These pages feature details and photographs of all pubs currently known to be trading throughout the Portsea Island districts of Portsmouth. Further entries are listed on the Mainland Pubs page.
Some pubs may also be listed with additional information on one or more of the following pages:
Pub Architecture, Pub Crawls, Pub Reviews, Best Ale Houses
CLICK ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS TO SEE THE FULL SIZE IMAGES
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| The Deco |
128 Elm Grove, Southsea, PO5 1LR |
| 023 9282 2000 |
   This building was constructed in 1936 to a design by A E Cogswell and replaced an earlier pub of the same name that had existed since at least the mid 19th century. Originally part of the Brickwoods Brewery estate, the pub ended up in the hands of Whitbread before being sold on in the 1990s.
 A refit in the early 21st century has sadly seen the demise of the original name and the house now goes by the daft moniker of the Deco.
The pub caters for a younger clientele, with DJs playing at weekends. A pool table is available and real ales are a surprise inclusion. The licence is held by the owner of the Ship & Castle, The Hard.
| Pub Operator: Enterprise Inns |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat 10:00 'til 23:30; Sun 12:00 'til 22:50 |
Photographs, clockwise from top left:
30th September 2006;
March 1999 (by Ray Scarfe);
18th February 1990;
matchbox label image kindly supplied by Rob Hall |
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| The Derby Tavern |
47 Stamshaw Road, Stamshaw, PO2 8LG |
| 023 9266 4208 |
   Typical of Stamshaw's public houses, the Derby is a true street-corner local. Dating from the late Victorian era, the pub has retained the same name for well over a century. Threatened with possible closure in the early 1990s, the pub was thankfully refurbished and reopened with a more open-plan interior. Pool and darts are played.
The exterior floral displays are an attractive feature throughout the summer months.
| Pub Operator: Punch Taverns |
Photographs, left to right:
13th July 2008; 6th September 2006; 14th August 1988 |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon Tue Wed Thu 10:00 'til 00:30;
Fri Sat 10:00 'til 01:30;
Sun 10:00 'til 00:00;
Bank Holiday extensions |
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| The Devonshire Arms |
29 Devonshire Avenue, Southsea, PO5 9EA |
| 023 9282 8785 |
  Constructed in 1906 to a design by architect J J Cotton, the Devonshire Arms occupies a large corner plot in a residential district of east Southsea. Originally owned by Longs Brewery (as shown in the black & white photograph), the housed passed into Brickwoods ownership in the 1930s and later to Whitbread. It is now operated by national pub company, Punch Taverns.
Sadly, the pub now sports one single bar room after having its dividing walls demolished by Whitbread, as was the craze in the 1980s. The result gives the Devonshire the feel of a public bar and is frequented almost exclusively by regular customers from the surrounding streets.
| Pub Operator: Punch Taverns |
Colour photographs, left to right:
13th July 2008;
14th August 2005; 11th May 1989
matchbox label image kindly supplied by Rob Hall |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon-Wed 10:00 'til 23:30; Thu-Sat 10:00 'til 00:30;
Sun 10:00 'til 23:00; Bank Holiday extensions |
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| The Dolphin |
41 High Street, Old Portsmouth, PO1 2LU |
| 023 9282 3595 |
    This 17th century inn is one of the oldest in Portsmouth, despite this not being obvious from its comparatively nondescript frontage. Known as the Dolphin since the early 1800s, it was granted a licence in perpetuity by King Charles I. The pub now sports one large bar room containing three seperate drinking areas, with a restaurant to the rear.
  Well patronised as one of Whitbread's Hogshead Ale House during the 1990s, it is now owned by national pubco Enterpise Inns.
August 2007 saw the pub reopen as Le Vieux Port Brasserie at The Dolphin, which saw the premises dominated by a French restaurant, though the licencees soon found themselves in financial difficulties when the expected custom did not materialize. A swift change of management in August 2008 saw the pub thankfully relaunched simply as the Dolphin with its emphasis back on being a traditional pub. Six real ales are now served - four of which come from the local Irving & Co brewery. Diners have not been forgotten, however and a comprehensive menu is still available for those who which to enjoy a meal. The pub is once again proving to be a popular destination after a shakey few years. Bed & breakfast is now also offered.
| Pub Operator: Enterprise Inns |
Grade II Listed |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat 10:00 'til 00:30; Sun 12:00 'til 23:59
Bank Holiday extensions |
Photographs, left to right:
unknown date (by Ray Scarfe); 23rd November 2008
9th July 2007; 11th May 1989; 1970s (by Ray Scarfe)
matchbox label kindly supplied by Ray Scarfe |
| Visit the Pub Crawls page to read a
detailed description of this pub (January 2008) |
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| Drift Bar |
78 Palmerston Road, Southsea, PO5 3PT |
| 023 9277 9839 |
 This cosmopolitan, modern café style bar stands next door to the Slug & Lettuce and is popular with students and young professionals. The long, narrow interior is dominated by the large projection screen on which Sky Sports is shown. Piped music is played throughout the bar and food is served during the day. Drinks are confined mainly to premium priced draught lagers and bottled beers, as well as the usual spirits and cocktails. Sheltered pavement seating is available beaneath an awning. A second lounge bar area is available for hire. DJs play at weekends.
