Encore, Southamptonback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Built into the ground floor of a modern block on Commercial Road next door to the Mayflower Theatre, and close to the Central Station, this is a popular pub frequently packed with Saints supporters on match days and families on panto days. Acquired by Greene King during their purchase of the Spirit Pub Company from Punch Taverns, it serves two or three beers from the Greene King range, plus, on our visit, a Hogs Back keg lager. The pub works around the limitations of its awkward space, utilising separate areas to create a feeling of intimacy in places, though the need for supporting pillars in a narrow space does mean that moving around the central area can be awkward, and getting into the cubicle in the gent's toilet is not for those who are a little bit large.
There appeared to be a shortage of kitchen staff over the Christmas period, as the pub was operating a restricted menu, which meant that vegetarians wouldn't be able to eat, unless they were content with simply a bowl of chips. And, even then, there was a 40 minute wait. Customers were understandably frustrated as the next nearest pub is about a ten minute walk away.
Those who did decide to order and wait appeared to get a typical Greene King pub meal. Nothing fantastic - a bit stodgy, but generally cheap.
There is nothing here to attract a repeat visit. The pub has no charm or character, gets a bit crowded, and is unreliable for food, which when served is unremarkable. If planning to eat in a pub before the theatre it may make more sense to allow a little extra time to eat in a pub a little further away.
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Abysmal sub-Wetherspoons nonsense with the ubiquitous Doom Bar and Greene King IPA on tap. Inter Milan were in town on the night of my visit and what they must think of Britain on this evidence, Lord only knows. By the time you read this, it may be Inter Cable Tel who are in town.
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Saturday lunchtime, no Saints game and no matinee at The Mayflower - sheer bliss, room to move. Handy for changing buses/trains if you can navigate the big building site. Otter Amber, Old Speckled Hen and GK IPA so no contest, Otter in good nick.
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Can't add anything possitive about this pub other than 20p off a pint for camra members.
Doom Bar the only ale on 3 hand pumps with another for cider.
Served in the dreaded PLASTIC. Do they normaly have trouble with the theatre crowd??
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My first pub in Southampton after starting a new contract there. Bar staff served customers out of order, seemed to guess at the price of the beer and forgot to give change. And a terrible pint of London Pride. Waste of a great location, being close to the station and the theatre.
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Very poor pub does not know how to look after beer.
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worst pub ive been to for long time ,rude staff . food not good at all .
try accross the road 100% .
full of chavs too!
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nutter 4149, six months ago you were running this pub and got sacked so how would they pay you to go back, you shouldnt have been so greedy
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How can a pub go down hill so quickly 6 months ago it was one of the best places to go in Southampton, now its a shit hole with rude staff, rude manager if you can call him that, crap or no beer. I wouldn't go back if you paid me
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Wetherspoons esque pub next to the Mayflower, or Gaumont as I always think of it. Always worried by pubs with large Sky Sports banners outside but this isn't too bad. Explorer, Pride and 6X were on with Spitfire and Hen turned around. Explorer wasn't brilliant.
Some sort of hen party was in but I had to look twice to work out whether they were real women or a bunch of trannies.
Nearest pub to the station now so only worth it for a quick stop on the way back.
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Came in here last night, I was immediately struck by the hostility of the fat pa*i waitress. Their was a blonde piece but she was no better, and the fat bloke was a useless waste of space. My pal had difficulty gaining adequate directions to the toilet, and I had trouble getting a good pint. The beer was shocking, really crap, the adnams smelt of arse, take my word for it, don't bother coming here! shi)t hole, nuff said.
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nice pub barman (the fat one) seems very gay & a bit slow think hes names ad
anonymous - 19 Feb 2008 16:42 |
no diasabled access, at least not if you need to use the toilet - average service, unhappy manager whos job seems to be making you feel very unwelcome - busy but only as there is no competition, Jo Daflos being very expensive
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Busy after work, and then continues with the pre-theatre crowd. Very handy for the station.
Has a non-smoking section in the back corner, far left of the bar.
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Good Pre theatre pub.
anonymous - 7 Feb 2006 20:47 |
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