Steam Town Brew Co. — Restaurant in Eastleigh

It is with much disappointment that I feel inclined enough to post a negative review, primarily given the fact that the ale from this brewery is so good - West Coast IPA is a fantastic brew. In my opinion this venue is ashamedly exploiting the current COVID-19 guidelines to make a quick buck. The food on offer as a “substantial meal” is meagre at best for the prices being charged. All other venues I have visited under the current Tier 2 restrictions have approached the situation with a pragmatic, balanced perspective. During my visit this evening staff at the Steam Town Brewery have constantly and repeatedly pushed the need to purchase food items from their menu to allow for drinks to be served, all of which my fellow guests and I consider massively overpriced for the quality and amount of fayre on offer. The prices charged for drinks are also inflated given they can be purchased at other venues for a considerably lower price - bear in mind this is at source.

The “manager” even had the front to ask if we wanted any soft drinks prior to our departure.

Disappointed and likely never to return. I expected...

Lovely food and ambience, come hear once a week for singing practice though I feel my experience with the service has soured very quickly given a new staff face at the bar I have seen. Despite all other staff members being excellent, he overarches them completely with his ego and jobs-worthiness.

My friends and I came as a three one evening (one of them I buying alcohol) and the other ACCIDENTALLY sipping one of them ONCE AND ONLY ONCE (the drinks looked pretty similar) having no ID and NONE of us immediately were served anymore that evening, NOT EVEN SOFT DRINKS! At least one of the other more sensible staff members gave her a refund.

And yet the guy claimed they would be shut down by licensers, well his attitude could have led to that already and there were no licensers there!!

Complete abuse of power leading to a painful reduction in rating, which I will hear no more justification about.

Thank you regardless to everyone else who gave us wonderful and reasonable...

Coeliac/gluten free food review:

Great gf choice and separate fryer. We sat in the bar (as opposed to the restaurant) and were assured before ordering that the gf food is cooked in a separate fryer. About half of the menu is gf or has a gf alternative including fried chicken, burgers, dirty fries and loaded tater tots. They also do gf kids options and some vegetarian and vegan food. Dessert wise there is only ice cream for gf, but we were stuffed so dessert was not needed (I had the gf chicken strips, my OH had a burger and we shared loaded tater tots). They have a good drink selection including gf beer, and outdoor seating so we finished our drinks in the sun.

The staff did say they try their best to ensure the safety of gf/allergens including a separate gf fryer, although they said they have a small kitchen so can’t 100% guarantee (but I find most restaurants say this, even those which are coeliac UK accredited). I had no problems (being a coeliac myself) so I...