The Waterloo Arms in Southampton

Visited this pub for the first time with friends a couple of days ago. Lovely pub with welcoming staff and great beer - would definitely recommend.

The Waterloo Arms pub is under new management from 19/01/24 and I visited late afternoon, Saturday 27/01/24. I’m so glad I did. In the fading light, the entrance made me feel like I might be about to step through a portal into Middle Earth, but once through the door I was welcomed with a smile and hello from the barperson and the general vibe. The pub is one large open area in the shape of an L, with lots of tables and comfy looking seats plus stools for sitting at the bar. A wood burner keeps one arm of the L nice and cosy with a dartboard adorning one wall with TVs (on mute) nearby. Round the back is a conservatory with a pool table (£1 for a game) and only a few tables and chairs. Beyond that is a garden/patio area. Everywhere was spotlessly clean and new looking. There is no jukebox, but music was playing everywhere at an unobtrusive volume for some pleasant ambiance. The pub is Hopback Brewery affiliated, so lots of Hopback cask beer plus one guest from Downton Brewery. I started with a Summer Lightning (5%) at £4.80 a pint. There is a loyalty card scheme for all cask ale, so I got my first stamp – your ninth pint is free. The beer was crystal clear and dangerously delicious, which I said out loud as I finished. This prompted a genial conversation with the other patrons at the bar about ABV and I was made aware of GFB (3.4%) so I tried that next at £4.20 a pint. Again, the beer was in sparkling form and surprisingly tasty for a lower alcohol content. The friendly barperson explained the guest (New Forest Ale, 3.8%) was very popular at the moment and might become a permanent guest, so I tried that too, at £4 a pint. A stunning price for what I discovered to be a great beer, no wonder it’s popular. It was slightly hazy (the barrel had just been changed) but I was reassured it was fine. An old pro like myself suspected it would be and I trusted their confidence in their beer. It was fine, but I had a few more pints to be absolutely sure. As the evening progressed, lots of customers came and went. Some locals, some regulars and a lot of people trying the pub out for themselves for the first time. I played some pool and all players and spectators were friendly, good natured and happy to play doubles - but perhaps a chalk or white board for names would be a good addition instead of coins on the side. The pub hopes to be able to offer simple food in the near future and, if successful, this may expand into proper pub grub. This is excellent news because it gives me an excuse to visit this excellent pub again. I think ABBA said it all when they sang “Waterloo, couldn’t escape if I wanted to. Waterloo, knowing my fate is to be with you.”

On a recent trip to the New Forest, my family and I made a reservation at this delightful pub/restaurant. We were told its one of the oldest establishment in Lyndhurst. We were not disappointed. The service and food excellent. Unfortunately it was a little noisy with little children running around and crying, but that is to be expected! Staff members wore masks so we felt safe.

As soon as we entered we were made to feel welcome, staff were accommodating at all times. Great place for family functions ,lovely and spacious garden and they do a fantastic and delicious buffet.

Our first choice for lunch on the Tuesday of our New Forest break was closed so we opted for the Waterloo Arms at Pikes Hill, Lyndhurst. We were greeted on arrival and the lady in charge, Vicky, explained the procedure. We were allocated a table in the garden, all of which were well spaced apart. We were able to order drinks from the bar which opened our tab and then ordered food from Vicki. As she advised, we did take a photo of the menu in my phone as once we started to seriously look, we realised the choice was very good and we couldn’t just make up our minds immediately. We shared an anti pasti, my husband had Mac ‘n’ Cheese and I had the Moroccan vegetable tagine. All was delicious. We felt the arrangements to keep customers safe were secure and well organised. I commend the staff who all work so hard to give diners a good experience despite the restrictions they have to operate under.

We have been warmly welcomed by the landlord and customers over the recent years when we have turned up to drink, sing and perform traditional Mummers plays over the past few years. Last week we turned up to perform the Mummers play as previously arranged with the licensee. We were mat by a pub that appeared to be filled with elderly, bald, drunken foul mouthed men who were loud, objectionable and very rude indeed. There were no women in the pub as they had probably been frightened off. It was a particularly unpleasant experience and we left without having a drink. We won’t be going back. It is a shame how so often a new landlord or landlady completely alter the character of a pub. This appears to no longer be a pleasant community pub that you would visit with your wife or friends. Very sad.

Great little pub to stop over at and have a nice lunch. The Sunday pub roast was delicious. If I lived closer, I'd be here every week!

Has been a great pub for many years. Full range of Hop Back beers always served in tip-top condition. The new landlady is doing a great job and the pub is populated by friendly locals. If you like a good pint, well worth a visit.

Отмечали в этом ресторане День рождения семьей. Это традиционный местный Паб. Место бронировали заранее, потому что он очень популярен у местных жителей. Нам понравилась атмосфера, от заказанных блюд были в восторге. Очень понравилась рыба и десерт. Есть летний сад, можно было посидеть, насладиться красотой цветов. Цены умеренные. Рекомендуем.

