Grumpy Monkey in Southampton

I’m really bad. Staff accused of friend who has cerebral palsy of drinking too much then telling him he had to order pints of water! Just take a look at the other room and avoid this place like the plague the mixed race girl with curly hair it’s just rude as hell. Luckily, this was all recorded and our friend today entered papers into the small claims court against grumpy monkey Foot discrimination

Atmosphere was so good with lots of lively music. Service was quick and efficient with friendly staff.

Great music really good atmosphere and amazing drinks!! 10/10 recommend for anyone.

Writing this review is a shame, because usually I love coming into Grumpy Monkey- cocktails and prices are great. However, we had reserved the mezzanine and upstairs bar for a birthday which was intended for 20 guests- when booking staff were super friendly, offering me options to bring cake and decorations to set up, and I got the confirmation email so was excited. The first issue was on the day when we took the cake in early (after they'd offered to take it and keep it for the evening), but waiting ages as people who came in afterwards got served first, and finally being greeted by a really rude lady. The main issue was once we arrived in the evening for the birthday reservation, nothing had been reserved or set up, people were drinking where we were meant to be, and the ladies had to quickly run around to open the upstairs bar and find us available space- for a 21st Birthday this is very disappointing! Luckily some of the guests had dropped out, but had there been the full amount we would've ended up separated due no saved space. Was not happy!

Love grumpy monkey. Been there a few times and always stay upstairs as its quiet and away from the crowd. I'm not a massive fan of clubs, but when I feel like going out this is the place I like to go.

Bouncers treated me and my friends like criminals-assuming one of us was doing coke in the loo-not the case then smashed up another friends phone took him out the back door handcuffed-we had done absolutely nothing wrong-we phoned the police they said ‘we have no jurisdiction at this venue’ Absolutely outrageous behaviour!!!

There isn’t much to say. After a previous bad experience here we kept away, but we thought we’d give them one more try. We walked in (sober) well before 10pm on a Thursday. The barmaid screamed “we’re shut” at us. We left. Quite simply, you don’t deserve customers.

Very cold vents, which weren't needed

Went to watch the boxing, and I felt quite old ! It's definitely a young crowd in there but nice premises, I wouldn't visit again given the age group but if you're under 25 I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself

Disgusting security staff. Use their badge as an excuse to dish out physical harm to others. I’ve seen them multiple times hit someone when not needing to and laugh amongst themselves after. I’ll never forget Dylan who had the rudest attitude and probably the worst tattoos I’ve ever seen. Gonna cost you a few of your minimum wage payslips to get them lasered off!

Nice bar, great location and great atmosphere.

Just had drinks didn't eat so can't comment on the food.

Was out on a bit of a bar crawl and stopped in hear for a Saturday night wasn't busy but music was good service was slow but got a drink in the end.

Last night I was at my Granddaughters 21 !! My average round was £25! This morning I checked my bank and have a bill for £80’! Definitely feel as though I’ve been ripped of!! I was not drunk !!

Great venue for a Friday/Saturday night. Music always lively a lot of people always there from what I’ve seen, the dj got some good music playing throughout the night always love it when he plays house music and a bit of R&B. I think the fact he knows the age range of the people who come into grumpy monkey he always targets that with the style of music he plays if that’s 90s,2000s or anything more recent that people like maybe that central Cee travis Scott or drake. Definitely give a 5 star rating to this dj I think he is in his mid 20s. But overall definitely come here more when he’s around great DJ

Amazing service and the DJ played such good music and music which brought back childhood memories too was most enjoyable evening and would say best DJ in all the clubs and bars in Southampton played everything for all ages would recommend to everyone and the drinks menu is fantastic yet to try food!

Decent range of beers, and happy hour is excellent value for money! £3 pint! The food seems popular, I didn't see anyone eating but just eat was in and out of here very regularly

Little busy due to it being after football and also the pride march but cheap friendly and a discount with a season ticketfor saints fans

Disgusting! Ladies loos absolutely vile, loo roll even stretched down the stairs into the bar area. Music suddenly went off early and everyone was just kicked out no last orders. Will not go back.

Shockingly bad. I ordered at the weekend for a burger. 30 mins later my order was cancelled. I figured they were busy so i left it. Today i order again and exactly the same thing. 30 mins after accepting the order they cancelled. Give this one a big miss

Rated 1 star just to write this and say that after reading so many negative reviews regarding the behaviour of security and bar staff which seems to not have been addressed, i and none of my family and friends will certainly not be going there and will tell others not to bother. Plenty of other choices in Southampton.

