The photo above was taken just before 4pm on Friday, in the Meat & Barrel on Southsea‘s main shopping street.
Look on the bright side; at least it wasn’t called Sant Yago. Or John Lewis.
It’s one of the two new Guide entries in Southsea, neither of which has a mobility scooter outside or a barking dog in the public bar. Those days are gone.
Of course, when BRAPA gets here in 2023 he’ll still have the joy of visiting the Phoenix and the Auckland for the first time,
which will offset the pang of disappointment he’ll feel dodging the diners in these new “family diners with craft“, a home-grown Brewhouse & Kitchen if you like.
The Meat & Barrel will appeal to fans of shop conversions, anyway.
At least they’re honest about the focus on keg.
As Pub Curmudgeon has noted, I’d get a different atmosphere in pubs at 9pm than 4pm, but of course I might not get a seat here in the evening when the Louis Vuitton set turn up.
As I often note, the young staff in these modern places are spectacularly friendly, and I have to fight off their attempts to offer me tasters.
“Is this connected to the Belle Isle in Chichester ?” I asked, trying to sound curious rather than weird.
“It is !” he said “And there’s a Belle Isle round the corner too”
Hoorah ! I thought, deciding not to tell him about my post describing the mini-chain as “corporate craft with dull ale“. But that’s exactly what the house beer was. Of course, if the GBG ticking rules had allowed it, I’d have had Beavertown and Burger and been thrilled with the whole experience.
After a stroll through an unexpectedly smart suburb, I arrived at my last Pompey tick.
Yes, more of the same, but this slightly smaller place on the main drag leading to the Common was a bit more of a boozer, with jeans and T-shirt crowd and plenty of folk leaving work early to sink a Staropramen in the sun.
“Mmmm, Staropramen” I thought, as I surveyed the soup ale.
Well there you go, I was wrong. The Irving was really good (NBSS 3+), drinking its strength, and with a “polite indie” soundtrack I warmed to the place. Winning the cask lottery.
Across the road is the Wave Maiden, a great little craft bar with cheesy chips, and a few minutes further brings you to the Wine Vaults, which I described as “a little bit of Twickenham” in 2016. Southsea has gone craft crazy, for better or worse.
By now my hotel was open, so I weaved past coloured houses,
and the majesty of the King’s Theatre,
to the Acapulco, a room above a keg tequila bar (£35). I know how to live.
Next stop, Southampton, as no-one ever said, ever.
On the way to Fratton station, I passed this dead classic. No shortage of these in Fratton. as I was to be reminded later that night.
retiredmartin 
Do the Louis Vuitton set case the joint before they come in ?
I’d get me coat if it was winter.
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Are you legally allowed to ask a barmaid for a “Juicy Threesome” these days? Asking for a friend.
More importantly, did you get back to your room in time to enjoy the live music?
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No.
And funnily enough, I could hear the live music from my room while listening to Radio 4 until about 2am when I finally finished my takeaway.
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The best preserved pub frontages in UK are in Portsmouth area- all those lovely Brickwood tiles. Agree with you in top ten of beer places too.
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There’s a lot of pubs too, plenty in the Beer Guide. Lovely tiling.
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“trying to sound curious rather than weird.” –Loved this. It’s a good description of me, whenever I ask any question, to anyone. 😉
Have you ever had a good pint of that Monty Python beer? I had a bottle of it once, thought it was awful, and resolved never to buy it again. (Though I remain a fan of how they brewed their comedy)
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Americans are very good at this, I find. Dick went up to young people on our London crawl and randomly asked them how old they were and what they did. The Bill Bryson effect, perhaps.
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“(Though I remain a fan of how they brewed their comedy)”
Me too. 🙂
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The barman looks about 12?
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You see thats where the majority go Gold CAMRA card carriers go wrong. You see there is keg beer and keg beer and the Dinosaurs just don’t see it.
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You’re right there. I didn’t even know if that London Road rabbit food was keg and key keg, and impossible to tell. Few will care.
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I care, I really do!
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“in the Meat & Barrel on Southsea‘s main shopping street.”
I actually quite like the layout. But I get what you mean about being that empty on a Friday afternoon.
“Citra pump clip obviously nicked”
If I was on my own I’d go for the Holy Grail; if with the missus, I’d be sure to ask if she’d like a Juicy Threesome. 🙂
“The Irving was really good”
Hang on. ‘Dizzy Blonde’ gets a knock for ‘phrasing’ but not Juicy Threesome? 😉
“a room above a keg tequila bar”
They have tequila on keg?
Cheers
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Yes. It’s a big keg you put your head under, I guess. Isn’t that how it works your way ?
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As mentioned on Mudgie’s recent post; I don’t do hard liquor any more. 🙂
And if I did, where’s the big arse lime and large shaker of salt? 😉
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