The Cocked Hat, Privett, Gosport

Official site of The Cocked Hat - www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk

Official site of The Cocked Hat - www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk

If Dante were on a Gosport crawl and dropped into this 1960s estate pub for a pint, he would surely be inspired to add a tenth circle to the first book of his famous trilogy. A Flaming Grill pub, the motif outside inadvertently sets the scene for what is to be found on passing through the portal - seldom was the motto "Abandon Soap all Ye who enter" more apt. The colour scheme continues the theme - sulphurous yellow and brimstone purple are the predominant colours in the large L-shaped corner bar, while a smaller chamber to one side is altogether darker. The main bar contains a pool table and gaming machines, guarded by the bloated bodies of the drunken damned screaming along to the jukebox as they pour foul ichor (or "lager" as they call it) down their tortured throats, their attendent harpies screeching demonically as they stuff 16 flavours of rancid lard from the menu into the gaping maws of their impious spawn. The staff are incredibly rude and there was only one beer on - Adnams, which was smoothflow and tasted bland. I will come back to this pub when it freezes over.

A Spirit Group 2for 1 pub eatery.Not the prettiest of pubs and the garrish colour scheme makes one wince. Once inside things return to normal. It is a big , clean pleasant place to be. The food is cheap and the beer OK. I did not see any guest ales but having forgot my glasses I ordered Specky Hen Smooth by mistake.That came as a bit of shock.Its a pub serving its locality. I can find no reason to go out of ones way to visit but its good at what it does.