Arts & Entertainment
 

Local pub serves up English dishes

Fish and chips, pizza, $5 pitchers among options

Liquid Diet

Mario Gudmundsson

It's pretty easy to find The Stag's Head, 2128 Portsmouth in Shepherd Square, because of the oversized, big-antlered deer head protruding from the roof.

The Stag's Head lives up to its name inside with a big, stuffed stag's head hung over the bar. It's a masculine, clubby looking place, slate floored and elegantly paneled in dark, simple oak. Stone trim and raw brickwork add to the feel, while pub signs compete with thoroughbred portraits in gilded frames.

There are dartboards in the back, a digital jukebox heavy on classic rock and quite a number of TV screens are discreetly placed throughout the bar.

The main room is very large, but partitioned in a way that makes the open space seem intimate. There are lots of tables and dark booths throughout, as well as a glass-walled sunroom leading out to a small, planted patio.

"A lot of people come in to watch sports, and we have a lot of TVs, but it's not a sports bar," bartender Mo McRae said. "It's just a traditional English pub."

While most of the patrons are khaki-clad preppy types and after-work packs with loosened ties, a lot of British clients come to the Stag's Head. Some come for the nostalgia, and some for the renowned bangers and mash, heartily served like back home.

"We have really good, traditional English food like fish and chips," McRae said, "but I like the pizzas a lot."

A complete menu of bar snacks, burgers and British food is available and prices are student-friendly, with nothing over $10. Portions are huge, and the Stag's Head offers unique daily lunch specials, such as Chicken Curry and Fisherman's Pie. The kitchen is open until 11 p.m. nightly, and pizzas are available until midnight.

The real focus of any bar, though, is the booze. Along with a full complement of fine spirits and wines, the Stag's Head has an extensive selection of draft beers, with choices like Hoegaarden Belgian Ale, Shiner Hefeweizen, Harp Lager and Boddington's.

"Mondays and Tuesdays are really popular because of our pitcher specials, and on Saturdays we get lots of college kids," McRae said.

The pitcher specials are fantastic. On Mondays and Tuesdays pitchers of domestic beer are $5, served ice-cold with frosty glasses, while on Sundays pints of beer are $2.75 all day. Happy hour, from 3 to 7 p.m., takes $1 off well drinks. Service is prompt, and the bartenders are attractive and warm.

The Stag's Head is open for lunch every day, but the regulars show up later in the evening to settle in and make new friends.

"It's just a laid back and relaxed atmosphere," McRae said, "and everybody is pretty easy-going."

The Stag's Head

2128 Portsmouth St.

The verdict: It's easy to find, and it's easy to relax.

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