Pubs in Southampton

The Best Pubs in Southampton

Whether you fancy just a quick drink, a meal out or want to make a night of it, Southampton has no shortage of excellent pubs to enjoy.

As one of the UK’s most historically busy and bustling ports, this city has a long history of catering to thirsty seafarers and many of its traditional pubs are still thriving. However, the list of the best pubs in Southampton is a long one, and mixes the cool and modern with the cosy and old-fashioned in refreshing style. On this list of favourites you’ll find classic pub features like Sunday Roasts and beer gardens, as well as some surprises.
Goblets
It’s worth taking the stairs down to this city centre basement bar for a wide choice of drinks and pub grub at great value prices. A popular local haunt every night of the week, this pub is loved for its steak, curry, burger and fish’n’chips nights and, of course, that British pub favourite, the Sunday roast – possibly the best pub food Southampton has to offer! Staff are friendly and there are also regular quiz nights and live bands to keep revellers entertained. It’s usually merrily busy, but if you should happen to find it quiet when you arrive, you can always get the party started by loading up your favourite songs on the free jukebox.
The Shooting Star
The Shooting Star, with its Parisian-style mural on its outside, is a city centre institution for locals and visitors in the mood to let their hair down and stay out late. It’s open until midnight Monday to Thursday, and until 2am on Friday and Saturday nights, and it can be relied on for a party atmosphere and great drinks whether you’re in the mood for a beer, a cocktail or even one of the speciality shots named after film stars! There’s also decent food on offer, and if you’re lucky enough to visit on a sunny evening, make a beeline for the beer garden to watch the sun go down.
Banana Wharf
The stylish and modern Ocean Village Marina is one of the best places to enjoy a night out Southampton-style, and Banana Wharf is a perennially popular place for groups of friends to meet to eat, drink and be merry. Named after the shiploads of bananas that have arrived in Southampton from the West Indies since the 1880s, this light and airy waterside bar is a great place to enjoy drinks with pizza and pasta or dishes inspired by Asian flavours. Visit on a warm lunchtime or evening and bag a table outside to enjoy an alfresco seafront experience.
The Hobbit
Due to its proximity to Southampton University, The Hobbit is just as popular with students as it is with the Tolkien fans who appreciate its Middle Earth theming. But then, you don’t have to be a Lord of the Rings fan or a student to appreciate a Gandalf, Frodo or Bilbo cocktail or two. You can even earn a free Fellowship Quest t-shirt if you have time to sample all twelve cocktails over a few visits! Real ales and burgers are also part of the furniture here, as are live music and weekly card club and open mic nights. With a 3am closing time six nights a week, and a huge beer garden, it has all the ingredients you need for a night to remember.
The Duke of Wellington
The Duke of Wellington offers a traditional pub experience in well-preserved Tudor timbered style. Located in historic Bugle Street, the building has been a successful pub since 1494 and changed its name to celebrate the battle of Waterloo victory in 1815, so it’s definitely a tried and trusted safe bet for a good-old fashioned pint in central Southampton. Traditional real ales and a varied pub grub menu are the order of the day here, although the 21st century can be felt with the provision of free WiFi.

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