The Red Lion in Weymouth and Portland - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

Great food and atmosphere made our holiday.

Been to this pub twice now, only had drinks but always welcoming and a very nice relaxing pub. Our favourite pub in Weymouth

Watched a great band here, food really great and staff even better

Super pub away from the harbour crowds.... great outdoor seating area... didn't have time to try the food but the menu looked good.

No kids allowed. Terrible policy.

Great food, super drinks, friendly atmosphere and lovely staff. Recommend scampi, meat pie, prawns and salad. Top notch Gin and Tonic. We look forward to returning next year.

After already visiting the pub earlier in the day, by chance we got talking to some locals who advised that if we wanted a good meal you wouldn't be disappointed with the Red Lion. We arrived after venturing on a bit of a pub crawl at 5 to 9 and asked if they were still serving. The young lady who greeted us checked with the kitchen after a bit of cheery banter and told us "not a problem" for 4 of us - including a vegan to order what we wanted. Exceptionally great service and extremely friendly, and to top it off one of the staff overheard our conversation regarding a taxi back to our hotel and ordered one on our behalf. The food was really good, the staff brilliant! Will DEFINATELY go back

Great pub, service has dropped since management has changed. Food is still great!

Nothing wrong with the staff . JUST EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED with the lager never have I ever smelt such a vile stench. Since when is fosters SOUR. LEARN YOUR TRADE. Cider in a bitter glass???? Really kill a drink kill your trade. No wonder you are empty...... Certainly won't be coming back.

Terrible staff. A group of 8 of us (in our 50's & 60's) were in the process of sitting down outside when immediately a furious female member of staff told us groups of 8 or above are forbidden. We told her we only want drinks and she said "that's still not allowed, I only work here". So we said we'd split into two groups of four only to be told again "that's still not allowed, I only work here". She then threw and slammed down on tables the menus on clip boards she was carrying. Whatever her problem was she obviously was in the wrong job. Other customers were laughing at her so at least it was free entertainment for them. Well, congratulations to you. If you're making so much money that you can throw away business even at quiet times like this then fair play to you. I would highly recommend the Old Rooms Inn by the way.

Came here a week ago with friends, there were 10 of us and we were not youngsters by any means. Went to sit outside and a couple of us went inside to order drinks before ordering food. The lady behind the bar said we do not allow tables of 10, the owner stipulates maximum 8 only. We mentioned that two tables were together that hold 10 persons and she said they had no time to separate from the night before! We then asked could we separate the tables so they are not together and she said No because it wasn't fair on other customers us shouting across each other! She was rude and unpleasant with not an ounce of niceness about her. The joke is I looked up the owner and on their website there are pics of all the Team and the Owner's dislikes are "rude ignorant people". I think he seriously needs to look closer to home, I hope he gets to read this review. I would never ever use this place again and am speaking on behalf of all of us. Terrible way to be treated with her attitude! Just a nasty woman who should not be behind a bar.

Had a really lovely lunch today reasonably priced. Service good staff were attentive and friendly will definitely be returning. Only downside drinks were a tad expensive

Rudely told children were not welcome by I assume the landlady, some nonsense about their license not allowing kids. So sad we have always rated this pub in the past.

Turned up with 10 friends the 3/8 all over 60 yrs of age. All we wanted was a nice lunch and drinks. The Pub was empty yet they refused to serve groups of over 8 people. Asking the manager if we could sit at separate divided tables, this was denied. Staff were in-polite, rude, insulting, and non-accommodating. Never will I return again!

Very nice place to eat outside under the trees when it is warm.

Never again first and last time. We were 10 adults sitting outside, (by no means youngsters) and went in to order drinks to follow up with food. Was told by such a rude woman behind the bar (have tried to look up 'The Team' for that pub, she may have been the Deputy manager but not 100%?) that maximum allowed is 8. Never heard anything like it! The joke is on the pics on website shows the owner his dislikes are 'Rude Ignorant people'! - hello I think the owner needs to look within. Does he realise what this woman is like who he employs! I hope he reads this review. I said to her there are tables placed together that hold 10, she said that was from the night before and they hadn't had time yet to separate the tables! Just ridiculous! So I said can we move the tables apart, that was not allowed either as "we would be shouting across each other and disturbing the other people". Her attitude was unbelievable. She didn't even attempt to be pleasant.

