please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Small corner pub owned by Wadworths on a hill heading out of town. Ales were mostly from Wadworths - 6X, Horizon, Swordfish & Henry's IPA. But they did also have Everards Sunchaser Blonde. They also had Westons Old Rosie cider. Appears to be another foodie pub, with many tables having reserved signs for dinner. There was an outdoor area at the rear. Service took a while. But I think I just arrived at the wrong time. Shares some kind of loyalty scheme with other local pubs, including what was to be my next destination, the Green Man.
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Small corner pub owned by Wadworths on a hill heading out of town. Ales were mostly from Wadworths - 6X, Horizon, Swordfish & Henry's IPA. But they did also have Everards Sunchaser Blonde. They also had Westons Old Rosie cider. Appears to be another foodie pub, with many tables having reserved signs for dinner. There was an outdoor area at the rear. Service took a while. But I think I just arrived at the wrong time. Shares some kind of loyalty scheme with other local pubs, including what was to be my next destination, the Green Man.
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Wadworth's boozer with a hint of individuality- some places to hide and very well kept beer indeed. Excellent 6X. Mostly student-populated and fills up quickly and the small space rapidly becomes too much and an annoyance. Alezilla scores the big 6 for this one, no more.....
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Well kept Bishops Tipple and a cracking Quiz, what more could you ask for?
The St James has been steadily improving over the years and they don't mess with the formula. Its a great pub with a good balance between looking after the drinkers and the food.
The Barfly's are welcoming and enjoy a chat - the sign of a good pub IMO.
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Had a fairly rubbish food experience lately - "yes the soup is homemade" then why does it taste like its heinz? It is not a cheap pub and is almost as tiny as the Albion down the road. You can almost sense this pub is managed as an after thought to the owners (who have a little empire of underinspiring pub type venues in the city). If you want a tiny boozer with atmosphere and more varied ale/spirits choice i would plump for the albion (the wadworths is good at the St. James mind). Whatever you do avoid the Green Man unless your unbelievably aspirational or pretentious.
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Great little boozer. All the Wadsworth beers were on good form. Food was reasonable too.
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Visited for first time last week and will definately go again. Very well kept Wadworths Ales and friendly service. Lovely little Pub.
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Back in the St James with my brother on our mini pub crawl and he can't believe pubs are this good. I'm in heaven with 'Bishop's Tipple', 6x, Horison, Henry's IPA and Pedigree, all on hand pump and guess what? Weston's 'old Rosie' cloudy scrumpy on tap, WOW! The bar maid is brilliant! and tells us that the owners also have 'the Corner House' and 'the Green Man'. She's just putting on the 60p sausages, which go down well with the early evening crowd. My 8 rating for this boozer is still in place.
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Called in on a Tuesday evening last week at about 10.00pm. A couple of people in, other than that, it was empty. The first words from the barmaid were " I can't serve you after a quarter to eleven". Most welcoming. Won't rush back there.
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Friendly, cosy, wadworths pub - usual range - well kept, nice looking food and could imagine hanging out here (wifi as well)
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Nice pub with well kept beer & friendly staff.
Well worth a visit
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Wedged on the corner of Romsey Road and Mews Lane It's a stiff walk up from the City centre and a great selection of beer awaits you to slake your thirst. Wadworths 6x, IPA (�2.50), Bishop's Tipple and Horizon, which I'd never had before and is light in colour, but full flavoured and a bit like 'Summer lightning'. The new knowledgable landlord has fought hard for a 'guest ale'and has got Wells Bombardier. The pub has few levels to it, which is not surprising considering the slope it's built on and a small beer garden at the rear. The menu has changed towards British Standards since the old landlord & Lady left and looked good. Tuesday there's a FREE pub quiz and Sundays sees live acoustic sessions in the afternoon 4pm - 7pm. I'd say after 'The Black boy' the next must visit pub in the City.'
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Visited Saturday had two great well kept pints,staff charming.
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Butcombe Bitter in fantastic condition, nice food. Aimed at the usual Winchester "smarter-set". Easy to get to from the station and then pop over to the broader-church of the Fulflood Arms for a few more beers! 7.5 out of 10.
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Up a few steps into an open plan space, but still two distinct areas. Ahead is the bar and a wedge shaped room with sanded floors and tables, bottles on a high shelf, beer mats above the bar. To the right, up a few more steps is a carpetted area with more traditional seating in fours, more suited to dining. There are fireplaces in both sections.
5 handpumps, Wadworths JCB, Henrys Original IPA, Butcombe Bitter, with two reversed, 6X and Bishop's Tipple.
