The Raven, Somerstown, Southsea

CAMRA WhatPub - whatpub.com

CAMRA WhatPub - whatpub.com

Entering this rather exclusive local pub is like taking a trip back to the bad old days of the 1970s. The single bar has a pool table, gaming machines and a warm welcome for strangers as long as they fit into the pub’s target demographic. There is a dance floor, which on this occasion hosted a table full of traditional English delicacies – chilli con carne, guacamole and what looked like onion bhajis – for communal consumption. There was a sweetie dispenser, a jukebox playing traditional reggae and rap numbers, and a traditional English ale on draft. The ale was rebadged- something-or-other sporting the title ‘New England Best Bitter’ (I don’t think it was the Sheffield Brewery beer of the same name, but if it was, it had lost its flavour), which was acceptable, but not brilliant. The staff were pleasant, especially the young barmaid, and the customers were mostly peaceful. There is good disabled access, prices are low, sports matches are shown on Sky and there was BT WiFi available. It wouldn’t be my first choice of pub in Portsmouth.