The Old Customs House, Portsmouth

This is an impressive and sympathetic conversion in the Gunwharf Quay development, mirrored by a very similar building across the wharf which is now a Loch Fyne restaurant. The main entrance has a food/coffee servery immediately in front of you which confused for a moment, stairs lead up either side to the toilet facilities. The bar is in the area to the left, Fullers beers, a decent range too with almost the full set plus Wychwood Hobgoblin. Not sure if this is a regular Fuller's guest or a Halloween pop up. The building layout has been left alone with no knocking through, a series of separate rooms are linked by a spine corridor. Themed by name, eg The Portsmouth Room, The Chart Room, The Dickens Room, all feature fairly intimate areas to sit, eat and drink, with views over the Gunwharf outside. There is also al fresco seating, both to the frontage and in an enclosed courtyard to the rear. The rooms themselves are well preserved, with original panelling, fireplaces and the old solid doors remaining in place. Wood flooring as you'd expect, with some large rugs. Additional corridor seating to the right of the entrance at high tables, but the rooms are easily the best bet. Decor includes a few naval scenes, knots and a few framed epaulettes of different ranking officers. We had lunch here, the food was ok, nothing more but I did enjoy a decent pint of Seafarers. I'd say this place is the best bet if you're at the Gunwharf unless you like modern chrome fizz/wine bar places.