The Red Lion Pub in Southampton

Cool! Lively pub with plenty of room to sit with your gang or maybe plot a Tudor uprising. Service was polite and efficient even though it was pretty busy. Barmaid took the time to welcome us and chitchat a bit. The atmosphere and history are pretty real but they don’t live off their reputation it’s still a good pub even without the history. I think my favorite thing was sitting in the second floor balcony looking down on everything.

Lovely environment typical English pub with interesting locals to share a conversation with. Fish and chips were fantastic - crisp batter lovely cod excellent chips. The sticky toffee pudding was so good. Fortunately for me i am leaving the country otherwise i would not be able to resist that tasty dessert. My hubby enjoyed the red lion lager. If in Southampton you must go to this establishment.

This is a delightful little pub away from the main stretch, and still has the old style pub feeling. Food was excellent, it was quick and the portion sizes were bigger than expected. The quality of the grub was on point too. Would highly recommend as somewhere with a decent selection of drinks & a good food menu.

We both Had a great lunch 😋 very tasty and masses of it.. lovely and lively Nicky behind the bar, worth her weight in gold! Will certainly return.

Nice old tudor pub with plenty of history. Great food. Large portion on a large plate served hot, will certainly fill an empty stomach.

Full of history, wonderful lovely old school pub

Interesante edificio con un sentimiento histórico. El personal algo reservado, pero el pescado y las patatas fritas eran buenas y la porción grande.

You can't get more typical pub...

Had a wonderful meal and a fantastic waitress. Rachel was extremely friendly and made us feel like her priority. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for great service and an awesome meal

2hat a great time! Delicious food, great beer and the best server ever - Rachel was the delightful and so charming.

This is the Best food experience and service I have had in Southampton by far. Ask for Rachel and your service will be top notch and she have you in stitches laughing. The Red Lion is Fantastic!!

Rachel Rachel Rachel! We had a wonderful time with a great meal and wonderful service from the whole service team but especially Rachel. She was a delight.

No puedo culpar a este pub que estuvimos abajo el fin de semana para ver el fútbol que pasamos la mayor parte de la noche del viernes aquí bebidas gran personal fantástico ambiente brillante terminó volviendo el sábado por la noche después del partido tenía comida que era divino diferente personal pero igual de fantástico sin duda volverá

Me encanta este pub, tan amable que los lugareños hacen de esto una visita obligada. El personal del bar es de primera clase y muy divertido. He estado viniendo aquí una vez al mes cuando visito las tiendas de padres en la IOW.

We came here for our friends birthday to do pub bingo and Nikki was AMAZING !! She helped everyone out with their bingo cards and even helped out by mentioning places our group could go to find certain things on the list. Nikki is a great laugh will definitely come back for a good pub night out !! Thank you

Went in for a friend’s birthday and The Red Lion was the first stop on the list of playing Pub Bingo. Nikki was brilliant and helped us out with as many as she could even going so far as to tell us where we could potentially find others. Great start to a lovely night!! Xx

Great pub with huge amounts of history - King Henry V was here in 1415 before sailing to France for the Battle of Agincourt. The food is delicious and there is a variety of ales on offer. Lots of local colour, too, such as two locals singing along to The Irish Rovers. A definite must when in this part of Southampton!

Picturesque place, warm welcome and copious and tasty plate. What more could you ask for? I recommend 😊

Estaba muy decepcionado con mi visita esta vez la comida no estaba a la altura de la carne estándar en pastel era tan difícil literalmente no podía masticar reservado para 5 . Apenas habíamos comido algo cuando el personal del bar nos informó que el restaurante estaba reservado para una función privada a las 6. 30 y tan pronto como hubiéramos terminado nuestras comidas podríamos ir al bar y la guinda del pastel era un tipo sentado en el bar vapeando a la vista de todos pensar que esta era mi última visita

A quirky old English pub. Staff really friendly. It was a bit quiet (that's why the score for atmosphere) but it was 10.30pm over festive holiday period...

