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Detail Pages
St James Tavern, Winchester
Winchester
SO22 5BE
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Real Ale Ray left this review about St James Tavern
An end of terrace red brick building with entrance through a narrow black door on the main street. This pub was only a short walk from the Westgate, but all uphill.
The interior was all painted dark blue walls and ceilings with aged oak furniture, along with an oak bar counter.
Eight handpumps with a few beers doubled up, including one cider. Henry's IPA, 6x and Horizon. Prices were £4.90 a pint and the staff were all very welcoming and helpful.
On 26th December 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about St James Tavern
Remains pretty similar 11 years on; dark wood panelling, dark walls, knick-knacks and a drawing room sort of feel. 3x Waddies brews in the form of Henry's, 6X, Horizon (NBSS 3.5) and Oakham Citra. A few people in and unlike a number of other pubs (with GBG status!) that hot day, the beer here was cool and crisp. Despite having a general dislike of Waddies beers, I’d be inclined to prioritise this one next time, seeing as some of the competition has slipped a bit. One downside was an insistence on card payments.
July 2011
A small, wood-clad, wedge-shaped Wadworth house tucked away from the direct centre of town, a few hundred yards up a deceptively steep hill. Five ales on tap, four Wadworth beers and a guest (Butcombe and Pedigree sampled here in the past, quality usually decent). The interior is over two little levels with a smattering of wood panelling and stripped floors. Worth the short (if stiff) walk for a quick half from the city centre if you like Waddies fayre. Does live music in the evenings and food (big on burgers). Rated 7
On 7th August 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about St James Tavern
Corner pub set at a slight acute angle with three main spaces: the compact bar as you enter, a small seating area to the right and a raised and larger seating / dining area at the back. Quite dark, with very traditional furniture and decor throughout. Although branded as a Wadworth house, it is run by a small local chain (the Little Pub Group), with 6X, Henry's IPA, Horizon (£2.30, half) and Oakham Citra available as a guest from the bank of eight handpumps when we visited.
On 27th July 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about St James Tavern
A rather ordinary Wadworth's pub,much as described by others, below. I went for the 6X which was in good condition and priced about average for the area. It's worth dropping into when passing, and I'd include in a crawl, but the staff and atmosphere are such that I wouldn't want it as my local.
On 20th July 2022
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3288 recommendations about 3253 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about St James Tavern
This is a cosy little place with a very dark, snug interior and drinking area out back. Apparently, it’s very popular with the local hospital, prison and police staff.
There’s a fair amount of knickknacks to the interior, tulip sconces and olden-style prints to the walls, some of which I've seen in other pubs.
Staff were efficient rather than friendly, me being served a half of Wadworth Horizon at £2.30 a half and fine.
As mentioned, this place is probably better appreciated as part of a crawl rather than being a destination pub in its own right.
On 16th July 2022
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1991 recommendations about 1957 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about St James Tavern
Wadworth house part the way up a steep hill,so a useful place to catch your breath.A traditional interior on different levels,the two higher wings felt more like dining areas whereas the space around the small mid building bar was good for drinkers with several high tables on which to pertch.Ale selection on my trip was Wadsworth Horizon,6X and Henry's IPA with a guest in Oakham Citra (NBSS 3.5).
Worth a stop on a crawl,maybe not enough to inspire a long session.
On 16th July 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2730 recommendations about 2730 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about St James Tavern
A little pub on the side of a main road, which didn't look very open at first but access is through a side door rather than the obvious front corner. The interior is a bit over-cluttered with decorations but pleasant enough and there is a small garden at the rear. There were 4 beers from the Wadsworth range on pump, plus Oakham Citra as guest. OK but unexceptional.
On 16th July 2022
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3352 recommendations about 3289 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about St James Tavern
A long narrow split level bar with a nice traditional feel, there were four Wadsworth beers on plus a guest of Merrie City Atlantic Hop as well as Old Rosie Cider,quite a nice pub, well worthy of a visit.
On 21st March 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1875 recommendations about 1848 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about St James Tavern
Small wedge of a pub, a little trendy but nicley laid out, chunky pine tables, small bar and generally a nice feel. There is a small sun trap back yard. Its away from the main tourist area.
4 real ales from Wadworths kept well.
On 25th June 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1456 recommendations about 1434 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about St James Tavern
This is an unusual wedge shaped pub a short walk from the town centre. The interior has plenty of wood panelling, a wooden floor and pine furniture, with the top half of the walls painted in dark colour which, combined with the muted lighting and limited natural light, created quite a nice cosy ambiance. There are various split level areas within the pub, including what appeared to be a dining area to the right. There is plenty of seating throughout the pub and at the rear there is a pebble garden with a few more seats. Music was playing unobtrusively in the background and I spotted a rather incongruous bass guitar hanging above the main door.
This is a Wadworth house, so their beers dominated the pumps. The selection on our visit was 6X, Bishop's Tipple, Henry's IPA and Horizon with Pedigree as a guest option. I gave the IPA a try which was well kept, if not the most exciting beer I've ever had.
This initially struck me as being a foody place, but once we settled down with our drinks it grew on me and I left feeling that the place would definitely be worthy of a repeat visit.
On 18th July 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]