I hired the upstairs area yesterday for my husbands surprise birthday and it was great. The staff have been so helpful since day one of my planning, responsive to my questions, allowing me to reshuffle the upstairs furnite and decorate with our own balloons. All of our guests commented on what a great space we hired and it wasn't even fully private so the venue itself was clearly a winner. I should also note, I had contacted at least 7 other venues at the same time as Grumpy Monkey for a quote to hire and everywhere was extortionate however Grumpy was not only a winner for being best value for money, it's their responsiveness and efforts in making it so easy for me to plan (unlike many other venues I have used in the past).

Great cocktails with friendly staff. There was nothing wrong with the music selection, but sometimes there is such a thing as too loud, and the music was overbearingly loud.

Stood at the bar waiting for my drink and the girl serving me sprayed coke all over me, have since asked other bar staff if this could be done by accident and every single one has said no it’s highly likely it was on purpose, I don’t know why - I was nothing but polite. Won’t be coming back.

If I could give one star I would ... bouncers think they are tyson fury .. stay well clear ...

Dont even deserve the 1 star absolutey disgusting, security think its acceptable to attack young women absolutle vile and disgraceful, this place needs shutting down or a serious review on staff that work there, honestly think the security dont deserve the badge, if they can attack people when they are meant to be there to help imagine what else they are capable off.

Do not go to this place!!!! The security guards seriously hurt me and my friends leaving bruises on our faces and backs . Check out there Facebook page. Disgusting behaviour.

Terrible place for terrible people security have small men syndrome and hit girls

Alot of drunk lads in.Very chavvy,not the most upmarket place

Attack the customers , absolutely disgusting

We used the private party room for a joint 21st birthday for my daughter and friend, the staff could not have been more helpful. They thought of ways to solve all our problems, lateral thinking to get the effect we wanted in the room. Nothing was too difficult for the staff, management and the security team on the evening. I was absolutely blown away. Great venue too. Nice one guys!

Abusive staff. Male door staff physically aggressive with women, avoid.

I didn't even want to add 1 star to this but I couldn't post this otherwise. My step daughter was out to celebrate her boyfriends birthday with friends but when at the door they were treated absolutely disgraceful, accused of having drugs, which none of them do !!! They were manhandled and held down by their necks. The police are now involved and these doormen/ women will not get away with this disgusting behaviour, they think they have power and can intimidate and bully innocent young people. It is absolutely disgusting. Their night was ruined by this, so I warn every parent or anyone reading this to stay well clear of this place !!!!

My sister and her friends were assaulted by the security, pinned down, punched in the face and strangled, avoid this place!!

Love the 2 for 1 promotion for cocktails on weekdays. I like the vibes at this place as well. It's recommended to book a place for weekends because it does get busy.

Absolutely disgusting behaviour from a particular door man who decided to assault an 18 year old lad, hitting him round the face 3 times! Despite his fellow security staff telling him to calm down and let go, while he was dragging the lad down the stairs! He was restricting his breathing around his neck. This was completely unjustified when the lad was causing no trouble or any threatening behaviour there! Reading the reviews this is a common occurrence for some kind of power trip.

Allowing patrons to urinate in a sink in order to reduce the queue is vile. How can we wash our hands?

the cocktails were amazing and the service was fantastic

Went for post work drinks in to the evening. Music was so loud even bar staff couldn't hear you to take drink orders. Cocktails tasted a little synthetic but were good price and bogof so can't complain too much. It had a bit of a weird vibe though... Lot of men in tracksuits which was odd for a city bar like this on a Fri night. It does a lot of sport and I really like the TV at the table but also tries to be a lively bar with music and cocktails etc.

Through no fault of the venue and probably poor communication from our side, our Christmas party was a case of could not organise a pxxs up in a brewery. Not a clue what the food is like, but lovely team behind the bar, great cocktails and a nice venue.

Had a very bad discriminatory incident with Henley the manager,He was very rude and gave no compromise. I do not recap this institution.

2 many underage kids with attitudes in there

Was ok, slow service, waitress couldn't be asked to bring food nor drink menu

Not a bad, but they had run out of non alcoholic drinks leading up to Xmas!!!!!!!!

Good on 2-4-1 nights. Lovely cocktails

Would not recommend visiting this place if you want to watch the football and have a good time, your night will be ruined by the unnecessary aggressive nature of the security staff. For no reason they surrounded us and then made us leave establishment through the back door whilst pushing one girl down the stairs. Totally unacceptable behaviour in the use of force they used which shouldn’t be allowed especially as none of us had done anything wrong.

Gome slightly downhill since Robbie left but still quality

Unfortunately the door staff let down the actual staff that work here. Went in to watch the England World Cup game, sat down at a table and had a drink for half an hour or so until about 30 minutes before the game, for a member of the door staff (tattoos all up his neck - no idea of name) came and told us the table was reserved - my partner questioned him and said there was no reserved marking on the table, whereas most of the other tables had these. His reply was an aggressive ‘the reserved list is for me to know, not you’ and made us move. Completely his fault for not doing his job properly, and left us trying to find a seat at another pub 30 mins before kick off which didn’t happen obviously. Certainly would not return, would avoid this place if your looking to watch the football.

