These pages feature details and photographs of all Portsmouth's public houses that are currently open for business.
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 A PHOTOGRAPH TO SEE THE FULL SIZE IMAGE
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| A |
| A Bar Bistro |
58 White Hart Road, Old Portsmouth, PO1 2JA |
| 023 9281 1585 |
www.theabar.co.uk |
Formerly known as the American Bar and prior to that simply the American, this pub was originally a traditional local cornerhouse until being reinvented as a bar/restaurant in the 1990s. A further refurbishment in the spring of 2008 saw the pub reopen as A Bar Bistro, with a contemporary exterior design. Whilst majoring on food (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. |
| Photographed 30th July 2008 (courtesy Rob Hall) |
see also The American |
| Pub Operator: American Bar Ltd |
| Licenced Opening Hours:Mon-Sat 10:00 'til 00:30; Sun 12:00 'til 23:59 |
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| The Admiral Drake |
Silverlock Close, Mile End, PO2 8DH |
| 023 9265 1599 |
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   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. |
Near left-hand photograph 13th July 2008
Far left-hand photograph 6th August 2005 |
Right-hand photograph 18th February 1990 |
| Pub Operator: unknown |
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 |
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| The Alexandra |
Wingfield Street, Buckland, PO1 4PF |
| 023 9282 3876 |
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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. |
Near left-hand photograph 13th July 2008
Far left-hand photograph 30th September 2006 |
Right-hand photograph 30th February 1990 |
| Pub Operator: Punch Taverns |
| Licenced Opening Hours:Mon-Sat 10:00 'til 23:30; Sun 12:00 'til 23:00 |
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| The Alma Arms |
193 Highland Road, Eastney, PO4 9EZ |
| 023 9282 6200 |
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  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. |
Top left-hand photograph 13th July 2008
Bottom left-hand photograph
4th February 2007 |
Top right-hand photograph
11th May 1989
Bottom right-hand photograph 19th September 2004 |
| Pub Operator: Tampa Properties Ltd |
| 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) |
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| The American |
58 White Hart Road, Old Portsmouth, PO1 2JA |
| 023 9281 1585 |
www.theabar.co.uk |
  
The American replaces 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 near right-hand photograph) and underwent a substantial refurbishment in 1999. It now trades as the American Bar, with the emphasis on its quality restaurant, though drinkers are also welcome. The pub is located close to the Isle of Wight car ferry terminal. |
| Left-hand photograph 26th February 2005 |
Near right-hand photograph 11th May 1989 |
| Licenced Opening Hours: see A Bar Bistro |
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| The Apsley House |
Auckland Road West, Southsea, PO5 3NY |
| 023 9282 1294 |
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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. |
| Left-hand photograph 18th March 2008 |
Near right-hand photograph 6th February 2005
Far right-hand photograph 18th February 1990 |
| Pub Operator: Punch Taverns |
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 |
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| The Artillery Arms |
Hestor Road, Milton, PO4 8HB |
| 023 9273 3610 |
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   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.
The pub often features in CAMRA's Good Beer Guide. A true welcoming local. |
| Left-hand photograph 13th July 2008 |
Near right-hand photograph 3rd January 2005
Far right-hand photograph July 1990 |
| Pub Operator: Free House |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu 07:00 'til 00:30; Fri-Sun 07:00 'til 01:30;
Bank Holiday and Occasional Day extensions |
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| 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. |
| Photographed 10th August 2008 |
see the Pub Reviews page for detailed information |
| Pub Operator: RelaxInnz (The Chapman Group) |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu & Sun 10:00 'til 00:30; Fri-Sat 10:00 'til 01:30;
Bank Holiday extensions |
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| The Auckland Arms |
Netley Road, Southsea, PO5 3NB |
| 023 9275 2488 |
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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. |
Near left-hand photograph 18th March 2008
Far left-hand photograph 6th August 2005 |
Far right-hand photograph 18th Febraury 1990 |
| 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 |
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| The Avenue Hotel |
314 Twyford Avenue, Stamshaw, PO2 8NT |
| 023 9266 0554 |
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   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. |
| Left-hand photograph 13th July 2008 |
Near right-hand photograph 30th Sept 2006
Far right-hand photograph 14th August 1988 |
| Pub Operator: Southern Counties Taverns |
| Licenced Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00 'til 00:30;
Sun 12:00 'til 23:59; Bank Holiday extensions |
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| B |
| The Baffins |
127 Tangier Road, Baffins PO3 6DP |
| 023 9266 0830 |
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   This large community local was built in 1937 for Portsea's Brickwoods brewery (see bottom right-hand black and white photograph), and faces the picturesque Baffins Pond. Latterly in the hands of Whitbread and now owned by the infamously aggressive Suffolk brewer Greene King, the pub offers a bar menu all day and has pool tables sited in one area of the large bar.
