Eight of the Southampton pubs featured in Good Beer Guide 2025

The UK's best-selling beer and pub guide is celebrating its 52nd edition this year as it continues to champion thousands of the best pubs across the country. 

In total, 17 Southampton pubs have made it onto the list - here are eight of the watering holes that have featured: 

Beards and Boards, Bedford Place (Image: Beards and Boards)

Beards & Boards - 33 Bedford Place, SO15 2DG

This popular skateboard-themed micropub serves regularly changing national and local real ales, 10 keg beers, canned beers and four draught ciders.

Owners have recently opened a back room to add to the space with a retro games console and a range of board games on offer for customers.

Belgium & Blues - 184 Above Bar Street, SO14 7DW

Located in Southampton’s Cultural Quarter in a Tudor-style building, the popular pub hosts a range of different events including live music and quiz nights.

The main cellar bar serves four real ales and three real ciders, plus a selection of keg and bottled beers from England, Europe and the USA. 

Jon Harris and Charlie Sunley outside the Bookshop Alehouse in Portswood.

Bookshop Alehouse - 21 Portswood Road, SO17 2ES

Based in a former bookshop, the Bookshop Alehouse boasts four handpumps serving ever-changing ales.

It holds quizzes and has a basement room for events including book clubs, poetry evenings, CAMRA meetings and university societies. 

Bottle & Stoat - 45 Bedford Place, SO15 2DG

This pub offers six changing beers and is the newest venture from the owners of Olaf's Tun. 

It has a variety of seating including a sofa and armchairs with six handpumps and offers wine plus the option to order food from elsewhere.

Brewhouse & Kitchen Southampton

Brewhouse & Kitchen - 47 Highfield Lane, SO17 1QD

This pub opened in 2015 as part of the Brewhouse & Kitchen chain and offers a large selection of around 20 craft keg beers.

Food is served from noon every day and customers can make use of the garden and patio area.

Butcher’s Hook - 7 Manor Farm Road, SO18 1NN

The Butchers Hook became Southampton's first micropub when it opened its doors in 2014 opposite Bitterne Park Triangle clock tower.  

It was previously a butcher’s shop and still boasts the same tiling and butcher’s rails with a large blackboard showing the range of cask, keg, bottles and cans.

The interior of the Dancing Man Brewery. (Image: Dancing Man Brewery) (Image: Dancing Man Brewery)

Dancing Man - Wool House, Town Quay, SO14 2AR

Based in the former Wool House building, The Dancing Man offers a range of beer through its six handpumps as well as food. 

The medieval building was originally constructed to help with the wool trade in the city, but has since been refurbished with a "spectacular sweeping staircase".

Fox & Hounds - 106 Pound Street, SO18 6BP

Branded a "traditional back-street local" in this year's guide, the Fox & Hounds can be found at the junction of five roads and was converted in 1860.

Games and pub sports take place in the week with a music night on Friday and customers can enjoy the garden which includes a covered area.