Performance venue, social centre and meeting place serving vegan food and drinks during its events which include live music, performance poetry, storytelling and comedy. Also hosts workshops and classes, a vegan community cafe drop-in, a pay-as-you-feel community pantry and vegan pop-ups by local chefs. Open for performance events most Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings (ticketed, mostly). Reported closed July 2024.
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178 Above Bar St (at Hants), Southampton, England, SO14 7DW
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Last update on 26 Dec 2024 by The Art House
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28 Reviews
First Review by teafour2
kkerlley
Points +26
Lovely quirky café - Edit
Lovely quirky café with affordable tasty vegan options. They used to have loads of events but now only seem to open o couple of days a week.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-02-11
Pros: Good pricey, Cosy
Cons: Opening hours
The Art House
Hi - thanks so much for taking the time to review us. Since the pandemic, we have repurposed the space to be open three days a week as a community cafe, plus performance events - we also have space for hire. Check out our 'What's on' on the website, we still have loads of events😄
Read moreGuest
rodriscoll
Points +28
Great service and good vegan cake - Edit
Very relaxing for coffee and cake to take a break … staff are v friend and service good and good value for money
Read moreThe Art House
Thanks so much! We're glad you enjoyed the cake - we love making it😄
Read moreGuest
TrevorWeeks
Points +649
Quirky Place - Edit
If you want somewhere a little different go here! Lovely friendly staff. Didnt have main food available when we visited. Cake was best lemon drizzle I've ever had!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2021-08-20
The Art House
So glad you enjoyed the cake!
Read moreWe no longer serve full lunches but do now have sos rolls, pasites and soups (all vegan) when we're open.
Guest
Kajoca
Points +23
What's not to like! - Edit
Amazing environment, lovely staff, delicious food, it's very welcoming! LGBTQ allies
Read moreThe Art House
Thank you so much! You may like to know that our management team and the majority of our crew aren't just allies, but LGBTQ+ ourselves😄we're glad you found it welcoming.
Read moreGuest
JamesRJ
Points +101
Good vegan sausage roll - Edit
Had an amazing vegan sausage roll here which was massive so definitely worth the price! came with a really nice salad too
Read moreHad some amazing looking vegan desserts but didn't try them this time
A nice and relaxing vibe inside aswell
Updated from previous review on 2019-12-09
Pros: Good value for money, Nice vibe inside
Guest
Jtydlaska
Points +582
Go for Sunday lunch! - Edit
The Sunday lunch roast (always vegan) was the best meal I had during my 3 weeks in the UK. Reservations are suggested but it wasn’t so crowded when I went and so don’t let a lack of planning keep you from going. Really wonderful.
Read morePros: Amazing Sunday roast, Tons of vegan options on normal menu, Vegan cakes!
Guest
hheatherrose
Points +94
Best place for feel good organic local food - Edit
Everything is local and organic and non profit, good food options and plenty of groups and events that go on there, heart of the community
Read morePros: Vegan and veggie only
Cons: Little expensive
Guest
UseSignalMessenger
Points +47
Doesn't feel clean, but good food though - Edit
Great food, but it smells of shared student accommodation mixed with old clothes charity shop.
Read moreThey try to concentrate too much under one roof. They have a swap shop, they sell used books, their display front windows give a mixed message - as they display old stuff on sale as well as have a table where people can be watched sipping their coffee - similar to some places in Amsterdam.
They also have artistic perfomances, which are very good, but again, in a cramped space.
The stairs are very steep and people with less mobility have less options of where to sit.
Sometimes the staff put some really loud quick tempo music when people are having an afternoon coffee - they are mainly volunteers, so everyone feels bad to complaint - but a bit of common sense wouldn't go amiss.
I wish they would improve so I could take my friends there. I know they have limited money, but now that there is an animal sanctuary charity shop in Southampton - at Marlands Shopping Mall, then they could concentrate on the restaurante and comedy and music performances - until they save enough money to reform the building - which really needs doing.
Pros: Food quality and variety, Friendly staff, Location
Cons: Bad smell, Toilet , They should focus on restaurant and performances
Guest
Coconut2
Points +118
Middle Eastern Mezze - Edit
Delicious!! Really recommend!
