Brown's, Northam, Southampton

Originally The Cooper’s Arms, the The Joshua Tree, this rather awful sports bar is not, as we thought it might be, a branch of the same-named chain. Rather,it is a dilapidated, scruffy establishment with a battered pool table, various TVs showing football and over-loud music – brown noise indeed. There is a single L-shaped bar with mixed flooring styles and no visible race of its original historic roots. No real ale, no food, no charm. The outside area is the public pavement at the side to which they have nailed a sign that says ‘Smoking Area’. One to avoid.

Facebook page of Brown's - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of Brown's - www.facebook.com

Official site of Brown's - brownspub.co.uk

Official site of Brown's - brownspub.co.uk

The Joshua Tree is a relatively new venue in Southampton. The aim here is "to have a huge range of high quality bands playing to appreciative audiences night after night". It's open during the day and has a good selection of ales. Situated near St Mary's stadium (have a pint before the 'Saints' play), the landlord is obviously in love with U2 and there's lyrics from their songs on the walls, but just why Rod Stewart's, Maggie May is up there I don't know. A quirky boozer and well worth a visit in what is a bit of a 'desert' of an area in the City.