An unpretentious down to earth Greene King pub next door to the Ferrari showroom at the eastern end of Lyndhurst. Three GK cask ales, including the GK house ale which here is labelled as Forest Bitter. Attractive from the outside, it's a bit disappointing on many levels when you get inside.
Meals offered, all at £9.50. Piped music. Single L shaped bar. Huge plasma TV showing sport. Rear beer garden, and a front courtyard where you can watch the cars go by while breathing in the fumes of cars and smokers.
A red sign behind the bar suggests that customers don't ask for a straw, as plastic straws are bad for the environment. We agree and are in support of that, but Chrissie didn't see the sign when she asked for a straw for Popsy. Then felt bad about it because the barmaid glowered at her. But why did they give us a plastic straw instead of a paper one? Instead of putting up a sign asking people not to ask for straws, and then making them feel awkward when they do ask, simply stock paper straws. Seems more socially as well as environmentally friendly. While we were drinking a barmaid came up and told us she was taking two chairs at our table which we were using to hold our bags. I'm not sure what's wrong with being polite and asking, rather than demanding. 10 minutes later as we left, the chairs she had taken were still not being used. These are small details perhaps, but it's often these small things that matter, and make the difference between a great pub and a poor one.
All in all the Mailman's Arms is a bit drab, plain, and down market for our taste, but seems popular with locals, and those who like an unpretentious pub with blunt service. Each to their own.
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