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 Sallyport Inn |
57-58 High Street, Old Portsmouth, PO1 2LU |
| 023 9282 1860 |
  Once known as the Oyster Refreshment Rooms and later the Temperence Hotel, the Sallyport is housed in an historic property in the oldest part of town. Trading under this name since the 1950s, the hotel has a welcoming, comfortable bar, with one area dedicated to dining. Plenty of bric-a-brac and naval memorabilia can be found on the walls and a good selection of quality real ales is always on offer. This is one of Portsmouth's best pubs. Accommodation available.
NOTE: This pub is presently (May 2009) closed for refurbishment.
| Pub Operator: Free House |
Grade II Listed |
Licenced Hours For The Sale Of Alcohol:
Mon-Sun 10:00 'til 00:30; Bank Holiday extensions |
Photographs, left to right:
18th February 1990; 30th September 2006 |
| Visit the Pub Crawls page to read a
detailed description of this pub (January 2008) |
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| The Shearer Arms |
72 Shearer Road, Kingston, PO1 5LP |
| 023 9282 7001 |
   Built for the Gibbs Brewery in the 1890s, the Shearer Arms can be found in a back street between New Road and St Mary's Road. Surviving with the same name for its entire life, the pub spent many years in the hands of Whitbread. Allowed to run down, the pub has since been refurbished and is a true community local, with a single bar and function room.
| Pub Operator: Punch Taverns |
Photographs, left to right:
November 1998 (by Ray Scarfe)
14th August 1988; 4th February 2007 |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat 11:00 'til 00:30; Sun12:00 'til 00:00
Bank Holiday extensions |
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| The Shepherd's Crook |
107 Goldsmith Avenue, Southsea, PO4 0BS |
| 023 9282 5906 |
   This prominent corner house on a busy street still prominently displays the name of its original owners, Portsmouth United Breweries. dating from 1912 and designed by A E Cogswell, the pub is a popular local.
Many of the clientele are known to be particularly partisan Portsmouth FC fans, so away visitors to nearby Fratton Park are advised to drink elsewhere on match days!
| Pub Operator: Punch Taverns |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon Tue Wed 10:00 'til 23:30
Thu Fri Sat 10:00 'til 00:30;
Sun 10:00 'til 00:00
Bank Holiday extensions |
Photographs, left to right:
13th July 2008; 28th April 1991; 14th August 2005 |
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| The Ship & Castle |
1-2 The Hard, Portsea, PO1 3PU |
| 023 9283 2009 |
   A pub by the name of the Ship & Castle has existed on this site for hundreds of years. The present structure was built to a design by Cogswell in 1902 and was once a Gales house, but by the '70s had fallen into disuse. A major refit in 1980, which saw the interior completely gutted, led to the reopening of the pub by Whitbread. Following a further refit in 1992 it is now a popular pub/diner and is frequented by locals and tourists alike. Pool table available.
| Pub Operator: Free House |
Photographs, left to right:
30th September 2006; 11th May 1989
March 1999 (by Ray Scarfe) |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat 10:00 'til 23:30;
Sun: 12:00 'til 22:50 |
| Visit the Pub Crawls page to read a detailed description of this pub (October 2004) |
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  This old Victorian pub now stands isolated and hidden away, close to the entrance to the Continental Ferry Port. Once on the water's edge (see bottom left-hand photograph), major land reclamation in the last century means that it is now surrounded by industry.
Originally owned by Murrell's, the pub passed to Friary Meux of Guildford and in 1990 was sold to Gales of Horndean.
Now a Fullers house, the pub is used by locals, ferry port workers and travellers alike. It is the only pub in Portsmouth to hold a 24 hour liquor licence.
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Pub Operator: Fuller Smith & Turner |
Licenced Hours For The Sale Of Alcohol:
Mon-Sun 24hrs |
Colour photographs, left to right:
March 1999 (by Ray Scarfe)
18th February 1990;
30th September 2006 |
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| The Ship Anson |
10 The Hard, Portsea, PO1 3DT |
| 023 9282 4152 |
   Rebuilt in 1922 to a Cogswell design to replace the earlier Ship Anson, this tall, narrow brewers tudor style pub is the most attractive property on The Hard.