Turned up with 10 friends the 3/8 all over 60 yrs of age. All we wanted was a nice lunch and drinks. The Pub was empty yet they refused to serve groups of over 8 people. Asking the manager if we could sit at separate divided tables, this was denied. Staff were in-polite, rude, insulting, and non-accommodating. Never will I return again!

Went here today 3/8/2024 for lunch with friends and family 10 of us all over 60 and were refused to be served as they don’t serve over groups of 8 . Very rude staff , never been so insulted in my life absolutely ridiculous, never ever will I return here again shame was a regular when on holiday,

After a great day out on the Weymouth land train, we stopped off here for a bite to eat as a singer was playing lovely music outside. We managed to get a table that had broken seats and whilst my husband went inside to order food, I decided to go to the toilet and could not believe the stench as there was a foul smell coming from the drain which lingered outside and had me gagging! Upon returning back to the table, I told my husband about my experience and he said that he didn’t order food anyway as someone had just been in complaining that they had found a plaster in their meal!!

A cosy pub with lovely staff. The real ale pint I had wasn't great but likely bad luck as been before and had no complaints. Would still go again. Lovely outdoor seating too.

No better place to sit out on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Share a Trawlermans board 🐟🦐🦀 and listen to a live band, punters dancing in the street, all sorts. Quintessential British summertime vibes.

Food, beer and service are excellent. Very nice inside but quite small - lots of room and tables outside. The food especially is fabulous.

Sat down for lunch outside only to be turned away for having a 7 month old baby with us, another family were turned away at the same time. I can’t imagine how much business this place must lose if they don’t allow families with children under 10 years old. We went somewhere else where our custom was welcomed.

Brilliant pub, brilliant restaurant. I have never seen or tasted such big and juicy whitebait. For mains I had the rib eye and with the scampi and it was all excellent. The ale selection wasn't overly brilliant but the pints were well served and conditioned well.

Two premier steaks and a bottle of decent red for £35! How can you go wrong? We upgraded this time from the rump to the ribeye for an extra £10 so £35 all in for two tasty steaks and a decent bottle of plonk.

As a party of middle-aged professional hikers, we were taken aback by the unexpectedly poor service at this establishment. Despite the venue being only about one-third full, the staff exhibited a surprisingly unwelcoming attitude. Our request for a quick drink and possibly some food was met with refusal, which was particularly distressing given the hot weather and our group's dehydration after a long hike. The staff's demeanour came across as hostile and unnecessarily aggressive, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere not only for us but also for other patrons present. The lack of accommodation for a group of respectful, mature customers was both surprising and embarrassing. This experience unfortunately does not align with the venue's potential to serve as a welcoming rest stop for hikers and walkers in the area. We hope that this feedback might encourage the establishment to reconsider their approach to customer service, especially for weary travellers seeking refreshment."

Booking for large group cancelled 1 day before.

As a largish group, we had booked this venue months in advance. The trip organiser had been there three times to eat, drink and ensure all was well. Three days before our booking date they asked for all menu choices in advance. Not unreasonable, and that was duly provided. 24 hours before our visit they cancelled everyone, leaving us desperately trying to find somewhere that actually appreciates our custom. Their reason for doing so was that they are only serving drinking customers. In the absence of any other explanation, I would say that is a really clueless, unprofessional way to treat customers. No wonder businesses are struggling if this is how they behave. 1 star, because I couldn't leave 0

It’s not just under 10s that are banned from this pub… the pub refused to serve a group of 14 of us (all adults) who visited recently hoping to order drinks and dinner. There was a sign - not clearly visible on entry - banning groups of 8 or more. My group consisted of middle aged, well behaved adults who were very happy to be seated at different tables to accommodate the numbers. We probably would have spent a few hundred quid between us in ordering food and drinks, so I’m glad that this pub is clearly doing so well that it can afford to turn away so many potential customers.

