The city was named the UK’s booze capital for pubs after data collected by Liberty Games showed Portsmouth had the most pubs per square mile. The city has a total of 12 pubs per square mile – double the number of London. It also beats Liverpool, which has 11 boozers per square mile, and Bristol, which has 10.
READ NOW: Great Portsmouth pubs
One local said: “From stag dos to football weekends away, Pompey is like a pub-lovers playground. The city may now be down to just a few genuine nightclubs but what does that matter when you've got so many boozers on tap? Pardon the pun – or not – up to you.
“Anyone after a crawl could easily stay put in Albert Road, a notorious stretch of pubs from The 5th Hants Volunteer Arms all the way down to One Eyed Dog. Stop off at one of the several curry houses en route and you've got a top Saturday night on your hands."
Here are just a few of the pubs Portsmouth has to offer.
5. The King Street Tavern, King Street, Southsea
Wadworth Horizon, 6X, Swordfish; 3 changing beers (sourced nationally; often Wadworth) H A Grade II-listed street-corner pub designed by architect A.E. Cogswell. It has a green tiled exterior with ornate writing above the doors and windows. Inside, the single bar has a bare wooden floor with tiles around the counter, which is remarkably uncluttered with just the set of handpumps. The keg taps are fitted to the rear green tiled wall. Although open plan, the bar is divided into two distinct areas. There is a small patio garden. Photo: Sarah Standing
6. The Lawrence Arms, Lawrence Road, Southsea
Harvey’s Sussex Best Bitter; 5 changing beers (sourced nationally; often Irving, Langham, Urban Island) H A relatively large pub a short walk from Albert Road, this is a former local CAMRA Pub of the Year and current Cider Pub of the Year. The single bar is spacious and has an open-plan feel with small tables and wall seating. Beers are mainly from independent breweries from various parts of the country. In addition to the cask beer there is an extensive range of ciders and bottled and canned beers. The pub holds several cider festivals. Photo: Google Maps
7. The Portsbridge, Cosham
The pub in the heart of Cosham has a lovely beer garden and a great atmosphere. Photo: Ian Hargreaves
8. The Rose in June, Copnor
With a massive garden that stretches up to the railway line, and an outdoor bar, The Rose in June is a great place for a pint in the sun. Photo: Google Maps