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Bookshop Alehouse, Southampton


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21 Portswood Road, Southampton, SO17 2ES (View on Google Map)
No website available

Micropub.

Southern Hampshire CAMRA Pub of the Year and Wessex Region runner up for 2018. The former bookshop was converted into a pub in 2016. It comprises of the front room with two wide steps up to the bar area where there are four handpumps serving beers from a range of breweries, as well as four taps serving kegs, and a display fridge stores the 'bag-in-box' ciders. Its relaxing character has been kept; along one wall there is a bookcase full of books and the room has several tables and chairs. No food, but they will be happy for you to collect from the local takeaways, they supply plates and cutlery but not sauces etc. This and the adjoining buildings were built in 1901 and the frontage, restored after war damage, has local listing so it will continue to look like a shop. Once inside a ramp enables full wheelchair access though outside there is a small step to the pavement - a portable ramp for this is available in the bar.

Unfined / Vegan-Friendly beers are clearly marked on the pump clips and blackboard with the letters 'V.F.' to the bottom-right, which is great for assisting customers to ensure that they choose a beer to their liking.

Historic Interest

Locally listed shop front

Information for this venue is provided by the Southern Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Local Authority
City of Southampton (B)
Last updated
10/03/2025
Last surveyed
15/02/2025
Leasehold owner
unknown
Freehold owner
individual
Pub ID
HAS/00842
Asset of Community Value
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Tuesday
3:00pm - 11:00pm
Wednesday
3:00pm - 11:00pm
Thursday
Noon - 11:00pm
Friday
Noon - 11:00pm
Saturday
Noon - 11:00pm
Sunday
Noon - 9:00pm
Monday
Closed

Current beers

This Pub serves 4 changing beers (Ever changing, but normally includes 1 dark beer and 1 session beer.) and 0 regular beers.

Regular and recently seen
Elusive - Oregon Trail
Elusive - Oregon Trail

New World IPA

ABV: 5.8%
Vegan: Yes
Gluten Free: No

Spotted twice recently. Last spotted 6 days ago

Steam Town - Salus Populi (Suprema Lex)
Steam Town - Salus Populi (Suprema Lex)

Premium Blond Ale

ABV: 4.5%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No

Spotted once recently. Last spotted 6 days ago

Steam Town - Salus Populi (Suprema Lex)
Steam Town - Salus Populi (Suprema Lex)

Premium Blond Ale

ABV: 4.5%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No

Spotted once recently. Last spotted 6 days ago

Electric Bear - Forgot About Dray
Electric Bear - Forgot About Dray

Session Stout

ABV: 4.2%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No

Spotted 4 times recently. Last spotted 6 days ago

Source: Regional


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Facilities
Disabled Access Disabled Access
Small external step, but a ramp is available from the bar. Disabled access toilets and ramp to bar area. No disabled access to basement
Dog Friendly Dog Friendly
Very, always water and sometime dog treats
Events Events
Including a quiz on Sundays.
Function Room Function Room
Basement which has 25+ seats. Used for range of functions including CAMRA meetings, book clubs, university societies, poetry evenings and CAMRA meetings
Games Games
A very good selection of board games.
Wi Fi Wi Fi
Features
Real Ale Real Ale
Real Cider Real Cider
3 available (bag-in-box)
Quiet Quiet
Transport
Close to bus routes (80m)
Bluestar: 2, 20; Unilink: U6
Nearby Station (680m)
St Denys
Directions
60m north from the Lodge Road traffic lights

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