Sovereigns, Mile End, Portsmouth

There are probably only 2 reasons to visit the Sovereign and one is if your hearse takes a wrong turning. The second is if you are staying in the Travelodge attachment and want to include the breakfast. The pub bit has all the character and identity of the most formulaic Wetherspoons but without the range of drinks or prices to match. Built for the mass budget traveller, the relatively open bar area lacks anything of distinction but has contrived, corporate plasticness stamped right across it. In fairness, my evenings’s stay was comfortable enough and the breakfast was value for money. The only ale was Doom Bar which could have been worse although the 2 other pumps were redundant. It is functional but lacks any appeal to warrant using it out of anything other than necessity. Sadly, I may need the place again some day.

Built into the Travelodge complex, Sovereigns represents the very worst kind of chain pub, and is probably in breach of the Trades Desciptions Act. Its sign advertises fine wines, but only cheap plonk and middle-range fighting wine was available. It also offered fun - but for whom? Not the serious pub-goer. In fairness, it offered "Extra cold beers" - this was certainly true of the Sharps Doombar I had, although that's not a good thing and the pint was tasteless and unenjoyable. I didn't try the food, which looked like the standard Happy Hungry Horse-eater fare, and in any case there were 2 people at the bar independently complaining about the quality of their meals. Again, in fairness, the smell of stale chip-fat should have kept my expectations in check. Of the 6 staff on (all wearing their corporate polo-shirts), only one lady was prepared to serve beer. It's convenient for the ferry port, but then so are other places. Not worth including on a crawl.

This is really a Travel Lodge now, but does have bars