Fifteen venues, chosen by the campaigning organisation for real ale, have made the list celebrating the hand-picked spots serving the best beers in Southampton. The city’s pub scene continues to thrive, offering a mix of traditional boozers, quirky micropubs, and iconic brewery taprooms that cater to every type of drinker.
Belgium & Blues on Above Bar Street is a cellar bar and brasserie famed for its Belgian beer selection, Sunday roasts, and lively events ranging from comedy nights to tap takeovers.
The Bookshop Alehouse in Portswood embraces its literary roots with shelves of books, four cask lines, and a welcoming community atmosphere.
Craft beer lovers are spoilt for choice at the Bottle & Stoat in Bedford Place, which serves six handpumps and 12 keg lines. Meanwhile, Olaf’s Tun in Woolston—a multi-CAMRA award winner—combines six real ales with a buzzing calendar of clubs and socials.
Bitterne Park’s Butcher’s Hook, Southampton’s first micropub, continues to set the standard for rare and rotating beers, impressing regulars and newcomers alike.
For city-centre staples, the Cricketers Arms offers a classic drinkers pub experience with regular live music. The Raven & Bine features Dancing Man brews alongside popular Thursday gigs and Sunday quizzes.
The historic Platform Tavern, dating back to 1873, pairs its Titanic-linked past with great food, real ale, and four nights of live music every week.
The beloved Dancing Man Brewery itself, located in the Grade I-listed Wool House on Town Quay, recently celebrated 10 years. It pours up to 18 of its own beers and boasts a bustling restaurant attached to the brewery.
Hidden gems in the back streets include the Guide Dog, famous for its award-winning real ale, and the Witch’s Brew, a cozy, witch-themed micropub serving gravity-poured ales.
The South Western Arms near St Denys station and the mock-Tudor Waterloo Arms also stand out for their rotating cask ales, live music, and strong community spirit.
Rounding out the city’s diverse beer scene are the Victorian-era Key & Anchor, known for its jukebox and garden; Shirleys Park Inn, prized for pies and Wadworth ales; plus the Waterloo Arms and Platform Tavern, both renowned for their live music weekends.
Together, these venues showcase why Southampton remains one of the UK’s best destinations for beer lovers.
https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/25498002.camra-good-beer-guide-picks-southamptons-top-pubs/?ref=rss