The pub was amalgamated with the King & Queen (as seen in the bottom left-hand photograph) next door in 1967 and now consists of one large single-bar room, divided by a partitian wall.
Both pubs were part of the Brickwoods estate for many years, and in 1971 the Ship Anson became one of hundreds aquired by Whitbread as a result of their buy-out of Brickwoods.
   It is now one of a growing estate of pubs in Portsmouth owned by Suffolk brewer Greene King. The pub is frequented by locals and has a large influx of tourists in the summer months, when pavement tables and chairs are provided for al fresco drinking. The pub underwent an extensive and long-overdue refurbishment in May 2008 and now provides pleasant and comfortable surroundings in which to enjoy a drink, or maybe a meal from the pub's extensive, well-priced menu.
| Pub Operator: Greene King |
Photographs, clockwise from top left:
13th July 2008; June 1998 (by Ray Scarfe)
11th May 1989; 28th March 2005
unknown date; 5th June 2008 |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon Tue Wed Thu Sun 11:00 'til 23:40
Fri Sat 11:00 'til 00:40; Bank Holiday extensions |
| Visit the Pub Crawls page to read a detailed description of this pub (October 2004) |
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  The second Wetherspoon outlet to appear on Portsea Island, the John Baker opened its doors around the turn of the 21st century and is housed in a former banking premises in North End's busy shopping centre. A typical JDW pub, it consists of one large bar area, with as many tables and chairs as possible packed into the space available, making it feel rather congested at busier times. A smaller area toward the rear proves to be the quietest, though is a fair distance from the bar!
| Pub Operator: J D Wetherspoon |
Photographs, left to right:
19th September 2004; 15th July 2007 |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon Tue Wed Thu Sun 07:00 'til 01:30
Fri Sat 07:00 'til 02:00 |
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| The Sir Loin of Beef |
152 Highland Road, Eastney, PO4 9NH |
| 023 9282 0115 |
   Starting life as the Cambridge Arms in the 19th century, this corner house in Eastney's residential district was to become the Sir Loin Of Beef in 1977. It was one of a small number of Eldridge Pope pubs in the city until being sold on in the 1990s.
Now a genuine free house, the pub features one u-shaped bar area and is a magnet for real ale enthusiasts across the south. A monthly beer festival is held, featuring a single brewery's beers at discounted prices. A friendly, first class drinking establishment. Do not be deterred by the pub's inexplicable absence from CAMRA's Good Beer Guide. Seek it out.
| Pub Operator: Free House (P S Jevons) |
see also Best Ale Houses |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu 10:00 'til 00:00;
Fri Sat 10:00 'til 00:30
Sun 12:00 'til 23:30;
Bank Holiday extensions |
Photographs, left to right:
11th May 1989; 11th May 1989; 19th September 2004 |
| Visit the Pub Crawls page to read a detailed description of this pub (March 2007) |
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  Opened in 1996 by Whitbread and originally part of the Hogshead Ale House chain of pubs, this large, open plan bar was sold off to the Laurel Pub Company two years later and rebranded as the Hog's Head, retaining a similar image to the former but without the emphasis on cask ale. By the summer of 2007 Laurel refurbished the pub and reopened it as part of their Slug & Lettuce chain, which until 2008 was expanding across the country following Laurel's purchase of the brand from Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries.
