The Coal Exchange, Emsworth

Occupying a position in the centre of Emsworth on a quietish street leading down to the harbour and waterfront is The Coal Exchange – or “The Coalie” as it seems to be generally referred to. A striking green tiled exterior – unusual in that it covers the frontage on one side of the central door only – and frosted windows advertising “Horndean Ales and Stouts” tell us that it’s a former Gales house, now of course part of the Fullers empire. Seeing the half green-tiled exterior makes us wonder if the pub has been expanded into larger premises, but this does not appear to be obviously the case. It’s the one building with one L shaped wooden bar counter that extends both sides of the central entrance. The narrowish front bar area has half height wood panelling, a lowish beamed ceiling and, with stools along the bar counter, is clearly where the locals tend to congregate. Furniture consists mainly of chunky newish looking pine tables and padded chairs. The interior extends back down the right hand side into an area which is mainly used by diners with, on my recent visit, a good number of visitors enjoying the highly regarded home made lunchtime food. At the far end here is a dartboard, although tables would need to be moved for it to be used. The walls are decorated with local photos of Emsworth and the harbour and some sea charts. A small wall area is devoted to the local Royal Marines, who have evidently seen service in Afghanistan. The CAMRA Good Beer Guide tells us that the building was previously a place where locals exchanged their produce for coal that had been delivered to Emsworth by sea, but, disappointingly, there’s no relevant memorabilia or reference to this anywhere in the pub. At the back is a grassy garden with picnic tables, perhaps larger than might reasonably be expected for what is not a large pub. 4 beers from the Fullers / Gales range were on – London Pride, Discovery, HSB and Seafarers. Evidently a tenancy, most notably 2 guest beers were on – Okells Bitter and Butcombe Bitter – but both at a rather pricey £ 3.40p for what are low gravity beers. The Seafarers - £ 3.20p – was pretty good, but the Okells was somewhat bland and disappointing. The Coal Exchange has been a CAMRA Good Beer Guide regular for many years now. The pub hosts a curry night on Tuesday and an open mic night on Wednesday, events which, according to the friendly locals, are well attended and worth popping in for. Staff, pleasingly local to the area, are friendly and enthusiastic. It’s a TV free zone. The pub featured in a 16 page Daily Telegraph guide in 2009 – “70 Great British Pubs” – as a pub that is good for ramblers with two popular walking trails (The Solent Way and The Wayfarers Walk) passing close by. This is a pub that is evidently trying to cover most bases – a friendly welcoming place for local drinkers and also catering for the many visitors to this area of the coast – and, on the basis of my visit, appears to be carrying it off pretty well. Not a must visit pub or a showstopper by any means, but it’s worth looking up if in the area. A good solid 7 out of 10.