Had a quick pint before heading off to a record promotion locally

Beer very poor. Wine out of bottle terrible taste. Overall poor pub.

Went in for a pint, very comfortable, barmaid was very friendly , the history of this pub is fascinating, the atmosphere was very relaxed and quiet, will definitely stop in again.

Inconspicuous from the outside, great from the inside. Old style pub. Really cool

Fantastic pub, staff and service impeccable

Fascinating decor and interesting history that they could make more of. I read up on the Internet whilst drinking my 1st pint, but it is so important a location, they could add to the menu or post on the wall. The place could do with a clean and the menus renewed as they were dirty and falling apart. Poor food choice as well.

Bad treatment for a possible selection distance, racism, bad food, cleanliness at a very low level to the extent that there are mice in the corners of the restaurant

Sunday roast with Yorkie...just like mum's👍

A great find. We needed somewhere to eat while waiting to board a ship. It was busy but we enjoyed the food and the service was friendly.

Amazing old Tudor pub. You feels a magic atmosphere inside, thinking that the building is about 400 years old! 😯

Vivo no muy lejos de aquí así que decidí probarlo por mí misma. Me encanta la historia, así que teniendo en cuenta los antecedentes fue muy interesante. Las paredes están cubiertas de armadura. El bar en sí es pequeño y tuvimos la suerte de conseguir una mesa. Aunque fuimos un viernes por la noche. Noté que los turistas venían mucho a tomar fotos en el bar y luego se iban, así que a veces puede parecer más ocupado de lo que realmente es.

We were told that The Red Lion was the best pub in Southampton and we were not disappointed. Our meals were wonderful, the decor was fabulous but Nicky, the bar attendant, really made our visit memorable!! Thank you for making our very short stay so enjoyable.

Great pint, fantastic atmosphere with lovely staff.

Had a dinner here and enjoyed the atmosphere and service.

I was intrigued from the outside and had to go in and have a look, if you like knights in armour, swords etc then this is your place. Staff was friendly and the lagers were cheap too. Comfortable enough, some upholstery needs replacing but suited our early afternoon thirsty needs.

Classic pub food. Definitely recommend the lamb shank and mash. Came in an ocean of excellent gravy. "Everything in moderation" does not apply to gravy". Had no idea it was an historically significant site until we walked in.

5 friends had great lunch with great pub style atmosphere

Absolutely amazing Sunday Roast. Big portions beautiful taste. Staff are lovely, warm atmosphere . Impressive 12th Century building.

We just had a Sunday lunch … wow, great portions, lovely food and great ambiance. We will be back!

Back in Southampton for a couple of days prior to boarding a cruise vessel we made a point of heading for the Red Lion once more for both lunch and dinner and again when we returned after disembarkation before heading home to Devon. As always the food was excellent and we had the pleasure of being greeted by staff members who remembered us from previous years. Great to return, wish it was our 'local'.

Fantastic place. Always a delight. This time I took a train in so managed to have an alcolic drink. Great selection and easy to get to in the city center. It really shouldn't be missed absolutely lovely place.

Great food that was well worth the price.

Delightful staff, delicious fish and chips, nice atmosphere

What an amazing and traditional English pub! I’ve never eaten there but the bar staff are some of the most friendly and accepting of people that you would find in a pub

The best place I've ever been to have a beer and some food.The staff were marvellous.

Traditional English pub grub..Sausage and mash..fish and chips. Hire a suit of armour from here!

Apologies for been such a in convenience after all it's a Thursday night and your opening hours state 11pm yet when we arrive at 10:35 your bar moman said ( we are only serving spirits ( as all the taps are in cleaning ) and we don't sell bottles??? Yet the owners are more than happy to moan to the government about duty ect, so all 6 of us left, Note can the staff do better, no because the owners/ management won't let them Classic poor service and I would advise all Irish people to stay away from it

Had to clean our own table! Bar lady wouldn’t tell us how much longer our food would be after waiting 40 mins at this point and told us to ask waiter! Food finally came out 55 mins later. Very bad service! Children unhappy and not a nice experience!

