The Leopold, Southsea

Situated on one of the main roads through the middle of Southsea, this is a striking pub with a green tiled façade that is very impressive on approach. The interior doesn't quite live up to this initial promise, having been knocked through to form a single room that wraps around a centrally positioned servery. Seating has been arranged in groups around the perimeter of the room, mostly in the form of benches and standard chairs, although I did spot a couple of sofas to one side. The space to the rear of the bar looked to be the best place to settle down for a longer session, although there was also a pleasant looking area to the rear, from where you can access a garden which apparently contains a replica tardis. The room is part bare boarded and part carpeted and has mainly whitewashed walls or those of a similarly neutral shade, decorated with a mix of breweriana and sporting memorabilia, including some signed shirts. A pump clip display is also evident and a lot of wall space is taken up by countless posters for upcoming events in the pub and surrounding area. I noted some TV screens, but they were turned off throughout my visit, although it seems that certain sporting events are shown here. For all of the understated interior décor, there is nothing understated about the beer range, which extends across a long run of handpulls at the corner of the servery. Options on this occasion were Vibrant Forest Mosaic and Black Forest, Dark Star Hophead and APA, Oakleaf Quercus Folium, Arundel Wild Heaven, Bowmans Wallops Wood, Triple fff Moondance, Twickenham Naked Ladies and something from Weltons. An excellent range and with a good selection of local brews as well. My pint was in tip-top condition and the barmaid was friendly enough. I really liked the feel of this place, perhaps more so because of the excellent range of ales in top condition, but I think the place had more to it than that - a friendly, welcoming vibe and the impression that whole days could be lost in here. For me this is the best pub I've yet to encounter in the Portsmouth/Southsea area.