Opened in September 2019, just in time for the pandemic, this was our first real chance to visit this relatively new beer outlet in Southampton. It's mostly a typical "craft beer bar" in that it is small, has plain wooden board seating rather than comfortable, lacks charm and history, doesn't do food, and offers a range of cask and keg beers from small breweries. However, it has its own gimmick of a theme of skateboards, and it does allow children (a rare and brilliant thing!) - indeed, supplies games for kids (and adults) to play. It's a welcome addition to the thriving beer scene in Southampton, and makes Bedford Place even more of a social draw.
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| The beer choice |
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| Accidental photo of us choosing our beers |
There is seating outside at the moment, though as that is taking up space on the road, it's unclear if this is going to be a permanent thing.
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| Inviting name - Banana Milkshake |
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| Another beer |
My quibbles are the lack of food offered by the place (though they say you can bring your own, or order in, I'd kinda prefer if they took over that side of things, otherwise it's little more than ordering at home and drinking a few canned beers there), and the feeling that its a bar rather than a pub, and - unlike the BrewPub bar round the corner which has a wow impact on entering, there is a lack of distinction in the place - it is, after all, just a small slightly dark shop room (or a table in the street, if you sit outside). That's not to say I don't like it, I do, it's just that I don't think it is really aimed at people like me (slightly romantic, aging hippy in love with history, tradition, and authenticity) but at younger (albeit middle aged), more trendy people.
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| A happy Chrissie |
We are both keen to revisit and try out the skateboard sample tray. It looks so cool. And this bar would be great as part of a pub crawl around Bedford Place.
Date: May 2022 Score: 7
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