please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Very pleasantly surprised by the Flo, visiting after 25 years since our student days in Southsea. 4 excellent ales, menu looked good, and very friendly with a great, proper, pub atmosphere on a Saturday night.
Band started at 9 (The Renegade Dogs - lively folk type stuff) and were excellent too.
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in reply to dubaifox( another 1 off poster), I neither wear sandles(correct spelling), or have a beard, for being in the 21st century, replace with corporate, where was I when Greg and Jane had it?, in there a lot more than I am now,busier? not at the times I visit, I stand by my previous comment, once a 9 now a 3, a sad thing
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Greg and Jane were nice people but... This pub has suffered from a lack of investment for years, so well done to the new owners and dare I say it Punch Taverns for bringing this pub into the the 21st century, this is now a fantastic pub, for those of you sandel wearing beardy types who are now posting how bad it is, where were you when Greg and Jane were looking for support, for I can call tell you know that this pub is far busier and more successful than under the previous regime, rather than posting poor reviews keep your opinions to yourselves and go and find another dying boozer where you and your mates can go and harp on about the good old days
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Oh dear, what's happened here?, it's gone from bad to worse, a lot worse, popped in after the refurb, very corporate, this used to be a pub. lots of deals on food but nothing on drinks, all big company and no individualism, can't see it lasting long like this, shame
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I've lurked here long enough and it's about time I started posting
The Flo re-opened yesterday evening after a refurb, with new owners/managers.
My verdict?.............FAB!!
It might be early days but what a great start it got off to. 4 Ales on - Marstons EPA, Courage Ordinary, St Austells Tribute & I can't remember the fourth as I had too much of the 3 I can remember! All well presented and went down 'singing hymns' and the prices were sensible too - about £3.20 ish a pint (hopefully the bad old days of silly over-priced rank 'beer' are gone for good now).
Right that's the important stuff done - now for the other bits.........
Decor / refurb - GREAT, modern vintage tones, you know the sort of thing soft shades of 1950's greens and light browns - looks terrific and felt comfortable and relaxed. Nice relaxed lighting and some piped background music that wasn't intrusive at all.
Food - SUPER - the fish and chips tasted good and the prices are good too (2 mains for £10 or £6.99 ish each)
Wine - LOVELY - plenty of variety (about 20 bottles on the list) and decent prices too (£14 - £25 + more for the bubbles). 'Senior Management' tried a couple and said she enjoyed them.
Service - SMASHING - crap service is a real bugbear of mine and I'm absolutely delighted to say opening night service was brill. Yea, they had a few hiccups but handled those well and kept smiling and just being nice, helpful, attentive and downright good!
So, in summary, Lovely, Super, Smashing, Great! Well worth a trip and here's to the good times!
And a some final words from Senior Management - "..the service was really good and the staff were lovely. Chatty, smiley and thoughtful. Well done guys! .."
Hic! Hic!
Incidentally, I have no connection with the pub at all and do my best work on the right side of the counter!
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sorry to pile on the agony but a recent trip bears out previous comments, a once great pub is now off my crawl list (which is getting ever smaller)
odbod - 25 Sep 2012 11:13 |
once a 9 now a 3, a sad thing
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I visit Portsmouth from time to time from over yonder hill and always visit The Flo. I had hoped that this lovely old pub would come back with a vengeance after the awfull leaving of Greg and Jane and suprise us all but no!
I agree with mitme its dirty and smelly a thing it never was the bar staff I've seen are fine but the chubby young man is still smoking outside instead of serving and is not happy that is plain to see.
The beer is not up to Flo standard and really expensive the atmosphere is dire I have always loved the quiet cosy lounge that is no longer its noisy and so bright please give us The old Flo back. I have made the trip to this pub for the last time and will make the effort to go to The Golden Lion from now on where you are assured of the Greg and Jane welcome in a clean pub.
locke - 12 Jul 2012 01:56 |
Alas,thought things would be a change for the better but no,still one of the dearest pubs in portsmouth and the same rude,lazy staff.waited over 4 minutes to be served yesterday because the barman was outside on his phone smoking a cigarette so left and wont be back.Dont fancy the pubs chances of lasting long.
