Dancing Man, Lower Southampton

Opened in Feb 2015, this was probably the most anticipated pub opening in the history of Southampton. It was selling out of beers in 40 minutes (while places like the anti-immigrant Ice House in Shirley Wood can't sell a beer in five days - perhaps being less racist will help them sell more beer, but they seem content in their own world of ignorance, resentment and conspiracy theories so probably best to leave them be) . It was originally built in 1415 as the Wool House, storing the wool that was Southampton's main trade and key to success.  Some of the wooden pillars in the building have been carbon dated back 1,000 years to a Spanish galleon. It's an awesome and impressive place.

Imaginatively set up by the folks behind The Platform Tavern, this is the most characterful pub in Southampton. It melds together modern and staggeringly old in a stunning manner. The downstairs is quirky with all the twists and turns and changes in floor level. Seating is scattered all over the place, and the main complaint is that sometimes it can be hard to find somewhere to sit because the pub is so popular. Upstairs has the window view, and is more conventionally laid out as a large space. The upstairs in restaurant focused, while the downstairs is more hipster bar.

The curved wooden bar

A curved bar made of reclaimed wood has eight handpumps - most will be from the Dancing Man brewery whose kit can be seen through windows at the back of the bar. At night the brewery is lit up - sometimes in white light, and sometimes in blue light. It looks impressive in either colour.

This is a must visit pub. If you're in Southampton you have to come here. If you're not in Southampton you need to travel across the country to come here. Hell, if you're in a different country, get on a plane. Come here. This place is special.

The brewery vessels under white light and under blue light

Beers drunk here include Haunted By Citra Columbus,  Big Casino, Bone Dry, Immaculate Conception,  Snake Oil Porter, and Last Waltz.









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