please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Fullers are more about food but it doesn't ignore drinkers. Usual ale available albeit a bit pricey - but its a tourist trap so there you go. Great location.
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A little gem of a pub in the magical Old Portsmouth with it's cobbled streets and the glorious views of the Harbour.
I have only visited this place a few times, beautiful sitting outside in the summer but gets very busy with locals and tourists.
The prices are reasonable and I have been told the food is yummy.
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Went for lunch today. Had salmon on a bed of diced veg. Opted not to have chips etc. When food arrived it was a very small amount considering it cost £12.50. Asked for a tomato but was told they only had cherry tomatoes and that I could have three. When she returned from kitchen she told me that they had run out of tomatoes. This was 2.00 pm. Seems to me that a few cherry tomatoes was outside of my £12 so I could not have them. Not impressed.
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Not Bad, serves London Pride, HSB, Honeydew, ESB and A seasonal ale, and brewer street coffee.
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Fairly poor pint of Fuller's Red Fox, more condition than at the Bridge Tavern around the corner, but on the way to starting to go sour (b.t.w. I like Red Fox and there's planty places serving it a lot better than this). At £3.80 for Red Fox; £4.05 for Guinness and £4.25 for Aspall's Cyder it just isn't value for money. Typical exploitation of the tourist establishment. The fish and chips were pretty good, but I can't be doing with eating out or the paper at the prices these lot charge. If I wanted fish and chips from the paper I'd have gone to a chip shop and saved a few quid (and probably had a better drink come to think of it)
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My usual watering hole before departing for the Continent. Beers all from the Fullers empire now, though a rather good imitation of Gales HSB still available. Perfectly good little pub, if a bit sanitised, and a great vantage point over the mouth of Pompy harbour. Best bet in the Sally Port, though more interesting places are available in Southsea.
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Great location on the harbour ideal for watching the boats come and go. Beer is pretty good too with a range of Gales beer on offer.
Floyd - 26 Oct 2011 19:42 |
Easy place to find: go down to the end of the A3 road and stop. The usual quality standard pint of Pride even if bar servants are cheeky. Reasonably pleasant fish and chips served in (fake) newspaper though knives and forks are available. (Nelson used a combined knife and fork when he ate at the next-door pub.) Seagulls hover for a chip and a juvenile starling has learnt to burrow for left-over food into the discarded fish-papers placed in a nearby bin. We thought it was a rat at first. Now make sure you get a table by the wall overlooking the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour so you may watch the ships and boats coming and going. Great to see the sun going down from there.
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walked in, tried to get served, no we haven't got HSB, no we haven't got pride, ok I'll have ESB, half way through pouring it the barmen yelled, and I mean yelled NO DOGS, why he couldn't have said it quietly to the person behind me I don't know why he shouted, he then gave me a pint with an Inch and a half head (thats 3cm, to younger people), charged me �3.55, then when I asked for a top up, said "I'm busy ", I waited, got a top up, but I won't go back
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I am a Fuller's robot.. I am a Fuller's robot..... the location saves it of course- and Fullers/Gales beers are always top notch. If you can't see out the window or get a place on the patio by the water then you will be faced with the full corporate assault of plastic menus fake chalk boards and hoards of kids running amok......
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Had a very good pint of Discovery here on a weekday afternoon recently. Can't now remember the price, but even if it was high, the beer patio overlooking the water justifies it. Lovely on a sunny day.
Food not sampled.
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Been looking forward to visiting this area of the town and especially this pub for a while. I wasn't disappointed.
The decor is standard fair really, but its the location, right on the waters edge where you can look out across the sea that makes this place special. Boats of all sizes trundle past. A Fullers pub, so Fullers ale was the order of the day. I had an ESB - very good it was too. We ordered food - chips, sausage and fish cake. This was excellent. The fish cake tasted of fish, unlike alot of those white 'foam' type affairs you often get. The sausage was at least a foot long. Madness! If you come here to eat, starve yourself before hand. Glad I popped in.
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second best in Portsmouth
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Hi, I am a real ale lover from Venice (Italy), visiting the UK very often.
We (me and my girlfriend) went from London to Portsmouth a week ago, visited the wonderful historic dockyard and the harbour and then popped into the Still And West (previously marked on the map) to order some food and a couple of pints of real ale.
This pub is almost "on the water", great seaside location, there is a bar downstairs with lot of space and tables near the windows, and a restaurant upstairs with a kind of enclosed porch overlooking the sea, as you can see in the photos above.
The landlord was very nice, first we had two pints (Discovery for me and London Pride for my girlfriend) and sat in one of those comfortable sofas, then we went upstairs to have dinner.
Here the view is absolutely awesome: you dominate the Portsmouth harbour, see the ferries coming in and going out, and at your right you have the modern Spinnaker Tower, with green light that evening. We were served by an extremely kind girl, always smiling and helpful, who made us feel welcome and at home really. Our two fish dishes were excellent, reasonably priced too, and our pints of ESB (my favourite Fuller's ale) and HSB were simply delicious, perfect!
