please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Well its still around thank goodness. Pricey, but food is fine and ale was in good nick. Staff attentive. Nice old world charm.
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"19th Mar 2016 – The Dolphin, High Street, shall be closing on 28th March due to the leaseholders being unable to come to an agreement with the premises owner regarding renewal of lease."
Taken from the rather good "Portsmouth Pubs" website..another one gone?
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I agree with most comments, however please note that I was charged seven pounds for a pint and a half of Frigate, a session beer in my view. I think that that works out at about £4.67 a pint.
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Situated opposite the cathederal this pub claims to be the oldest in Portsmouth, we visited on a Saturday evening and found it to be warm and welcoming with a decent selection of real ale (think had 5 on offer) tried the "invincible" beer which was very good.
We had three different things off the menu which were all very good, will be doing this pub again when in the area.
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Food on a downward slide. Tagliatelle rubbery.
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We called in whilst filling in time waiting for our ferry to Santander. Bar maid ignored us for quite a while whilst she fumbled with her magnetic whatsit and failed to open the till. When the first beer arrived, it was changed without a quibble. Ok, I'll try another. Oops, just running out. Third time lucky. We say in the attractive covered back garden and watched a very elderly lady in a scarlet tight fitting cat suit talking to the camp 'landlord'(?) The food others were eating looked good but the staffing had a strange feel about it.
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A quite amazing place for a first visit...
A pint of London Pride will set you back �3.90 which you may consider to be expensive...
However a HALF of the same London Pride will cost you �2.10!
When politely questioned about the expensive halves the landlady seemed totally unconcerned too, as if she was running a champagne bar in Knightsbridge or similar.
You wouldn't mind so much if it was a stand out boozer, but it is only slightly better than average perhaps...the lunch menu for dogs being the only thing vaguely special.
Not a bad place aside from the bonkers prices, but I won't be going back in a hurry unless I get a hungry dog with expensive tastes.
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and recently scored 0 out of 5 in a local council hygene inspection! the only outlet in Pompey to score so low, avoid
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RIP OFF, RIP OFF, RIP OFF
Two double Bacardi and Cokes = �11
Pint and two half pints of ale = over �9
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this pub is a fine example of RIP OFF BRITAIN, all of the real ales are priced at �3.60 (top end but not excessive), but if you only want a half it's �2.00!, a mark up of 80p a pint, for very averagely served ales, avoid there are better pubs nearbye
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Came here a couple of weeks ago for a birthday dinner, drank Guinness as ale not too good, shame as it used to be ok, but the meal (party of 12) was excellent so overall a really good evening, sort the ale out and we'll be back.
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Went to The Dolphin on Bank Holiday Monday. We ordered drinks and I paid by card. The lady serving me didn't exchange any friendly banter..not even a hello..and moaned to her colleague (equally grumpy) about the card machine and how she was due to go off shift soon. We had a quick look at the food menu and deceided to order..ut oh..same grumpy lady..annndd I was going to use my card. There were three of us, the two boys had a burger each and i went for the cajun chicken goujons (which were actually in tempura batter, rather than breaded which constitutes a goujon) Now, there were two price options for the goujons..�3.95/�8.95. I assumed the �8.95 was a main portion and asked if they came with chips 'No. they come with salad, just like it says up there.' So, finding myself feeling like a school child in trouble, I apologised and ordered an extra portion. We weren't given a table number, so I asked if it was ok to go to the outdoor area until the food was ready as we had the dog with us..'yeah..she'll call u'.
So, outside in the peaceful garden, we were yelled at ' u eatin' in or what?' so we all scurried inside and found a seat. Then the matron-like woman stomped over..'oh..I hadn't sat u there..I sat u there' and stomped over, got our knives and forks and slammed them on the table where we were.
By the time the food got to us, we were fearful to ask for sauces incase it incurred yet another sigh or teenage stomping stroppy walk as if it was too much trouble.
The food was lovely, that cannot be faulted. But the service was unacceptabe. There were two Americans on the table next to us and we only hope that they didn't think that the service in this pub was a true depiction of English hospitality.
We said goodbye and thanks as we left only to be met with stoney silence. We worked out that we had spent over �70 and in this current economic climate, service like this is not good business sense as we will not be returning. The best advertisement is word of mouth, well we will be telling our friends about the French and Saunders-esque debaucle that we experienced at The Dolphin, what a shame.
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Haven't been in here for a while, but the Doom Bar was good and so was the food (Toulouse Sausages).
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We visited this pub before on the run up to Christmas 2010. Having good memories of previous visits several years back, we were looking forward to going back there again and feeling somewhat nostalgic. The pub is being marketed as a' Village Pub' and has had a bit of a makeover in recent times. What a disappointment, unfortunately it didn't feel welcoming. We felt as if we were outsiders, which is not good for a pub especially in a tourist area. We didn't get served for what felt like a lifetime, but there wasn't a queue. The bar staff seemed preoccupied with their regulars or messing about and didn't want to acknowledge a new face which I find is a strange attitude to have in these challenging times. The choice of ale not that good and over-priced. We dislike paying a premium in a pub where people are not welcome; the dogs were made more welcome with water bowls strategically placed around the venue, can be a bit of a hazard. It could have been called the �Dog and Dolphin� and if they're not careful it could be going to the fore mentioned. Perhaps the owners felt that customers should feel privileged to drink there. So hot-footed along to Monks Bar ..........
