Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
New pub visits 2024 with Mobyduck
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Rockstone, Bevois Valley, Southampton
Southampton
SO14 0JL
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Rockstone
I hadn't been to this prominent pub for just over 9 years. So I thought it was worth a visit whilst passing by yesterday.
Last time I came, there were 7 real ales. This time there were just 2 and the place was very quiet, despite it being reasonably close to the football stadium that was just emptying out. It's possible that other ales had been drunk prior to the match, but it looks likely that ales are now limited to Timothy Taylor Landlord & Vibrant Forest Pupa. My Pupa was very tasty. There was no sign of any real cider.
Speciality burgers used to be the attraction here. I think they are still being served. But I only saw one table placing an order for food.
Many dirty glasses were littering the end of the bar. It was almost as if the pub had just emptied prior to kick off at St Mary's. Instead, the match had just finished.
I have mixed opinions of this pub now. I really enjoyed my beer, but the selection of ales has certainly diminished and the pub is much quieter than it used to be. Downgrading my score from a 7 last time around to a 6.
On 20th February 2022
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2476 recommendations about 2475 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Rockstone
A large square building wedged between two roads. A long U shaped interior with nine pumps on the bar facing you as you enter through the front door, I was more than a little disapointed to find five clips turned around on a Saturday afternoon, maybe an earlier match day crowd had drunk them dry?Beers on were XT8,Cottage Sticky Wicket,Flack Manor Double Drop and Tapstone Cascade which was a little tired in taste.This pub didnt really live up to my (admittedly high) expectations, I would though try it again.
On 14th August 2016
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1875 recommendations about 1848 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Rockstone
A striking symmetrical fronted exterior which has a pleasant front garden which would be nice in sunny weather even if it does face the road. Inside, there is an L-shaped carpeted room with the squint ended brick faced bar in the crook. A few bits of interest on the walls, metal advertisements from the USA, a glass case of revolvers, plastic green hops are wound along the bar top. Seating is of the reassuringly regular type with benches and banquettes.
Friendly at the bar, there are no less than nine handpumps, my visit had Langham Decenium plus also Black Swallow, Flack Manor TPA, Cottage Dragon Slayer, Urban Sessions Porter 28 plus also Urban Island, Vibrant Forest Flying Saucer plus a cider by JJs, The Lighter Side of Life. A decent range there and tasters were offered. As well as the regular measures of a pint or a half there is the option of two thirds, possibly a choice if trying a new beer or if driving. Food is served, heavy on burgers with a wide choice of styles but prices are top end.
I liked this pub a lot and with The Guide Dog nearby there is a good double up.
On 20th April 2016
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Thuck Phat left this review about The Rockstone
A traditional, eye-catching pub close to the town centre with a pleasant and well kept front garden which is popular on sunny days.
I'd guess that the building is Georgian by the proportions but some of the details and decorations are Victorian. It's certainly a welcoming exterior. We sat in the garden as it was a nice day so I didn't catch much detail on the interior. It's been recently refurbished and is well done out using plenty of wood with blackboards detailing the various offerings around the walls. It felt very comfortable and I'd happily return for a few inside on a rainy day.
The bar is in front of you as you head through the front door. The welcome was warm with good advice dispensed on the beer selection and the fellow tending the garden brought us some water for the dogs unasked. A very nice touch and the staff seem happy to be here and proud of the place.
I spotted the line of handpumps while walking past and couldn't resist. Beer on was: Flack Manor TPA, Wells DNA, Hammerpot Brighton Belle, Cottage Harrier, Irving Iron Duke IPA, Sunny Republic NZ Pale and XT5. There was also a cider and one pump unused. That's a very good selection of largely local beers and there isn't any reticence about venturing up the strength scale. This may be a deliberate, and sensible, policy as The Guide Dog round the corner tends to stick to beers below 5%, their regular ESB aside. Everything that we tried was in good shape and I'd happily have spent the afternoon here testing the range.
Food is served and the emphasis seems to be on burgers which a few were trying it being lunchtime. Like Quinno, I was recommended their burgers in other places so they clearly have a decent reputation locally although we didn't eat.
An excellent town pub and, along with The Guide Dog, my favourite in Southampton.
On 8th June 2015
- rating: 9
[User has posted 679 recommendations about 678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Rockstone
Until recently the Bevois Castle, this place has been refurbished re-opened and re-branded as the Rockstone. The pub abuts a fork in the road and has quite an eye-catching exterior. The interior is L-shaped and has some interesting firearm and whisky ephemera. Some nice picked glass colouring in the top of the front-facing windows caught my eye, as did the freshly kitted-out interior with some walls having squared wood and plasterboard panelling. Plenty of ales on, though my Sunny Republic was a bit musty tasting - brewer or cellar I couldn’t say with confidence. There were some unexplained Top Rum/Mission Ginpossible blackboards with a different name per date. A bit of hype surrounds this one and it was mentioned to me in a couple of pubs prior, both of whom said that the burgers seem to be a big seller here though I didn't have time to try one. Other music/comedy themed food available eg a ‘Salmon Rushdie’ (ho ho) alongside the burgers; not cheap by any means so assume that it’s a bit more upscale than usual. Perhaps unusually for a posh food-offering pub it’s dog-friendly (one of which was a massive pain and put me off trying a second beer). Live music is also a major part of the pubs offering and I noted a forthcoming gig from Smokey Bastard, two of whom work at my local. I didn’t immediately get on with this place but I think there’s enough happening here to make sure I drop in next time I’m on the way to a session at the Guide Dog just up the road.
On 24th September 2013
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]