 Sadly, the quality of the real ale on offer (as at February 2007) was found to be only average. Outside seating is provided on the forecourt.
As can be seen in the top right-hand photograph, this is one of a small number of pubs across Portsmouth where Greene King has seen fit to replace the traditional inn sign with a standard image of the GK logo, with the house name stated below.
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Near left-hand photograph 13th July 2008
Far left-hand photograph 4th February 2007 |
Top right-hand photograph 28th April 1991 |
| Pub Operator: Greene King |
| Licenced Opening Hours: Mon Tue Wed Thu Sun 11:00 'til 23:40; Fri Sat 11:00 'til 00:40 |
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| Bar Me |
Guildhall Walk, Landport, PO1 2RY |
| 023 9273 6500 |
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 Ridiculously-named late-night bar venue housed in the former Hogshead ale house, which sadly, and rather puzzlingly, only lasted around three years or so before being converted, by the same owners, into what we have now. Frequented mainly by the 18-21 set, the pub tends to open evenings only.
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| Photographed 15th July 2007 |
Pub Operator: Laurel Pub Co |
| Licenced Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00 'til 02:45; Sun 12:00 'til 00:45; Bank Holiday extensions |
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| Bar Risa |
City Quay, Gunwharf Quays, Portsea, PO1 3TW |
| 023 9229 8563 |
www.jongleurs.com |
 Modern, trendy bar within the Gunwharf Quays development. Popular with younger clientele and very busy at weekends. Part of Regent Inns' chain of Jongleurs comedy clubs. Expect overpriced draught lagers, cocktails and spirits.
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| Photographed 3rd January 2005 |
Pub Operator: Regent Inns |
| Licenced Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 11:00 'til 02:30; Sun 12:00 'til 01:00 |
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| Bar 38 |
City Quay, Gunwharf Quays, Portsea, PO1 3TW |
| 023 9285 1070 |
www.bar38.co.uk |
 Typically modern Gunwharf Quays bar, with comfortable seating and low tables. Food is available throughout the day. The drinks range offered is rather limited, as can be expected at these overpriced venues, with no traditional ales available. Owned by London's Grosvenor Inns.
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| Photographed 3rd January 2005 |
Pub Operator: TCG Acquisitions Ltd / Grosvenor Inns |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon-Wed 10:00 'til 00:30; Thu 10:00 'til 01:00; Fri Sat 10:00 'til 02:30; Sun 10:00 'til 23:30 |
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| The Barley Mow |
39 Castle Road, Southsea, PO5 3DE |
| 023 9282 3492 |
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   A mid 1920s pub designed by A E Cogswell, though to a design not generally associated with the architect (Cogswell's builds generally having a more elaborate exterior than that of the Barley Mow). It was built to replace an earlier tavern of the same name. The pub retains two traditional bars and has an attractive beer garden.
