Park Tavern, Portsmouth

Originally the Battle & Breeze, the pub was once owned by Brickwoods before later becoming part of the Burton-based Ind Coope estate. Although a single bar pub, it retains a genuine Victorian island bar at the centre giving it the feel of a Victorian London pub.

The island bar back is splendid having columns with decorative capitals holding up the shelves, a frieze around the top section and four barrels above. There are some modern additions such as a piece of wood to hold the spirits and the ubiquitous fridge. The island counter has decorative brackets all along the front and is intact apart from the insertion of a dumb waiter on the front right. In the front area is a Victorian tiled, cast iron and wood surround fireplace. Along the wall there is a decoratively carved wood and mirrored fitting under a staircase and more similar work beyond the staircase. The interior is like that of the Abbotsford in Edinburgh which has a separate ‘Buffet Bar’ situated away from the island but at the Park Tavern there is no sign of a counter. Old dado panelling throughout.