|
These pages feature details and photographs of all pubs currently known to be trading throughout the Portsea Island districts of Portsmouth. Further entries are listed on the Mainland Pubs page.
Some pubs may also be listed with additional information on one or more of the following pages:
Pub Architecture, Pub Crawls, Pub Reviews, Best Ale Houses
CLICK ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS TO SEE THE FULL SIZE IMAGES
|
| A |
| |
  Formerly known as the American Bar and, more recently, simply the American, this building replaced an earlier pub on the same site named the Shipwright's Arms, which also spent some time during the 19th century trading as the Forfarshore Tavern. The premises was bombed during the war (see bottom far right-hand photograph) and underwent a substantial refurbishment in 1999 when it was renamed the A Bar, with an emphasis on its quality restaurant.
A further refurbishment in the spring of 2008 saw the pub reopen as A Bar Bistro, with a contemporary exterior design. Whilst continuing to major on food sales (with the emphasis on sea food owing to its location opposite Viviers fish market) the premises still welcomes drinkers and stocks a good selection of beers, wines and spirits.
The bar is a stone's throw from the Isle of Wight car ferry terminal on Gunwharf Road.
| Pub Operator: American Bar Ltd (Enterprise Inns) |
Top left photo kindly supplied by Ray Scarfe
Top right photo 30th July 2008 (by Rob Hall)
Bottom photos, left-to-right
30th September 2006;
26th February 2005
11th May 1989; unknown |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat 10:00 'til 00:30; Sun 12:00 'til 23:59 |
|
|
| |
| The Admiral Drake |
Silverlock Close, Mile End, PO2 8DH |
| 023 9265 1599 |
Dating from 1936, the Admiral Drake was one of many dozens of pubs built by prolific Portsmouth architect A E Cogswell and replaced an earlier pub on the same site. Once at the northern extremity of Commercial Road, significant redevelopment of the area now means that it stands isolated - dwarfed by the Rudmore flyover. However, the pub is now a thriving community local, with a selection of well-kept real ales and an outdoor drinking area. Live music is hosted on Friday and Saturday evenings.
| Pub Operator: Enterprise Inns |
Photographs, left to right:
March 1999(by Ray Scarfe);
6th August 2005
18th February 1990;
August 2003 (by Ray Scarfe)
December 1992 (by Ray Scarfe) |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon Tue Wed Thu Sun 10:00 'til 00:30
Fri Sat 10:00 'til 01:30.
Bank Holiday Sundays: 10:00 'til 01:30 |
|
|
| |
| The Alexandra |
Wingfield Street, Buckland, PO1 4PF |
| 023 9282 3876 |
   Starting life as the Queen Alexandra, this pub was built in 1976 to service the inhabitants of the sprawling Buckland estate. Originally part of the Ind Coope estate, in the 1980s the house became one of only six pubs on Portsea Island owned by Bass Breweries.
Nowadays the pub is part of the nationwide Punch Taverns group.
The
single bar hosts occasional live music and both pool and darts is played. The clientele is drawn almost entirely from those living in the surrounding streets.
| Pub Operator: Punch Taverns |
 |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat 10:00 'til 23:30; Sun 12:00 'til 23:00 |
Photographs, clockwise from top left:
13th July 2008,
30th September 2006
April 1998 (kindly supplied by Ray Scarfe); 30th February 1990 |
|
|
| |
| The Alma Arms |
193 Highland Road, Eastney, PO4 9EZ |
| 023 9282 6200 |
  This small community local has stood on this site since at least the middle of the 19th century and has retained the same name throughout its life. Owned by Hurst & Co toward the end of the 1800s, the Alma is one of a number of pubs that can still be found on Highland Road. Often looking rather neglected, the pub was once in the hands of the notoriously awful Watneys brewery (thankfully the only house on Portsea Island that was). The pub is now owned by a small private company who are gradually investing money in the property.
  The function room has recently been refitted as a live music venue complete with its own sound system and features blues and roots music on a regular basis. The single, main bar area however is still in need of further investment to make it more appealing, as at present (March '07) it has a rather spartan feel to it. Rather puzzlingly, the exterior continues to be neglected.