An extensive food menu offers 13 varieties of burger amongst other options. The pub is a music venue with a number of forthcoming bands advertised and has a bit of a younger vibe but was relaxed and laid back on my afternoon visit. The radio was tuned in to Test Match Special, I didn't see a TV.
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I also, have seen bands play at the Tavern, an unusual and enjoyable experience!
I went to see Idiot 3, a Southampton based rock band, play an acoustic set in the Tavern.
First of all when I got there I had a pint of 6x, well kept, beautifully clear, with a decent head on it too, served by a very friendly member of staff who did advise me that a band would be playing and worth sticking around to see.
After reading the menu for what seemed like hours i finally had a "Chorizo Rustic Stew" which turned out to be amazing, it was like you'd imagine a European holiday in the villages of Catalan to taste like. My friends all had burgers, and all of them including an American who's word on burgers was Gospel, proclaimed them to be the greatest burgers in the history of the world.
The band were on at about 9pm, which gave us plenty of time to eat in peace and were exceedingly entertaining. After a short set of their own materiel, they launched into a raucous, jaunty covers set of rock classics, that seemed to set the place afire. The gig, culminating in a hoe down in which nearly everyone participated, ended to rapturous applause.
The atmosphere was electric, the people friendly and it seemed like the pub itself was beaming.
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It's a small country pub situated in town, with a mix of styles to please the young and old.
There's plenty on the music system and live acts line up to keep the youngsters entertained, plus a variety of blues and jazz acts to keep the more distinguished members of society happy as they march toward their later years.
The menu is huge, and varied, with various comedy names for some of the dishes to keep you interested as you browse through all five pages. They seem to make everything on the premises and only use Hampshire, and more local, suppliers. The curries are excellent, as are the stews and other rustic goodies. Keep and eye out for constantly changing specials.
The price is low, and the quality is excellent.
Though i have to assume that burgers are their flagship, with up to 11 varieties at any one time, and obviously a customer favourite. Definitely the best burgers in town, if not the world.
With 5 varieties of, very well kept and maintained, ale on tap, it's a must on any CAMRA pub crawl, BII party or "Good Beer Guide" outing.
They are open until midnight seven days a week, which is a boon to those who work late, or want to prolong the experience of a pint of Stowford Press Cider a little longer.
It's the alternative pub for the discerning drinker, a safe haven from the rigours of life, and they can throw parties the likes of which the world has never seen!
After attending New Years Eve, all of the gigs so far and the infamous "Jerk Fest Caribbean Party" I wouldn't hesitate to recommend that everyone, young or old attend the next one!
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Amazing! Really impressed by the bar selection and the menu. Great ales and the ever welcome Stowford Press on tap.
They boast 11 varieties of massive burgers along with a selection of foods suitable for most pallets. The pub is cosy and the staff friendly (you're even told their name via a small board) with a very exclectic choice of music.
Well worth the short walk!
Robep - 31 Mar 2009 11:06 |
Nice little pub. I had a decent pint and a good burger, although music slightly random.
Stopped off after gulping down a half in the West Gate, where I fear I may have been stabbed if I was to order another. Worth walking the extra 100 yards if you find yourself up the hill, or if you're visiting ill/imprisoned family members at the hospital/prison.
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The Tavern is a gem of a pub. One of those rare finds which caters for all ages and opens its doors for both regulars and new comers.
Its recent new owners have transformed the atmosphere with a lively enthusiasm and imagination.
The food menu is suberb, with traditional pub classics such as Scampi and Pies to more modern meals for example the Sun Dried Tomato and Goats Cheese Tart. The menu has a lively twist to it with meal names such as The Blues and Twos burger, Sexy Chicken Curry and my favourite, The Lambshank Redemption.
It is fast developing a reputation for some of the finest burgers in town with a wide range of delicious fillings to suit all tastes and all handmade.
The pub has put on some very good music nights, with wonderful bands playing a variety of music.
If music is not your thing then there is also a quiz every Tuesday night complete with prizes.
I definitely recommend a visit to this pub, I have not once been disappointed.
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What a great little find. A pub that feels tucked away despite being on the main road just 5 minute walk from the town centre. Albeit 5 minutes uphill!
Really nice food with great daily specials too. Although the burgers are probably best tackled only by those who missed breakfast!
A nice mix of older regulars (with a few irregulars thrown in for good measure), people who work close by in for a swift pint or two and also the odd student with decidedly questionable footwear�
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Really laid back pub where you could happily waste hours. The new management seem to be making small improvements all the time so they are obviously dedicated. The ad hoc music and quiz nights are really nice and the landlady is very chatty and lovely. The sunday roast is generous to say the least, have a walk round Winchester (town centre is just round the corner) and reward yourself with a big lunch afterwards!