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Ales were no more exepnsive than others in location when i visited so maybe they have realised they were too expensive (see previous reviews). 1 out of 3 pints I had were not at best so maybe there is still a problem there (perhaps trying to keep too many ales on the go). food was very good but not cheapest around. Worth trying as it seems to be getting some of its old personality back.
odbod - 27 May 2010 10:28 |
Not a good pub as the previous owners ripped the soul out of once good OId Portsmouth local. Now we have a pub where the staff are uninterested and they a 50% premium over other pubs in Portsmouth, i.e. �3.60 for a pint that is �2.50 elsewhere. My advice, avoid.
mrb14 - 25 Dec 2009 16:55 |
Contrary messages as you approach, with notices reading �Portsmouth�s Oldest Pub� rather clashing with the presence of venetian blinds at the street windows. The room to the right of the entrance and the semi-open area opp bar do carry some originality, each with wood burning fires, the former has whitewashed brick walls, the latter curving half-timbered banquette seating, but the general feel of makeover � the large open bar area and those blinds detract from any sense of history or old pubbiness. Wooden floor throughout the front & bar sections, stone slabs to the rear where light wood tables appear set up in restaurant style, when I wandered back there to take a look staff hanging at the corner of the bar asked �Can I help you?�, hmmm. Jazzy schmoozy soundtrack added further to the feeling of bar, rather than pub, although the blues trumpet on a version of Summertime was pretty special. The beers were in fine condition, mostly from the local Irving brewery, Frigate, Cathedral, Invincible, Wee Malc�s 80-shilling, also Landlord & Doombar, but at an eye-watering �3.30! My only target pub in �Old� Portsmouth, and the price and unsympathetic treatment of d�cor would dissuade me from returning.
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The Dolphin is truly "Old Portsmouth's Village Pub" and offers a good selection of locally brewed real ale from Irvings Brewery along with a comprehensive and affordable lunch and dinner menu. A real log fire is a centrepiece. Upstairs, The Trafalgar Room has been transformed into a spectacular private dining room with views over the Cathedral. An ideal place for a get together or just
a quiet drink - with no flashing fruit machines, juke boxes or other distractions. I spent New Year's Eve there and it was a truly memorable experience and I recommend a visit very soon.
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Not a bad pub. Most of the beers were from the Irving Brewery, and were drinkable & pleasant, but certainly not outstanding. The Frigate was a bit cloudy, and the Cathedral was pretty lumpy, not sure if it was end of barrel, or if they are always a bit 'raw'. Guest was Tim Taylors Landlord, which I am told was very well served. The food had more of an emphasis on quality than quantity, but no complaints in terms of value for money. The area that I was very impressed with was the friendliness of the staff, we were made to feel very welcome, and I will definitely try it again next time I visit Pompey. (Next season in the Championship?)
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Re-opened apparently, can't comment as haven't been there since my last comment.
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closed at present
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8 beers on when we visited one Wed evening. Tim Taylor Landlord a bit too warm for my liking but decent enough.
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My self and wife went here for dinner over the weekend having read a review of the new restaurant.
The back part of the pub has been converted into a restuarant and very nice it looks to.
We love fish and shellfish so were well cattered for although there weere plenty of options for meat eaters. All in all a tempting menu that gave us some tough choices.
We ate at 8pm and the service was good but as the meal went on and the tales filled up the level dropped off. My wife ordered but then had to reorder 20 mins later as they had run out. This was a bit annoying but overall we enjoyed the meal a lot and would go back.
As for the drining this pub has chaqngd a hell of a lot since I was an undeage kid drinking here. On our visit we were amongst the youngest eating (we are mid 30's) bit it was a pleasent night and we wish them well.
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Old Portsmouth used to be the place for a drink before Gunwharf opened. The Dolphin was incredibly busy especially over christmas time. Now it can be very quiet especially early week.
However, it's great if you like a traditional pub... lots of large tables and seating so it is perfect for a drink when there are a few of you.
Good selection of beers but spirit selection is run of the mill average and needs shaking up (although they do do Laphroiag whisky - a fav of my partner!)
Food is pretty boring pub grub - but fine.
Overall if you are after a pint and a chat with your friends its a great place to go and recommended.
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Very cosy with lots of tables in historic Old Portsmouth. A great selection of real ales including an always well-kept Timothy Taylor Landlord. Open fire in winter. Small courtyard garden at the back. Small screens show some sporting events.
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Great traditional pub, nice atmostphere with a really cosy snug area. Food served in the evening.
PS - 27 Apr 2006 16:40 |
