Southsea boutique pub Scotts Tap & Keller opens after £85,000 kit-out for its global beer offering

Scotts Tap & Keller, in King Street, opened after 18 months of delays and hard work in transforming the site, which used to be restaurant Kitsch N D’or.

More than £85,000 has been invested to turn the site into a boutique bar offering a global range of beers, according to co-owner, Paul Mulholland.

And the pub is already drawing in former visitors who remember the site when it was the popular pre-club haunt, Scott’s Bar, with the venue’s new name paying homage to the site’s history.

Businessman Paul, who also helps run the King Street Tavern next door, and The Druid’s Arms in Fratton, said: ‘We’ve already had people coming in who remember when it was Scott’s Bar in the 1980s.

‘They remember it when it was a bit bigger.

‘But the opening has gone really well – bookings have been coming in thick and fast.’

Scotts Tap & Keller has more than 100 beers on offer from all over the world, ranging from locally-sourced beers from Gosport brewery Fallen Acorn to ales from San Diego-based Belching Beaver brewery.

As well as the extensive beer range, the pub is offering a German wurst menu with the sausages sourced from Munich.

Now Paul hopes it will join other recently launched ventures like Carter & Co in Great Southsea Street in turning the Elm Grove area into a hot-spot for those looking for a bar-hoping night out.

The 60-year-old said: ‘It’s about re-establishing this area as a social destination. Going back to the 1980s this was a go-to destination.

‘The more (venues) there are in this area, the better for everyone. We hope that Carter and Co is a resounding success.’

The pub has a range of events planned for the near future, including an upcoming Oktoberfest and a series of spirit tasting evenings.

The ‘exciting’ plans for the pub come after a stressful two years for Paul and his business partner Sean Marshall.

Paul said: ‘The big problem that we had was supplies. I spent two days trying to source a supplier that could get us 28 bar stools.

‘Everything was delays and delays. It’s not been easy.’

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