Hampshire pub guide - information about pubs and bars in Hampshire # beerintheevening.com

Hampshire pub and bar guide

Here's a guide to the pubs and bars of Hampshire - good or bad, we bring you the most talked about venues and the places you have to visit at least once. We've included a few user reviews, to give you an idea of what to expect when you get there. Or you can follow the links to see full details and all reviews for each pub.

The Waterwitch, Odiham

Address: Colt Hill, Odiham, Hook, Hampshire, RG29 1AL [map]
Phone: 01256 702778
See full pub details

Nearest train stations: Hook (2.1 miles), Winchfield (2.3 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

I have tried this in the past and been disappointed. I now only stop for a drink if I'm passing by along the canal. Even constrained to just drinking the last experience wasn't nice. I can't remember ever feeling as much like cattle as I did trying to order my drinks. I grabbed them and headed outside. Drank up and went. On the plus side there is a lot of space outside, so if you don't mind lots of little people then it's ok for spending time outside.

1 Aug 2008 18:53

Got to eat here today with family. Extremely busy but waited a bit and got table on patio. Young staff under pressure and looking like they were feeling the heat, but then so were we. Told food would be 45 mins but seemed to be faster. V tasty. Ruddles Bitter a change from prev visit, well kept.

28 Jul 2008 00:11

This pub has a lovely large garden, unfortunately the staff are very miserable.

I cycle a lot and usually stop for a cold drink somewhere.
Popped in the waterwitch today as it was hot I fancied a pint of soda water with lime cordial.
The bar staff told me they cant serve a pint of soda water, only a tumbler size on the instruction of the manager/ess.
What the heck is that all about, I can buy a pint of beer but not a pint of sooda water!!
I left and wont be returning again. With that attitude I hope they go out of business.

27 Jul 2008 22:48

The White Lion, Aldershot

Address: 20, Lower Farnham Rd, Aldershot, Hampshire, GU12 4EA [map]
Phone: 01252 323832
See full pub details

Nearest train stations: Aldershot (0.9 miles), Ash (1.6 miles), Ash Vale (2.6 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Hello to you all,the rumours have been going round that the white lion is closed to be made in to flats.............HOW WRONG CAN YOU ALL BE!!!!!
The white lion is not going anywhere so PLEASE if you want to know what is going on ask me don`t belive the rumours, it`s just people with nothing better to do.
Any way this weekend at the lion.....Friday 27 june we have TOP-ED KARAOKE and Saturday 28 june live music....with CRAZY JAIN, look forward to seeing you all.
ALE`S ON AT THE MOMENT
MOONDANCE
ALTON PRIDE
PRESS RAT AND WARTHOG
STAIRWAY

GUEST ALES
I.P.A 4.8% ISLE OF PURBECK
ACE OF ALES W.J KING

SEE YOU ALL SOON

IAN

23 Jun 2008 15:14

Ales at The White Lion
Triple fff
Dazed & Confused 4.6% £2.70
Moon Dance 4.2% £2.60
Alton Pride 3.8% £2.40
Pressed rat & worthog 3.8% £2.40

W J King
Spring Ale 4.1% £2.60

Hammerpot
F.N.L 5.8% £2.70

coming soon ales from
Vale brewery co
Isle of Purbeck

OPEN MIC NIGHT This Thursday 8th may

Look forward to seeing you all

Ian

4 May 2008 16:04

LIVE MUSIC AT THE WHITE LION....... SAT 15 MARCH START 8.30 PM FEMALE DUO

10 Mar 2008 15:01

The Hole in The Wall, Southsea

Address: 36 Great Southsea Street, Southsea, Hampshire, PO5 3BY [map]
Phone: 023 9229 8085
See full pub details

Nearest train stations: Portsmouth & Southsea (0.6 miles), Portsmouth Harbour (0.8 miles), Fratton (1 mile)

Reviews by BITE users:

Answer to previous message. Slake the beer in the jug would not have been there for more than a couple of minutes. We poor a couple of pints into a jug when a beer is particularly lively. Helps us to keep down wasteage and keep the price down to you, having a beer where you waste a 1/2 to the drip tray for every pint would mean a price of more like £3 a pint to the customer. Not good

4 Aug 2008 22:22

Still a great pub, but... I'm having to reduce my rating from 10 after what I saw this Saturday. Pints were being topped up by the barman from a jug that was a quarter full. How long the beer had been in the jug is anyone's guess. Not good.

Try the alcoholic ginger beer.

