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The Spotted Cow
Review
About
One of Waterlooville's best family pubs, The Spotted Cow, just outside Portsmouth, will delight you with a great menu, real local ales and an outside play area perfect for the kids! Pool table, dart board and regular sports matches on TV.
Features
CUISINES
Bar, British, Pub, Gastropub
Meal types
Lunch, Dinner, Drinks
PRICE
$
FEATURES
American Express
Digital Payments
Discover
Free off-street parking
Free Wifi
Full Bar
Highchairs Available
Mastercard
Outdoor Seating
Parking Available
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Television
Visa
Wheelchair Accessible
Wine and Beer
Location
Free off-street parking, Parking Available
Does this restaurant accept reservations?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Open until 11:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Monday
12:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Tuesday
12:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Wednesday
12:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Thursday
12:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Friday
12:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Saturday
12:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Contribute
3.5
29 reviews
Excellent
10
Very good
6
Average
7
Poor
1
Terrible
5
PercyPig
Hampshire917 contributions
Jan 2019 • friends
Came here for after dinner drinks and it was heaving. choice of drinks good and prices reasonable.
the dress sense of some of the customers made it all worthwhile!!
Written January 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ben H
10 contributions
Jan 2018 • friends
Had a lovely meal here with a couple of friends. Good quality chain type of food. I ordered a big attacked burger that was great value. The chicken in it was perfectly cooked, the beef burgers were a little poorer in quality, but not too bad for the price. Shame my friends chicken in his mixed grill want as nice as the fillets I had in my burger. Also, another friend ordered a side instead of her chips (as she cars very much about food waste) and she was served the chips and side. 5 out of 5 for value, just a couple of niggles and quality bringing it down.
Written January 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
robert t
10 contributions
Apr 2017 • couples
Had a great Saturday evening
Friendly bar staff and owner
Huge beer garden for the kids
Wide screen Tvs to watch football then the boxing
Great atmosphere
Local easy to park
Good fun
Written April 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rose F
9 contributions
Feb 2020 • friends
Met up with old work mates here (5 females). We like to get together, have a bite to eat, catch up, laugh, play a game or two of pool.
Never been to the Spotted Cow before but it was centrally located between us for travel purposed and had a very affordable pub food menu.
When we called to book we were advised that food purchases were cash only and they would reserve us a table.
It’s a good sized proper old school ‘boozer’, side room with darts and pool table and main bar area with fruit machines and also a couple of flat screens showing sports.
Food was simple pub fare, freshly cooked and we cleared our plates.
Atmosphere friendly and welcoming, even though this is clearly more of a local pub for local people nestled as it is right in the middle of a concentrated residential area.
Would definitely go again. Don’t expect a ‘gastro pub’ or restaurant style decor- that's not what this place is about.
Written February 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Darius
1 contribution
Feb 2019 • friends
Went to watch the Liverpool vs Man United game.
We ordered soft drinks, no alchohol. Were told we weren’t allowed to stay there and was asked to leave and was demanded our ID’s.
We were all driving that’s why we didn’t order alcohol.
Not great service, poor management.
Written March 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cyrus Fahim
2 contributions
Feb 2019 • friends
After deciding to watch the Liverpool v Man united game with a few friends we thought we’d choose this venue.
Well what can I say about The Spotted Cow experience after 7 minutes and 28 seconds of it.
- we were told within minutes to buy premium drinks or get out.
- rudely being told and I quote “I want all your ID’s for the premium drinks or you can leave as I pay 40k a year for the football and sports license”
- general staff and customer service was poor.
Clearly the manager needs some lessons in etiquette and customer service as I have never felt more unwelcome and this is a coming from an Iranian...
Written March 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kay9babs
1 contribution
Mar 2019 • family
We often visit the Spotted Cow for either a few drinks or lunch with family.. Always friendly and welcoming staff and really great atmosphere in the evenings and great live music. Always a great time had when we come here!!
Written March 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dreamer554073
Waterlooville1 contribution
Feb 2019 • couples
My husband and I popped into this pub on a Sunday afternoon to grab a bite to eat, the car park was full and the pub was fairly busy due to the football being shown. It was so nice to be in an old fashion local pub. The staff were very friendly and very helpful from start to finish. The roast dinner was delicious and excellent value for money, as it came with a pudding, which was included in the price. Would definitely be returning.
Written March 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jonesy1962
1 contribution
Feb 2019 • solo
This is the best local pub I have visited in years, so friendly and great atmosphere. Loved the meat raffle with laughs and local banter, brilliant staff and the managers appear to be pure legend having ran the pub for years.
Written March 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
blondebombshell
1 contribution
Mar 2019 • couples
Great pub, staff are really pleasant, Baz and Sab are fab managers, always going out of there way to make customers feel welcome and looked after. Fab atmosphere when sports are on and the Sunday raffle is always a laugh. Food is delicious and freshly cooked, we had scampi with chips and an omelette and chips, all came out hot and we didn't have to wait long at all. Sunday roast is always a good shout. Find the pub very accommodating to a range of people's needs, whether it be to come in and watch sports, if you're popping in for lunch or any events. I would definitely recc this pub for a cheeky drink or a yummy lunch.
Written March 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ethan Datass
Portsmouth2 contributions
Mar 2019 • friends
We were told to leave this pub after just 7 minutes for not buying enough drinks to warrant us staying in. Shocking.
Written March 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ellie
Brighton13 contributions
Feb 2019 • friends
Very disappointed with my experience at this pub.
A group of me and my friends went in to watch the football. We had hardly even sat down when we were rudely told to buy drinks. After half of the group purchased drinks and the rest of us were choosing drinks, a member of staff and the manager very rudely and aggressively told us we must all buy premium drinks immediately or leave.
We were shocked and left after 7 minutes as a result of the disgusting and unwelcoming customer service from the members of staff. Truly disappointing.
Written February 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Imogen S
Sanday4 contributions
Jan 2019 • family
Went with my son and grandchildren for a bite to eat having seen that it was family friendly and had a play area on Google.
Whilst there is a children’s menu, it’s not particularly child friendly - no sign of a high chair, the ‘play area’ was a pool table and dart board and there was a sign saying no under 18s in the seating area - although this sign was clearly ignored by staff and patrons.
Randomly it’s cash only for food but there’s a cash point next door so that’s not a huge issue. The food was cheap but still a big disappointment. Most food from the four meals was cleared away at the end uneaten - although my chicken burger was tasty. Nobody asked if the food was ok and to be honest, I didn’t say anything as I just wanted to leave by then.
If this is your local and you pop in for a pint and to catch up with your neighbours, I imagine it’s great. But the poor atmosphere in the day time, disappointing food and disinterested staff means I won’t be returning ever.
Caters well for dogs tho - over a dozen of those barking and playing in the pub.
Written January 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gill T
Woking108 contributions
Oct 2018 • couples
Just seemed to lack any atmosphere although bar person (lady) was trying to be helpful. Not very welcoming and did not want to eat or stay
Written October 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zzzdddgggxxx
Waterlooville6 contributions
Jul 2017 • friends
The best pub around. Baz and Sab are fantastic. Massive beer garden to enjoy the sun when it's out. Good choice of beer
Written July 19, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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