Large Victorian corner location pub which is claimed to have been built around 1880 to serve the nearby station which opened in 1866. The Cobden Bridge Brewery which appears to have first owned it, opened in 1890, and the first buildings in the area, other than the station, were built in 1890, so perhaps there was a mistake in the date?
The Cobden Bridge Brewery was bought by Fullers in 1898, who sold the pub to Courage in 1920. The Spirit Group acquired the pub in 2003, and ran it under the John Barras brand. It has been owned by Greene King since 2014 when they took over Spirit in a £774 million deal.
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| Postcard by Southampton photographer FGO Stuart probably around 1901 of the The Station pub when it was called Bitterne Station Hotel |
It is a solid building, but the original brickwork has been covered in render, and rather ugly and distracting blue signs have been put up, so the sense of the pub's past has been lost. Inside all the downstairs rooms have been knocked into one, and extended into what appears to have been originally a separate building at a slightly lower level - this is now used as the family dining area, though children (and eating) are allowed in all areas. There is some sense of the original Victorian hotel left in little places - the large windows, the door entrances, etc, but mainly what is left is a large space. When there are not many customers this can feel a little hollow and lacking in atmosphere, but when people turn up, there's a warm buzz of conversation.
Board games are provided for children, but they are missing many parts, and most are due for replacement. Two cask ales: the regular Hobgoblin, and a guest, which on our visit would have been Speckled Hen, but it was off. Background music is not too loud, and on our visit was varied and pleasant, including music by Curtis Mayfield. Food is fairly standard pub grub, but we waited a disproportionate amount of time for our order on a quiet afternoon, and it had to be chased up. One plate was cold, and the food on it was rapidly cooling.
Overall an OK pub. There's nothing much to commend it, but nothing here to put people off. If waiting here for a train, be cautious about ordering food.
Date: April 2016 Rating: 5 (average)
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| Jan 2017 - Being refurbished |
As of Jan 2017 it is closed for refurbishment. It will reopen in February., though it is not clear under what branding.
The pub has reopened, and I have been back, just haven't had time to put up my review. Will do soon.
Well, the "soon" turned into several months! Anyway, back again, waiting here while Kwik Fit do a £25 MOT on my car. Three Greene King beers on offer: Abbot, Speckled Hen, and the GK house beer, badged as Bitterne Best. As I've already had a pint at the Humble Plumb, I have a half of the Hen for £1.80. When GK dropped the abv of cask Hen, they somehow kept the mouthfeel, but it is tasting thinner these days.
Anyway, my daughter and I popped just after the refurbishment, and we liked the lights, and that the place was cleaner and tidier, but we missed the board games. Coming in today, and my feeling is that it is essentially the same place, but smarter. Meals are around £9, with a lunch deal that essentially gives you a starter or dessert for free. At lunch times you can also get a cheese and chutney baguette for £4.30.
The music is played too loud. It drove me out.
Date: Sept 2017 Score: 4
Back again. This time with Myles for lunch. The place is clean and tidy, but bland and cold. The colour scheme of grey may be trendy, and the aim may be cool elegance in a style aimed not to offend anyone, but the result is a feel that is so far lacking in character that it feels more like a local council building than a pub. The barmaids were lovely - very friendly and chatty. We had the two meals for £12 deal, which was a mushroom pie and mash for me, that I enjoyed, but Myles had fully loaded chicken which looked stodgy and unappealing, and he was unable to finish it. There was only one beer available - Abbot. But that was close to vinegar, so I swapped for a Guinness. Overall we were not impressed, and have no intention of returning.
Date: May 2019 Score: 3
As of July 2020 open for food and drink - no booking required
Date: July 2020
Pub not yet open (there is no real outside space, so understandable).
Date: April 2021
99 Bullar Road
SO18 1GT
Regular hours Midday to Midnight
Food 12-3pm & 5-9pm - all day weekends.
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| Pubs in Bitterne |
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