Laurel has since found itself in financial difficulty and the pub is now operated by the newly-formed Bay Restaurant Group. The pub remains popular, attracting shoppers and professionals by day and a younger clientele by night.
| Pub Operator: Bay Restaurant Group |
Photographs, left to right:
22nd July 2007; 30th September 2006 |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu 10:00 'til 00:30
Fri Sat 10:00 'til 01:30; Sun 12:00 'til 00:30 |
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 This new addition to the Portsmouth pub scene opened its doors on 4th June 2008, in the premises that was previously occupied by the Santa Fe restaurant. Covering two floors, both with outdoor seating areas, the bar rooms have bright, airy interiors with modern furnishings, in keeping with the nature of the surrounding Gunwharf Quays establishments. As far as drinks are concerned, cocktails are a major feature, plus a good assortment of beers, wines and spirits. One real ale is usually available. A varied food menu is offered.
| Pub Operator: Bay Restaurant Group |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon-Wed 10:00 'til 00:30
Thu-Sat 10:00 'til 01:30; Sun 10:00 'til 00:00 |
| Photographed 13th July 2008 |
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| Smiffy's |
235 Goldsmith Avenue, Southsea, PO5 0BS |
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 This small bar opened within the first few years of the 21st century and is situated opposite the overbridge that connects Fratton Station with Goldsmith Avenue. Advertising itself as a bistro, it offers food all day, as well as real ale and coffee. Popular with those visiting Fratton Park when Portsmouth FC are playing, it is rumoured however to attract the rougher element of the local football crowd.
| Pub Operator: Free House |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat 10:00 'til 23:30
Sun 12:00 'til 22:50 |
| Photographed 3rd January 2005 |
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| The Sovereigns |
Kingston Crescent, Mile End, PO2 2AL |
| 023 9263 9673 |
 Constructed in 1999 to partner a new Travelodge with which the pub shares its plot, the Sovereigns is aimed at travellers and families, offering all day meals and facilities for children.
| Pub Operator: Orchid Pubs |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon Tue Wed Sun 10:00 'til 01:00
Thu Fri Sat 10:00 'til 01:30
Bank Holiday extensions |
| Photographed 6th August 2005 |
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| The Spice Island Inn |
1 Bath Square, Old Portsmouth, PO1 2JL |
| 023 9282 4293 |
    Conceived in 1991 as the result of a union between the Lone Yachtsman and the Coal Exchange, the Spice Island Inn was the brainchild of Whitbread marketing men who saw fit to destroy the history contained within the fabric of the two aforementioned pubs and convert them into one huge, characterless pub.
  Nevertheless, it's prominent location on the waterfront ensures that it still receives a good patronage, especially in the summer months.
The pub is now owned by Suffolk brewer Greene King and has a predominance of exposed wood throughout its large floorspace.Along with the adjacent Still & West Country House, these two pubs are all that remain of the dozens that once filled Bath Square and Broad Street during the 19th century, when smuggling, drunkenness and prostitution were rife.Thankfully the area is now a much more pleasant place in which to enjoy a harbourside drink!
 
 THE COAL EXCHANGE: Originally the North Country Tavern, the pub was also known as the Jolly Sailor before becoming the Coal Exchange in around 1859.
THE LONE YACHTSMAN: Known as the Union Tavern for well over 150 years, the name can still be seen in the photograph at second floor level. In 1968 the tavern was renamed the Lone Yachtsman in tribute to circumnavigator Sir Alec Rose and also featured a Lively Lady Bar.
| Pub Operator: Greene King |
Grade II Listed |
Licenced Opening Hours:
1st May-30th September & Christmas/NewYear:
Mon Tue Wed Thu Sun 11:00 'til 23:30
Fri Sat 11:00 'til 00:30
1st October-30th April (not Christmas/New Year):
Mon-Sat 10:00 'til 23:30; Sun 11:00 'til 22:50 |
Photographs, clockwise from top left:
3rd February 2009; 27th January 2008
September 1998 (by Ray Scarfe)
15th July 2007; 15th July 2007
3rd January 2005; 11th May 1989; 11th May 1989
September 2004 (by Ray Scarfe) |
| Visit the Pub Crawls page to read a
detailed description of this pub (January 2008) |
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| The Sportsman's Rest |
24 Copnor Road, Copnor, PO3 5AQ |
| 023 9266 2675 |
   This Victorian corner pub has kept its name since the 19th century, despite having changed hands many times in the intervening years. At one time owned by United, Brickwoods and Whitbread breweries (among others) the pub remains a true locals' local, with traditional pub games. Unfortunately no real ale is stocked.