Great, super food, friendly service

Lively square to sit and have a beer or to eat away from the main street. Live music in the square when I was there.

Give the place a miss the under 10 year old police are in force found a seat with my family going to order lunch was told no under 10s allowed and had leave found a nice pub round the corner got warm welcome spent our money there.

Got a seat outside to then be refused by rude staff stating that children under 10 cannot be on the premises. Having a few signs up might help, happy for my 6 year old to come up with a design for them!

My hubs and I ate here on Tuesday evening when on a holiday date night (kids with the grandparents whoop!). The weather was lovely enough to sit outside which was nicely presented and very clean. Food and drinks really reasonably priced. I have a burger with no bun and chips and my husband had the mussels. both very yummy indeed, service was quick and friendly and the atmosphere peaceful - it is nice that the location is around the corner from the main harbour so was quieter and we loved it. Thank you :)

Lovely place. We sat outside for a drink. The lady in the bar was friendly and welcoming. We would visit here again

First visited on a Friday afternoon, sat outside and was entertained by an excellent pianist. Terrific beer. Had to take the second two pints back as cloudy due to end of barrel. No hassle, two different pints and the barrel changed. Stayed for a third pint, loaded nachos and came back the next day for a full meal. A customer who had slightly over indulged and become somewhat loud and begun swearing was asked immediately to moderate or leave. Well run, friendly staff, well kept good range of beers, good food at a reasonable price. One of, it not the, best pub in Weymouth.

Had 2 pints of fosters and 2 tonic waters cost £16.50 I wouldn't have minded but the fosters were served with hardly any head and went flat straight away. I drink fosters regularly and without a doubt it was the worst pint of it I have ever had

Food naff and beer not the best

Brilliant place had a great meal

Really lovely pub, great food. Every time we walk past it is always busy with both locals and tourists. Our food was freshly cooked, and the pub has a really lovely atmosphere inside and out. You can't go wrong here.

Perfect spot at brewers quay for a few drinks. Their rum selection is the best I've ever seen behind the jump.

Seafood Board (platter) was excellent and really good value for two hungry customers. Will definitely return soon

My husband and I had a lovely meal in this wonderful friendly pub. My husband had a fillet steak which cooked to perfection with an add on of scampi. I had the haddock and chips with mushy peas, which was also cooked to perfection, a lovely crispy batter and chopped mint in the mushy peas, with samphire on top of the fish as a garnish. I would definitely recommend to anyone as is was delicious and at a very reasonable price. Thank you Red lion.

What a disappointment the lady kept coming around trying to get your glasses of us and move u on wouldn’t let a young couple come in with there push chair get in the 24th century

Turned up at 1230 on a Friday to sit outside, grab lunch and a couple of beers. Told no children allowed. To sit outside. With a single 10 month old in a pram. Congratulations on turning away 4 covers when there were 5 people at your pub - excellent business model.

Good beers and good atmosphere, didn't have any food so can't say.

Really friendly place to have a drink.

Fab food at the Red Lion in Weymouth - excellent value for money, good service and friendly staff. Friends had the mixed seafood starter (in photo) and hubby & I shared calamari, prawns in chilli, 10oz fillet & scampi with a side salad which was beautifully fresh. Steak perfectly cooked medium rare and was lovely and tender Wish we were staying longer as would definitely go again! Update: Came back in May 24 and was not disappointed. Excellent food and friendly staff again! And nice wine too!

I like the Red Lion its is nice and cozy inside, outside in the good weather great place for a drink and chill and people watch. Not eaten there yet but the menu looked very appealing.Have now eaten there food very good like every where things are now getting expensive.

No children allowed. Outside! How can this be legal? How can this place even exist? Children are our future.

