Bik and I selflessly took ourselves back to The Butcher’s Hook micro pub and brewery in Bitterne to check it out for you this month.

We’re so giving like that!

Run by two good friends of The Art House, Dan and Anthony, (Dan is a former volunteer of ours), this venue is going from strength to strength – and we don’t just mean the fine ales – some of which are, to be fair, quite strong.

Bik enjoyed perusing the long menu of ales, whilst stroking his real ale drinker beard in thought.

We popped in whilst the lovely Grant Sharkey and Vix Hobbs were in charge, and the place was full of an eclectic mix of punters.  Locals, familiar faces (a lot of our regulars are also regulars there!) and a mix of young and old.

There’s even an exhibition of work by one of our founders, Nina Fraser, on the walls at the moment.

I’m not an ale person, but Vix was able to help me select one based on my tastes in wine (they do have wine too, and it’s good wine, but I felt a bit silly drinking wine in a real ale micropub!).

What we love about this venue is that, like us, it forms a hub for the local community.  We reckon it may also be one of the only pubs to be hosting a mindfulness class (see here for details)

It’s great for us to enjoy another heartfelt, indie venue on our nights off, and we recommend checking out the Butchers Hook soon.