Eastfield, Portsmouth

One of Portsmouth's most ornate pubs built in 1906 for Portsmouth United Breweries by famous pub architect A E Cogswell, this large imposing Edwardian pub in the back streets of Eastney has a glazed brick exterior, a raised ceramic fascia of ‘United Pale Ales’ and ‘The Eastfield Hotel’ on the Prince Albert Road side and ‘The Eastfield Hotel’ and ‘United Pale Ales & Stout’ on the Eastfield Road side; with a balustrade and topped by four gabled pediments. The public bar was originally two rooms and a Bottle & Jug Dept. at the rear right, but was knocked into one room in c.1960 (or later?). It retains a good vestibule entrance with original etched panels, some Edwardian ‘Eastfield Hotel’ windows, fixed seating in bays that could date from the 1960s, but the plain bar counter and bar back are modern, possibly from the 1960s or later.

However, the lounge bar has more interesting fittings and research has confirmed there were post-war alterations. There is another good vestibule entrance with ‘Saloon Bar’ etched panels and the room appears to be a refit from the late 1950s/early 1960s but some of the fittings may be inter-war. The walls have 1950s looking panelling (but could be 1930s?), what could be a 1930s distinctive curving counter with very c.1960s ply panels and Formica top, a bar back almost Art Deco in style which could also date from the 1930s (or 1950s?), one brick fireplace that reaches the ceiling and another small brick one which could both date from the 1950s. This room was originally two rooms – the door on the rear wall has been blocked up by the panelling; also a room has been brought into use for pool and is accessed via a couple of archways.