| Pub Operator:Urban Renaissance Bar Ltd |
Photographed 18th March 2008 |
| Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon-Wed 11:00 'til 02:30; Thu-Sat 11:00 'til 03:30;
Sun 11:00 'til 01:30 |
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| Drift In The City |
10 Isambard Brunel Road, Landport, PO1 2DU |
| 023 9273 9731 |
New bar due to open in October 2009 in the former City Arms premises (see Closed Pubs section). Full details to follow soon.
| Pub Operator: Urban Renaissance Bar Ltd |
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| Licenced Opening Hours: Mon-Thu 10:00 'til 02:30; Fri-Sat 10:00 'til 03:00; Sun 10:00 'til 02:30 |
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| The Druid's Arms |
11-15 Binsteed Road, Buckland, PO2 7PM |
| 023 9266 5936 |
www.fullers.co.uk |
  This Victorian corner pub has retained the same name since opening in the late 19th century. Originally part of the local Young's Brewery estate since 1897, it eventually ended up in the hands of Ind Coope until being sold to Gales of Horndean in 1990. Following the sale of Gales to London brewer Fuller Smith & Turner in 2005, the pub once again changed hands and received a facelift.
The Druids sports a large L-shaped public bar offering a jukebox, pool and darts, with a smaller lounge bar facing St Stephen's Road. A more comprehensive description shall be published soon.
| Pub Operator: Fuller Smith & Turner |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu 07:00 'til 01:00;
Fri-Sun 07:00 'til 02:00
Bank Holiday extensions |
Photographs, clockwise from top left:
14th May 2009; March 1999 (by Ray Scarfe
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14th May 2009; 4th February 2007; 18th February 1990 |
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| The Duck |
177 Elm Grove, Southsea, PO5 1LU |
| 023 9282 7188 |
   On its opening in 2005 the Duck was one of the best new pubs to have opened in Portsmouth for a number of years. Owned by the former licensee of the Wine Vaults on Albert Road, the pub was known as the Duckfor three years until being relaunched in the Spring of 2008 as the Cider House, featuring a selection of around twenty draught and bottled ciders including around half a dozen 'real' ciders and perries. For reasons unknown to the Webmaster, the house reverted to the name the Duck the following year! Unfortunately. Cider sales proved poor and the range has subsequently been reduced to reflect this.
The pub consists of a pleasant single-roomed bar, with much exposed wood in evidence. There is an interconnecting door to the adjacent Dog and a small yard at the rear contains a number of picnic benches. A pool table can be found in a small room to the rear of the house.
Pub Operator:
Wine Vaults (Portsmouth) Ltd |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu 11:00 'til 01:00; Fri Sat 11:00 'til 02:00
Sun 12:00 'til 23:59 |
| Photographs, left to right: 6th August 2005; 26th May 2008; 26th May 2008 |
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   This pub stands on what was once the Green Dragon in the 18th and 19th centuries, before later becoming the Cambridge Tavern in the 1850s. The pub was renamed the Duke of Buckingham in the 1920s (see top right-hand photograph) and was rebuilt in 1968.
Now back to its proper name after an unfortunate spell as Buckingham's throughout the 1980s when owned by national brewer Whitbread (as shown in the bottom left-hand photograph), the pub underwent a comprehensive and expensive refit in 1991, making it much more appealing, both inside and out.
  Named after the first Duke of Buckingham who was assassinated nearby, the pub is now a welcoming retreat in Portsmouth's old town, serving a good range of drinks as well as well-priced meals. The pub offers a good alternative to the area's busier waterside pubs. The pub includes an outside smoking area to the rear, as well as a separate pool room. The main bar area is split into two or three distinct areas, with much exposed wood in evidence.
| Pub Operator: Enterprise Inns |
Licenced Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 10:00 'til 00:30 |
| Visit the Pub Crawls page to read a
detailed description of this pub (January 2008) |
Colour photographs, clockwise from top left:
13th July 2008; September 1998 (by Ray Scarfe);
11th May 1989; 3rd January 2005 |
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| The Duke of Devonshire |
119 Albert Road, Southsea, PO5 2SQ |
| 023 9282 3682 |
 Originally known as the Prince of Wales, this small street corner local has remained a constant among Albert Road's changing pub scene in recent years.
A former Brickwoods house, the pub features a single, comfortable lounge bar and has a patio at the rear for al fresco drinking in the warmer weather.
Darts is played and a jukebox can be found toward the rear of the bar. The Devonshire is frequented mainly by a faithful band of regular customers, who come here for the warm welcome. However, it is well worth seeking out and is a good source of well-kept cask ale.
Pub Operator:
Enterprise Inns |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu 11:00 'til 00:30; Fri Sat 11:00 'til 01:30
Sun 12:00 'til 00:30; Bank Holiday extensions |
| Photographs, left to right: April1998
(by Ray Scarfe); 30th September 2006;
11th May 1989; unknown date |
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| Please note that the Licenced Opening Hours stated are the hours for which each premises has a licence to open its doors to the public. The hours for sale of alcoholic liquor may well be shorter than the Licenced opening hours. Some pubs may choose to open for shorter hours than their licence allows. Therefore it is always adviseable to check ahead to ensure that the premises shall be open at the time of your planned visit. |
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