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Beer of the Week (w/e 26th April 2026) with Tris39
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Submitted on Saturday, 10th June 2017
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Detail Pages
Monks Bar, Portsmouth
Portsmouth
PO1 2LU
Served areas
Reviews of Monks Bar (Average Rating: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about El Nico
Previously Monks, this historic high street pub is going through a new phase as a tapas bar run by real Hispanic people. It is dog-hostile, there is free WiFi, and Spanish pop music pollutes the airwaves. It was, however, a pleasant surprise to find friendly staff, a welcoming atmosphere and some decent beer here. The tapas were a little on the pricey side, but the beer was cheaper than some other nearby pubs. Three ales on, I had a pint of Flack’s Hedge Hop, well kept and very refreshing, while a porter whose name I failed to record was also in very good condition. I actually quite like it here and will certainly return, possibly for one of their theme nights.
On 24th April 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3748 recommendations about 3708 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Michael Wright left this review about Monks
Visited on a sunny Saturday lunchtime of a Bank Holiday weekend, I was the only customer, which may be indicative, or not. Maybe in the evenings all the rich folk from the surrounding flats flock in to drink wine and chat, there is plenty of seating to accommodate them.
One very long bar, plus upstairs area. The decor, as previous post states, is very ornate, with a tiled patterned floor, I am no judge of styles, but I think it tries to be around turn of the 1900s, with a splosh of art nouveau you will either love it or hate it
5 hand pulls on my visit, I opted for Thwaites Lancaster as it was one I have never tried, not having had it before I cannot say for sure, but my pint had a mild touch of Sarson's about it to my taste buds, but I admit this may be unfair as it was my first ever pint of this brew. It cost £3 for a pint BTW
It does not serve food, which may not be a good idea given it's location , I may have ordered food, and during my visit a group 4 people came in asking about food, and walked out without spending a penny when informed there was none. I can only guess that the owners, having obviously spent thousands on the decor have done the sums and can make a living with an empty bar on a sunny Saturday lunchtime of a Bank Holiday weekend in a busy tourist spot, opposite a lovely cathedral in Old Portsmouth
Warning, the toilets are upstairs, so if stairs present a problem for you, avoid Monks
Would I go back? Probably not, to my mind there are better in the area. Could be handy if attending a Church service, such as a wedding, in the Anglican cathedral opposite
On 30th August 2010
- rating: 4
[User has posted 526 recommendations about 382 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Kate Elliott left this review about Monks
Used to be a great little place - now sadly - modernised, sanitised and dehumanised. OK if you need a beer on the move but no longer a comfy place to while away the time.
On 13th June 2004
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 27 recommendations about 27 pubs]
No known official website for this pub.
- CAMRA WhatPub :: Monks Bar - whatpub.com
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 09 April 2026 by ROB Camra
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 09 April 2026 by ROB Camra
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 09 April 2026 by ROB Camra
- Beer Garden : No last updated 09 April 2026 by ROB Camra
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 09 April 2026 by ROB Camra
- Car Park : No last updated 09 April 2026 by ROB Camra
- Child Friendly : No last updated 09 April 2026 by ROB Camra
- Darts : No last updated 09 April 2026 by ROB Camra
- Dog Friendly : No last updated 09 April 2026 by ROB Camra
- Function Room : No last updated 09 April 2026 by ROB Camra
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 09 April 2026 by ROB Camra
- Jukebox : No last updated 09 April 2026 by ROB Camra
- Karaoke : No last updated 09 April 2026 by ROB Camra
- Live Music : Yes last updated 09 April 2026 by ROB Camra
- Live TV Sports : No last updated 09 April 2026 by ROB Camra
- Micropub : No last updated 09 April 2026 by ROB Camra
- Pinball : No last updated 09 April 2026 by ROB Camra
- Pool Table : No last updated 09 April 2026 by ROB Camra
- Quiz Night : No last updated 09 April 2026 by ROB Camra
- Real Ale : No last updated 09 April 2026 by ROB Camra
- Real Cider : No last updated 09 April 2026 by ROB Camra
- Wheelchair Access : No last updated 09 April 2026 by ROB Camra
- WiFi : Yes last updated 09 April 2026 by ROB Camra
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