Brewhouse & Kitchen, Poole

Previously The Rising Sun, it is a narrow town pub just off the High Street which brews on the premises. There is outside seating at the front and back. The building is Victorian and has been extended into a barn-like structure which may have been the stables for the original inn. The pub is family- and dog-friendly, although they ask dogs to avoid one of the dining areas. Food is OK, nothing special, delivered on scrappy old bits of wood and in twee enamel buckets by cheerful, if overworked, waitresses. There were 8 handpumps on the bar dispensing 3 home-brewed beers and 2 guests. On the wall behind the bar is a bank of taps with a selection of keg, foreign beers and ciders. Take-away beers are available in sizes from 2 – 72 pints at very reasonable prices. Free WiFi is available. I had a pint of a dark mild called Overlord, served in a jug without having to ask, and which was an excellent pint and cheap too. This current incarnation is a huge improvement over the old Rising Sun, and I’d be most happy to spend time here enjoying their beers.

Nicely done, massively extended gastro pub with a tidy side garden. Situated in a funny location, you have to do battle with a busy road to get to it. Well-described by Maldenman below, just to add that my eye was caught by a collection of 1982 World Cup drink miniatures in a glass case. Two pumps but just one ale in DBC Jurassic which was in good nick. Barmaid had more rabbit than Sainsburys, yip-yapping to all her mates behind the bar without drawing breath. Surprisingly acceptable for drinking.

Having "Gastro Pub" boldly painted on the gable does not tend to bode well for the drinker in my experience, however it wasn't all that bad, there is certainly room for the drinkers. A funny entrance which is off a public car park gives the feel that you are entering by the back door, there is a bit of outdoor seating here before you get to the door. Inside there is a long and narrow room with the bar just to the left of the entrance on a back wall. Further on to the left was a formal dining area with set tables, I didn't explore further. To the right is the bar seating, it is heavily madeover, painted brickwork, large lampshades, bucket chairs, high backed benches, a fireplace full of decorative stacked logs, either side of the entrance door are narrow glazed screens containing shelves holding scores of miniature spirit bottles. It goes without saying that the tables had chunky white candles. I was in here early probably before noon so the lunch rush had not started yet and menus were not out, they did have a couple of boards advertising a variety of World Cup nibbles and a Rio Grande burger for £12.95. Beers were Greene King Brasilia and Doom Bar. Finding no type of seat I wished to sit on I retreated to the attractive rear garden which was a nice spot on a lovely sunny morning. Miles from my idea of a traditional pub however it continues to survive in this current guise so good luck to it, it is on the edge of the town centre and partially cut off by a busy roundabout and road junction so clearly has to do something to attract custom.