Great place hidden away in Hope Square. Had the fish of the day, which was Sea Bass, and it was excellent with new potatoes in butter sauce and salad. Staff who served were friendly, and very welcoming. Definitely will revisit when next down in the area.

Traditional pub, nice welcome feeling. Good quality beer.

No dogs allowed inside. Hardly dog friendly!!

Really cozy pub, great atmosphere, nice service and delicious food/drinks

What a fantastic place to eat , fillet steak was amazing as was the pan fried prawns. It was only topped with the service

Great pub with brilliant food. Sea food trawler board is a must. I can personally recommend it. Share with someone you love or at least can have a good conversation with. Then sit outside to enjoy the atmosphere of hope square. I dont think there's anything on the menu that I didnt enjoy and the staff are amazing!!

This pub is a gem for Sunday Roasts. This was my third visit and could not fault the service and food.

Not hated it but most of it was shut down run down such a shame as last time I visited it was buzzing

The best pub in Weymouth, great food, great beer and a great atmosphere. Staff are always helpful and friendly.

Wouldn’t let us in for a drink because our family had more than 8 people.. the pub was empty as were the outside tables. We were looking to stop for one drink, no food. It was mid afternoon on a Saturday! Can’t be doing too badly if you’re happy to turn away the business

Lovely little pub, good beer, nice surroundings and friendly staff.

Pub looked lovely and welcoming but contrary to listing does not allow dogs inside.

Great local pub fantastic food and great team 👍🏻

First of all the pub itself is the absolute epitome of a pub that has been there for many years. It is just away from the harbour in the very beautifully Hope Square. When you go in there ands not too much space but this has been compensated with outside seating with heaters and 5 or 6 quirky beach huts which are fully insulated and make for a fun experience to have your drinks and food in Now onto the main event. We went into the pub and unfortunately we hadn’t booked. Totally our fault we just thought about having a meal 9n the off chance. We got ourselves a drink and rather than be turned away we were told that as a table became. available we could dive right in. In the meantime we really took in the ambience of a lovely historical pub and could imagine over the time so many lifeboat men coming in either just before they were called to.rescue lives or afterwards to either have a couple to celebrate a good call out or commiserate when things weren’t as successful. A table came up right by the wood burner, handy although the pub itself wasn’t particularly cold. Someone came more or less straightaway and it was steak night so the deal is 2 rumps and a bottle of red or 2 Sirloins and the wine or 2 Ribeye and a bottle of red. Reasonable at late £20’s for the Rump upto £35 for the Ribeye deal. All 8oz. The menu was also available which incudes a full on trawler tray of seafood for £39. Fish however is not my friend so I turned to a 10oz Fillet Steak with all true trimmings and scampi topper which came to under £30. The steak 🥩 was cooked to perfection medium rare exactly how I like it and more importantly exactly as I had asked it to be cooked. The chef really is very good. The rest was of the food was cooked beautifully and it was all really filling and delicious, it was a bonus to wash it down with a pint of Stowford Press. It’s a cider I really like but often pubs opt for thatchers instead which I get a little bored of. Overall a great place to spend a night out and try. Menu that isn’t too same to other pubs and restaurants. Highly reccommended.

Bread over cooked, hard ,not nice

Chose the restaurant as it had good reviews. Beer was great ... but whilst waiting for our order of Sunday roast the table next door walked out saying their meals took an hour to arrive and they were cold! I asked the barman if there was a problem with the kitchen, and he said no. After waiting nearly an hour for our roasts, the arrived and were also cold ... flat chewy Yorkshires, and uncooked carrots. Some of our group were famished and decided to continue to eat, I sent mine back and was assured it would be hot and well cooked ... some time later another plate of cold food arrived, back it went again .... this time it returned hot but still flat chewy Yorkshires, uncooked carrots and this time the meat was so overcooked it was impossible to chew and swallow! The barman wouldn't let us speak to the chef, and suggested we ordered something else (although much of the menu was `off`). One free drink and my meal not eaten at all and most of the other plates with plenty left on them. really spoilt a lovely Sunday out in Dorset, with no reasons given for the very poor food. If they had been honest and said there was a problem, we would have had a beer and gone elsewhere, but because they assured us `all was well, we stayed. Maybe this isn't typical of the place, but with 6 people walking out and another 5 given equally poor food it does make you wonder if it is worth taking the chance. However, I do reiterate that the beer was great.

