Pubs in Havant

Local pubs and drinking establishments in the town

Havant has a solid selection of pubs for a Hampshire market town, with a mix of traditional locals, historic inns and community pubs spread across the town and its surrounding areas. The pub scene is unpretentious and rooted in the town's working character.

The Bear Hotel on East Street is the most historically significant drinking establishment in Havant. A coaching inn since at least the eighteenth century, the Bear has served travellers on the London to Portsmouth road for generations. The building retains period features, and the bar has the kind of atmosphere that only comes with genuine age. It is a landmark in the town centre and a natural meeting point.

The Old House at Home on South Street is another long-established pub in the centre, serving regulars with a standard range of beers, lagers and spirits. It has the relaxed, neighbourly feel of a proper local, with quiz nights and occasional entertainment. Other pubs in the town centre and surrounding streets cater to different tastes, from sports-oriented bars to quieter drinking spots.

Langstone, at the southern edge of the borough, has the Royal Oak, a waterside pub overlooking Langstone Harbour. The setting is exceptional, with views across the mudflats and the old mill at high tide. On a warm evening, the outdoor seating area is one of the most attractive spots for a drink anywhere on the south Hampshire coast. The pub serves food as well as drinks, and it draws customers from well beyond Havant.

Bedhampton has its own pubs serving the local community, and Leigh Park and Denvilles each have establishments that function as social hubs for their respective neighbourhoods. The number of pubs has declined over the decades, as it has across the country, but those that survive continue to play an important role in community life.

For a wider choice of pubs, Emsworth to the east has several well-regarded options, and Portsmouth and Southsea have extensive pub scenes ranging from traditional locals to craft beer bars.

Bedhampton has its own pubs serving the local community, and Leigh Park and Denvilles each have establishments that function as social hubs. The number of pubs has declined over the decades, as it has across the country, with rising costs, cheap supermarket alcohol and changing social habits all contributing to closures. The pubs that survive do so because they serve a specific role in their community. For a wider choice, Emsworth to the east has several well-regarded options including the Blue Bell and the Lord Raglan. Portsmouth and Southsea have extensive pub scenes ranging from traditional locals to craft beer bars. But for a pint in familiar company without the hassle of travel, Havant's own pubs remain the first choice for most residents. The pub remains, despite everything, one of the essential institutions of English community life.