The landlord also gave me a clear glass of London Pride for my collection of real ale pints, thank you again you and the girl who served us, we will surely come back soon in our next trip to UK, well worth the trip to Portsmouth...what else to say, superb pub.
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My HSB was delicious, 3 other real ales also on the handle. Bar food in paper was really cheap and quite tasty. An efficient barman too!
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I drank an excellent pint of Discovery and a very good pint of (the former) Gale's HSB. Friendy staff and quick service, even though it was quite busy and a Saturdya night.
Also went into the Spice Island Inn and must agree with idc that the Still has more character and a far better view. The food looked nice too.
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Part of the Fuller's empire since their takeover of Gales. If you're sitting outside, possibly beats the Spice Island as you are literally at the waters edge. Visited at the latter part of last summer, and sampled both the Pride and HSB, both in good nick, whilst sitting outside watching the IOW car ferry and catamaran go by. Inside the pub has a rambling nature giving it (for me) a bit more character than the Spice Island opposite. Would definitely visit again.
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This is a great part of Old Portsmouth and Still and West has unsurpassable views over the port entrance. I strongly recommend you have a pint in here.
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I popped in for a beer today, after a long walk along the prom. The Pride was very drinkable and the staff seemed very cheerful and welcoming. The setting was supurb, right along side the waters edge, plenty to watch while I supped my pint. I'll be back when I next get a chance.
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Ate in the restaurant last night, and found it to be very good. Beer was good, food was nice and not too expensive.
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Across the road from the Spice Island pub this has the same great views and the same sort of customers, tourists like me. A pint of bitter tasted fine but I had already eaten at the Spice Island. ( If you order meat esp. burgers or chicken ALWAYS cut it through before eating. This goes for any establishment.)
If in Portsmouth a visit to either of these adjacent pubs is a must.
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I went here recently for a drink and food. Ordered the burger and before i mentioned a word, was told that all burgers are cooked well done. This was fine by me. Whilst eating the burger i noticed it was a little on the pink side in the middle. I was the fool for not sending it back to the kitchen because a few hours later I had the worst stomach cramps and pains I have ever experienced due to food poisoning.
Pub was nice enough though but I would think twice about eating here. Maybe I was just the unlucky one in a million.
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I don't see how some folks reckon beer quality has gone down here. If you like Fuller's ales you will get a good choice here and I believe the management look after the cellar and the pipes. Also there is usually a Gales beer as well. Very nice pub with a great view of entrance to harbour.
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Sadly not as good as the Spice Island which is a shame as it used to be a great pub, still is in many ways but since Fuller's took over the beer quality has declined and the crowd that go there has taken a shift towards the rough side.
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Sadly not as good as the Spice Island which is a shame as it used to be a great pub, still is in many ways but since Fuller's took over the beer quality has declined and the crowd that go there has taken a shift towards the rough side.
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I've visited this pub on many occasions over the last 25 years. Definitely a summer pub! It would be difficult to find a boozer in a more interesting location,what with the ferrys gliding past as you're supping your pint. Have to agree with earlier reviewers that it can be a long process actually getting your pint in your hand though, due to a lack of bar staff numbers at busier times. Foods good,if not a tad over priced. But all in all I love going to this pub situated right on the neck of Pompey harbour.
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usual clueless staff,very iffy fullers beer, takes ages to get served, and it's only february god knows what it's like in the tourist season, it has a great location but there are so many really good pubs within ten minutes walk of here, enjoy the view but then have a wander for some good beer and atmosphere
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Wonderful pub, great beer, good food and a tremendous location.
We ate upstairs at a window table. I didn't realise until we were seated that it would be table service, but we wanted a window table and there were none downstairs. The HSB was excellent and the food quick and well presented.
The only downside appeared to be my young sons fish & chips, for the first time ever he refused to eat it, the plate of fruit he had for pudding (�3.95 for the pair, very good value we felt) more than made up though.
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If you are in Portsmouth for a while, and want a good pub to while away an afternoon or evening in - The Still and West comes highly recommended. Especially if you would enjoy watching the harbour traffic. Good beer, or just a coffie, it is clean and well run.
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Sat 15th Sept. Enjoyed Fish'n'Chips by the harbour (wrapped in paper; it was superb) with Gales HSB in great condition. Despite being busy on a fine day, the staff were efficient, friendly, service was excellent, and they wanted you to enjoy everything. Other pubs take note!
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A superb pub, serving Gales and Fullers ales. Has just been refurbished (again) and the photograph is now out of date. A poster said you will be impressed when the Isle of Wight ferry sails past. You will be even more impressed by the cross channel ferries which sail several times a year! Definitely worth a visit if you go through Old Portsmouth.