Read moreNice atmosphere and friendly staff. Good place to go for food or an event.
Overall menu looks really tasty so I will be back for more ;)
Cons: 10.95
Guest
Raw Morka
Points +355
Lovely place - Edit
The food is tasty but nothing sophisticated, with few vegan options. The place is very cute, cosy with the lovely artistic decor. Friendly service. The best from all veggie places I visited in Southampton.
Read moreGuest
Sabine11
Points +47
Most ethical venue around - Edit
Great organic food and drink, and great music and other events.
Read moreA lot of the staff are volunteers and everyone is very friendly and helpful.
Guest
TheVeganBuddhist
Points +2740
Fantastic Atmosphere - Edit
The Art House has a great atmosphere. They have loads of events here. It is fantastic that it is run on a volunteer system.
Read moreThe food is okay here. Not the best vegan food in the City. Unfortunately they are not also a fully vegan establishment as they serve dairy.
But this is still a great place to hang out in a warm welcoming atmosphere surrounded by like minded individuals.
Pros: Great atmosphere , Super friendly staff , Relaxing
Cons: Not the best food, Not fully vegan
Guest
AnaBanannaPancake
Points +303
cute cafe - Edit
Cute cafe I used to volunteer for when I first move to Southampton. Delicious freshly made food and also delicious cakes. They have lot of events going on as well. Went there recently on Sunday for a roast and it was delicious
Read morePros: delicious food, reasonably priced, cute and quirky
Guest
MollyCrawford
Points +39
Lovely enchilada - Edit
Such a cute cafe, volunteers working. Enchiladas which involved chili, tomato sauce, salad, vegan cheese, tortilla and vegan cream. Lovely vegan meal.
Read morePros: Friendly atmosphere
Cons: Such nice food and so near the train station
Guest
HazelJordan
Points +20
favourite café in Southampton! - Edit
Really lovely vibe, very friendly staff, good food with many vegan options available (including most importantly vegan cake!). Loads of really great events too, highly recommend the open mic night at the end of each month.
Read moreI met my love here so I biasedly love the place even more, very special!
Pros: vegan cake!, lovely staff
Guest
hayleymarie852
Points +64
Yummy - Edit
Really cosy little cafe with super friendly staff and a grest range of vegan amd gluten free cakes. Didn't sample the "proper" food as we just popped in for a shopping break, but heard people nearby commenting on the generous portions. My only issue is that some of the drinks were quite pricey compared to other cafes - pot of tea for 1 was £2.95, a glass of orange juice was £2.50 - but overall was a lovely visit. The Art House also host a range of events and sell local art, jewellery and vintage clothes.
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options, Cosy, calm atmosphere , Really friendly and helpful staff
Cons: Slightly expensive drinks
Guest
falafffel
Points +3170
Lovely place, great food - Edit
The Art House is one of the nicest places to go for vegans in Southampton. The place is really beautiful and full of little details and the food they make is always freshly prepared and delicious. I had on of their pastries with a choice of salads as well as some local organic pear juice. The salads all had different spices to them and tasted exotic and great.
Read morePros: Lovely atmosphere, delicious and fresh food
Guest
veganaurora
Points +283
Meh! - Edit
Nice decor and clearly a good community hub but wouldn't come here for food again.
Read moreThe food worked out to be expensive for what it was, either that or we were wrongly billed. A bowl of bland pureed soup (of unidentified vegetable matter) with bread had to be left half eaten as it wasn't interesting enough.
My 'cheesy' leek tart tasted savoury but not of leek or vegan cheesiness, it was also unappetising in appearance and had little texture. Some salad with it was also pretty dull.
I hate to give a review like this but for over £20 (including 2 drinks of bottled juice) didn't feel very satisfied.
Pros: Good community hub
Cons: Not good value for what it was, Uninspiring bland food.
Guest
sling
Points +29
Vegan Ice Cream!! Oh and delicious food too... - Edit
The food is all tasty and lovingly prepared (and of course cruelty free!).
Read moreStaff are warm and friendly.
DELICIOUS VEGAN ICE CREAM!
Pros: Tasty food, Friendly staff, Vegan Ice Cream!!