May be OK when busy, but total lack of atmosphere was only surpassed by the total lack of greeting and service. Won't be back

One person serving behind the bar, is not good enough, you need more staff. Customers are walking out because 20mins is far too long to wait to be served

It's ok, took a while to get served at an empty bar, with a poor selection of beer other than lager. There were cleaning materials left out on tables, which is always a no no.

No food on Tuesday evenings! Only Thurs to weekend. Walked out twice so far.

James and the team at Grumpy Monkey are super helpful and very efficient. Was due to hold at event at venue nearby this evening which closed unexpectedly, spoke to James and he bent over backwards to accommodate our 70 guests for drinks reception and buffet. Thank you so much you made our night and saved our event. We will be back again for Christmas party and other future events. Great venue, fab food and fantastic staff

Nice bar enjoyed it friendly staff

Busy, nice booths, friendly bar staff

Decent selection of lagers and gets quite lively on a Saturday night with a Dj

Lovely pub. Door Staff are bang on even for away fans. Nice pint before the game 👍

Music is allright, not great but just okay. Staff was very friendly just be ware of the,"2 4 1" cocktails, read the small print is ONLY Monday to Friday! Very cheeky of them adding it on the other page and in small print 🤣 Nice cocktails though!

Went for a work colleagues leaving party and the music came on full blast at 8 o'clock. I was expecting to at least be able to socialise until about 10 but couldn't hear a word a person only a meter away from me was saying. Would only recommend if all you want to do is dance from 8.

Ohh I absolutely love this place 😍 fantastic vibes day&night friendly staff

The bouncer was absolutely disgusting, he was rude to us telling us to get out of the booth. Didn’t explain why then my boyfriend asked him he got angry saying I could kick you and friends out! Honestly so initialled it’s disgusting! There are better places to be, with better bouncers!

Good atmosphere, tasty cocktails

Honestly the rudest staff I have ever met, we were given dirty glasses with lipstick on them, so i asked to have them changed and I saw the lady tip out the drink and re make it in the same glass. So disgusting

I haven’t really been on a night out in town years , but I’m glad came here , friendly staff, lively atmosphere, had a pretty good time .

Great to spend time after work. Friendly staff and all knowing and seeing security... beware if you are in the wrong... LOL

Amazing cocktails and great atmosphere!

Nice place, bouncers were absolutely horrible to everyone though. The are violent and rude. Completely ruins the experience. No manors, no respect and a massive reason to never go back.

Grumpy monkey is a bar myself and my friends absolutely love going to pretty much every weekend without a doubt. The venue is modern, the DJ is always great, the value of drinks are fabulous and the staff are AMAZING! I wanted to celebrate my big 21st with all my friends and family, and what a great place for me to choose. I organised by phone call about 2 months in advance, the manager invited me in just so I could have a look at multiple areas to hire, went home the same night and organised payment over the phone (which was nice and easy). The deposit price was so good and I was so excited for it to come round! I had the Botanical room which was closed off for my guests only and even had my own security team at door, myself and my friends had THE best time drinking and dancing the night away! There was also space if people wanted to just sit and chat which was perfect! The private bar staff were incredible with getting drinks out to all my guests fast, and the DJ in the room was fantastic! ALL security members are polite, make sure everything runs smoothly and so kind & up for a laugh! Specifically a shoutout to April, who made my bday celebrations extra special and is always a delight to speak to every weekend me and the girls come in, I feel so safe around her and the rest of the crew if any problems were to occur! I HIGHLY recommend for anyone to go to Grumpy Monkey to hire out a room for any celebration/occasion or just to go on the weekend with friends! Best Bar in Southampton 100% and a great mix of young & old!! Drinks are wonderful too, can’t fault the staff at all :)

My boyfriend and I got completely ignored at the bar and there weren't any seats.... the one star is for a good vibe though.... maybe better luck next time eh?

Sylwia the best host ever, couldn’t ask for better, made my night

Went in around lunchtime for a meal. The food was really good, HOWEVER The tables were dirty, menus were sticky, sauces had different colours inside (due to not being cleaned when refilled Overall the food was good but the hygience wasn't great.

Decor and atmosphere is very impressive!

Not the most relaxing place to sit and eat. But if you're up for cocktails and a bite to eat it's fine.

