The Vaults, Southsea

A large interconnected open plan pub with dark wood beams and uprights, mixed seating throughout. Eight handpumps in all, from Fullers there was ESB, Pride and Seafarers and guest beers on were Hawkshead Lakeland Gold, Bristol Beer Co Milk Stout and Bad Seed Bunco, the latter being only average in quality but not price, at £4.50 a pint it was well over the average for the area. This pub didn't feel like the real deal to me and despite the possibility of some good beer choice I would think twice before returning.

This is a large, rambling pub and wine bar that occupies three inter-connected premises on the busy Albert Road. Entering into the middle of these three properties, you can see doorways and openings to either side, each leading into a bar area. The central part of the pub seems to have been left as a lobby-cum-dancefloor area, with a DJ area set up behind a low barrier towards the back of the room. There are a couple of smart old fireplaces in here too, but seating is almost non-existent and the only bits of decor comprised retro-style prints of Tour de France posters. The bar to the left is a cramped space with a long servery down the end wall and some small seating booths to the front and rear. All the handpulls were in here as were about 80% of the patrons, making it very difficult and tiresome trying to get served – there were some next-level bar-blocking skills going on here. Over in the right hand room, a shorter bar counter offered a craft keg selection but no real ale. This area seemed a lot nicer to me, but was virtually empty and I’m fairly sure this was not because of the lack of ale. The room extends back quite a way, where some decent looking banquette seating can be found. It seems I only just scratched the surface on my visit, as there are apparently a total of five bars here, split across three floors – I can’t say I recall noticing any promising looking staircases, so maybe these floors were closed during the day. I think there were two banks of four handpulls in the left hand bar; one dedicated to beers from the Fullers stable and the other offering a selection of guests. I tried something from the local Staggeringly Good brewery which was pretty good, although the slow service time meant I had to neck it quicker than I would have liked in order to get back to the station in time. Both bars offered plenty of craft keg and a wide bottled selection. This was a strange venue with a lot more appeal than I recall when I briefly popped my head in a year before. The place probably works best as a late night venue with loud music and free-flowing drink, as it lacks the comforts you would associate with a good pub. Having said that, there is some decent beer to be had here, so if you can bag a good seat, it might well be worth a look in passing.

A large modern pub in Victorian premises on a busy night life street. The pub is formed from 2 or 3 adjacent shops knocked through to make a single establishment. The wood-themed décor is the same throughout, but the conversion has included two bars which have both retained their counters, and the former Vines restaurant at the end. It all seems to work, somehow. There is a variety of seating styles including Chesterfields, dining tables and standard bar furniture along with some aluminium beer barrels converted into novelty lampshades over one of the bars. The clientele are mostly civilised and the staff are pleasant, the jukebox was bland at best, and there were gaming machines to entertain those who needed it. Four Fuller's ales on, plus Dark Star Original and Oakleaf Hole Hearted and Rosie's cider in a box. There was also a good selection of bottled beers, though the latter were all in chiller cabinets. They claim 'over 50 craft ales and lagers'; make what you will of that. Food is available, mainly pizzas. Beer wasn't in absolutely top form, but its not a bad place overall and worth including in a crawl.