Guest
Gupalsmurthpadacal
Points +86
awesome little find - Edit
lovely cafe found in the 'cultural quarters' of Southampton which is rather ironic given all the corporate bands found in said area. There was an extensive menu with lots of vegan options. Staff were very freindly and looking at the activity calender it was clear that the art house is a hive of activity in the local community.
Read morePros: lots of vegan options. Reasonably priced. Communit
Guest
jeo
Points +48
A haven in Southampton - Edit
A really nice place for me to discover at the end of a long day in Southampton. I had vegan pea and mint soup, tasty bread and a vegan hot chocolate. Lovely!
Read morePros: Quiet but friendly
Guest
EY
Points +16
Nice relaxed place - vegetarian with vegan options - Edit
This is a nice relaxed place with a vegetarian menu. The menu states that some of the dishes can be converted to vegan. The day I went (Saturday lunchtime) there was free live music. I ordered coffee which was a little pricey but delicious and also came in a cafetiere so could top-up. The downside for me was some confusion from the staff regarding what was vegetarian and what was vegan and this put me off trying the food.
Read moreGuest
Baldwin471
Points +98
Delicious - Edit
Really nice little cafe. I only visited Southampton for the day, so only tried a couple of things. I had the burrito made vegan and it was amazing. Really thick filling, cooked very well and the nachos on the side were great. I had a craft beer which was also pretty good. Not the cheapest place in the world, but well worth it. Would love to go back and try more things!
Read morePros: Tasty as hell, Good selection, Great central location
Cons: Little bit pricey, Weekday only items :(
Guest
imogenmichel
Points +2693
Great vegan Sunday roast! - Edit
I came here with a friend on a sunny Sunday afternoon to try their vegan roast lunch. It was very tasty (vegan toad in the hole!) and pretty good value for money. The Art House also seems like a really vibrant alternative cultural centre for Southampton with a very nice atmosphere and friendly vibe. My one criticism would be that they don't bother to mark vegan options on the menu, which was a bit of a surprise for a vegetarian cafe. I'll definitely be coming back here though next time I'm in Southampton!
Read morePros: Delicious vegan Sunday lunch, Friendly, artsy atmosphere, Lovely building
Cons: Does not label vegan
Guest
VeganFoodEnthusiast
Points +106
Atmospheric, Ethical, Not-For-Profit - Edit
My mother and I originally wanted to come here for the spoken word poetry night (the Archimedes Screw Showcase- all of which was amazing)and were beyond glee when we found out the place was almost entirely vegan. We had the Greek Mezze sharer for 2 (Organic stuffed vine leaves, olives, fresh organic salad, homemade hummus, and toasted pita) with two tropical smoothies to start, followed by chocolate fudge cake and coffee walnut cake with chai tea and coffee. The coffee walnut cake was my favourite thing there, hands down, though the chocolate one was also great. As a vegan, it was strange being so spoilt for choice in the baking department, and I found out later that they actually sell the recipes for £1 each.
Read moreAdded to all the foodie charm was the fact that it's a not-for-profit, run mostly by volunteers... This is a café, bar, venue and gallery for local artists. The sets were great, the food is yummy, and the vibe is most definitely progressive. I'll be coming back whenever I next get the chance.
Pros: Homemade, organic food, Great atmosphere, Not-for-profit venue
Cons: Not completely vegan
Guest
SallyC1
Points +53
Tea, cake and more - Edit
I'm a big fan of the Art House for tea and cake - all of which is vegan. It's great to be able to not only have vegan cake but to be able to choose which one you fancy!
Read moreI've also had some nice light meals there.
It's not a fancy place - it's a community interest company. Almost all the staff are volunteers and service can be a bit slow but never so much that it's a problem. I always find it really friendly and such a breath of fresh air compared to the high street chains.
Pros: vegan cake, friendly, good value
Cons: service can be slow, noisy if there's live music
Guest
Amy1274
Points +4979
Somewhere to spend a whole evening - Edit
Dropped in for a quick bite and stayed all night! This is a vegetarian cafe/community centre/boutique, with vegan options availiable (ask staff about the specials). The decor and overall atmosphere are great, with books and board games to do, and live music and open-mike comedy on some evenings (donations for entertainment appreciated). Well worth a try!
Read morePros: location, atmosphere, price
Guest
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