Pubs in Southampton

Bittern

26 Thornhill Park Road, Southampton SO18 5TQ

This former Whitbread pub lays back off the A334. Built to a 1930s angular symmetrical design the entrance is in the centre at the front with the bar opposite as you enter. To either side are a pair of wings with comfortable seating. Rear doors at the end of the wings lead to the pub garden. There is also outside seating at the front of the pub. The story is that the pub was not finished by the start of World War 2 and became a Post Office for the duration. For a while the pub had been threatened with conversion to a McDonalds but the community fought back including getting the pub listed as an Asset of Community Value and the planning application was defeated. Punch Taverns has since invested in the pub securing a good future, and as of late 2020 two handpumps were in use.

Mbuntu Cocktail Bar & Bistro

2-4 Cobden Avenue, Southampton SO18 1FX

Reopened as a Cocktail Bar & Bistro 17/05/2021. Apart from contact details and opening/food times, the information here refers to the pub when it was the Bitterne Park Hotel. This huge pub dominates the views east from Cobden Bridge. The original three bars have been merged into one but with enough of the interior walls left intact to give the feeling of separate areas. The high ceilings give a feeling of size and airiness, while still retaining a bit of cosiness. The long bar has two handpumps in the middle, but as of March 2019 neither were in use. One of the three areas is a games area with pool, darts and slot machines.

Juniper Berry

36 Upper Bugle Street, Southampton SO14 2EE

The pub, built in mock Tudor style, stands on the site of Jane Austen's Southampton house, inside the city walls in the old town. This area is now quiet residential belying its past when this was the night-life hub for visiting sailors. The front bar is now used for occasional functions, the back bar (closest to the town walls) is a spacious 1930s style and has a pool table. Please note that the opening hours may vary depending on trade.

Brass Monkey

358 Shirley Road, Southampton SO15 3HY

A large pub on the main A3057 Shirley Road. The front is carpeted and with sofas in the front window alcoves. Further in is a wood boarded bar area with tables & chairs to the side and a spacious lower carpeted area with more seating and the pool table & darts board. A small patio is to the front and a larger paved area is at the rear with good shelter for those who need it. Future plans are to triple the size of the rear outside area to cater for families and introduce food service (April 2017).

Bricklayer's Arms

165 Wimpson Lane, Southampton SO16 4QD

An L-shaped building significantly predating the surrounding Millbrook estate. Facing Wimpson lane is the bar, furnished with an assortment of wooden chairs and tables, whilst the games/function room overlooking Mansel Road East is accessed via a separate door. There is a paved seating area. Refurbished August 2020 - The Pub's own photos show two handpumps.

Cricketers Arms

Portsmouth Road, Southampton SO19 9AF

Current Photo ID is required for entry to this pub. Large pub next to the Itchen Bridge roundabout. Starting off as the Woolston Hotel in Victorian times the pub has had a variety of names reflecting local changes but it now commemorates the long gone Hampshire Cricket Club ground that used to be behind the pub on land leased to the club by renowned 19th century cricketer Daniel Day. The large pub is now a single bar inside with a pool table, two dartboards and several TVs. The pub is a popular haunt for football fans on Southampton home match days. At the front outside are bench tables and a covered drinking area is to the side. A function room is attached to the rear of the pub.

Bright Water Inn

370 Shirley Road, Southampton SO15 3HY

As with many early Wetherspoon pubs a small frontage disguises a long deep pub inside. The bar is halfway down on the left and beyond that and down a couple of steps is the family area (families welcome up to 9pm). The patio area at the front is segregated for smokers & non-smokers. Three TVs, but the sound is off apart from main sports matches. A total of 10 handpumps, normally with 8 beers on at any one time. One cider displayed on handpump but is served from a bag-in-box from the fridge along with one or two others.

Brook

466 Portswood Road, Southampton SO17 3SD

This is open for concerts only. It was once a two bar Victorian pub, but in the mid 90s the bars and the first floor above were knocked through into one and then a later extension added to form Southampton's best music venue with frequent gigs from tribute bands and original artistes.

Café Parfait

194 Above Bar Street, Southampton SO14 7DW

Chapel Arms

Albert Road North, Southampton SO14 5GB

A pub tucked away in a somewhat industrial area near the Itchen River that probably owes its continued existence to the proximity of Southampton FC's St Mary's Stadium just 500m away. The main bar is comfortably done out with bare wood floors, wainscotting, bar panelling, tables & chairs. A couple of sofas and photos of old Southampton add to the feel. The smaller bar has plenty of 'Saints' memorabilia and a pool table in the middle. 4 pool teams are supported along with darts & cribbage teams. The pub comes alive on football match days when it will open at 11am Saturdays or noon Sundays, and have 2 or 3 real ales on, one on handpump, the others on gravity (no real ale other days). Fans of all ages (home & away) are welcome; an enclosed courtyard provides a safe area for families.

Cowherds

The Avenue, Southampton SO15 7NN

This immensely popular pub is located near the South-Eastern corner of Southampton Common, on The Avenue (A33) and accordingly has a diverse clientele. Built in 1762 on the site of the old cowherd's house and now Grade II listed. Quite cosy inside and with a myriad of areas to the right so pub is bigger than it seems. The quality of its food is high, and booking is recommended. There are a few tables immediately outside between the pub & the front car park; the rest is Southampton Common. Service at the bar can be slow, and don't forget to ask for plastic glasses if taking your drinks onto the Common areas.

Cricketers

34 Carlton Place, Southampton SO15 2DX

Unpretentious city pub with newly exposed exterior tiling, U-shaped traditional bar inside, and welcoming bar staff. Up to five locally sourced ales and two real ciders available. Home-cooked food is served everyday. Outside is a courtyard beer garden which also hosts cider & beer festivals, usually May & July. The pub may become somewhat louder with a DJ in the evenings. Southampton's Night Buses can get you home on Fridays & Saturdays.