What a dump!

The square pub in Southampton used to my favourite place to drink.. but not any more! As you will find out from my review! * Location * The pub is located on Above Bar St, Southampton which is in the main city area of Southampton. About a 2-3 minute walk from the entrance to West Quay shopping centre and a 2-3 minute walk to the popular night spot area of London road and Bedford place. * Parking * The pub does not offer its own parking area, but there is plenty of parking located around the city. There are multi stories within 5 minutes of walking and some on road parking across the road but this is usually hard to come by. * Facilities * - Male and female toilets upstairs and downstairs. Disabled access to the downstairs toilets. - Various large TV screens for music videos and live sports. - A cash machine but it charges you for use. (There is a free cash machine across the road in the old nationwide building) - A number of quiz and jackpot machines. - Indoors seating downstairs and upstairs. No outside seating. - Dance floor * The food * Well if you feel daring and want to call it food then give it a go! Years ago i used to go in here often because they offered some good deals but now i wouldn't feed the food to my dog. It is a shame because the menu they offer is really varied and sounds fantastic. But when the food turns up it is cold, rubbery and tastes awful! A while back i ordered a BBQ chicken with melted cheese, it sounded great. When it turned up the chicken wasn't even cooked and the cheese was burned. My mum who was with me has a lasagne and it was crispy and burned and then lettuce served with it was mouldy! I have never seen anything like it, i think they need a visit from Gordon Ramsey! * Drink * The drink prices are reasonable and they offer a wide range of cocktails and shooters. That's if you can get served! The drinks are reasonably priced for a pub, but they are not as cheap as say somewhere like wetherspoons. * Events * They hold quiz nights, live sport nights and the odd kareoke competition. * Staff * Years ago you will be welcomed with a smile and a lovely happy member of staff. Now you don't get a welcome at all! You are greeted by people who look completely miserable and don't give you the time of day unless you beg and wave money in their faces. But then to be fair.. i wouldn't want to work there either! * Interior * The interior hasnt been changed since the pub opened about 10/12 years ago. The carpet is old, sticky and worn! There are patches covered with tape and the edges are all frayed. The chairs are all falling apart, wobbly and full of holes. The tables are covered in writing, gum and carved into. The wallpaper is falling off of the walls and been covered in writing. The upstairs area of the pub is much nicer then downstairs but it is never open any more because it never gets busy enough to get the extra staff in to cover the bar upstairs. The toilets are disgusting!! The toilet seats are all falling off, the locks don't work on the doors, they are covered in graffiti, the sinks are all cracked, there are little flies and they STINK! The way i describe this place makes it sound like a hell hole! But that's the problem it shouldn't be!! It is a gorgeous building, it is in the old Southampton theatre/cinema! The ceiling is so high and still has all of the original features! Its a great shape and loads of space! It is just in dire need of a refit, but then i guess they don't want to because its never busy enough to make any money! But its a vicious circle because if they did spend some money on it more people would come in! If this pub had a refit it would be fantastic, as i said its a great space, they always have great DJS, and the cocktails are great! Lets hope they do something about it soon!

kirsty briant - 16/10/2009 | report this review