Blacksmiths Arms, Shirley, Southampton

Marked as closed.

A taditional local's corner pub with patterned windows and a fairly straight forward, functional but cosy enough interior. The décor has a dated 70's feel to it but doesn't lack anything for it (the piped Elton John's Greatest Hits probably aided my perception). To the left of the bar is a lounge bar with stone walls and fake beams, brewery mirror and trophy cabinet (they run successful darts, domino and football teams). The other side of the pub is a bit more basic and has a darts area at one end. A good selection of beers included Copper Dragon Golden Pippen, Batemans XB, Saltaire Texas Brown and the less interesting John Smiths. Prices were very reasonable, the customer base friendly and the pub was doing good trade despite being very late on a wet Tuesday evening which says something about its reputation among the local pubs, the rest of which were barely inhabited.. Very much a no thrills and nothing fancy sort of place but worthy of a visit, especially since I read somewhere that its future is in some doubt. I hope not.

Closed, semi-derelict & unlikely to ever re-open as a pub. [Admin edit: Marked as closed 15/2/10]