I’ve DJ’d a couple of times at Sams, found it a lovely venue and always found staff very pleasant. Guests seemed to enjoy the events. I look forward to returning to the venue
Heller
Place rating: 4 Southampton, United Kingdom
Sam’s Bar is a Southampton rarity, a charismatic attempt at something other than the determinedly mainstream which seems to be the benchmark for this city. Sam’s is an attempt at an American themed café bar and it lives snugly and quietly around the corner to Debenhams. Half diner, half greasy spoon it’s an amazing throwback to 1950’s neon Baltimore mixed with 1970’s British pie house grime. It has the buzzing signs, chrome, guitars on the ceiling and a juke box replete with Neil Sedaka, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the king himself Buddy Holly. It also has an ill fitting bakery counter, chain wine bar shelving and tables and chairs straight from a working man’s club. The menu is disappointingly mainstream –more greasy spoon than sloppy joe. Sam’s however is a place with huge potential. Sam’s is a concept that is yet to be fully realised. Given a minimal makeover, an American counter, some rounded brightly coloured diner style furnishings, a soda fountain, a short order chef and a complete menu overhaul Sam’s could be a shining chromefied beacon in this town. Sam’s is a bar awaiting discovery and begging for a definitive style of its own. While it is patiently waiting, go there for the jukebox and the possibilities alone.