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Oh dear what has happened here? I get to this area rarely these days and always look forward to The Flo it is usually clean and shining and busy with good beer and an amazing welcome from the staff. I have visited several times in the past and have enjoyed many a pint with friends, but apparantly Greg and Jane have gone what a disaster, they were The Flo and doesn't it show the place is dirty and although it has been shabby for a while it was spotlessly clean, no longer i fear and the beer was mediocre and no local brews. I noticed one young bar person that was here before but the wonderfull daytime Cheryl has gone as well. The cosy lounge is open for all to view a bit like sitting in a goldfish bowl. I will give it the benefit of the doubt and try again later but who ever has taken it on needs to get the feeling back soon or I for one will not return. Sad sad day!
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Visited here several times recently when visiting the lad at Uni. Always a warm welcome and if there's a seat available, a great place to while away the evening drinking the excellent cider and beer. Mr Whitehead's cider was particularly good.
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Must be one of the most expensive pubs in Portsmouth,�3.65 for Calsberg�4.00 for Guiness,what a shock to my wallet.Rude staff dont help the course either
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A very warm and friendly pub that deserves the awards that it regularly receives. The range of ciders and perrys available is impressive and the landlord is certainly knowledgable on the alcohol he sells. I tend to stick to the lounge as it's a little quieter than the bar but thats not to say the bar is noisy just a little younger which is to be expected in most establishments. The toilets could do with an overhaul but I am not complaining as the quality of the alcohol is so good.
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oh, rainy, another 1 comment poster, I wonder what struggling pub you come from?, the welcome in the Flo is always warm and jovial, and the beer and cider top notch, as is the varied entertainment, a top class pub
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Stay Away From This Pub! Although it looks pleasent from the outside, we were met with nothing but distain and an unpleasant greeting when we visited this Sunday lunch. People who only want there firends and locals to visit the Pub should'nt be running a Pub, we drank up and left.
It's about service, training barstaff and generally being pleasant to 'customers' on arrival on the premises. It could be a nice pub!
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Excellent pub, excellent staff, excellent juke box and more than excellent cider! As a cider drinker, I was in my element!
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Popped in again on Friday night, good atmosphere, busy and the Perry was super. Bar staff worked hard and kept any waiting down to a minimum. Great pub.
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seems this local pub has lost its way... there does not seem to be any management so the indians are ruling the roost... what a shame...
one day the management will rue leaving it to try and run itself,,,,,,,
hopefully BEFORE it is too late....
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Nice enough pub of two halves (public bar and the other half). Had a nice pint of an Oakley brew (which I didn't quite recall the name of). A few ales on but seemed to be a greater choice of ciders - one for your ciderheads as there were a few unuusal ones on offer.
anonymous - 2 May 2011 21:38 |
This pub was visited shortly before moving on to the seemingly ill-fated Taswell, which is not so different in location and style and could surely learn so much from the Florence if the right people get hold of it. For here, there are plenty of punters, a friendly, sharp service from bar staff, and an overall pervasive sense of pleasant ease; no ponciness, just a good old-fashioned boozer that's moved with the times where it's needed to, and caters for a good mix of customers.
Food clearly is served and I understand from comments below that it is more than adequate. But the stars of this show are undoubtedly the ale and the cider, both of which were found in impeccable form and properly-served. I also noted a proliferation of single malts which would be tempting in the absence of any palate for hop or apple juice.
I could've spent far longer here than I did - sadly a tight schedule and many other fish to fry meant only a couple were squeezed in, but really, if you are a local, or a maiden visitor to the area like I was, get in here. It's worth seeking out.
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Have been using The Florence regularly for many years now, the cider menu is a definite USP. Beware the short term memory loss brought on by indulging in too many items from the cider menu ! Still a great pub.
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recently attended this wonderful little pub for a birthday bash, in the knowledge that they specialised in decent ciders, but wasn't aware of the size of the range! i think i managed 6 or 7 different dry ciders from the tap range and there were still many more that i would like to try next time...great pub, very well informed landlord and the only place to go in pompey if you are hankering for a decent cider!
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Visted last week, great place and a proper local. Super range of Ciders and even some 'proper' Perry, not that Pear Cider rubbish. Friendly staff and welcoming atmosphere, so glad we found it as the other places we went to in the area were not as pleasant and thats me being polite.
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Beer always wonderfull and well kept, choice of 60 ciders amazing, great landlord and landlady in Greg and Jane, staff very efficient and friendly plus delicious food suffice to say I am an avid "Flo" fan.
Sister pub to The Golden Lion is Southwick village (a recent aquisition) which looks set to go the same way
locke - 13 Dec 2009 12:45 |
"Glad you found the Florence" said the landlord as he served us our meals. We certainly were. This is a great pub, very welcoming, good beer and a fantastic place to drink and eat. It's obviously well looked after by the enthusiastic landlord. We will return.
