Pubs in Cosham

Local pubs and drinking establishments

Cosham has a handful of pubs serving the local community, though the number has declined over the decades as the national trend of pub closures has taken its toll. The surviving pubs are working locals rather than gastropubs, serving regulars who value a pint and some company at the end of the day.

The George on Portsdown Hill Road is the best-known pub in the area, not because of its beer selection or its food, but because of its location. Perched on the slopes of Portsdown Hill above Cosham, The George offers panoramic views across Portsmouth, the harbour, the Solent and, on a clear day, the Isle of Wight. The beer garden and terrace are popular on warm evenings and summer weekends, drawing customers from well beyond Cosham. The pub serves food alongside a standard range of beers, lagers and spirits. It has been a destination pub for generations, and the views alone are worth the walk up the hill.

The Red White and Blue on the High Street is a more traditional local pub, serving the immediate community. It has a regular clientele and hosts quiz nights and occasional live entertainment. The atmosphere is unpretentious and welcoming, and it functions as one of the social hubs of the district.

Cosham has lost several pubs over the years, a pattern repeated across Portsmouth and the country. The economics of running a small community pub have become increasingly difficult, with rising costs, competition from supermarket alcohol and changing social habits all taking their toll. The pubs that survive do so because they serve a specific role in the community, whether as a meeting place, a venue for regular events or, in The George's case, a destination worth travelling to.

For a wider choice of pubs, Portchester to the west has the Red Lion near the castle, and Southsea has one of the best pub scenes on the south coast, with Albert Road offering everything from traditional locals to craft beer bars.