A good selection of real ales is on offer. The monday quiz night is a popular attraction. |
| Far left-hand photograph 30th September 2006 |
Right-hand photograph 11th May 1989 |
| Pub Operator: J A Burr |
see also Best Ale Houses |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon Tue Wed Thu Sun 08:00 'til 00:30;
Fri Sat 08:00 'til 01:30 (one hour later in Summer Time) |
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| The Battle of Minden |
127 St Mary's Road, Kingston, PO1 5PQ |
| 023 9261 0660 |
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   Constructed in 1946 to replace the original Battle of Minden, which was bombed out during the war, this pub is very much a locals' local. The Webmaster has little knowledge of what is on offer, having not visited since the late 1980s. This remains the only one of five pubs that once traded on St Mary's Road (see the Closed Pubs pages for details of the others).
The pub is reputedly unique in being the only one in Britain to have this name. |
Near left-hand photograph 13th July 2008
Far left-hand photograph 14th August 2005 |
Far right-hand photograph July 1990 |
| Pub Operator: unknown |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon Tue Wed Thu Sun 10:00 'til 00:30;
Fri Sat 10:00 'til 01:30; Bank Holiday extensions |
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| The Beresford |
70 Twyford Avenue, Stamshaw, PO2 8DS |
| 023 9278 1378 |
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   Starting life as the Dairyman's Arms in the 19th century, this small late-Victorian pub appears to have defied the odds by continuing to trade whilst others in the area have closed their doors. Once part of the Portsmouth United Breweries estate (and still sporting that company's tiling), the Beresford regularly hosts local DJs and karaoke nights to get the punters in.
This pub is very typical of those to be found in Stamshaw, having altered little in decades.
NOTE: The Beresford is currently (October 2008) closed and boarded - a new licencee is being sought by Punch Taverns. |
Near left-hand photograph 13th July 2008
Far left-hand photograph 30th September 2006 |
Right-hand photograph 14th February 1988 |
| Pub Operator: Punch Taverns |
| Licenced Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 11:00 'til 00:30;
Sun 12:00 'til 00:00; Bank Holiday extensions |
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| Blonde |
12/14 Albert Road, Southsea, PO5 2SH |
 Originally the Lord John Russell, this establishment was then refurbished and given the ludicrous name of the Liquid Lounge before being rechristened as the equally nonsensical Easy Tiger and finally, Blonde. Under these names the bar catered for the younger crowd, offering overpriced lagers and bottled cocktails - a far cry from its original guise as a proper community pub. The establishment has since been renamed again, this time to the preferred Little Johnnie Russell's, reflecting it's original name.
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| Photographed 19th September 2004 |
see also Lord John Russell and Little Johnny Russell's |
| Licenced Opening Hours: see Little Johnnie Russell's |
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| The Blue Anchor |
2 London Road, North End, PO2 0LH |
| 023 9266 3047 |
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   The Blue Anchor was rebuilt in the 1940s as a temporary, single-storey construction to replace the original hotel (see far right-hand photograph) that was bombed during World War II. The premises still remains in the 21st century and consists of one large room, divided into two main areas, with pool being the featured pub game.
A long bar counter runs along the left-hand wall as you enter from the street. Owned by the Friary Meux chain for many years, it is now in the hands of the Spirit Group. |
| Left-hand photograph 15th July 2007 |
Near right-hand photograph 14th August 1988 |
| Pub Operator: Spirit Group |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon Tue Wed Sun 09:00 'til 01:00; Thu Fri Sat 09:00 'til 02:00; Bank Holiday extensions |
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| The Bold Forester |
177 Albert Road, Southsea, PO4 0JW |
| 023 9283 8743 |
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  This large corner house dates from the 1870s and was part of the Longs brewery estate for many years. A popular pub with students, the house was for a time part of Whitbread's Hogshead Ale House chain before transferring to the Laurel Pub Company. It has since been bought by Suffolk brewers Greene King. The pub sports a single L-shaped bar room which is divided into distinct areas. Food is served throughout the day. |
| Left-hand photograph 14th August 2005 |
Right-hand photograph 11th May 1989 |
| Pub Operator: Greene King |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon Tue Wed Thu Sun 11:00 'til 23:40;
Fri Sat 11:00 'til 00:40; Bank Holiday extensions |
| visit the Pub Crawls page for a detailed description of this pub (March 2007) |
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| The Brewers Arms |
170 Milton Road, Milton, PO4 8PN |
| 023 9282 4291 |
www.gales.co.uk |
   One of three pubs stood near the junction of Milton Road and Priory Crescent, and by far the best. This former Gales pub (now owned by London brewers Fuller Smith & Turner) replaced an earlier pub of the same name which occupied the same site (see bottom left-hand photograph).
