The Admiral Drake
Quick info
About The Admiral Drake
On Kingston Crescent in Portsmouth, The Admiral Drake is a pub built around cask ale and a straightforward food menu, with pickled eggs served alongside the beer. The pub draws a biker-friendly crowd and hosts live bands, including acts such as Kneeslider for a Halloween party. Cask ale runs alongside keg options at the bar, and the room gets packed enough that reaching the bar can take a moment. It's walk-in, with no booking needed. Dogs are welcome throughout. An outside area gives tables for sitting outdoors, and parking is available near the pub. The kitchen has closed at times for refurbishment. It sits within walking distance of the ferry terminal, making it a stop for people passing through as much as regulars settling in for a pint.
Good to know
- ReservationsWalk-in only
- ParkingFree parking lot · Free street parking · Paid parking lot
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, parking lot
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention live music bands, cask ale selection, pickled eggs and outside seating area.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention live music bands, cask ale selection, pickled eggs and outside seating area.
Customer Review Summary
Live bands draw the biggest praise here, with reviewers naming the Halloween party and a band called Kneeslider, plus a New Year's Eve event where a free buffet and fireworks left one visitor ready to return for private parties. Close behind is the cask ale and cheap booze, with one reviewer singling out pickled eggs and pale ale enjoyed during a Sunday fundraiser with burgers. Staff are repeatedly called friendly and welcoming, with one server named as a highlight of the visit. A couple of notes on trade-offs surface: one reviewer found it dead quiet on a weekday lunchtime, another says the pub gets so packed at busy times that reaching the bar becomes difficult, and one mentions the kitchen was out of action for a refurbishment during their visit. The recurring close is simple: reviewers keep saying they've never had a bad pint there.
Customer Review Summary
Live bands draw the biggest praise here, with reviewers naming the Halloween party and a band called Kneeslider, plus a New Year's Eve event where a free buffet and fireworks left one visitor ready to return for private parties. Close behind is the cask ale and cheap booze, with one reviewer singling out pickled eggs and pale ale enjoyed during a Sunday fundraiser with burgers. Staff are repeatedly called friendly and welcoming, with one server named as a highlight of the visit. A couple of notes on trade-offs surface: one reviewer found it dead quiet on a weekday lunchtime, another says the pub gets so packed at busy times that reaching the bar becomes difficult, and one mentions the kitchen was out of action for a refurbishment during their visit. The recurring close is simple: reviewers keep saying they've never had a bad pint there.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Kitchen was being refurbed Friendly Locals pub with good selection of drinks”
- Google user
“Great little pub, walking distance to the ferry terminal (under pass) parking and outside area, great host, made very welcome and great taste in music...😎😁”
- Google user
“Sunday funday! Band playing outside and burgers for local fund-raiser washed down with a nice pale ale. Staff were awesome, locals loved a chat, I felt right at home!”
- Google user
“Great pub with outside area too. it gets so packed though that can't get to the bar!! Great atmosphere.”
- Google user
“Was only for New Year Eve 2025/2026 there. Never been before but I will consider it for future events and private parties. Very welcoming people and very thoughtful gesture of serving buffet for free. My kind of people. Thank you so much for everything you did tonight for us. And fireworks were cherry on the top. Love you! See you soon!”
Highlights
“No-nonsense, biker-friendly pub serving real ales and simple food, also hosting regular live bands.”
- Bar games
- Great beer selection
- Live music
- Live performances
- Sports
- Trivia night
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Bar games
- Casual
Show more amenities
- Beer
- Dancing
- Seating
- Sports
- Trivia night
- Restroom
- Parking· 4
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- Paid parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
- Offerings· 3
- Alcohol
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
- Highlights· 3
- Great beer selection
- Live music
- Live performances
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Location
Bars near The Admiral Drake
- Toby Carvery Hilsea4.05,3121.4 mi£10–20ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
carvery meat, gravy, roast potatoes
- Farmhouse4.31,3231.7 mi£10–20ReservationsWheelchair accessibleGood for kids
kids play area, steak, friendly staff
- O'Neill's Southsea4.41,9291.7 mi£10–20ReservationsOutdoor seatingWi-Fi
2 for 1 pizzas, chicken burger, karaoke night
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Admiral DrakeWheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating · Wi-Fi | 4.4476 | — | £1–30 | live music bands, cask ale selection, pickled eggs |
| Toby Carvery HilseaReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.05,312 | 1.4 mi | £10–20 | carvery meat, gravy, roast potatoes |
| FarmhouseReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Good for kids | 4.31,323 | 1.7 mi | £10–20 | kids play area, steak, friendly staff |
| O'Neill's SouthseaReservations · Outdoor seating · Wi-Fi | 4.41,929 | 1.7 mi | £10–20 | 2 for 1 pizzas, chicken burger, karaoke night |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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