Winter visit, nicely done up with outside sheds and covered tables. Indoors is warm and cozy and over winter they run good dinner deals to bring the punters in. And they do them well. Really friendly helpful staff as well.

The drinks were to expensive here? We went here out of season,They need to take this into account? There are plenty more places in Weymouth.

This is our favourite pub . It feels homely , the food is fabulous , the service is great. Whether it’s summer or winter , best pub in Weymouth

Not tried food. Old school seaside pub. Good ambience. 4 ales to choose from. Add it to the list if you're walking through Weymouth and like stuff other than peroni etc

The most succulent, well cooked steak I have had in a very long time. I’m very fussy with my steaks and the chef the cooked it to perfection. No photos sorry was to eager to eat,

I have never ever had the most brilliant time in public In Weymouth till I visit this pub! The service is perfect and meal is superb! Nice wine and atmosphere was excellent! Recently they put beach huts and must say it’s so nice and very cozy to sit in there ! Heating to keep you nice and warm in the cold days ! Visit on Monday for their special offer steak with wine oh people please do go it’s delicious! And for two people the deal is £25 perfect spend and seriously delicious! And dessert la are definitely worth to consider as well ! We had brownies with ice cream and oh yes the best so far!! Definitely visit again this superb pub !!

Booked a table for 4, they didn't mention kids under 10 are not allowed in. Got there and basically felt embarrassed, should have told us on the phone. Having now read the amount of other one star reviews all having the same issue with this pub I hope it changes hands in the future and this rule goes with it's idiot owners.

Very shocked to be turned away this evening. Arrived with my wife and daughter early for food and the pub was empty. I was very abruptly informed that I couldn't come in as we had a child under 8. An assumption by the very rude bar steward was made of my daughters age. Surely, a polite ' can i ask your childs age' would have been more palatable. I politely enquired as to why this policy is in place and was told by by the same bar steward that 'they pride themselves on being an adult environment. So, do they consider anyone over the age of 8 an adult? Still bemused a couple of hours later i looked at the web site which stated they would allow 'well behaved children over the age of 10'. Quite baffling, i wouldn't mind but it was the way it was delivered. The lady, that sent us on our way made things worse when stating ' nothing personal, we just don't like the pub being full of prams and push chairs'. We had neither. AVOID.

Only place to get Jurassic on tap

Descent sized beer garden at the front of the premises. Nice little pub, staff were friendly and helpful. Popped in for a Guinness which was wonderful and sat outside while the weather was good. Nice visit.

Super schönes Restaurant. Wir haben das Typische Fish and Chips gewählt und dazu ein leckeres 😋 Guiness getrunken.

Great little pub with lots of potential and a very accessible location in the old harbour back streets of Weymouth. They have a lovely leafy courtyard you can sip a drink or two and escape from the summer sun. I hope that under the new management they go from strength to strength.

Great pub with good outdoor space

Very unfriendly place to visit. We took a seat in the beer garden, when we arrived with our 4 month old (who was soundly asleep), we were approached by staff and told we cannot eat/drink here due to having a baby with us. Initially thought this was a joke made by the barmaid, however the pub are very anti-family. We continued to move to a lovely pub called the Old Rooms Inn (who were more than accommodating) where we spent £90+ on food and drink. Businesses that hold discriminatory ‘rules’ such as these will only go one way…

Meal with 3 friends last night. Arrived late at 7.50pm and they happily took our door orders. The food was excellent and we all agreed it was the best meal in ages.

Drinks were very good, but prices are expensive in comparison to other establishments in Weymouth.

Superb pub tucked away behind Weymouth Harbour. Great selection of cask ales, good home cooked food and plenty of it. Lovely staff. Really nice vibe and decor. Highly recommended!

