The Royal Albert — Restaurant in Portsmouth

A Joyous Start to Christmas at the Royal Albert Hall

Attending John Rutter’s Christmas concert at the Royal Albert Hall was the perfect way to kick off the festive season. The atmosphere was magical, with the iconic venue beautifully adorned for Christmas, and the music was simply breathtaking.

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra was stunning, delivering each piece with precision and heartfelt emotion. Whether it was the soaring strings or the delicate woodwinds, every note felt like a celebration of the season. John Rutter’s joyful energy and interaction with the audience added an extra layer of warmth to the evening. The sing-along carols were a delightful touch, making it feel like a shared festive moment with everyone present.

Before the concert, we dined at The Edgar restaurant. While it was conveniently located and saved us the stress of rushing, the experience left something to be desired. The service was fine, but for the price, we expected a higher standard of food and ambiance. It wasn’t bad, just not quite up to the level of the occasion.

That said, the concert itself more than made up for it. The combination of festive music, the grandeur of the Royal Albert Hall, and the outstanding performance of the orchestra created a truly memorable evening. If you’re looking for a joyous and inspiring start to your Christmas season, John Rutter’s concert is an absolute must. We left feeling uplifted, festive, and ready for...

Nice pub, quick service when getting drinks. Unfortunately I can't be any more complementary, as our night was ruined.

Unfortunately the security staff at the pub left a lot to be desired, when my friends were being repeatedly harassed by a man (making lewd comments + much worse) we were told by security that they would wait for the man to finish his drink before intervening. They also said they'd "heard similar things' about this man before, which begs the question why he's not barred for life already!? It was mentioned that to take action, they'd have to see him do something, which goes against all licensing rules and safety/security training that I underwent when working at a pub previously- allegations like that should be taken seriously, especially when multiple customers are verifying the behaviour of one man.

This resulted in us having to take matters into our own hands as the security did nothing to help, so we had to jeer and shout at the man till he left of his own accord. We deserved to be listened to, and the security did not do their job of safeguarding- it's worth mentioning that my friends are regulars at this pub, so I dread to think how somebody who didn't know the staff would be treated. I hope they can properly train their staff to be able to offer protection and a safe space to their...

Had Sunday lunch here for the first time recently.

Pros: one of the best Sunday roasts we've had for a long time. really well thought out and executed ingredients and cooked properly in the old way. Full marks to the chef!

bar service was quick friendly and efficient.

you can tell a great deal about a pub by the type of people who go there and all seemed rather decent.

Cons: I'm a fan of real ales which are especially complimentary with a good roast. there seemed to be none available. Beer prices are at the upper end of the market for a regular type of pub.

Other: the staff aren't too happy if you haven't booked for lunch. I get this but it's always nice to feel appreciated for my custom...