Floyd - 26 Aug 2009 21:16 |
Another pub with a central bar serving two rooms requiring separate entrance. Vault/public has pool table and one handpump, other hps on lounge/saloon side where the room is carpetted, upholstered settles surround bar, a leather sofa still had a guitar from last night�s music still in residence, has a welcoming homely feel. Wrapped around the lounge is a long narrow function room which then opens to a shorter, wider, part of an L-shape, this apparently used to be next door�s garden(?), & was being set up for a wedding party. I agree entirely with other reviews mentioning the friendliness of the staff; at first I thought the list of ciders/perries were all bottled but over a dozen are on tap somewhere out back and when the subject came up the guv went into tasting mode & produced a couple of his favs for our benefit � I�m ashamed to say I failed to note the name of a lovely perry (actually tasting of� pear!) but the cider was Brown Snout from � doh!, failed again, sorry Greg, but thanks for the chat on local breweries (Bowman, ex-Cheriton, Hammerpot etc) and Alisha(?) for the input on other pubs & bus routes. Not a huge range of ales but the Oakleaf Nuptu�ale was very good, others were Spitfire & Broadside, also draught Addlestones.
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agree with others , fantastic freindly pub. our first visit and we were welcomed as long lost freinds by the excellent landlord . proper beer , a huge range of real cider and very good wines. 10 out of 10
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Very friendly & knowledgeable Landlord, who treated a group of Fulham fans visiting the pub for the first time very well.
Beer was very good & a large range of cider & perry. Sunday lunch was a result.
Juke box & pool table topped it off, shame we had to leave. Will be back.
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Great pub hidden away down a small street off the seafront. Has great ale selection and real cider really worth a visit.
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A real find, this pub has two main rooms. One is kept fairly traditional - nice and quiet, whereas the other has a jukebox and pool table available. One of the best features about this place is the vast range of cider. 50 varieties are on sale with a knowledgeable landlord on hand to talk you through them all. A must for all cider lovers.
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One of the nicest pubs in Southsea, owners are so friendly you always feel really welcome. Great selection of ciders too! Would definitely recommend.
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Now stocking 12 REAL ciders, a couple of perrys and about 30 different bottled ciders. great choice
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A friendly family run business, who take pride in the bar and the restuarant. I would highly recommend this to local's and visitors. They don't mind children or pets, which has to be an added bonus.
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The beer here is always on top form.
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Great Boozer, two bar basic public nice comfortable lounge and separate restaurant beer always tip top, just had hogs back englands glory. life doesn't get a lot better than this
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This is a functional drinking hole with minimal frills but great beer. If you are seeking pretension then go elsewhere.
Tip Top!!
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I stopped in this pub on about 3 occasions while attending the Festival of the Sea in Portsmouth. I have to say this has to be one of the nicest and friendliest pubs I have been in.
The average age of people in this pub be about 50 and a lot of them are local people. Everyone seemed friendly and staff are brilliant.
The pub offers two seperate bars and a restaurant. We went in the same bar each time and it was small but very cosy.
They offer about 3/4 real ales, Adnams Broadside, Youngs and Youngs Special. I think there is another but can't remember. Prices are your average and there are plenty of other drinks available too.
The staff take a lot of pride in their beer and treat you well. It was nice when I went up to the bvar and the bloke new exactly what my order was with out me uttering a word!
Once we had our drinks the bar man I think he was the manager came over and had a good chat with us all about who we were and where we are from etc, it was great!
We used the restuarant once and it was wonderful. Staff were attentive and the food selection is good. There are always specials on too. Unfortunately their wine supplier went out of business so we could not get the wine we wanted but that won't change my opinion of the pub.
The manager also came out to the restaurant to give us our wine and have a chat, very friendly. I advise booking a table if you want to get in the restuarant. Prices for food are very rasonable for what you get too.
One of my likes about a nice old pub like this is that they ahve ornaments and memorabilia of old things around the pub. They also allow dogs into the bar, almost stepped on a boxer dog getting to the toilet!
I cannot recommend this pub enough, a definate visit is required if you are in this area.
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Real ale Youngs P.A. Youngs Special, Adnams Broadside as stock ales plus one guest ale which is usually local. Real food 50 seater restaurant serves food all week from mon to fri and Sunday lunch.This doubles as a function room available for hire on Saturdays for weddings etc own bar and extension available. Old fashioned lounge no music no machines, lively public bar with juke box, pool table quiz and games machines.
Lindsay Goldring - 19 Aug 2004 00:10 |
