📍 0.6 miles from St. Mary's Stadium
The Scholars Arms actively promotes live football, with access to Sky Sports, TNT Sports, terrestrial channels, and live sport bookings, making it excellent for matchday viewing. It also serves hot food including burgers, chips, pub classics and has a full menu with vegan/vegetarian options, so fans can dine while watching. Its central location in Southampton on Above Bar Street adds convenience for both home and away fans on matchday.
4 November 2025. Came in for a catch up with my friend and we had our usual beer. On offer was the Seasonal menu for the time of year. The new item was the “festive burger.” At £11.95. Sadly, I can’t say I was impressed. It was a sad piece of bacon about inch wide that was mostly fat. The Turkey? Or something that looked like a fur ball was a crumpled mess as was the burger. The fries were like bits of straw and as hard as nails. On this occasion it’s a thumbs down for presentation and quality. We didn’t stay to see the football Sunderland v Everton as the music was also depressing. May 2025: The Katsu chicken burger, fries and onion rings was my choice and it was very tasty. I hadn’t had this before but I’m glad I did and recommend it for the slightly spicy flavour. It’s not too spicy but it’s a good amount of heat. The venue is good for meals and plenty of seating, tv’s for sports and all you’d expect from a Greene King pub. Good service and staff at this visit were attentive. It has an outside area with seating and tables that is perfect for catching the summer sun 😎
I recently had the pleasure of dining at The Scholar Arms in Southampton, and I can confidently say it was an exceptional experience! The atmosphere was warm and inviting, making it the perfect spot for a cozy meal. I ordered the fish and chips, and it was simply outstanding. The fish was perfectly battered and fried to golden perfection, flaky and tender on the inside. Paired with crispy chips, it was a classic dish done right. But what truly took it to the next level was the curry gravy. Rich, flavorful, and just the right amount of spice, it added a unique twist that I didn’t know I needed. It complemented the fish beautifully and made for a delightful combination. The service was attentive and friendly, making us feel right at home. If you're in Southampton and looking for a place that serves top-notch fish and chips with a creative flair, The Scholar Arms is a must-visit. I can't wait to return and try more of their menu!
Brilliant, but the music is on a loop. Heard the same song 4 times whilst having 2 pints. Asked the staff about it and was told the company won’t send engineers to fix it properly. I don’t want Blur ruined so I didn’t stay for another. A shame. Lovely space, well kept real ales (2) and 2 decent pool tables at £1.50 each (contactless only) Edit (18/03/36, in response to owner’s comment). Someone will return in 7 +/- 2 days. And then I will re-edit this review or delete and post another. Deal?
Really disappointing experience at Scholars Arms. There was a football match on, which is fair enough, but the TV was unbelievably loud, so much so that nobody could hear each other speak. It felt really strange, especially considering they were still serving food at the time. It completely ruined the atmosphere. It’s also worth mentioning that it’s self service, so you have to order everything on your phone. We were dining as a group and made sure to place our orders at the same time, even though some of us ordered separately. Despite that, the food came out at completely different times. Three people were served, ate, and finished their meals before the rest of us even received ours. Considering it’s the same table, you would expect the food to come out at the same time. To make matters worse, the food itself wasn’t great. One of my friends actually had to send hers back and a lady on our table found plastic in her drink! Overall, a very disappointing visit. Definitely wouldn’t rush back.
Stupendous service accompanied by exquisite food delivered by a world class host James and Kieron. If there’s anything to try, it’s the renowned house relish which is surely the 8th wonder of the world. This place is a must if you are visiting the incredible town centre that is Southampton.