The A Bar
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Quick info
About The A Bar
The A Bar is an English bistro and bar on White Hart Road in Portsmouth, with a conservatory dining area to the rear that opens onto a walled outdoor space used for dining. The menu leans on familiar British plates, including battered haddock and chips with homemade tartare sauce, steaks cooked to order, and a changing catch of the day. Hot prawns with peppers sit among the starters, and the wine list is put to work at bookable tasting events. Dogs are welcome, which makes the outdoor tables a workable option for those eating out with a pet. The room runs a laid-back format, and the combination of the conservatory and the walled yard gives the front bar a quieter counterpoint at the back of the building.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree street parking · Paid parking lot · Paid street parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, restroom, seating
- Good for kidsHigh chairs · Kids' menu
- DietaryVegan options · Vegetarian options
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Menu & Prices
120 dishes · mains £2–55- Drink£1.50
- Rare Roast Rump Of Beef£21.00
- Chicken Burger£9.00
- Fish & Chips£9.00
- Margherita Pizza (Not Available On Sundays)£9.00
- Roasted Vegetables & Tomato Pasta£9.00
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention steaks cooked to perfection, hot prawn starter, battered haddock and chips and homemade tartare sauce.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention steaks cooked to perfection, hot prawn starter, battered haddock and chips and homemade tartare sauce.
Customer Review Summary
Most reviewers single out the relaxed, jolly atmosphere and friendly, attentive staff as the reason they keep returning to The A Bar, with several naming the steaks cooked to perfection and the hot prawn starter in a delicious sauce as standout dishes. The battered haddock and chips, homemade tartare sauce, and a well-chosen wine list draw frequent mention as well. One reviewer recommends booking a wine tasting.
Customer Review Summary
Most reviewers single out the relaxed, jolly atmosphere and friendly, attentive staff as the reason they keep returning to The A Bar, with several naming the steaks cooked to perfection and the hot prawn starter in a delicious sauce as standout dishes. The battered haddock and chips, homemade tartare sauce, and a well-chosen wine list draw frequent mention as well. One reviewer recommends booking a wine tasting.
Featured reviews
- Bernadette Casey
“The A Bar is one of our favourite places to eat. The atmosphere is always jolly and the food reliable and tasty. The serving staff are well selected and trained, always polite and attentive without being fawning”
- Dave Wilson
“Great staff in a relaxed cool atmosphere had a lovely time thank you guys”
- Michelle
“Perfect service. Nothing was too much trouble for our waitress and the food was lovely ! Thank you!”
- Lee Morgan
“Wow Probably the best kept secret in olds Portsmouth. There isn’t enough words to put in here. Please go and make memories. Oh if you can book a wine tasting”
- Caron Reade
“Having only had coffee at The A Bar before, when we went for an early dinner, we were surprised to be shown to a conservatory to the rear which adjoins an outside walled area for dining. We hadn't realised it was there and it was a really pleasant space. Interesting menu with a catch of the day available. The hot prawn starter with peppers was in such a delicious sauce, we ordered bread to mop it all up. Top marks to the chef. The battered haddock and chips were great too and the homemade tartare sauce the best I've ever had. All staff were friendly and professional so we shall certainly be visiting The A Bar again. Highly recommended.”
Highlights
- Great beer selection
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Free street parking
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Delivery
Show more amenities
- Takeout
- Dine-in
- Kids' menu
- Vegan options
- Bar onsite
- Cozy
- Offerings· 11
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Late-night food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
- Service options· 2
- Curbside pickup
- Onsite services
- Dining options· 6
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Parking· 3
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
- Usually plenty of parking
- Highlights· 4
- Great beer selection
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
- Atmosphere· 4
- Casual
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Upscale
- Family-friendly· 1
- High chairs
- Pet-friendly· 2
- Dogs allowed inside
- Dogs allowed outside
- Planning· 3
- Brunch reservations recommended
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Dinner reservations recommended
Location
Restaurants near The A Bar
- Banana Tree Portsmouth4.71,9750.2 mi£20–40Outdoor seatingVegan optionsVegetarian options
beef rendang, chilli sauce, thai calamari
- 0.2 miOutdoor seatingVegan optionsVegetarian options
bottomless brunch, james service, tacos
- Brasserie Blanc Portsmouth4.61,6470.3 mi
devon crab, beef tartare, creme brûlée
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The A BarOutdoor seating · Vegan options · Vegetarian options | 4.61,305 | — | £10–50 | steaks cooked to perfection, hot prawn starter, battered haddock and chips |
| Banana Tree PortsmouthOutdoor seating · Vegan options · Vegetarian options | 4.71,975 | 0.2 mi | £20–40 | beef rendang, chilli sauce, thai calamari |
| Las Iguanas - Portsmouth - Gunwharf QuaysOutdoor seating · Vegan options · Vegetarian options | 4.63,921 | 0.2 mi | — | bottomless brunch, james service, tacos |
| Brasserie Blanc Portsmouth | 4.61,647 | 0.3 mi | — | devon crab, beef tartare, creme brûlée |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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