Following a period of closure throughout the latter part of 2009, the Alma reopened on 4th December, under new management.
| Pub Operator: Enterprise Inns |
Top left-hand photograph March 1999 (by Ray Scarfe)
Top right-hand photograph
11th May 1989
Bottom left-hand photograph
4th February 2007
Bottom right-hand photograph 19th September 2004 |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu 10:00 'til 00:30;
Fri-Sun 10:00 'til 01:30 |
Visit the Pub Crawls page to read a
detailed description of this pub (March 2007) |
|
|
| |
| The Apsley House |
Auckland Road West, Southsea, PO5 3NY |
| 023 9282 1294 |
  Converted from a private residence, the Apsley House is tucked away in a side street, facing Southsea Common. The pub is a thriving and welcoming establishment, serving quality real ales and providing something for everyone. The small patio at the front of the pub is always busy during the summer months.
 |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu 10:00 'til 23:30
Fri-Sat 10:00 'til 01:30
Sun 12:00 'til 00:00
Bank Holiday extensions |
Pub Operator:
Punch Taverns |
 |
Photographs, left to right:
18th March 2008; 6th February 2005; 18th February 1990
April 1999 (by Ray Scarfe) |
|
|
| |
| The Artillery Arms |
Hestor Road, Milton, PO4 8HB |
| 023 9273 3610 |
 The Artillery Arms is one of Portsmouth's least-known pubs, due to its location, tucked away in a Milton cul-de-sac and once on the tow path of the abandoned Arundel Canal. Originally a Longs pub, it later became part of the Friary Meux chain of pubs until being sold to local brewer Gales in 1990. It has since become a genuine free house, specializing in quality real ales.
New, enthusiastic licensees took up the reins at the Artillery in the spring of 2009, continuing to offer a good range of changing cask ales.
In addition, the pub is home to two darts teams, cribbage and dominoes leagues, as well as hosting a weekly sunday evening quiz.
The public bar boasts Sky sports and pool table, with wi-fi facilities also available. The large beer garden offers a covered area for those wishing to enjoy a cigarette with their drink. The pub has featured in many recent editions of CAMRA's Good Beer Guide.
| Pub Operator: Free House (G Hooton) |
Photographs, left to right:
14th May 2009; 13th July 2008; 3rd January 2005;
July 1990 |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu 07:00 'til 00:30; Fri-Sun 07:00 'til 01:30
Bank Holiday and Occasional Day extensions |
|
|
| |
| Ashby's |
4 Auckland Road West, Southsea PO5 3NY
(entrance on Ashby Place) |
| 023 9282 3497 |
www.relaxinnz.co.uk |
 With a welcome return to its previous name, the former Owtback Bar has been completely transformed in a £500,00 refurbishment by respected pub company The Chapman Group into what it calls a gastropub and boutique hotel. The premises sports a comfortable and smartly decorated lounge bar and a larger restaurant area. Plasma screens can be viewed on either side of the bar room and low-level music is piped through unobtrusive speakers. The pub serves a reasonable selection of wines, lagers and spirits, plus two real ales. An hotel consisting of seven rooms can be found on the south side of the building. A welcome addition to the Portsmouth pub scene.
| Pub Operator: RelaxInnz (The Chapman Group) |
Photographed 10th August 2008 |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu & Sun 10:00 'til 00:30
Fri-Sat 10:00 'til 01:30;
Bank Holiday extensions |
see the Pub Reviews page for detailed information |
|
|
| |
| The Auckland Arms |
Netley Road, Southsea, PO5 3NB |
| 023 9275 2488 |
   Sporting one of Portsmouth's most striking pub frontages, the Auckland Arms is a small, comfortable, one bar local, midway between Southsea Common and the shopping centre. Built for the local Long's Brewery in the 1880s, the pub provides a welcome retreat and is a good place to go for a quiet pint. This is the only surviving pub of its kind in this part of Southsea.
The house is well worth seeking out for the warm welcome and the good ale on offer. Highly recommended.
| Pub Operator: Punch Taverns |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon-Wed 10:00 'til 23:30;
Thu-Sat 10:00 'til 01:30
Sun 12:00 'til 23:00;
Bank Holiday extensions |
Photographs, clockwise from top left:
18th March 2008;6th August 2005;18th Febraury 1990
matchbox label kindly supplied by Ray Scarfe |
|
|
| |
| The Avenue Hotel |
314 Twyford Avenue, Stamshaw, PO2 8NT |
| 023 9266 0554 |
   A late-Victorian hotel, designed by A E Cogswell for the Pike Spicer brewery, the Avenue still offers bed and breakfast accommodation and a function room, and is convenient for the Mountbatten sports centre (opposite) and the continental ferry port, less than a mile away.
The pub has a mainly working class clientele, with pub games offered as well as the showing of major sporting events on large screen television.
| Pub Operator: Southern Counties Taverns |
Photographs, left to right:
June 1999 (by Ray Scarfe)
30th Sept 2006; 14th August 1988 |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat 10:00 'til 00:30
Sun 12:00 'til 23:59; Bank Holiday extensions |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| Please note that the Licenced Opening Hours stated are the hours for which each premises has a licence to open its doors to the public. The hours for sale of alcoholic liquor may well be shorter than the Licenced opening hours. Some pubs may choose to open for shorter hours than their licence allows. Therefore it is always adviseable to check ahead to ensure that the premises shall be open at the time of your planned visit. |
|
|