4 Aug 2008 18:31

This very small place feels like a country pub in the heart of the city, the staff are very friendly and seems to gather nice punters. The beers and ales on tap are unique (you have to try hole-hearted) oh and pop into the India Arms next door for a curry afterwards.

31 Jul 2008 16:21

The Castle, Basingstoke

Address: 43 Old Reading Road, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 7JD [map]
Phone: 01256 465740
See full pub details

Nearest train station: Basingstoke (0.1 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Also smoking area out the back with shelter and lighting for all you smokers out there......

22 Apr 2008 18:17

Poker on a Thursday and Sunday, first game free.......
Call or visit for more details!

22 Apr 2008 18:15

Hoorah!
Pickled eggs & Biltong surely a winning combination!
:O()

15 Feb 2008 12:07

Queens Arms, Basingstoke

Address: Bunnian Place, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 7JE [map]
Phone: 01256 465488
See full pub details

Nearest train station: Basingstoke (0 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Went here for lunch today. Nice friendly pub. Good beer and food.

11 Jun 2008 15:17

New ('Play Your Cards Right' style) Sunday night quiz. Weekly 8pm Sunday

9 Jun 2008 10:30

Without doubt the best pub in Basingstoke. Seriously considering making this my permanent regular drinking venue. I only pop in about once a week at the mo but every time I do there is always a great choice of ales which are supberb on every occasion. If I manage to tear myself away from my local I will definately choose The Queens first.

29 Apr 2008 16:28

The Jolly Farmer, Cliddesden

Address: Farleigh Rd, Cliddesden, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG25 2JL [map]
Phone: 01256 473073
See full pub details

Nearest train station: Basingstoke (2.1 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

A fantstic location, friendly excellent service and the best bit was the food. I have enjoyed eating as this pub for some years and have never had a bad experience. There is nothing better than taking the Sunday papers, ordering lunch and wasting the afternoon with a nice glass of red!

31 Jul 2008 21:32

Great food, good beer, and most important of all a friendly atmosphere! One of the best pubs in hampshire

18 Jul 2008 21:50

A village pub I can walk to (although it is bit of an effort from the wrong side of the M3!). Has gone through several changes of ownership. Present owners seem to know how a pub should be run. Good food and an excellent range of beers. Got used to the usual predictable 'guest ales' in North Hampshire, glad to report the jolly breaks the mould. Recently 2 cracking beers from Titanic (one a stout, us black beer drinkers are often neglected!) and a favourite from Bath - Barnstormer. Keep up the good work!

3 Jun 2008 14:08

The Fox, Newfound

Address: Andover Road, Newfound, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG23 7HH [map]
Phone: 01256 780493
See full pub details

Nearest train station: Basingstoke (3.7 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Nice Pub, friendly service and nice food.
sometimes cold on winters evening.
Shame the Beer is tad expensive though

21 Apr 2008 21:53

I think the London Pride they are being serving up at the moment is in perfect condition and you will be hard pushed to find it better anywhere else, I’m not keen on the current guest ale but that will change.

I currently eat here a couple of times a month bringing my clients for a homely cooked meal with a good and friendly atmosphere. No complaints so far

The price increases which will inevitable carry on going up (inflation, taxation & industry red tape). Every pub and Social club I use has increased prices in the last month.

Where did all that SNOW come from and did you hear the thunder?

6 Apr 2008 11:40

This is a great country pub with home cooked food served by friendly members of staff. the beer is good and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. They also have regular live music with some really great bands playing there.

29 Mar 2008 15:36

The Guide Dog, Bevois Valley

Address: 38 Earls Road, Bevois Valley, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 6SF [map]
Phone: 023 8022 564
See full pub details

Nearest train stations: St Denys (0.5 miles), Bitterne (1 mile), Southampton Central (1.1 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

I visit Southampton about once a year, but no trip would be complete without an evening in the Guide Dog. Aviod nights when the football is on (unless you like a bit of a buzz with your pint), as this is the pub of choice for the, shall we say, more mature supporter. Forget the loud, larger swilling youngsters, this is a beer drinkers pub. Well worth a visit, and certainly one of my top five UK pubs.

21 Apr 2008 20:58

If we all had a Guide Dog pub within walking distance we would be there every night. It is a superb example of a real local pub with a wide range of very well kept beers and friendly people. I could take my Mum there and she would love it (I will when she visits next summer). I just wish I lived nearby.

