Southampton, your survival tips

[axomoxia]

My friends still in Southampton speak highly of here - http://www.therockstone.co.uk/

 

[Sweet FA]

I got my tats all done at Tattoo Magic on Shirley High St by a bloke with Maori tattoos over half his face whose name I've forgotten

(I grew up in Shirley and Milbrook)

TM have got a good rep & are really popular. I was in there a couple of months ago & it was rammed with loads of skinny teens getting full sleeves I'm going to Peter Belson at Dragstrip in Bitterne instead now.

 

[mauvais]

If you're in Shirley then my favourite takeaway was Tasty Curry on St. James, or for a bit more money, Kali Mirchi on Shirley Road. There's also a bar called Santo Lounge that's a bit trendy wine bar but a nicer place to be than most.

There's a vegetarian Indian restaurant in the centre of Soton, I think called Melody, that's worth a visit. I'm not veggie but the lack of usual suspects (lamb bhuna etc) means they're forced to come up with a more diverse menu, and I really appreciated it. I assume it's still there.

Other restaurants I can think of that I'd recommend: Zen (Japanese) and La Regata (tapas).

Oxford Street is the place for good food and bars in general, although more expensive and not necessarily spice.

If you've got a car then the best thing to do is escape! New Forest, Test Valley, Winchester and South Downs territory beckons.

 

[mango5]

No car
Trudging from shit hotels near the central station to places in 'town' at 9pm in search of civilisation is not a happy experience. Luckily, within 10 minutes walk I discovered Asda and a range of screw-top wines I haven't yet tried. They had a deal on smoked almonds too The slightly-less-shit hotel has a kettle in the room so I can do an 'instant' porridge pot for breakfast.
Pity me.

 

[Miss-Shelf]

sounds a bit grim mango5 although the almonds sound good
guess you will build up a survival attitude/survival kit for your shit hotel experiences
are you there tonight?

 

[mango5]

The slightly-more-shit hotel expects you to go to the McD's next door for breakfast and does not provide a kettle in the room. I'd rather go without.

I think next Tuesday will be the last night this year. Thank goodness I live in London!

 

[Corax]

The slightly-more-shit hotel expects you to go to the McD's next door for breakfast and does not provide a kettle in the room. I'd rather go without.

I think next Tuesday will be the last night this year. I see it as the price of privilege, thank goodness I live in London!

Shirley's not far from the station mate. It's no nirvana, but it's far less shite than the middle. The jewel in the crown's about half way up the high street, and dependable in that generic curry-house kinda way. Cafes for breakfast too. Or Wetherspoons, who did a suprisingly good full english last time I tried it a few years ago.

 

[madamv]

The guildhall is a lovely music venue.

That's all I have to offer.

 

[Sweet FA]

The slightly-more-shit hotel expects you to go to the McD's next door

Are you in the Ibis? Dear God, not the Budget Ibis. When cowboys wrecked our kitchen, me+wife+child lived in the Budget Ibis for 9 nights. 9. Nights.

Whenever I think about it I go all

 

[Hollis]

Seems to be all-go at the station:



The second train is cross-country to Newcastle.

 

[Miss-Shelf]

I went to another hotel/restaurant run by these people and it was lovely food
http://www.thepighotel.com/in-the-wall/explore.aspx

 

[mauvais]

^ That comes highly recommended by a couple of people I know in town, although it's not particularly cheap.

 

[mango5]

Anyone around for a beer next Wednesday evening (14th August)? Ideally somewhere I can walk to from The Avenue/Lodge Road

 

[Boudicca]

Oh dear, not very sociable the Hampshire lot, are they?

I could come across from Bournemouth if you don't get a better offer? Wed appears to be the 13th though, so some clarification might be necessary.

I haven't investigated Southampton yet - the only reason for going there so far appears to be Ikea.

(I promise not to take you to Ikea...)

 

[mango5]

Yes, 13th. Don't make a special effort (though your offer is a fine one). I might try and do a bigger, better organised one later in the year.

 

[Sweet FA]

Oops, sorry mango5, just caught up with this. Tag me or something next time & I'll def come for a pint

 

[editor]

I was in Soton over the weekend and took some snaps. We played the Talking Heads club which is a cracker and then I went to the indie club Lennon's and had a good time - the band there was fantastic!

The Stranger Is Always Watching: 36 street photos taken around Southampton

 

[editor]

Some more Southampton pics!

Southampton photos: parks, architecture, level crossing and late winter snow

 

[davesgcr]

Really recomend the Hythe Ferry and a ride on the unique Pier Tramway ....(home built wooden carriages - traction being an ancient ex War Department diesel) - great way to see some ships also.

 

[RubyToogood]

Had an awesome time there as a student and in my first post-student job. Spent far too much time in the Hobbit. No direct experience of what it's like as a discerning adult, but several friends from student days (with no prior attachment to the place) have never left, so it can't be too bad.

Same here apart from the Hobbit which I don't remember. The editor's photos convey the fact that the place is a dump, but I liked the people and the fact that you could get anywhere in half an hour by bus, or walk if need be.

It was the late 80s and the heady era of housing coops, Greenham Common and brown rice. Happy days.

 

[Corax]

Really recomend the Hythe Ferry and a ride on the unique Pier Tramway ....(home built wooden carriages - traction being an ancient ex War Department diesel) - great way to see some ships also.

I enjoyed that, but it was ridiculously expensive IIRC. And there was fuck all to do in Hythe.

 

[RubyToogood]

Also, when I was there you really didn't see water at all You'd never have known it was a port. The docks were either working or derelict so not accessible at all.