Fantastic food here. Dog friendly. Nice and friendly staff. Clean toilets and bar. There was a fantastic lady called Julie sat outside playing a piano with a lovely voice. Made my holiday. She made me feel relaxed and so chilled. She made the visits, which were 4 of them, by the way. Well worth a visit

We called here for a drink intending to order a meal. The chef came into the bar area and made a remark to one of the young ladies serving the tables. She told him to get back in the kitchen but the reply he made to the young lady took my breath away to think he spoke to her like that in front of paying customers. No one should be spoken to like that and certainly not in the public area . A gentleman at the bar remarked on it and the young lady said he’d had a bad day in the kitchen. We didn’t stay to eat !!

Lovely pub, beer on the expensive side, but bar personnel fantastic (lady).

Lovely lunch every time we come year after year.

Always holiday in Weymouth. Always visit the Red Lion. Food outstanding. Try the Trawler Board. Absolute heaven. Staff very welcoming and first class. Been going to Red Lion for many years. Never been let down. Dogs welcome outside. Got a rum bible. It is a bible to rum drinkers. Many different flavours of rum to try.

Lovely outside area under dappled sunkissed trees, Great local food too

Great food lovely staff and atmosphere

Not a very warm welcome. A few friends and I came in at 12:00 noon (opening time) and were scawled at for walking in. Staff gave us daggers for waiting outside for five minutes prior and I heard what looked like the chef make an antisemitic joke which I am certain was directed at my friends.

Bonne adresse, très typique, jolie place sous les arbres en face d'un magnifique bâtiment de 1904, ancienne brasserie.

We had a very disappointing evening at the Red Lion last Saturday. The chef was delayed & therefore we were unable to order until he arrived. When we ordered we were told that there was a 45 min wait which was fine. During this time there appeared to be a fracas in the kitchen & the chef stormed outside & collected all the menus & threw them in a tray inside! People were complaining & the couple next to us left. After over one & a half hours we asked if our food would soon arrive & were told it was about to be plated up & should be another 10 minutes. Our meals eventually arrived & looked like the food had been thrown on the plate. The Jurassic chicken looked like a tin of tomatoes had been emptied over in & both meals looked very unappetising & we couldn’t eat them after a valiant attempt. We don’t like to complain but we were only in Weymouth for the weekend & our evening was ruined. The senior bar lady offered us a free drink each which we declined. We asked for a refund but she said that she couldn’t authorise that as the manager was not there! We understand that things don’t always go according to plan but we should not have had to pay for something that was late & inedible.

Great food and possibly the best chips in the Universe! There was also some nice live music playing on a sunny early September afternoon.

The Red Lion is the sort of pub the proves why you should wonder a bit further away from the obvious tourist pubs! Its set on a lovely little square with a large amount of tables set out the front with good shade from the surrounding trees, great for a sunny lunchtime visit! Inside is more cosy, it’s not the biggest so I can imagine it gets busy quickly in colder, wet days and evenings! Note also at this point, that they don’t allow children under 10. Which is either a good or bad thing depending on the reason for your visit… The beer choice was a little limited, IPA is my current go to and they didn’t hold anything but the pint of Tribute I had was very nice, all seemed well kept. The food was definitely the star on our visit though! An amazing Brie salad and the fish finger sandwich was more like a whole portion of fish between two slices of bread, all fresh and delicious! So, if you’re in Weymouth, walk a little further and have a treat at the Red Lion!

Desperate attempt to be something its not, refused service because we had 6 month baby (completly asleep) Weymouth has much better offer give the Red Lion a miss.

Great food and possibly the best chips in the Universe!

Always visit the Red Lion when Weymouth. Always made to feel welcome. Food is outstanding.

The food ,service was excellent the person that served us although heavily pregnant nothing was to much trouble

A really great find! The staff were very friendly and helpful. The food was incredible, I ordered a fish finger sandwich, but it was more like a battered fish sandwich... delicious 😋. Fantastic menu too!