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The Dolphin, Portsmouth
Portsmouth
PO1 2LU
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Dolphin Hotel
An excellent Old Portsmouth high street pub, historic and welcoming. It claims to be ‘Old Portsmouth’s Village Pub’. The main bar at the front has traces of the original structure and a few architectural gems – fireplace with original brick-built hearth and some structural timbers on display, and there are wooden floorboards. The dining area at the back is pleasant, airy and spacious, while there is a small but functional garden at the back. The staff were tremendously welcoming and great fun, while the locals, at least those not occupied in apparently covert romantic liaisons, were friendly. Six handpumps on the bar, five ales available. I had a pint of Andwell’s Gold Muddler, which was in perfect condition, and a very agreeable pint indeed. They have theme nights as well as the regular restaurant service. There is BT WiFI, and they support animals and Service charities. Definitely worth a visit, and I would definitely include on a crawl.
On 5th May 2015
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3286 recommendations about 3251 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Michael Wright left this review about The Dolphin Hotel
Seems to have got it all together, 6 hand pull real ales, plus a fairly extensive menu, plus loads of history, said to be Portsmouth's oldest pub, plus a great location, plus friendly staff
I had Doombar, it was £3.40 a pint, a bit expensive even for Old Portsmouth I thought
On entering there is one long bar, with flag stone floor, extending halfway to rear of pub, the other rearward half is mainly for dining, with extension to side for more diners.
Walking through this you reach a quite small, but pretty & pleasant outside walled courtyard, flowers, seating etc, partly covered for inclement weather. I guess mainly for the smokers, but would be nice for el fresco if smoke not a problem
Decor is sort of "farmhouse antique", wooden tables etc, but does also have comfy looking benches with cushions in dining area
Menu is mid price range, but certainly not budget end, sarnies just under a fiver, but maybe they are great, not tried the food so unable to comment on quality or value for money
Think I would go back, but not my first choice for the area if I was eating as well and drinking, however I doubt a casual visitor would be disappointed, so do try it out if using the Cathedral opposite, or looking for a pleasant place to eat & drink, and not on a limited budget
On 29th August 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 526 recommendations about 382 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
train man left this review about The Dolphin Hotel
Contrary messages as you approach, with notices reading ‘Portsmouth's Oldest Pub' rather clashing with the presence of venetian blinds at the street windows. The room to the right of the entrance and the semi-open area opp bar do carry some originality, each with wood burning fires, the former has whitewashed brick walls, the latter curving half-timbered banquette seating, but the general feel of makeover – the large open bar area and those blinds detract from any sense of history or old pubbiness. Wooden floor throughout the front & bar sections, stone slabs to the rear where light wood tables appear set up in restaurant style, when I wandered back there to take a look staff hanging at the corner of the bar asked ‘Can I help you?', hmmm. Jazzy schmoozy soundtrack added further to the feeling of bar, rather than pub, although the blues trumpet on a version of Summertime was pretty special. The beers were in fine condition, mostly from the local Irving brewery, Frigate, Cathedral, Invincible, Wee Malc's 80-shilling, also Landlord & Doombar, but at an eye-watering £3.30! My only target pub in ‘Old' Portsmouth, and the price and unsympathetic treatment of décor would dissuade me from returning.
On 17th February 2009
- rating: 6
[User has posted 412 recommendations about 411 pubs]