comprehensive list of all pubs within the City of Portsmouth boundary that appear in the CAMRA 2009 Good Beer Guide.
Artillery Arms	Hester Road, Milton
Two-bar, back-street local and regular GBG entry. Four ales from independent brewers.
The Barley Mow	Castle Road, Southsea
Pleasant two-bar cornerhouse with comfortable wood-panelled lounge. Good selection of real ales. Popular Monday pub quiz.
The Eastfield Hotel	Prince Albert Road, Eastney
Strikingly ornate cornerhouse, with two distinctly separate bars. Constantly-changing guest beers.
The Fifth Hants Volunteer Arms	Albert Road, Southsea
A Portsmouth institution. See main entry above.
The Florence Arms	Florence Road, Southsea
Very popular real ale and cider house near sea front. See main entry above.
The Golden Eagle	Delamere Road, Southsea
Fullers two bar cornerhouse in residential area. England rugby internationals always shown.
The Hole In The Wall	Gt Southsea Street, Southsea
Marvellous little ale house serving excellent choice of beers. The Webmaster's favourite Portsmouth pub. See main entry above.
The Leopold Tavern	Albert Road, Southsea
Recently refurbished ale house, now stocking six changing ales, plus real cider.
The Pembroke	Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth
Traditional one-bar corner pub in historic location. Draught Bass, London Pride and Abbot Ale usually served.
The Phoenix	Duncan Road, Southsea
Traditional two-bar community pub with guest beers from local independent and microbreweries.
The Taswell Arms	Taswell Road, Southsea
Pleasant and comfortable back street pub in residential area. Wireless internet access.
The Winchester Arms	Winchester Road, Buckland
Excellent, welcoming cornerhouse and former home of the Buckland Brewery. Oakleaf beers always available.

Also Worth A Look
The following pubs also serve an interesting range of quality real ales from small independent breweries
The Admiral Drake	Silverlock Close, Mile End
Traditional local in shadow of Rudmore flyover. Pavement tables. Five ales.
The Churchillian	Widley Walk, Portsdown Hill
Popular food pub with good ales and spectacular views across the city and Solent.
The Dolphin	High Street, Old Portsmouth
This historic inn underwent refurbishment in 2007 and now serves eight quality ales from small breweries, as well as offering French cuisine.
The Eldon Arms	Eldon Street, Southsea
Rambling, comfortable pub with wide selection of ales. Bar billiards table. Good food. Pub quizes. Can be expensive.
The Isambard Kingdom Brunel	Guildhall Walk, Landport
Popular Wetherspoon house situated adjacent to the Guildhall. Good selection of ales, often from local breweries. Food served all day. Disabled access.
The Northcote Hotel	Francis Avenue, Southsea
Spacious and comfortable two-bar corner house with small range of cask ales from independent brewers. Outside patio area.
The Sallyport Inn	High Street, Old Portsmouth
Historic inn and hotel, with comfortable atmosphere. Range of ales from independents.
The Tap	London Road, North End
Small, popular ale house, owned by national pubco Punch Taverns, offering nine real ales. Regular live music. Convenient for the shopping centre.
The Wine Vaults	Albert Road, Southsea
Well-established former free house, now owned by Fullers. Still features a selection of guest beers. Food served all day. Handy for the King's Theatre.

Cask Marque Pubs
The following pubs in Portsmouth have been awarded Cask Marque acreditation, denoting that they serve consistantly high quality real ales and are subject to anonymous spot checks by officials from the Cask Marque Trust (list correct as at September 2008).
The Artillery Arms	Hestor Road, Milton
Free House GOOD BEER GUIDE '08
The Baffins Inn	Tangier Road, Baffins
Greene King
The Barley Mow	Castle Road, Southsea
Free House GOOD BEER GUIDE '09
The Bridge Tavern	East Street, Old Portsmouth
Fuller Smith & Turner
The Farmhouse	Burrfields Road, Burrfields
Greene King
The Fifth Hants Volunteer Arms	Albert Road, Southsea
Fuller Smith & Turner GOOD BEER GUIDE '09
The First Post	High Street, Cosham
J D Wetherspoon
The Golden Hind	Copnor Road, Copnor
Greene King
The Good Companion	Eastern Road, Milton
Greene King
The Green Posts	London Road, Hilsea
Greene King
The Isambard Kingdom Brunel	Guildhall Walk, Landport
J D Wetherspoon
The John Jacques	Fratton Road, Fratton
J D Wetherspoon
The Leopold Tavern	Albert Road, Southsea
Enterprise Inns GOOD BEER GUIDE '09
Lloyds No.1 Bar	The Boardwalk, Port Solent
J D Wetherspoon
The Manor House	Court Lane, East Cosham
Greene King
The Mermaid	The Boardwalk, Port Solent
Mitchells & Butlers
The Old House At Home	Locksway Road, Milton
Enterprise Inns
Owens	Palmerston Road, Southsea
Orchid Pubs
The Portsbridge	Portsmouth Road, Cosham
Greene King
The Red Lion	London Road, Cosham
Orchid Pubs
The Ship Anson	The Hard, Portsea
Greene King
The Slug & Lettuce	Palmerston Road, Southsea
Laurel Pub Co
The Sir John Baker	London Road, North End
J D Wetherspoon
The Sovereigns	Kingston Crescent, North End
Orchid Pubs
The Star & Garter	Copnor Road, Copnor
Greene King
The Still & West Country House	Bath Square, Old Portsmouth
Fuller Smith & Turner
The Sunshine Inn	Havant Road, Farlington
Peregrine Pub Company
The Taswell Arms	Taswell Road, Southsea
Free House GOOD BEER GUIDE '09
The Trafalgar	Edinburgh Road, Landport
J D Wetherspoon
The White Horse	Southsea Terrace, Southsea
Merlin Inns