The Spyglass Inn, Ventnor

Official site of The Spyglass Inn - thespyglass.com

Official site of The Spyglass Inn - thespyglass.com

Fantastic location with great views. Authentic interior which is spacious and welcoming, regular live music and on the day of my visit the food was very good. Good selection of well kept ales and lagers, a haunt for locals and holidaymakers

The pub occupies an enviable location at the end of the esplanade with views over the beach below and out across the Channel. There is of course an extensive tiered outdoor terrace designed to make the best of the views plus some well positioned indoor tables with large viewing windows. Inside there are various cubby holes, nooks and crannies and all kinds of maritime paraphernalia along the walls and across the low ceilings. Seating as far as I could see was at proper tables of varying size, flooring mainly tiled but some areas carpeted too. Food obviously is important and the pub is unashamed to attract the tourists but portions are large and in our opinion on the day quality good. Prices reflect the location as you’d expect. A few cask beers on, I failed to note them but there were a couple from Ringwood and also the local Goddards Fuggle Dee Dum. Live music features regularly. A decent spot, much better than I expected on approaching, great outside on a fine day but I imagine cosy and atmospheric on a stormy winter’s night.

A full-throttle holidaymaker pub, exceptionally located at the end the Esplanade with views over the bay. The multi-roomed interior is liberally covered in nautical tat; come to that much of the extensive tabled outside is also. If you can ignore the tourist overkill and avoid busy days, it is actually quite a pleasant cosy place for a pint, especially on a miserable day. Ales on were locals Wight Gold and Islander, and from Ringwood (Marstons) Razorback and 49er.

Maybe the only Good Beer Guide 2021 entry to be guarded by a plastic pirate? Who knows. A lengthy queue had to be negotiated for a table at 4pm on a Monday. God knows what it would be like at a busy time. Kind of odd, as the inside of the pub was completely empty - so how you would get it if you just wanted a pint, I don't know. We were eating - so happy to wait and the table, service and food was all perfect. I can only assume the queue was to stop the kitchen being overwhelmed. Beer wise - its unusual to see a Marstons in the GBG - and all that was on offer on our visit was their beers - Ringwood Forty niner in decent condition - but its never a "destination pint" Pleasant experience and hats off to the staff for their humour and professionalism.