19 Mar 2008 23:45

Perhaps I've just been lucky - but I keep finding really good pubs in Southampton! This particular example I found to be what I would call a perfect Saturday afternoon pub - quiet, but certainly not dead and spooky. It's cosy size and living-room feel certainly help give the place a friendly and laid-back feel. And the beer is good too.

10 Mar 2008 23:38

The White Hart, Charter Alley

Address: White Hart Lane, Charter Alley, Tadley, Hampshire, RG26 5QA [map]
Phone: 01256 850048
See full pub details

Reviews by BITE users:

What can i say- such a wide choice of Real ales although i only tried the one from Church End Brewery and the food is very good. Would like "she who must be obeyed" to let me try the whole range one evening- that way i wouldn`t need to go to another pub for the evening. Bit off the beaten track but well worth finding.

14 May 2008 21:33

Been here twice. Excellent food. Excellent beer always very good choice of different ales.

14 Apr 2008 21:41

Super pub situated in glorious rolling countryside but close enough to Basingstoke to make a trip out from the station by taxi.

4 ales on my visit (Hidden Fantasy; FFF Alton’s Pride; Palmers Bitter; Wadworth Horizon), all in very good condition.

Inside has a nice old-fashioned feel to it and it’s pretty popular given its location – plenty of people on my weekday evening visit.

There’s a lovely well-maintained garden out back, home to some pub Guinea Pigs. Food was being served, didn’t have time to sample any, but the carbonara looked pretty hearty and smelt lovely.

A glorious place for a late summer ale when the sun’s out. Will be back again.

15 Feb 2008 17:48

The Barley Mow, Southsea

Address: 39 Castle Road, Southsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO5 3DE [map]
Phone: 023 9282 3492
See full pub details

Nearest train stations: Portsmouth & Southsea (0.6 miles), Portsmouth Harbour (0.9 miles), Fratton (1 mile)

Reviews by BITE users:

Service was ok. Busy and fussy. Felt that the bar person would rather I wasn't there. I can see through all of this and the beer choice/condition was fantastic 7/10. Will visit at end of may and will rate according. Be open minded.

8 May 2008 17:11

Congrats Judy and team on your award, you kept that quiet didn't you.

The Barley Mow, Castle Road, has won a prestigious award for the quality of its real ale. The accolade, devised by Greene King in conjunction with The Publican newspaper, saw the pub beat hundreds of other contenders in the nationwide search for the country's Best Cask Ale Pub.

28 Mar 2008 17:20

Lovely frendly local pub that I wish was one of mine.I have only been twice but on both occasions had a friendly welcome and a nice pint of beer.The first time I visited they had a Porter and a mild rather than just Bitters.Cheese toasties at £1.50 go down well too!

4 Feb 2008 17:46

The Wheatsheaf, Shedfield

Address: Botley Road, Shedfield, Wickham, Hampshire, SO32 2JG [map]
Phone: 01329 833024
See full pub details

Nearest train stations: Botley (2.5 miles), Swanwick (4.1 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Excellent quality ales,Food standard fair.The small garden was wll kept and overall a very pleasant experience.

29 Jun 2008 21:47

Coach visit here after our visit to the excellent Bowman Brewery. Excellent Skew ale sampled, staff and landlord friendly, even gave Big Baz a free pint just for watering 1 hanging basket. If we hadn't of been on a tight schedule could have spent an entire afternoon here.

29 Jun 2008 18:15

Amazing pub. Good conversation among the clientele (even if your not a regular you are included). Food delicious and all homemade on the premises.

Smoking shelter in the back garden with quaint wood burner (perfect for the cold winter evenings). Good prices and perfect real ale poured straight from the barrel.

All in all a lovely pub and with an open fire a cosy and enjoyale atmosphere a perfect pub to spend time in.

And as for the comments about the landlord and landlady and staff I found them all friendly and helpful.

I hope many other people enjoy an evening in this delightful country pub as i did.

1 Dec 2007 01:34

The Thomas Lord, West Meon

Address: High Street, West Meon, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU32 1LN [map]
Phone: 01730 829244
See full pub details

Reviews by BITE users:

A nice local atmosphere. A real effort is made with the food although a tad pricey for a pub. A commendable effort to support local suppliers. Attentive staff. A quick wipe with a cloth/apron over the table to remove evidence of previous incumbant before laying down the silver would be nice. Nice to have linen napkins. They'll see me again. Well maintained beer too.

