The Bridge Tavern, Portsmouth

A more down to earth and less touristy pub than others nearby as has been said before. It’s still got a bit of a multi space vibe but sadly not multi room. Decor is of course naval, being Pompey they have access to cheap grey paint and there’s a bit been splashed about round here, thankfully only on the inside. Upstairs is a dining area and there’s a marquee outside although views are of a working dock and the Isle of Wight ferry dock. The thing that gets you a fine for unlawful pulling is a strange ship’s telegraph, fines go to the RNLI. The L shaped counter has five pulls, all from Asahi; Darkstar Hophead, Gales HSB and Seafarer, London Pride and nothing on the fifth, naturally there’s a low T-bar of standards including a lager from Asahi who of course own Fullers and its brands. Fairly empty on my Thursday night visit but the other punters were, not to put too fine a point on it; well pissed. The sign of a good pub.

The 'other' pub in the spice island end of two, but this one is secreted amongst the moorings and boat stacks rather than the touristy bit. It is however more pub-like than the other two and has a couple of nice traditional rooms with tiled floors and glazed partitions as well as the obligatory mass of tables on the dockside. Another Fullers pub, with various beers from their range. Sadly the eponymous bridge (visible on the sign) has long since disappeared, so access is round through Old Portsmouth.