Lovely pub good prices and friendly staff and regulars

Situated in the old part of Southampton, entering this pub felt like going back in time to medieval England. Sort of like a museum and pub rolled into one. The atmosphere is superb and the staff and locals very friendly. Although I didn't dine there this time, the menu looked great, all home cooked fair. I will definitely dine there on my next visit.

Euro 2024 was watched here. Although not the results we wanted the atmosphere and people were fantastic. Great place.

Having been to this pub on many occasions we chose The Red Lion for a small family gathering. Nicky, the bartender, was absolutely brilliant ; cheerful, friendly and couldn't be more welcoming and helpful. We ordered our food and, whilst the chips were a little overdone ,the food was just as lovely as always. The portions are huge and the price is incredibly reasonable . Absolutely love the atmosphere of this place and we often take our out -of -town visitors here. See you again soon:-)

Great old English pub with very cool accessories inside.

Good food and service. Friendly locals.

Absolutely phenomenal fish and chips in a classic pub setting. The best I have ever had. Crispy coating, excellent fries, peas and slaw/salad. I thoroughly cleaned my plate. A friendly barkeep takes your order at the bar and delivers the food to your table. The setting is quintessential English pub. On our visit, a number of raucous regulars were adding to the pub atmosphere. Lots of drinking, off color joking, laughter, and some vaping, but fortunately no smoking to ruin the taste of the food. Perhaps due to local regulations? Highly recommended.

Had a great time at the Red Lion, food was excellent and a special thank you to Chelsea for looking after us.

Lovely pub.so friendly and welcoming.dog freinfly

Been going to this pub since the age I could drink. It’s one of the eldest pubs in Southampton and has so much caricature inside. Friendly staff and a good location in town near the ferry and the shopping centre.

Service was slow. Half the Ingredients no longer available. No Yorkshire puddings and broccoli, parsnips and carrots run out.

This is a very historic building. The pub food was delicious (3 of 4 dishes were terrific- one member of our party didn't like the chips). The servers were welcoming, but the service was very slow

Weren't looking for a pub, but wifey was thirsty, and so was i, so we went in. Was really blown away with the atmosphere 😳 wow.

Stepping into The Red Lion is like taking a delightful journey back in time. This unique, medieval-themed pub offers a one-of-a-kind experience that instantly captivates with its charming decor and immersive atmosphere. From the antique wooden beams to the candlelit tables, every detail has been meticulously crafted to evoke the feel of a grand medieval hall. One of the standout features of The Red Lion is its impressive selection of drinks. Beer enthusiasts and liquor connoisseurs alike will be thrilled by the extensive menu, which boasts an array of local and international brews, as well as a curated selection of fine liquors. Whether you’re in the mood for a hearty ale or a rare single malt, you’ll find something to suit your taste. The staff at The Red Lion are as exceptional as the ambiance. Their knowledge of the drink menu is commendable, and they are able to offer recommendations based on your preferences. Their friendly and attentive service enhances the overall experience, making you feel both welcome and well-cared-for throughout your visit. Overall, The Red Lion is a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy a truly unique pub experience. With its medieval charm, decent drink selection, and great service, it’s the perfect spot for a memorable night out. Highly recommended for those seeking a blend of history, atmosphere, and local beverages.

I really enjoyed having a drink here. I think it's haunted because my glass of beer was empty very quickly. 😄

I had come across reviews of this somewhere before and stumbled upon it by accident. It was definitely worth visiting. Nice atmosphere and nice decorations.

This was a pub that made you feel like you were transported to the Tudor era. They were welcoming and you could tell many of the patrons were local and regulars. So glad I ran into this place while visiting Southampton.