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Lovely cosy pub with gorgeous gorgeous food, roaring fires and a great atmosphere. Staff are brilliant and the music is always good (but never too loud). Lots of different types of people here so great for couples (young and old) and groups of friends or a quick drink after work. Definitely recommended!
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lovely friendly little pub with nice beer.
well kept ale and the best burger in the world ever...
definitely worth the visit if you're in the area.
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Cosy corner pub with a great welcoming atmosphere for locals and out of towners alike.
Eclectic music tastes including Swing, jazz, country and rock.
Was brilliant to sing along to on a Friday night whilst enjoying numerous well kept ales.
The food was fairly priced and AMAZING!!!
Robep - 26 Feb 2009 20:50 |
Busy, small pub with a wine bar like atmosphere, in a pleasant panelled and stripped pine interior. Wadworths beers plus a guest, Butcombe in this case, very well kept but too chilled. The service was a bit slow and a bit offhand, the bar maid obviously more interested in her social life with the young guys at the other end of the bar, oh well such is life. Mainly a younger customer base with a few wrinklies to leaven the mix.
anonymous - 16 Feb 2009 11:24 |
I went in on a saturday lunchtime and it was encouraging to see the place so busy, there was obviously some sort fo christmas function going on. As befits a Wadworth house, 6X, Bishops Tipple, Henry's IPA and Butcombe Bitter were available on draught and the the whole place has an interesting wood-panelled decor with some reasonably priced food to boot. My 6X and Henry's were in decent condition and I would return again when I'm in the area.
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Nice cosy little pub off the tourist trail. I had a good pint of Wadworth's and a good pint of Butcombe. My ham salad was made with real ham off the bone, not reconstituted slices from a polythene packet so that's a good sign. They could possibly do with some extra staff at lunchtime; the poor girl on her owm in the bar was a bit overwhelmed, but apart from that, it was just fine.
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excellent example of a corner local. Very cosy
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A nice little pub, a short walk from the city centre.
The pub gets incredibly popular on quiz nights (currently Mondays), but service is friendly and a decent selection of ales. Also serves some of the best Guinness in Winchester.
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Small, dark Wadworth house tucked away from the direct centre of town.
5 ales on tap, my Butcombe Bitter was OK, no great shakes. Landlord's Ipod selection was eclectic, to say the least, Fratelli's to Dean Martin in 10 minutes flat.
Worth the short walk for a quick half.
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I have only been once but this small pub made good impression. a nice place to relax
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Beer has suffered badly don't think they can keep bitters properly. Food ok, but they refuse to contemplate proper ham egg and chips!! A previous favourite. Clientelle can leave a bit to be desired especially noisy woman in slippers from across the road. Fish wife springs to mind.
anonymous - 24 Oct 2006 15:13 |
Just perfect for a quick bite to eat and a good pint, whether in the evening or at lunch time. Really friendly staff, and a nice place to relax after a day working or shopping in Winchester.
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Pleasant smartish pub with really good 6X (forgot how good it was). Seemed to do all the simple things right. All 4 Winchester pubs I visited had excellent beer.
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Still our favorite pub for a quick pint on the way back from town. Friendly staff in a small friendly pub!
anonymous - 16 Aug 2006 12:11 |
Mmn, went back after visiting last year - food now not quite so good?? New people??
anonymous - 7 Jul 2006 16:31 |
What a find - new landlords who are making a good pub better. Great, home made food in a happy little pub. Staff that look after the customers and prices that will be hard to beat. All that anyone could wish for in an English pub. Good mix of patrons make this an all round winner.
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Lovely, cosy pub just outside the city centre.
Very friendly and welcoming new owners.
Home cooked food including great Sunday roasts.
Somewhere to go on Sunday afternoon and spend day drinking, reading, doing crosswords etc.
Definitely worth a visit!
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Landlords leaving!!! all up sticks and try the Golden Lion on Alresford Road, I am sure he will improve it.
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A moderately strenuous walk up the hill from the town centre, this is a somewaht different little pub and very busy on quiz nights!
Good range of drinks available.
anonymous - 13 Feb 2006 13:38 |
Excellent! a truly decent pub. Good beer very well kept, good honest food, decent clientele across a broad range (Wykeham Arms lovers, you may need to think of a discussion subject other than yourselves) and highly trained staff. Comfortable, non threatening down to earth pub. One to relax in!
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Have to say, an excellent real ale pub. Lovely and cosy, good food, good beer. Well worth a visit
anonymous - 18 Oct 2005 22:43 |
Was very surprised by this one - My mum happens to live very close by and have always avoided in the past, but is a great little pub - very posh crisps, and a great way to start a jaunt into winchester.
Recommend it highly.
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