please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The Platform Tavern was my last stop in Southampton. In fact, I had intended to try to fit one more in. But the Platform turned out to be my favourite pub of the day. It's quite convenient if you have a ferry to catch or if you've just stepped off one. The interior has plenty of artwork to admire. There are 2 rooms - a main bar area, with a mix of seating and a dining room with more tables crammed in. Fullers London Pride & Gales Seafarers are the standard ales. Guests on my visit were Burning Sky Plateau, Bristol Beer Factory Kiwi & Siren Ryesing Tides IPA. Initially when asked what real ciders they had, the barman only mentioned Westons Old Rosie. But I later discovered Westons Country Perry, JJ's Perry-Letic, Cock Eyed Strawberry Blonde & Chilli Ginger & Cornish Orchards Farmhouse. Complimentary roast potatoes were on the bar. I could have spent a lot longer in here. But I had a coach to catch. I'll definitely be back though.
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Without doubt the best pub I have ever been in.
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This is my sort of pub. In my exploration of pubs in Southampton, this one so far best suits me. The place is full of charm and quirks. There's a range of seating, including a comfy sofa beside the open fire. Lots of quirky knick-knacks. African masks, etc. Children are welcome. Decent range of good value meals, including plentiful veggie options (all day veggie breakfast for £5.50) It has it's own microbrewery, the Dancing Man, and it offers local beers as well as something or other from the ex major Hampshire brewery Gales (brand now owned by Fullers). The pint of pretzels is also a great idea. Live music, free newspapers, and a good ambiance. Plenty of character, good beers, good food, free newspapers, live music, an open fire, it's own beers brewed on the premises, children welcome. Yep, this is my sort of place.
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It' a shame that there mostly very good beers are SO expensive - £3.70!!!!!
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Great little Free House with unique African themed decor based on the owner's travels. Two Fuller's ales are suplemented by two from the pub's own Dancing Man Brewery - quality so far has been good. I think Fat Beer Badger was rating a different pub as I've never known Green King beers to be sold here, thankfully.
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The Platform Tavern has now installed a small brewery and is producing a couple of beers (mainly for sale in the pub but I tried them at the Southamppton Beer Festival). They go under the name of "Dancing Man" Ales (?)and their Pilgrims Pale was very tasty. This is a pub we use when we meet up with frinds from the Isle of Wight and it now can only be better for the addition of a brewery.
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In keeping with the 100th anniversary,they had loads of Titanic beers on sale so we were well pleased! It was busy with every table taken and drinkers standing in the main bar and outside but no hassle and a good atmosphere. It does have an eclectic feel to it(try getting into the Gents toilet for example). Very handy for the IOW ferry and the football bus (they use old double deckers which I think are ex.London Transport?) It is a very individual type of pub but every time we have been there it has been good and is just far enough away from the main city centre "venue bars" so that type of clientele doesn't get here. It's a booozer for real ale fans - simples!!
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Decent pub opposite the Town Quay, decor is a bit eccentric, beer ok, from their own brewery on site, Dancing Man.
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Something of an oasis in the corporate-samefest that is the profit-maker's paradise, Britain. This joint is, dare one say it, individual in its decor and its internal style and is relaxed and casual. Some effort has been made with the image and its not just hackneyed horse brasses and the usual British pub pap. On top of this, music is often provided that is somewhat (dare I say it) leftfield of the tiresome mustang sally bands that tend to frequent british pubs. Then, most rewarding of all....most british pubs strike fear of disappoinment and mediocrity into your heart and wallet, but the food here is very good indeed, individual, freshly prepared and not the usual chilli and lasagne claptrap. Some real thought has gone into this place and it is a pleasure to hang out in there- oh- beer is also pretty good too with about 4 changing on the pumps....well done platform tavern- britain is not quite finished yet... an outstanding 8/10 from alezilla, the soothsayer...
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Disappointigly few ales on. Hammperpot brews being the only non-standard alternative. the Sussex one and Medj whatever gold the others had were both poor pints. The decor was a bit ragarse pub versus Tunisienne brothel. Have absolutely no idea why this pub is so highly rated.
anonymous - 21 May 2011 23:38 |
apparantly a freehouse however the large choice of Greene king ale's made one think otherwise,opted for the Greene king 'ale pril fool" which was dire,the place is cask marque but with ales from gk only on that phrase "you cannot polish a turd" spring to mind,�6.20 for two pints 6/10
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Excellent Free House, full of character and with good beers from local breweries and great food. Well worth the trek from the town centre.
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Good selection of ales. had something from the Triple fff brewery. Spacious with plenty of places to sit. Have visited before and will return another time. Not bad at all.
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Good food and music at a pub with vaguely ethnic decor. Guest beer policy could be a bit more adenturous
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Dear oh dear - why do they do it??
This place has so much going for it - location, quirky / interesting interior, good range of beers with guest ale policy.
And then they ruin it last Monday lunchtime - when I went to get my second pint (London Pride this time, not the guest beer I had first) the barmaid took an empty glass off the shelf but then quickly swapped arms out of sight below the bar and tried to top up a stale 3/4s of a pint already pulled. I challenged her for a clean fresh pint and told her she shouldn't be doing what she just tried.
THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME EITHER. It happened when I was in there two visits back, 18 months ago. Again it was the london pride - a barman that time. This pub should be an 8 but I'm giving it 6 for that stunt. A real shame.
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Visite don quiet Mondya night, 4 real ales were on, incluidng Halcyon Daze from the guest brewery (Hopback). A lot of character inside, and some very comfortable seats! Looks like a good pub for music too, judging from the posters, but there wasn;t any when we were there.
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Visited here as an away fan prior to attending match at St Mary's. Not bad at all. Small but good selection of ales. A genuine pub with a bit of character. Was busy but still got served quickly. Sign of a well run establishment. Walked out of pub at 1430 straight on to a free bus right outside that dropped us off at the ground. Recommended and does seem very music orientated for the evenings
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Very nice pint, one only. nothing insired me, but after the red lion it was refreshing.
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Found the same thing as Love Good Ale. Advised by the GBG 2010 that it opens at 11am on Saturday only to find that it actually opens at noon. Not a clever mistake to make as it is the other side of town to most of the good ale pubs in Southampton. Beer range looked reasonable but nothing spectacular in terms of the bees on offer.
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First visit to the Platform for about 4 or 5 years and not much has changed. Had two excellent pints of fff Albion�s something or other, which was dry and refreshingly bitter; also tried the homemade burger and chips which was very good. A good start to the day for the visit of the mighty Colchester United to the Saints. (Though I'm pretty certain the 2010 CAMRA guide says it opens at 11 on a Saturday which it doesn�t! not sure if love_good_ale was referring to me and the 2010 guides misleading opening times )7/10
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Our group on Saturday arrived earlier than the other half of our party. We had been told by a mate who has the GBG 2010 that this pub opens at 11:00. We arrived slightly before 11:00 so were not to suprised to see it was not open. A girl then appeared and started to set up outside seating so we asked her. She said in a rather abrupt manner it says the times outside. All it said was 'cooking times today 12:00', in pubs in my area they open half an hour before they take food orders. There was no need for the abrupt reply as your sign certainly is not clear when the pub opens.
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Sorted out this pub from the 2008 Good Beer Guide for somewhere to have lunch before going to watch my beloved Brentford play Southampton. We were not disappointed.
What a lovely place it is. We were served excellent ale, from a decent selection, and had absolutely delicious food which was properly home made. The bar was busy but we were served immediately by very friendly staff. I strongly recommend this pub to anyone who likes good food and real ale.
I only hope that Southampton and Brentford are playing in the same division next season so that I have good reason to visit again!
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Itchin Valley Godfathers, London Pride and what I assume were two guests Cottage Blower Bentley and Archers Crystal Clear. Public bar area to the left and tables set out for eating on the right. Music orientated pub, looked like they had jam nights there, posters up advertising local gigs.
Good pub.
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I've passed this pub for years and never entered - obviously I've been missing something. A full to the brim pint of London Pride was excellently pulled, atmosphere was good and a sudden influx of a dozen or so didn't put the staff off their stride, service was fast. Disappointed with the baguette though, it was a long roll not french bread,
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Came in here on my recent jaunt, was by far the best beer i got to see in southampton. Nice staff, good atmosphere and people seemed okay, two cask ales on, neither were blinding but were drinkable. I was needing to get twisted and although that wasn't possible in here it was a good start. thanks.
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popped in for a lunchtime pint with a friend and we stayed well into the evening. the beer choice was limited but what they had was good, and a wide range of bar nibbles to choose from too. the real fire was a nice bonus.
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Really nice pub with character. Very good food and nice beer.
anonymous - 13 Nov 2007 15:53 |
One of our favourite pubs in Southampton - A cosy intimate atmosphere with a comfy sofa, friendly bar staff and great decor. Sandwiches were amazing and excellent value.
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I had an excellent time here - great beers; I like the idea of a "guest brewery" rather than just guest ales. Everyone seemed friendly, and the pub is bedecked with various afican-style paraphenalia giving the place something of a voodoo or New Orleans feel. I went on a Sunday and found some delicious (although not that cheap) roast on offer, along with some classy live jazz. Nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
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Went in there after the Southampton Beer Festival so was hoping for a decent selection of ales. Unfortunately, the choice was not all that inspiring but had a decent Itchen Valley beer. Barman seemed a bit indifferent but overall not a bad pub.
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Found this pub having completed a circuit of the city walls and needing a rest. Unusual atmosphere as a result of plenty of african souvenirs. Good ales - I the liked the Goddards from IOW - but difficult to get served as the view of the handpumps is a bit tucked up with bar stools in front.
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Nice beer. Nice food
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Yes, this is a very good pub. Friendly, comfortable, slightly unusual decor, regualar live free music. Pleasant location facing Town Quay.
blamm - 15 Nov 2005 17:24 |
This is one of the best pubs in Southampton. Often has live music of the folk/roots variety - not too large, and has a good variety of drinks to please the real ale or even the more discerning larger drinker.
Great atmosphere - african masks, wall hangings, bespoke stained glass - candles in bottles, friendly staff.
This is a real gem in a city mainly provided-for by big chain sports pubs.
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