The Avenue, Southampton

Should be able to take #2 bus from shopping ctr to top of road but we couldn't find the stop & had £5 taxi instead. ‘The Avenue' is not a pub name that suggests the type of traditional boozer which I seek out but comments suggested it to be worth a visit. Distressed wood floor in main (front) bar room, plain wood tables, chairs, stools, barstools, fireplace & coupla of gaming machines to left, plasma showing skysports score updates. Unremarkable carpetted section to rear of bar then a corridor to the loos & a small pool room at far end, before this a little offshoot to the left with awful out-of-place sofas but, to the right, thankfully, more traditional wooden seating. Can't remember the beer garden but have a note stating ‘nice weathered outdoor furniture'. Ringwood Best, Pride, 6X, and Doombar in good shape. Not bad.