The Old Vine, Winchester

This very smart Gastro pub has been well described by previous reviewers so nothing to add in that respect, except to say that it continues as a very popular eating place in the centre of Winchester. So much so that it was fully booked over the weekend we visited and we were unable to use it for an evening meal. Did use it for a pint in the right hand bar section though as the beer choice was decent and the bar section is fairly comfortable. Ringwood Bitter, Flacks double Drop, Skinners Cornish Knocker and Brakespears Gold were on for our visit and the couple we tried were well kept.

Opposite the cathedral gardens in a quiet spot off the High Street. Its a very pleasant pub, beams, brick, nicely laid out and Olde Worlde charm, with a central bar. Its expensive due to its location but you do get quality (at least for the beer - didn't try the food), so you don't mind the cost so much. Beer is served in the Southern style (no head) and/but is very good and there is a choice of 4 locally sourced ales. There is a terrace at the rear and some small table on the quiet street at the front of the pub. A bit twee but altogether a fine place. Appropriately there is an old vine growing on the outside of the building.

Architectural details having been addressed by an earlier contributor, suffice it to say that the pub presents a picturesque façade to the Cathedral Green:eponymous vine and a Georgian pillared doorway. Through the door, the pub divides:to the left, behind a tempting heavy curtain, lies a comfortable looking dining room, to the right, a long and narrow bar with comfy seating. Behind, up some steps are more tables and chairs and I think a terrace.Flagstone floors, oak beams coupled with a selection of contemporary artworks contrive to create a slightly Central European bohemian air. Released from the Christmas Market on a bright and cold December Saturday late afternoon, I sat in here with my hat, enjoying an excellent pint of Flowerpots Cheriton Porter. Indeed, it was so good, I fetched the ladies, diverting them from the Cathedral Tea Rooms, so I could have another. Other real ales were Ringwood Best, Tim Taylor Landlord, and Adnams’ Lighthouse. To a terminal nostalgic, there is something magically English about a good pub in a Cathedral Close, indeed something fairly unusual,as I cannot think of many others. Good pub.

First the architecture bit. 18th century, 2 storeys. Red brick. Old tile roof . with 5 contemporary sash windows in moulded frames on 1st floor. Good doorcase with brackets and moulded open dentil pediment. The 19th century public house frontage has Gothic fenestration. Panelled door with fanlight. Two dormers. Rearwing with lattice casements in gable. OK! It looks great and it's a grade 2 listed building across from the Cathedral Green. Now lets go inside! It's that 'Gastropub' thing but done in a good way. Don't be afraid! It's split into well defined areas with the restaurant (you'll need to book) to the left as you enter and the bar area to the right with no reservations for the bar or patio, where seating is available on a first come, first served basis only. Sandwich menu (available lunchtimes only. Please note that sandwiches are only available in the bar and on the terrace, and are not available in the restaurant) Sandwiches on thick-cut granary or white bread, served with a salad garnish. Tuna with chive mayonnaise & salad £4.95 - Warm French brie & grape £5.50 - Premium Hampshire pork sausages, red onion relish £5.75 - Falafel with chickpea houmous, roasted sweet peppers, fresh coriander & salad in a flour tortilla £5.50 - Thinly sliced Hampshire-cured ham, emmental cheese & tomato £5.75 - Cod fillet fish finger sandwich with home-made tartare sauce, sliced tomato and little gem lettuce, garnish of fries £5.50 - Traditional mature Welsh cheddar ploughman’s £5.95 V
Coronation chicken: free-range English chicken in a creamy curry-spiced mayo, mango & sultana dressing £5.75 Pub classics (available lunchtimes only; bar, restaurant and terrace) - Premium Hampshire pork sausages & creamy mashed potato, rich onion gravy £9.50 - Crispy wholetail scampi in breadcrumbs, fries and salad £10.50 - Thickly sliced Hampshire-cured ham, two free-range fried eggs, fries and side salad £11.50 - Home-made pie of the day, mashed potatoes and peas £10.90. Sorry if that's too much detail but it is a 'Gastropub'. It was the first pub in Winchester to phase out smoking (in March 2005), and now they're delighted to offer non-smoking customers an outdoor glazed space that's 100% smoke-free. Their policy on children is: "CHILDREN AT LUNCHTIME: Well-behaved children of six and over are welcome in the bar and restaurant at lunchtime, provided they are accompanied by an adult – however, please remember that the Old Vine is first and foremost a space for adults to relax in. We're sorry, but we cannot accommodate pushchairs inside the building – however, pushchairs and kids under six may be accommodated on the patio, weather permitting. CHILDREN IN THE EVENING: Children are not allowed in the bar past 6pm – however, children of eight years and over may eat in the restaurant in the evening, provided they are accompanied by an adult. Very attractive bar staff (both men and women) who served up some cracking pints. Itchen Valley, Hambledon Bitter 4.0% and Flack Manor Romsey, Flack's Double 3.7% on handpump. It was great sitting at the bar on our Winchester crawl and watching the clientele with their Apple lap tops in the comfy Chesterfield's and although this is not really my sort of pub it's all done so very well done that I must give it a good 7.

Located opposite the Cathedral Green, this is a modernised gastro-style pub which still offers something worthwhile for drinkers. The entrance takes you straight to the bar, with the room opening out to the right whilst a curtained doorway to the left hides the restaurant room. The main bar has a wooden floor, lots of padded benches and a pleasing wood beamed ceiling. Distractions are kept to a minimum although there was a selection of board games near the front door. The room extends to the back of the pub where there is an outdoor patio area with some seating. The restaurant side has standards tables and chairs in an otherwise similar room with a brick fireplace on the far wall. There weren't too many customers in when we visited, which perhaps helped make us feel more comfortable just having a drink, but a decent ale selection of Ringwood Best, Flack Manor Double Drop, Timothy Taylor Landlord and Itchen Valley Hambledon Bitter was provided nonetheless. I think the pub suits the gastro style it has chosen and I'm sure it does an excellent trade thanks to its location. I thought there was quite a nice ambiance in here and would suggest that as long as you avoid peak dining times, it would be a good contender for a quick pint of well kept beer.