What’s on Portsmouth: All you need to know about Pickle Night aboard HMS Warrior, on November 6, 2024
Step aboard for Pickle Night for a night of historic hilarity with food, fun and forfeits at this evening of raucous entertainment.
Pickle Night is a unique part of naval history connected with the Battle of Trafalgar. But whilst many celebrate the famous battle with formal dinners and the like, Pickle Night was usually the preserve of the lower ranked sailors, and commemorates the role HMS Pickle had in bringing home news of this famous victory.
Now all are invited to join the crew and participate in this night of nautical fun – here’s all you need to know.
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Who:Martin Jakeman of Martin’s Heritage World will lead the festivities on behalf of the National Museum of the Royal Navy
What:Dress up as a sailor for dinner, live music, traditional sea shanties and raucous storytelling. Be ready to be given a role and take on the part (audience participation is part of the fun), and be sure follow the Pickle Night etiquette- breaches could result in a forfeit!
When:November 6, 2024
Where:Visit thewebsitefor more information and to book tickets (tables can seat 10 people and you can book for any number, but there is a discount for taking a table of 10)
What is Pickle Night?
While Trafalgar night is a formal occasion honouring Admiral Lord Nelson and the Royal Navy’s victory at the Battle of Trafalgar, Pickle Night celebrates something equally significant but in a different style. Trafalgar Night is traditionally a more formal sit-down dinner with naval officers, complete with toasts and speeches, and has gradually opened up to non-naval persons over the years.
In contrast, Pickle Night is lesser-known and far more informal. It commemorates the moment HMS Pickle brought home the news of both Nelson’s death and the victory at the Battle of Trafalgar back to Britain. The event is geared towards more junior crew members rather than officers, and today’s celebrations embrace fun, camaraderie and audience participation. Expect shanties, storytelling, games and plenty of dressing up!
What to expect
Martin Jakeman, of Martin’s Heritage World, will take on the role of Master of Arms and will lead the evening’s frivolities.
Held on HMS Warrior located within Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard, this magnificent ship can hold 240 people seated at mess tables for dinner for a truly immersive experience. Tables hold 10 people and you can either book with friends and partners, or join solo and be ready to befriend your fellow shipmates! Take the whole table and you’ll get a discount.
All diners will be given a role (a part to play) and will receive a commemorative glass – either for wine or beer depending on your choice of drink. Dinner will reflect the hearty meals enjoyed by sailors, featuring beef or vegetable stew followed by a satisfying sticky toffee pudding and custard. Diners all get a drink included, but there is a bar to keep your glasses filled throughout the night.
Dress up and get involved
The dress code is simple – white trousers and a blue and white striped top – a straw boater is optional but a nice touch! As part of this immersive dining experience, each guest will be assigned a role. For example, you might be the ‘white rat’ spying on other tables looking for rule breaches and reporting to the Master of Arms; or you might be in charge of drinks for the table as a ‘Beer Bosun’.
Don’t worry if you’re unsure of what is expected – the roles and rules will be well explained by our Master of Arms, but breaking them will lead to punishment! While no one will be made to walk the plank (this is a naval celebration, not a pirate one!) those caught out might face performing a solo sea shanty or another entertaining consequence. A word of caution: anyone who arrives dressed as a pirate can expect extra scrutiny…you have been warned!
Book tickets
Visit the website here for more information and to book tickets.