Euro 2024: I watched a game with a pint in a little known roof terrace in the heart of Portsmouth

The Brewhouse and Kitchen in Guildhall Walk, just like its Southsea branch, is a popular spot to watch football while enjoying a good selection of home brewed beers. Having been to the pub a number of times I had never realised that they also had a roof terrace which had a screen to watch the football on.

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Perhaps that is through my own ignorance, but signs on the window call it their “not so secret secret rooftop”. Having been told it was a great place to watch football, particularly on a sunny day, I decided to go down and check it out.

One bright Portsmouth day just ahead of a mid-afternoon kick-off seemed the opportune moment. I was led through the bar and restaurant area to the back of the building where a black metal staircase zigzagged up three flights and opened up onto a small courtyard with a handful tables and lined with beach huts for a more private gathering.

The square space has a University of Portsmouth building towering over it across the road but it doesn't feel boxed in. It certainly is a hot spot as the sun beamed down overhead. Mercifully there is plenty of shade available to escape the heat with the beach huts as well as a little covered snug section in the corner providing some respite.

The main reason I was there was for the football though, and I was the only one there, which added to the feeling of exclusivity. In fairness, it wasn't one of the bigger games, and the space does get busy, particularly at an England game. There is one screen set up on the back wall and in the shade to avoid glare. I would recommend getting there early to get a prime location as there are limited spaces, some of which don't have the best angle to the action.

Fortunately that was not an issue for me with the space to myself. It was a great place to watch the football while also being in the fresh air in the middle of the city. As for the beer they had a large selection, I went for the Tropical IPA which went down very nicely on a hot afternoon.

If, like me, you did not know this terrace was here, I recommend coming down to watch some action this summer as the euros gets towards the knockout stages.

Watch the video embedded in this article for more details and an interview with the Brewhouse Kitchen assistant manager, Bobby Knight:

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