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Like most harbour side pubs, the Still & West claims to be the haunt of many a smuggler and press gang over its 200 year existence. These days it is rather stuck out in the middle of nowhere and not very accessible from the town. Its main asset is its commanding views across the waters to the Isle of Wight one way and the Spinnaker Tower the other. The outside seating is ideal on a warm evening to idle away a few hours watching the ferries pass by but in winter perhaps not such a good idea. The interior is quite rambling although there are a few screened off areas for a relatively intimate pint even though it all comes over as being extensively refurbished and contrived. Unsurprisingly the theme is generally nautical with boat pictures, knots, navy shields and seafaring murals on the ceiling. A decent range of Fullers beers: HSB, ESB, Pride and a seasonal offering (Winter Warmer on my visit). The piped music was a bit bland and, interestingly, I did not notice any TV�s. The restaurant upstairs seems to specialise in fish and chips and whilst I can�t comment as we did not eat here, I would imagine a nice window seat here would enhance any dining experience. I have not been here in the summer when I suspect it would be heaving and the �we welcome well behaved children� sign is usually a reason to avoid but this is a pub that is worth visiting, even if only for the views.
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A good place to watch the world go by but very touristy as a result. My pint of Chiswick Bitter wasn't too clever.
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'Gales' HSB still on tap alongside the Fullers range, and quite good too. �2.70p a pint.
Sit by the windows and be impressed when the Isle of Wight ferry sails close by.
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Lovely location but the food I ate in the restaurant was without exception the worst food I have ever tasted in my life. I wouldn't advise anyone to eat there.
KaiCi - 31 Aug 2006 23:36 |
Yes the views across the harbour are great and yes you can't knock the beer (although I share the qualms of fellwalker regarding the Gales HSB) but on my recent visit, the staff were quite openly making disparaging remarks about the punters sitting outside. If you have such a dislike of dealing with people, what on earth are you doing in this job?
anonymous - 18 Jul 2006 13:35 |
Sitting in the garden here (or inside the lovely pub itself reading all about its history) watching the boats going in and out of the harbour is one of the most unmissable things in Portsmouth. I went a couple of weeks ago and there was a great summertime buzz - I counted that the Spinnaker Tower changes into at least 6 different colours! Since the demise of Gales though, the beer is less than fabulous but definitely still drinkable. The fish and chips in newspaper are still top notch!
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There is no reason why bitters (or indeed any real ales) need to be kept at temperatures much higher than lager - in fact much better that than having them too warm. The stereotype of English ale being warm needs to be confronted!
anonymous - 7 Mar 2006 10:50 |
Well, it's all been said already. Have to admit it's the location which is the biggest attraction - food and beer ok (esp fish & chips in paper!) but the bitters are kept at lager temperatures. Sacrilege! God knows what's going to happen to Gales HSB when Fullers strt brewing it in Chiswick. I see they've already introduced London Pride here. Let's ope Fuller's keep the pub on - they'd be mad to let it go!
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Situated overlooking Portsmouth Harbour and the Gunwharf development. Excellent location with great views during the day and at night (when the Spinnaker tower is lit up). Great fish and chip with a bottle of wine deal although I found lagers a tad overpriced. If driving down there take it easy on the tram lines and cobbles!! Say hello to Graham (Grub), our Australian friend behind the bar!
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Excellent views across the harbour and to the Spinaker Tower, and ferries sailing very close. I have only been here in the day for a few drinks and have always enjoyed it. Quite a bit to see nearby as it is in Old Portsmouth and just along from Southsea.
blamm - 15 Nov 2005 17:57 |
As stated by all location and Gales Real Ale make this for an enjoyable pub. 7/10
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The best setting possible for a pub IMHO. It is let down just a bit though by the ale. It is kept just OK, but not exceptionally - and this must be one of Gales' flagship pubs. NB - it's still light-years ahead of the Spice Island.
I wouldn't dive down a sidestreet to sample beer at that standard, at the mouth of Pompey Harbour with the sun on your face it is more acceptable!
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I stopped here once while at the Festival of the Sea in Portsmouth.
The pub is situated right on the water front where you can watch the boats, ferries go into the harbour, they are about a stones throw away.
They have a outside seating area with big piknik tables which gives you excellent views.
In the pub (downstairs) they serve real ales which are of good quality. The Gales HSB is highly recommened as somone else mentioned. Beer was served in plastic glases when we were there.
Also next to the bar they have a fish n chips bar where you can place and order. You oder is then bought to your table. Out side we saw everyone ordering and eating their fish n chips and the smell was great!
The upstairs restaurant is great, we sat by the window and you could look down vertically and all you could see was the water. It was good you could wave to the ferries as they passed. Food selection is excellent, they have a fish counter where you can choose what you want. Staff are attentive and prices are maybe slightly higher than average but still good.
I recommend this pub to all.
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Eaten in the upstairs restaurant a number of times. Wonderful location, excellent food (fresh fish a speciality, but the pub is downstairs - this is definitely a resaurant.
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Rude staff, low quality food, dirty tables and glasses.
Do not go there.
Anthony Harman - 11 Nov 2004 12:14 |
Large airy pub situated in the old town adjacent to the waterfront. Sit and literally watch the world go by as ferries, container ships and warships anter and leave the harbour. Large selection of beers (The Gales HSB is a delight). Food available, staff friendly and service normally swift. Can get very busy especially at weekends and during the summer months. Not the cheapest pub in portsmouth by any means but possibly one of the best.
Colin - 31 Mar 2004 15:28 |
