The Derby Tavern, Stamshaw, Portsmouth

A lively back-street boozer. It's busy, friendly (in a reserved sort of way) and in many ways the epitome of a big town local. It is housed in a Victorian terrace corner building and is entered either from the corner or a side door off a cul-de-sac. Both doors lead to a single large bar, a result of the knocking-through of the original bars. The bar is carpeted and decorated in a typical traditional mid-20th Century back street style, functional and homely at the same time, with a mix of chairs and tables and a collection of framed prints around the walls, complementing the hand-written announcements of theme nights, charity events and sports matches being shown on the multiplicity of tv screens. A white ensign pinned to the ceiling is a reminder that this area is historically linked with the Royal Navy. At the 'corner' end is a pool table, the atmosphere around which is tense and serious. At the other end is a dartboard, while a lone gaming machine lurks somewhere in the middle. Whether the latter was mute or simply drowned out by the strangely tolerable mix of reggae and 1990s house music on the jukebox was difficut to ascertain. The staff were pleasant and chatty, while the few locals not getting stressed over the pool table were either sitting quietly or chatting normally. It appeared that food is sometimes available, but there was none on this evening. There is a good community spirit, and money is raised here for various charities. The only ale on was Goddard's Fuggle-Dee-Dum which was in good condition. While I can't say I felt particularly at home here, probably because I'm not a local, this is a decent boozer of the type which is fast disappearing and is definitely worth dropping into for a pint or two if you're in the area.