Wonderful pub, with a history dating back hundreds of years and I believe it is the oldest pub in Southampton and indeed the country, worth a look , it's very small and dark but giving it that atmosphere, the food was great , I had steak pie and it was full to bursting with very chunky steak

Went in tonight i.e the 19th and who ever that absolutely gorgeous bar lady is i hope her partner respects and values her . What a great young lady .. she refused to give me any more beer just so i wouldn't miss the last Redjet 👍I don't know your name but I made it 😂 beautiful lady looks and attitude

Wandered it and were amazed by the building but told to get out if we werent buying a drink almost immediately beathtakingly rude staff

Monday thru Thursday any 2 big meals off the list€12 good and a bargain. Historical, friendly barkeep and great beers.

Very oldie worldie lovely and friendly

Didn't try food, just had a pint. Great old pub.

Best pub in Southampton and the very first one for a pint or two x

What a lovely little pub we found here

English historic pubs need support. Michail.

Nice olde pub, with a great history. Prices were reasonable and the staff were friendly and welcoming

The chicken tenders were tasteless The wings were good but needed something to cut the heat such as blue cheese dressing or ranch.

Popped in here on a Saturday evening, a rare night out for me and the husband. The Red Lion is great! Everyone chats to everyone, the music is chosen by the customers and everyone was singing no matter what the song. Bar staff were friendly and polite. We didn't eat so can't vouch for the food, but I'm planning on going back there for lunch soon so will edit my review accordingly! Would definitely recommend The Red Lion if you like a small, friendly, local feel mixed with a lot of history. Can't wait to go back 😊

Wow wow wow. Such a great place steeped in history. Food and staff fantastic.

Sticky carpet, spit and sawdust old boozer.

Amazing food fast service and staff friendly

Went there recently for a drink. It’s an interesting pub, full of history. The only reason I took one star off is because there was a really funky smell there that made me leave after one drink as I’m very sensitive to smells. Other than that the pub was lovely.

Lots of weird men,strange atmosphere.

Who doesn't love a pub with a suit of armour on the walls? Could've done with this in the eighties when it was all a bit lairy in the town. Not today though, loved the place

It's like stepping back in time once you walk through the door from the shopping centre into a great old British medieval or even older era.

I hate pubs that allow vaping inside at the bar. I was there Saturday lunchtime for one drink only until both the bar staff and customers started vaping.

last night 11 of us had a meal which was served together and hot, food was lovely at very reasonable price, great atmosphere and music . Had a great night.

If you want to eat original English food, this is the right place for you. Chicken wings or BBQ chicken are highly recommended. Simply order the drinks at the front and take them with you. The food is delivered. A nice Foster beer. Tastes very good with food. The service is very patient and the guests are very pushy ;). Don't forget to tip 10 to 15%.

A typical pub! The beer advice was great and so was the food! I had chicken in barbecue... A huge portion and super tasty 😋 The two of us were on the 1st floor, we took the drinks with us and the food was brought.

Had a birthday meal here with 7 others and enjoyed it immensely. Great chef, someone had the mixed grill, which is a challenge to cook let alone eat! Reasonable selection of beer at a reasonable price.

Great little pub with a lot of history. Food excellent and very well priced. Very nice atmosphere aswell, will be back again

Good place to visit, sit down, have a drink and soak up the atmosphere.

Ein wunderschöner, alter Pub mit Geschichte. Toll eingerichtet - lädt zum Verweilen ein. Tolle Auswahl an verschiedenen Bieren und leckere Snacks dazu 😋 Preis-Leistung ist super und auf jeden Fall einen Besuch wert!

Oldest pub in Southampton, great staff, a haunted atmosphere and good priced home made food. You will not be disappointed, a must visit in Southampton. Update 12th March 2018, the mixed grill is amazing.

Had Sunday lunch was average really for the price

Great pub. One you have to visit.

Jade is an exceptional and attentive bartender, I've never had such a thoughtful and proactive bartender and I am lucky she was there.

Could do with an open fire and more to attract done to attract a different crowd

A pie fit for a pre battle meal with the French.

A unique pub full of history and excellent food. The beer is well kept. A few 'local characters there. My only criticism is that I'd like my egg yolks runny next time please.

Proper English pub. Recommended