The Leopold, Southsea

Awarded the 2010 Branch Pub of the Year award by the Portsmouth and S E Hampshire branch of the Campaign For Real Ale

Formerly Carries Bar now renamed The New Inn, presumably after Carrie left. Small friendly Irish bar of which there are a number on the Broadway. No real ale but a decent pint of Guinness as you’d expect.

A good looking pub from the outside; the inside has been refurbished but in a complimentary way. As you enter the pub you are faced with a u-shaped bar in the middle. Real ales include offerings from the Oakleaf brewery from Gosport and the Irving brewery from Portsmouth. The pint of 'Type 42' I had was in fine condition. The Leopold appears to attract a range of customers ranging from locals to 'beer tourists'. There are plenty of pubs in the Albert Road area, I consider this to be one of the best ones.

Pub was originally called the Dundee Arms and was known 'affectionally' as 'Vietnam' as there used to be a fair amount of fights. Was gutted out when Scottish & Newcastle 'merged' with Courage and built a new office block on the other side of Dundee Street. The Dundee Arms was not plush enough for their staff and also underwent the name change to the Fountain Bar in an effort to rid the pub of its reputation.

Seems to be a popular "local", but this may have been because has two TVs, and was showing live footy, Pompey v Burnley during my visit U shaped bar with 6 hand pull ales on offer, some from the Gosport based Oakleaf Brewery. I had a "Swift one" from the range, easy & pleasant drinking No food, maybe a roll if lucky [I wasn't]. However you have a big decision to make here, if you want food then the Bold Forester over the road does meals, but sells only keg beer Also had a list of "Guest wines" so seems to cater for all, in fact there were a few women drinking wine at the time of my visit I would go back again without any qualms