Opened Oct 2018, this is - as the name suggests - a small pub. It is Crammed between the Red Lion and the Berkeller place that replaced the hip French cafe. I'd missed it several times, not even being aware it had opened, but sought it out when I noted it's existence on the excellent WhatPub. It was midday when Liverpool were playing against the Saints and most pubs were heaving, but Crammed Inn was blissfully empty. This allowed me the opportunity to have a good chat with the owner, whose name I seem to recall is Mike - but I may have misremembered. Anyway, I do definitely recall that, like me, he is dyslexic, as we had a good chat about that.
I visited a few pubs that day, so my memory is generally rather hazy on details, but I think there were three hand pumps and a similar number of kegs. There was a relaxed atmosphere, and despite the size and newness, it felt more like a proper pub or bar than a micropub or craft beer bar. No food offered, though it can be ordered, and children are allowed.
Date: Aug 2019 Score: 7
Name changed to Below Bar in early 2022, but reports are that it has now closed permanently.
48 High Street
Southampton
SO14 2NS
