Pubs and Beer in Southampton: November 2022

Wednesday 30 November 2022

Ketch Rigger, Hamble

Lads who lunch visited Hamble Point Marina on a sunny day, for lunch at the Ketch Rigger, and a little wander around the marina. The Ketch Rigger is comfortable and cosy with plenty of light. Staff are friendly and laid back. There is a combined breakfast and lunch menu. We were advised that breakfasts stop at 12, though it is not indicated, and we were allowed by our friendly crewman to order two breakfasts at a little past 1pm. Not sure if that would be allowed on busy days.

The lads at the Ketch

Myles had the Eggs Royale, and I had the Eggs Florentine - both were creamy and delicious, and we were served fairly quickly. Most lunch and breakfast items are around £10. The "main meals", including Sunday Lunch, are between £15 and £17.

The beer selection

There is a modest range of kegged beers and one cider. I had the Shipyard Pale Ale, as that seemed most appropriate! Tasty little beer. Easy drinking.

Ambiance

There was a relaxed, unhurried ambiance on our visit. Not sure if that would obtain during the busy summer months. There is an open area by the door, where - unfortunately, people are allowed to smoke, with the consequence that the toxic cigarette fumes enter the inside area where people are eating. This is unpleasant and unhealthy. One million non-smokers a year die from having repeatedly breathed in unwanted cigarette smoke. It is a serious health hazard that we should all be aware of - especially smokers themselves, who can take responsibility to ensure they don't smoke in areas where others have to breathe in their cigarette smoke.

The toilet is outside and around the corner. Slight nuisance if its raining or cold. There are several rooms or areas, including a comfy conservatory area. On the whole we really enjoyed the place, and would be happy to come back.

Date: Nov 2022 Score: 6

Open Mon - Sat 8.30am - 11pm; Sun 8.30am - 9pm - closes at 6pm in the winter.
Meals all day - stopping an hour before closing.

Hamble Point Marina,
School Lane
Hamble-le-Rice
SO31 4JD

* Website
* WhatPub

* TripAdvisor

* FaceBook

Friday 11 November 2022

Stein Garten, Lower Southampton

For Sibs Who Lunch, Lyn and I visited the Bavarian Beer Keller und Restaurant. It's a no nonsense tables and benches place in Southampton High Street, which serves up huge tankards of beer, though you can also have regular pints and half pints.

Impressive display of German beers

All the main beers are German lagers and wheats, including a dark lager. They have their own branded beer, Stein Garten, a 4% abv lager, but the barmaid wouldn't tell me who made the beer, so I didn't bother with it. It's a decent selection, and the keg taps make a grand impression on the bar.

It's set out like a beer tent at Oktoberfest

Inside it is spacious, with lots of bench tables, and some smaller tables. The impression given is of a beer tent at Oktoberfest. The central area, with the longest tables, are where they have the yard long Stein Dog Challenge - where you have to eat a yard long hot dog within a certain time, and you win a t-shirt. Cool.

Veggie hot dog is £7.50 - for £1 more you can have fries and traditional sauerkraut. It is a generous, good value meal. We loved it! More later....

You can come in just for a drink - you don't need to order food. It wasn't busy while we were there (I assume it would get busy evenings and weekends), but three other tables were occupied with people just drinking steins of beer.

Date: Nov 2022 Score: 7

Open Noon to Midnight

46-47 High Street
Southampton

SO14 2NS

* WebSite

* TripAdvisor

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* Untappd

Thursday 10 November 2022

The Handle Bar, Portswood (closed)

Just heard, Nov 2022, that The Handle Bar has closed down permanently.

It was a quirky and likeable place. Lads Who Lunch visited in October 2020:

Looking out on the world in October 2020

The opening of a new pub is always good. And one that focuses on small, local breweries, and serves food, and is kinda cool and laid back is doubly welcome in my eyes. We've recently heard that Caskaway has not survived the government lockdown, so to hear that The Handle Bar has opened is a little blessing.

The bar with local ales

We visited lunchtime and were the only ones to sit inside. There were a few sitting outside in the sunshine, but as there were smokers out there, we sat inside.

Quirky interior

The inside is quite quaint and quirky. We liked it. And there is a decent selection of beers from local breweries. It was unfortunate that the beer we chose was sour. That with both doors open it was a little cold. That most veggie items were not available, and that my salad wasn't properly dressed. I don't think these are major issues, and on another visit we could have a much more positive experience. We are keen to try again.