NOTE: The pub is currently (October 2009) closed for business, with external renovation taking place. No further information available at present.
| Pub Operator: Punch Taverns |
Photographs, left to right:
April 1999
(by Ray Scarfe)
14th August 2005; 14th August 1988 |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu 11:00 'til 00:00;
Fri-Sat 11:00 'til 00:30
Sun 11:00 'til 23:30 |
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    Another A H Bone design, the Stag was built in 1892 for the Peters Brewery. Later owned by Youngs, Friary Meux, Gales and now Fullers, the pub features a large carving of a stag at roof level.
This pleasant local and is one of the best pubs in this residential part of town and is therefore worth visiting when in the area.
| Pub Operator: Fuller Smith & Turner |
Photographs, left to right:
13th July 2008; 14th August 2005
14th August 1988; November 1998 (by Ray Scarfe) |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu 07:00 'til 01:00;
Fri Sat Sun 07:00 'til 02:00 occasional extensions |
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| The Star & Garter |
230 Copnor Road, Copnor, PO3 5DB |
| 023 9266 3206 |
   Built in the 1920s for Portsmouth United Breweries, the Star & Garter is a large roadhouse-style pub that is popular with both locals and passers-by. Still sporting the glazed green brickwork of its original owners, the pub later became part of the Brickwood's estate before being swallowed up by London-based national brewer Whitbread in the early 1970s.
As was the trend in the 1980s, the pub lost its original public and lounge bars and was knocked through into one, very large room. A further refurbishment during the mid 1990s unusually saw this 'vandalism' reversed, with the pub once again gaining two seperate bars.
  Now in the hands of major Suffolk pub owner and brewer Greene King, the house serves food throughout the day and appears to be undergoing somewhat of a renaissance in recent years.
| Pub Operator: Greene King |
Photographs, clockwise from top left:
13th July 2008; September 2003 (by Ray Scarfe)
Matchbox label image kindly supplied by Rob Hall
14th August 1988; 14th August 2005 |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon Tue Wed Thu Sun 11:00 'til 23:40
Fri Sat 11:00 'til 00:40; Bank Holiday extensions |
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| The Still & West Country House |
2 Bath Square, Old Portsmouth, PO1 2JL |
| 023 9282 1567 |
www.fullers.co.uk |
   Possibly the best known of all Portsmouth's public houses, this historic old harbourside inn has existed since the early 18th century and was originally the Still Tavern. The marriage of the landlord's daughter to a neighbour at the local East & West Country House saw the pub acquire its present day name. Owned by Gale's since the 1930s, the pub was gutted in 1988 and a modern interior fitted. The bar room is L-shaped and has an abundance of exposed wood.There is an upstairs bar and restaurant.
  Now part of Fuller's growing estate following their acquisition of Gale's in around 2005, the pub received another comprehensive, though sympathetic, refurbishment in May 2007, which has done little to spoil its appeal. Note the attractive nautical decoration on the ceiling of the downstairs bar room. In summing up, the Still & West (as it is almost universally known) is the perfect place from which to watch the shipping as its passes through the mouth of Portsmouth Harbour, directly outside.
| Pub Operator: Fuller Smith & Turner |
Grade II Listed |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon Tue Wed Thu Sun 10:00 'til 00:30
Fri Sat 10:00 'til 01:30;
Bank Holiday extensions |
Photographs, left to right:
26th September 2007; 15th July 2007; 11th May 1989 |
| Visit the Pub Crawls page to read a
detailed description of this pub (January 2008) |
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| The Strand Bar |
100 Clarendon Road, Southsea, PO4 0SD |
| 023 9273 1789 |
   Originally the Waverley Arms, this pub was renamed the Captain's Table in the 1960s before acquiring its most recent title in 1999. Dating from Victorian times, the pub is located a short distance from Southsea seafront and a short walk from South Parade Pier. Now popular with a loyal local patronage, the house once received custom from those on their way to Southsea's nearby nightclubs at weekends. Unfortunately, the closure in 2007 of the four clubs housed within the Savoy Buildings on South Parade means that the pub has now lost a vital source of trade. It is hoped that this doesn't impact on the financial viability of this pleasant pub.