I strongly recommend anyone considering visting this establishment to steer clear, paricularly if you are group of lads. The security staff here are aggressive on a whole new level and are looking for a reason get into a fight. After visting them on a christmas jumper night we were abruptly told by one of the secuity team that the table we were using was booked out and that we were to leave even though we had been their for a number of hours before hand causing no problems, after a member of our group questioned this they decided that brute force and agression was appropriate. In the process I was taken down by one of their security team with my back turned after approaching and trying to question what was going on. This lead to me receiving a sprained knee of which I was unable to work for a whole month. After we were removed video footage shows how aggresive they approached the situation. One of their security team even implied that taking a few of us out the back and roughing us up was a good idea. I have visited many different drinking establishments in Southampton and have never been handled so agressively, my suggestions would be to use one of the many other establishments surrounding them because I dont think it will be long before someone is more seriously injured and after reading some of their other reviews, I dont think it wont be long before their license is revoked.

Popped in for a quick drink before the theatre and we’re not disappointed. The cocktails were delicious and the bar staff great. Will definitely be back.

Great cocktails, amazing burgers, really friendly staff, great experience!!!

Great place, vibe amazing. Watching a particular bouncer take a guy out ruined my night, very aggressive and there wasn't any need for it. (Showing off) I wasn't with the group that was taken out. Young lads don't stand a chance if that is the standards

Was not happy to have my birthday party disrupted when told by member of staff we could put tables together and then when the table had been reserved we was told to leave. Very poor communication and would not recommend this place. Not when treated unfairly when spending over 150£ on alcohol. Awful hospitality

Cocktails good 2 for 1 at certain times

Would not return. Rude bar staff, self important bouncers and dirty bar. We were over charged for drinks too without a refund.

Went with the Mrs for a bite to eat. Ordered the calamari, wings and chips. Upon arrival, chips were on point. The other food, however, was excessively salty. Raised it with staff who we expected to do something but all that was done was our food was taken away. No refund or no additional drinks, which might, in today’s day and age, be expected. Disappointment.

Good fun nice drinks good atmosphere

Great food and good selection of drinks 👍

Awesome place, excellent food and service. Definitely getting your money's worth

Excellent place to hang out with friends

Went to Grumpy Monkey on a flat night out and had amazing time! The cocktails were extremely pleasant and at a decent price. The dj's music selection was perfect for the night and made our evening very enjoyable. We were served by a bar tender named ALEX who was very helpful and assisted us with everything we needed for the night. There was also a female bouncer who was thoroughly surveying the bar which made us girls feel very safe. Overall a fab night out and would recommend to anyone looking for a nice place for sit down drinks.

24th July I weny with a group of mates. Several of us had our card details stolen. Attempted to reach out for compensation to smooth over and was abruptly told no (understand this was a tad cheeky, but had to deal with no card or money for a week so I'm not upset). Still waiting for update on what happened.

Ordered on deliveroo from Grumpy Monkey, the halloumi fries were crunchy, thick and flavorful,the Burgers were so mouth watering 🤤🤤🤤 Must come here in person. This food was so delicious

grumpy monday - more like cheeky money as the cocktails are soooooo small and sooooooo expensive. only come here for pints as it’s the only thing that’s worth your money. got given a margarita that was half full and for £7.45. NOT.WORTH.IT!!

Excellent food and super friendly service, can't wait to come again. Callum our host was extremely friendly and helpful.

Came here for my sisters birthday, great service and good looking team. Menu for drinks and food did not disappoint plus a live DJ makes this a great place ! Big ups to Callum, Nathan and Harry

Waited over an hour and a half for food delivery and got notified order cancelled no show order, took payment talk about last minute. Com Bad way to run a business you mess up you fix up.. Very disappointed

First time we've been in here, really fab bar, great staff, helped us with our mission to surprise our daughter on her 21st, by allowing us to come in dressed in T-Rex outfits, completely made the occasion

Staff friendly and well-trained, cellar kept ok

Was here Friday night with a group of friends. Amazing service by Sarah, we were a big group and she made sure to look after us and make sure we were happy. Service with a smile, will be back to see her again!

Me and the girls came Friday night for a celebration. A girl named Sarah came to greet us at our table and she gave amazing service, helped us choose cocktails despite not drinking herself, she has amazing knowledge! Even offered to bring our food upstairs, always smiling and had us as a priority. Definitely be returning soon!

As per great service and cocktails. Harry behind the bar delivered the goods with epic expresso and bakewell martinis! Bring on my 30th here!

Best bottomless brunch we have been to! Will let you order your next drink before you have finished your first one, and will continue to provide an excellent service. Food was delicious, and service was fantastic - we had a great time and will come...

Charity was amazing, always filling up our drinks, great service and value for money, We’ll be back thank you

Such good service & good value for money! Charity was so super helpful - can’t wait to come back xxx