The interior is divided into two main areas and an enclosed verandah can be found at the front of house.
 Pool and darts are both played, and a jukebox is sited near the pool table.
The Brewers Arms is a recommended pub for both home and away football supporters travelling to Fratton Park football ground which is located a short distance away. The pub has traditionally been a good source of well-kept real ale. |
Near top left-hand photograph 13th July 2008
Far top left-hand photograph 13th July 2008 |
Bottom left-hand photograph 15th July 2007
Top right-hand photograph 28th April 1991 |
| Pub Operator: Fuller Smith & Turner |
| Licenced Opening Hours: Mon Tue Wed Thu 07:00 'til 01:00; Fri Sat Sun 07:00 'til 02:00 |
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| The Bridge Tavern |
54 East Street, Old Portsmouth, PO1 2JJ |
| 023 9275 2992 |
www.gales.co.uk |
  This inviting quayside tavern, surrounded by the Camber Dock is a very popular, yet not-easy-to-find pub. Bought by Gales of Horndean in the early 1990s, the pub now forms part of the expanding estate of London brewers Fuller Smith & Turner.
In around 1990 the interior was opened up into a single large bar room, with seperate drinking areas on different levels.
The floors are a mix of scrubbed timber and flagstones, with age-distressed paintwork throughout the bar.
It remains a pleasant place to eat and drink and may offer a quieter alternative to the pubs on Bath Square. 
 There is an upstairs restaurant and outdoor seating area facing the Camber, which proves especially popular during the summer evenings.
A striking feature is the large external mural on the south facing wall, depicting a period scene from Old Portsmouth, complete with drunken sailors and prostitutes (see photo to right). You'd be hard pressed to find either here in the 21st century!
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Top left-hand photograph 27th January 2008
Bottom left-hand photograph 10th April 2004
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Top right-hand photograph 8th February 2007
Bottom right-hand photograph 11th May 1989 |
| Pub Operator: Fuller Smith & Turner |
Grade II Listed |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon Tue Wed Thu Sun 07:00 'til 00:30;
Fri Sat 07:00 'til 01:30; Bank Holiday extensions |
| Visit the Pub Crawls page to read a
detailed description of this pub (January 2008) |
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| The British Queen |
18 Queens Road, Buckland, PO2 7NA |
| 023 9265 2338 |
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   Dating from 1896 this street corner local stands among the densely populated Victorian terraces of Buckland. Replacing an earlier tavern and originally part of the Bransbury Brewery, the pub became a Brickwoods house before being inherited by Whitbread in the 1970s.
Now in the hands of Enterprise Inns, the pub remains a proper local, drawing most of its clientele from the surrounding streets. |
| Left-hand photograph 13th July 2008 |
Near right-hand photograph 22nd July 2007
Far right-hand photograph 14th August 1988 |
| Pub Operator: Enterprise Inns |
| Licenced Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00 'til 23:30; Sun 12:00 'til 22:50 |
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| Buckingham's |
119 High Street, Old Portsmouth, PO1 2HW |
 Occupying the site of the former Green Dragon and Cambridge Tavern pubs, Buckingham's was a short lived incarnation of the Duke of Buckingham, contained within an unsympathetically designed 1968 construction, not in keeping with the old High Street. At the time, the pub catered for a mainly younger clientele and was owned by the then mega-brewery Whitbread. The pub has since reverted to its proper name. |
| Photographed 11th May 1989 |
see also The Duke of Buckingham |
| Licenced Opening Hours: see Duke of Buckingham |
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| 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. |
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