Platform Tavern

A lovely, if cramped, small pub near the Town Quay terminals. The Platform Tavern has a eclectic styling inside complete with mismatched walls and low ceilings that come from being in the old city walls.
The bar is stocked from the local Dancing Man brewery up the road and therefore benefits similarly from their excellent drafts.
There is live music from time to time which is a rotating line-​up of local bands and folk groups.
Though not having tried it personally I can only go on what I’ve been told, bit the food by all accounts is decent.
The only thing I could fault them on is the layout of the tables and chairs which seems too haphazard and under designed.
On the whole, great bar, give it a go.

A great selection of rotating cask ales, pleasant menu and a beautiful building.

One of the most original pubs in Southampton; great live music, interesting mixed crowd, nice and tasty selection of food, friendly staff and something a bit different. Great most nights of the week too!

Southampton seriously lacks pubs with individuality. The Platform Tavern is one of a handful of Southampton bars that unashamedly does its own thing.
In terms of décor it it has its own love-​it-​or-​hate-​it personality, low lightning, and various trinkets scattered about. There’s often live music of the folk/​blues variety, and a better than most selection of draft beer and cider.
Not to be missed for locals or travellers.

The location of is pub means it attracts a lot of interesting clientele… Had some pretty random conversations with complete strangers so you can’t fault the atmosphere or friendliness of the place. My favourite was a Janet Street Porter-​esque lady with outrageously dark sunglasses on despite the pub already being fairly low lighting — we had some good conversation so thanks to her.
The live music was also very entertaining and of a high standard, if this was representative of the standard of acts they have here then worth a trip to see no matter what your musical tastes.

Food is fantastic, great beer and great selection of wines. Lot of history here shame Southampton city council do not get the history of southampton out there very much. A must visit.

Came here on a recommendation and it was okay. A plus for me was the interesting tap line-​up. All in all, though, it seemed a bit tired. I prefer either the well-​worn pubs of England, the well-​designed updated pubs, or the pubs with a lot of personality. This place wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t particularly a winner on any of those metrics.
On another note, I understand why you’d put a 50p charge for credit card use. I also think I’d just as soon have a beer somewhere that doesn’t have that charge, though (like the White Star just around the corner.)

The Platform has a great reputation in Southampton for it’s music and it’s beer. I guess in both of those respects it delivers — it often has live music (of the folk/​jazz persuasion) and it certainly serves a range of beers (including guest ales).
Other than that, it’s a comfortable little pub with plenty of character. It does serve food, but I’ve never eaten in there so can’t comment on the calibre.
It’s located right at the bottom of the High Street, so well out of the way of the usual Saturday night shirt and shoes mob, although a fair walk away from the Town Centre (ten minutes from West Quay).

Just to add to the review below, they also do some great food, AND they serve Desperados!

Superb venue popular with postgraduate students down by Town Quay by the universities Oceanography Centre.
Not the cheapest for drinks, but a wonderful atmosphere it creates in there, with live music on a sunday evening. Its gets pretty packed, but always seats to be found.
One of the only pubs I’ve been in in Southampton that serves London Pride!