| Pub Operator: Punch Taverns |
Photographs, left to right:
13th July 2008; 19th September 2004; 11th May 1989 |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat 10:00 'til 00:30; Sun 12:00 'til 00:30 |
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| Stranded Bar |
54 Clarence Parade, Southsea, PO5 2EU |
| 023 9282 6139 |
Once known as the Westfield, then from 1948 as the Jolly Sailor, this pub was originally part of the Portsmouth United Breweries estate, later becoming the property of Whitbread and more recently, Enterprise Inns. In 2007 the pub received arather unnecessary and gimmicky prefix to its name, starting trading as Marina Jaks @ Jolly Sailor, as seen in two of the photographs of the pub and inn sign here. By late 2008 the pub was struggling to survive financially following the closure of the local nightclubs that the Jolly Sailor shared much of its trade with.
   The pub stood closed and boarded during the first half of 2009 until planning permission was granted to convert twelve rooms on the upper levels to bed & breakfast accommodation. The pub reopened as the oddly-named Stranded Bar (not to be confused with the nearby Strand Bar!) in early July 2009 and now sports a modern, minimalist styled bar on the upper level, with a separate restaurant downstairs. Initial evening trade is reported to be 'good', though the pub is quieter throughout the day. Bar food is also served throughout the day.
| Pub Operator: Enterprise Inns |
Photographs, clockwise from top left:
13th July 2009; April 1999 (by Ray Scarfe)
April 1999 (by Ray Scarfe);
June 2003 (by Ray Scarfe)
13th July 2008; 11th May 1989
13th July 2008; 6th August 2005 |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat 10:00 'til 23:30; Sun 12:00 'til 22:50 |
| see the Pub Reviews page for a detailed description of this pub (July 2009) |
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| The Surrey Arms |
1/3 Surrey Street, Landport, PO1 1JT |
| 023 9282 7120 |
    Tucked away off Commercial Road, the Surrey Arms was bult in 1891 and opened as the Victoria Hotel (as shown in the bottom right-hand photograph), gaining its present name in 1971 whilst owned by Brickwoods (see bottom right-hand photo).
A sizeable two-bar pub, it was given a major refurbishment in 1985 by owners Whitbread.
The pub became part of Whitbread's Hogshead Ale Houses chain in 1994, gaining the dubious name of The Hogshead & Bucket.
 Thankfully this name change was reversed in 2002, when a further refit returned the pub's name to the Surrey Arms, by which time it had lost its Hogshead affiliation.
The house has since changed hands at least twice and is now part of a growing Greene King estate of pubs in Portsmouth.
| Pub Operator: Greene King |
Colour photographs, clockwise from top left:
13th July 2008; June 1999 (by Ray Scarfe)
Matchbox label image kindly supplied by Rob Hall
18th February 1990; 14th August 2005
November 2002 (by Ray Scarfe) |
Licenced Opening Hours:
Mon-Wed 11:00 'til 23:30;
Thu 11:00 'til 00:30
Fri Sat 11:00 'til 01:30;
Sun 11:00 'til 00:00
Bank Holiday extensions |
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| The Swan |
100 Copnor Road, Copnor, PO3 5AJ |
| 023 9262 6071 |
   This late Victorian tavern on busy Copnor Road was originally part of the Peters Brewery. Later owned by Ind Coope then transferred to fellow Burton brewers Bass, the pub retained three seperate bars until the 1990s, when they were knocked through into one large room. Present owners Mitchells & Butlers have reinvented the pub as a local hostelry that tends to major on food.
Following a period of closure throughout the first half of 2009, the pub reopened for business at the end of July, with new licensees.
| Pub Operator: Mitchells & Butlers |
Photographs, left to right:
April 1999 (by Ray Scarfe)
14th August 2005; 14th August 1988 |
| Licenced Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 10:00 'til 00:30 |
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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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