The Haven Bar, Lymington

Previously Harpers, the bar is a glass-fronted single room above the marina offices, and it’s well described below. Food is good but overpriced, though they do do a good breakfast. There was a reasonably good guitarist playing at a sensible noise level, and there was a mix of people in dining and drinking, not just yachties. Ales on were Doombar and Razorback, though neither was in very good condition, being served too cold and over-gassed, and both were over-priced. The young barman was far too gobby for his own good, trying to convince us that it was ‘the law’ that you have to leave an inch of head in every pint glass. While it’s fine for breakfast I think I’ll be going ashore to find a proper pub to drink in in future.

The Haven is a first floor bar and restaurant located within the harbour so it was full of boating types during my recent Tuesday evening visit. The bar located to the left of the entrance supports a premium lager selection alongside cask Boon Doggle and Razor Back from Ringwood Brewery. The staff were not very attentive, but (who I took to be) the owner pointed out that I was waiting so I managed to get served before a large cocktail order was placed. The vast majority of floor space is taken up with tables ready for dining. The seats by the large front windows with views of the harbour are most desirable. A plasma screen in the corner was off with no signs of live sports and some background music from the likes of Michael Jackson was playing. Out the front is some seating including some fashioned from old oil barrels. This place is handily placed for the boaters but is a bit of a trek for any land loving locals.

Official site of the Haven - www.havenrestaurant.co.uk

Official site of the Haven - www.havenrestaurant.co.uk