Pubs are often said to be at the heart of the community and never more so than at this delightful little cafe bar which actually operates from inside a community centre. 

SO40 Cafe Bar, is a small, hidden gem of a venue adjoining West Totton Community Centre in Hazel Farm Road. 

"We are slap bang in the centre of the community offering something for everyone," says Godfrey Cook, the venue's manager of three years. 

Daily Echo:

READ MORE: The Mailmans pub at Lyndhurst has had a funky refurbishment

"SO40 arrived in 2020 and has grown over the last four years to become everything you could wish for under one roof.

"We serve great coffee, a mean pint of Guinness and we have a vast selection of gin."

Open Tuesday to Saturday, SO40 is known for its great Guinness, delicious stone baked pizzas, live sport and quality banter.

Daily Echo: SO40 is known for its great Guinness

Alongside the pizzas, which are half price on Tuesdays, SO40 serves burgers, loaded fries, light bites, wraps and salad bowls, which are all available to take away if you wish, as well as catering for a whole host of events in the community centre.

Special foodie nights are a regular occurrence and often include fajitas, waffles or fish and chips and even a pop-up curry night featuring food from popular Indian takeaway Aamnah's, also based in the West Totton Centre. 

Football, rugby and other live sports are shown on Sky and TNT and there was a first foray into live music events recently with a popular Abba tribute event, which packed out the bar. 

A particularly memorable night last summer saw SO40's resident DJ decamp outside to play a stonking set to an appreciative crowd, who took full advantage of the barbecue on offer. 

Daily Echo:

The beer garden, which has seating for around 100 people, is dog friendly and pup visitors particularly like the doggy ice cream treats available from the freezer alongside ice creams for their humans. 

Godfrey and his team, including Hannah, Bea, and Azza, guarantee guests a warm welcome. Tables can be booked in advance by calling the bar or walk-ins are also always welcome.