15 Feb 2008 14:19

Stopped for lunch on on very cold Saturday lunchtime. Staff very pleasant and friendly. Excellent food - we can recommend the beef faggots and the lentil 'spouts' (very good for veggie food which is a rare find), and not overpriced. I disagree that it's 'pretentious' (see below) I think they are simply make a decent effort to get away from the standard chips-with-everything pub fare. Excellent and well kept beers straight from the keg.

As the afternoon darkened early, a member of staff lit all the candles in the dining room - what a lovely touch. Highly recommended.

20 Nov 2007 17:12

Nice pub with excellent beer fro local breweries. The Triple F Moondance was sublime.Food very expensive and a bit pretentious, so went for a meal at the Hampshire Bowman instead.

11 Nov 2007 13:34

The Prince of Wales, Farnborough

Address: 184, Rectory Rd, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 8AL [map]
Phone: 01252 545578
See full pub details

Nearest train stations: Farnborough North (0.1 miles), Farnborough (0.6 miles), Frimley (0.9 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Marvellous pub for Real Ale, and holds regular Beer Festivals. Aslong as it keeps going, good stuff I'll say. Let the CAMRA chappies and girlies continue to enjoy this beer goldmine!

16 Jun 2008 14:44

I found this old-fashioned pub one day when i got lost.The locals where verry nice to me .The ales where good and some bad but thats ok . Every one has there own taste in beer. The locals like to talk alot about there way of life and the owner will make ya feel like at home .I miss this pub and all the friends i was able to meet when i lived in Farnborough.I rate this place a 10.Where else can you sit out front on a picnic table drinking a pint and watch alot of crazy brits drive by 60 mph. Look out when ya pull out of the parking lot.

3 Jun 2008 02:07

Visited several weeks ago on a Friday late afternoon. We aren't regulars (only because the Prince is a bit out of our way) but we didn't have any trouble getting served, as we were the only people in the place when we arrived. It must only have been the hour and not the pub, however. By the time we left the place was packed. The Prince is cosy, friendly and the landlord serves up superb ale and cider. Keep up the great work!

22 May 2008 14:49

The Plough, Little London

Address: Silchester Road, Little London, Tadley, Hampshire, RG26 5EP [map]
Phone: 01256 850628
See full pub details

Nearest train station: Bramley - Hants (2.4 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

One of the only uspoiled, genuine pubs in North Hampshire. Terry is a gracious host and keeps an excellent pint. always something different to try. Winter time, a pint of Ringwood Porter and a blazing log fire - bliss!

3 Jun 2008 13:59

Great beer, I have not been in for about 9 years but everything is still the same. Good beer, good banter and still a friendly atmosphere.

6 Apr 2008 12:15

Very English low-beamed country pub, open log fires with a good atmosphere, friendly staff and clientele.

Decent selection of beer (Ringwood Boondongle; Rebellion Blonde; Branscombe Branoc) in good nick, served from stillage. Not much in the way of food, which doesn’t bother me as I go to a pub to drink.

Features darts, bar billiards and no TV. Super. Would like to pay a return visit.

15 Feb 2008 17:56

The Foresters Arms, Brockenhurst

Address: 10 Brookley Rd, Brockenhurst, Hampshire, SO42 7RR [map]
Phone: 01590 623397
See full pub details

Nearest train stations: Brockenhurst (0.1 miles), Sway (3 miles), Beaulieu Road (4.2 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Wicked pub, best in Brockenhurst was my local for 3 years! Food is good you can take your dog anywhere they also have water out for them in the summer. Drinks wise they have Stella, Heineken, Carling, 49er, Thatchers Gold (Cider) the wines have recently all been changed along with the Landlords so they now no longer support Fulhum or Sunderland ^^

10 May 2008 22:14

This pub does GORGEOUS food of massive quantity and the chips are just AMAZING! They are like fish and chip shop chips - but nicer! For the price, I HIGHLY recommend eating there. Also, they allow dogs (yes, even in the restaurant area) which is always a plus point for me!! The people in there are friendly, but if you go in the bar area, it's a little 'clicky'.

19 Mar 2008 20:51

Been here a few times and the Aussies who run it do a great job even though they support Fulham.Ringwood 49er is the best beer for me at 5% much better than the ordinary bitter made by Ringwoods.Trouble is they charge London prices but the food is good and not overly priced and my dog is allowed in to which is great.I like the place .

25 Feb 2008 19:27

More information

Want to find out more about pubs in Hampshire? Why not have a look at our advanced pub search or full text pub search? You might also want to browse pubs by county or region. Or have some fun with the random pub crawl generator.