...but never mind, all good things come to those who wait (well here's another blog post anyway....)
Well...are you...? |
Street Corner Character... |
This visit was to the Wellington Arms, 56 Park Road, Southampton. Whatpub says that it's a Star (Heineken) owned pub and dates from the 1860s. Though it's earlier name of The Swan has changed, the pub certainly retains its traditional residential street corner location and pub character.
Symphony in lilac... |
They don't make window frames, glazing and tiled friezes like that anymore. Though the paintwork, which appeared to be possibly deep purple, or even brownish, on the previous photos - seems now to be lilac on closer inspection...
Proper darts cabinet... |
Noblewomen's toilet door not shown... |
...and even special toilets for noblemen...
Party Seven in cask (better than trying to open the can and spraying it all over the kitchen ceiling (or is it...?) |
Ok - lets get to the bar, and in case you were wondering about the significance of that GK poster, (as I still am) - don't - it's not GK beer here. In fact a rather impressive choice is available...though those two spare hand pumps could do with GK IPA and Abbott on them (only joking...)
Other bar beers... |
...and there are some more in the other room on the other side of the bar.
Happy beer... |
I'd like to tell you what beer I had but, in the ensuing weeks of blogging inactivity since this visit, my phone crashed and needed a factory reset so I lost my notes and can only rely on an unreliable memory and the set of photos in the 'Wellington Arms' album on Google photos (that'll teach me).
It definitely wasn't the Party Seven (anyone who experienced that beer in the 70s would be put off just by the name, even if the beer is different), but it might have been the Dartmoor Legend. Anyway, my son Martin looks happy - so it must have been good.
...or door to the cellar...? |
...and look at that bit of quality upcycling of an old door....
The Wellington Arms is an excellent traditional pub - still full of old pubby character with plenty of beer choice... to boot (see what I did there...)
...definitely worth giving it a visit (if not some welly)...
Beer Mat Moment
Titanic Brewery Stout - A side. |
Titanic Brewery Stout - B side |