Cross Keys, Portsmouth

Built 1957, architect JV Nisbet for Brickwoods Brewery. It is a two storey brick built flat roofed building with two single storey extensions either side of the main building. The smaller left hand side extension contains the entrance to the lounge bar and the gents and ladies toilets. The larger right hand side extension houses the main public bar, pool room to the rear and the toilets. The two separate bars are divided by the off sales, though this is no longer in use.

The currently closed lounge bar will re-open as a function room shortly. The bar counter is L shaped with sectioned wood panelling on the front with an enclosed pot shelf in white with four porthole windows and circular lights on the underside, supported on a white column on the left hand corner of the bar. The upper part of the bar back looks to be original with the lower part lost to chill cabinets. The lounge bar seems to be largely unchanged with many original fixtures and fittings including all the original interior doors and fireplace. It is all very plain and simple.

The public bar has been modernised with new front to the bar counter and modern furnishings but the gents urinal is original and so too are the Crittal windows are both ends of the pub and to the rear. Alas all the windows on the front are modern uPVC replacements.