The Scholars Arms, Southampton

The Scholars Arms is a large open plan L-shaped weekend pub that has a couple of shuffleboards and pool tables at the rear. The front is split-level with raised seating up the left. Televisions throughout were airing muted Premier League Darts via Sky Sports while some background music played. Standard, premium and mainstream craft keg were available from the counter and the five hand pumps were drawing Greene King IPA and two Lilley’s ciders. This is a student sports bar where GK beers can be enjoyed while reading the inspirational academic quotes on the walls to the soundtrack of S Club 7 and Pink.

A big Greene King place in the bottom of an office block, so a bit subterranean. It falls somewhere between a circuit pub, a student pub, and a sports bar, with numerous screens, pool and shuffleboard. The front part is tabled and used for dining, at least at lunchtimes. A nice-looking row of handpumps proved a bit disappointing, with several clips for Lilleys fruit ciders and just IPA and the GK seasonal brew as beers. In fairness the latter was quite drinkable.

Official site of The Scholars Arms - www.greeneking.co.uk

Official site of The Scholars Arms - www.greeneking.co.uk