This is one of my favourite pubs in Southampton. I have been drinking in here with my Dad since I was 18 and have really enjoyed it. There is some really nice ales to choose from and the beer is well kept and looked after. My dad and I enjoy a 4 Pinter jug which we buy every time we come down. The staff are very friendly and the whole place is very welcoming. There is a nice big conservatory around the back to enjoy a more quieter drink as it is more noisier in the main bar. The beer festivals are also very enjoyable with a great selection of ales too. I would highly recommend the Waterloo.

This is certainly better than waiting in a queue for two or more hours waiting to board. This pub is very close to the terminal, but make sure that you put on your satnav to get there as although it is easy to see, you can end up in the wrong place. The food was OK, but a little formula driven. Cottage pie was good, but obviously out of a pack, so you don't come here for gourmet dining. However, the beer is excellent and well kept.

The Waterloo has been my regular haunt since moving to Southampton 4 years ago. It is definitely a pub and not a restaurant, though the landlord is a chef and by all accounts the meaty food is excellent. The Hopback beers are better than I have sampled elsewhere and there is always a good selection of guests.

Arrived at this address and nowhere bore any resemblance to the pretty country pub in the photograph. I phoned the number on the listing just to be sure we were in the wrong(!) place but sadly this was it. Looked ghastly so we drove on.

i am a woman in my fifties who has recently moved to the area. I tried this pub one Sunday lunch time. The barmaid was polite and that was all.no one spoke although one local said goodbye. I gave it another try.do not bother. If you are looking for a friendly local try the freemantle in paynes road. Good old fashioned local. And they do not look at you as if you have 2 Heads if you dare to walk in on your own.sexism is alive and well in the Waterloo.

was staying at a B&B and we were recommended this as a place we could get dinner. Nice pub but was told no food that night. We had a drink and was asked what we would have liked to eat. Hubby said shepherds pie and I said fish and chips. OK said the landlord take a table and we will have it in ready in 1/2 hour. Sure enough out came a delicious shepherds pie and crispy fish and chips. Wonderful. What great customer service.

we had Sunday lunch here, Nice but maybe £12.95 slightly over the top... Mine was not too hot , but my guests dinners were ok. we took a chance and did not book ,but got a table in the bar.

What a great place. A proper pub. No themes trends or fashions. Good beer and food. Great landlord and lady Jon and Snap always a smile and a hi no favourites. Carry on the great work.

The Waterloo Arms is a 1930s built pub owned by the Hop Back Brewery. Open brick fireplaces form the focal points at either end of the 'T' shaped pub.

I just wanted to find somewhere in the New Forest for a drive out and to have lunch. I purely picked this one from the internet without knowing anything about it. I am so glad I did, the staff were friendly, the pub was inviting and warm and above all the food was amazing - will definitely recommend and go again, although maybe the half portions next time!!

Don't bother! Firstly that is not a photo of this pub. Look on google for real photos.

Lots of space in the garden to run around and some lovely gazebos for some shelter and small amount of privacy.

This pub is a true gem, it offers real ales from the Downton Hop Back Brewery and it has a basic, but superb food menu. The Summer Lightning ale has been my fav tipple for some time and you can have 2-3 here and then get a takeout to go home with. The bar staff are always welcoming and always serve with a smile. Another attraction are the home made scotch eggs, if you can time it right you can them freshly baked from the kitchen, and they are truly amazing.

I live locally so pop in maybe twice a month. Staff are friendly and the ales are top notch. Great value for money too. Compared to city centre prices it's a welcome change.

Great pub to go for a few quite beers, good selection of beers. They sell amazing home made scotch eggs behind the bar. Sort of pub which doesn't attract idiots so good place to take the family. Toilets are ok too i would give them 7/10.

Last time I was at this pub was the night Liverpool lost the title to Arsenal in 1989 I remember so vividly I rushed back from London (my daily commute at the time) and got to the pub in time to watch the match on tv in the pub. Anyway I digress so back to today I went to see the area out of curiosity and changes where pronounced with the local social club closed and boarded up and the area looking generally a bit tatty compared to yesteryear but the Waterloo Arms is an oasis. Small neat and tidy pub with surprisingly large beer garden at the rear and the main bar area a bit of a delight compared to other pubs in the area. I had a couple of pints of excellent quality beer kept in great condition and temperature but most impressive of all was seeing staff welcome every customer upon arrival and being served with efficiency and a smile. I cannot recommend more highly. Well done to the landlord and his staff. I have not seen such good service in Southampton pub for many a year. I will be making the long walk to this pub again.

We had not been aware of The Waterloo Arms until friends in the locality drew our attention to it for a Sunday lunch, it's a bit off the beaten track but obviously well known to locals as it was pretty busy.

This is one of the best pubs in Southampton, as shown by its consistent listings in the Good Beer Guide.

Been coming here for years - so lets cut to the chase - the food here is standard pub fayre & nothing fancy but good - however the beers, those fantastic Hopback beers, stretching as far as the eye can see ( along the bar at least ) are well worth the 10 minute walk from the Central station to this traditional pub.