James Archer
Great to see this pub back up and running under new ownership! Fresh new look, cosy atmosphere, a great mix of background music, top of the range pool table and the Hopback beers are excellent! I would highly recommend! 😊🍻
Chris Davis
Rob and Kirstie have done a brilliant job at revamping this local pub, everything is clean and modern, the lines are kept well and the staff and very friendly. It’s a cosy pub, with a great pool table, darts board and two fireplaces, with a great garden area with lots of tables and a great selection of ales and spirits. I’ll definitely be back again.
Joe Loughlin
Newly reopened under new ownership but still a good range of Hop Back beers on. Nice seating area and big outdoor area will be good in the summer.
David Juson
Reopened after a prolonged closure this once splendid pub has had a good going over and, so far, has impressed everyone I know who has visited.
Hop Back Beers remain the staple.
Service: impeccable.
No Budget & 1Handed Films Present
I visited the Waterloo Arms late afternoon, Saturday 27/01/24, and I’m so glad I did. In the fading light, the entrance made me feel like I might be about to step through a portal into Middle Earth, but once through the door I was welcomed with a smile and hello from the barperson and the general vibe. The pub is one large open area in the shape of an L, with lots of tables and comfy looking seats plus stools for sitting at the bar. A wood burner keeps one arm of the L nice and cosy with a dartboard adorning one wall with TVs (on mute) nearby. Round the back is a conservatory with a pool table (£1 for a game) and only a few tables and chairs. Beyond that is a garden/patio area. Everywhere was spotlessly clean and new looking. There is no jukebox, but music was playing everywhere at an unobtrusive volume for some pleasant ambiance.
The pub is Hopback Brewery affiliated, so lots of Hopback cask beer plus one guest from Downton Brewery. I started with a Summer Lightning (5%) at £4.80 a pint. There is a loyalty card scheme for all cask ale, so I got my first stamp – your eighth pint is free. The beer was crystal clear and dangerously delicious, which I said out loud as I finished. This prompted a genial conversation with the other patrons at the bar about ABV and I was made aware of GFB (3.4%) so I tried that next at £4.20 a pint. Again, the beer was in sparkling form and surprisingly tasty for a lower alcohol content. The friendly barperson explained the guest (New Forest Ale, 3.8%) was very popular at the moment and might become a permanent guest, so I tried that too, at £4 a pint. A stunning price for what I discovered to be a great beer, no wonder it’s popular. It was slightly hazy (the barrel had just been changed) but I was reassured it was fine. An old pro like myself suspected it would be and I trusted their confidence in their beer. It was fine, but I had a few more pints to be absolutely sure.
As the evening progressed, lots of customers came and went. Some locals, some regulars and a lot of people trying the pub out for themselves for the first time. I played some pool and all players and spectators were friendly, good natured and happy to play doubles - but perhaps a chalk or white board for names would be a good addition instead of coins on the side.
The pub hopes to be able to offer simple food in the near future and, if successful, this may expand into proper pub grub. This is excellent news because it gives me an excuse to visit this excellent pub again. I think ABBA said it all when they sang “Waterloo, couldn’t escape if I wanted to. Waterloo, knowing my fate is to be with you.”
I K
Great selection of ales (very well kept too!), friendly staff and welcoming atmosphere.
Simon Attrill
Lovely lil pub recently reopened under new management. Great selection of craft beers and a friendly atmosphere. Well worth a visit. 5*
Greg
A very friendly pub, amazing staff, one of the best pool tables in Southampton as they have a team in pool league, apparently there will be food soon too, nice beer garden
bernard duggan
Been in here a couple of times recently, good selection of gales real ales. Going back again so they are doing something right.
Amanda Thomas
Pub just reopened after few months of closure. Good beer served with good variety of other drinks
paul whitcher
Absolutely brilliant that the Waterloo Arms is finally open and under new management and it's two of my closest friend's and it's a really great pub and plenty of great ales and great atmosphere
helen makepeace
Gorgeous little pub hosts very welcoming dogs welcome x
Julie Lee
They offer a good selection bar snacks and have thoughts of meals in the future.
Ally Modha
Friendly and welcoming pub. Reasonably priced with a great pool table.
Jane Slowgrove
Did not have food but beer choice was great.
Stephen Coles
Great beer, great staff, fully recommended
Ian K Gmail
Great beer. Great place
Matt Martin
I’ve been drinking in the Waterloo Arms with my Dad since I was 18 and I’m still drinking down there with him now (I’m 36 now). I really enjoy the atmosphere, the staff and locals are very friendly, and they have a great selection of ales. My dad and I always share a 4 pint jug of summer lightning. It’s always been my favourite pub and always will be. ���
John Buckley
Proper Pub. Little more can be said - backbone to our country’s pub heritage and social fabric. Great place.
Elaine Manuel
The best cheesy chips, good beer and a friendly atmosphere. This is a proper pub for sure. I'll be back soon.
Alan Willson
Excellent 'local', convivial crowd and a great selection of ales from Hopback and others. Scrummy Sunday lunches, amazing value at only £6.
Andrew Walton
Best real ale house in the area. Traditional pub, occasional music, and great quality roast dinners
Mary S Thornton-Smith
A proper pub with proper beer. Friendly, comfortable, brilliant food, good prices and live music occasionally.
Michelle Stick Stewart
Great food and lovely atmosphere ....keep up the good work Chris and john xx
Wolfgang Halliwell
Great beer and really good pub food at good prices. Always a friendly welcome from staff and locals alike.
Adrian Ade Whitaker
Fantastic hosts. Friendly atmosphere. Enough said. �
John Clark
great pub great beer
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