No food but you can bring in your own fom any takeaway. No music unless there is an impromtu performance with or without instruments. No carpet - hooray. No hassle for dogs. Nothing poncy except the occasional over glitzy hen group or officers from the citadel in jacket and tie. Real fires during cold snaps. Easy going but no nonsense... More

The best pub in Plymouth. Have to agree with all the previous reviewers. Its unique. No food, no music just a good mix of people out to have an enjoyable lunchtime or evening. Not alot more to say other than its a great place to have a drink and spend time in.

Agree with all the previous reviewers. Don't let anyone change this place. The Bass is perfect. The mixed clientele is out to enjoy themselves or kill time affably. The ambience and (perhaps slightly studied) laid back resistance to change, all makes for a good time.

Whenever I visit Plymouth I make beeline for this pub on the Barbican. You either loathe it or love it, but you can't fault the beer, gravity fed from a raft of racked barrels. The local vernacular is a bit choice, but don't let put you off visiting this place, family owned for almost a century, which makes little concession... More

We come here once or twice a fortnight before, after or instead of eating. The draught beers particularly the Bass are better tasting here than anywhere else. Occasionally but not often quiet, it is always a good place to be. The last weekend in August was a classic. We slipped out for a few jars on the Friday, before eating... More

Can't praise the pub too highly. Traditional, casual, good mix of locals, regulars and visitors, very well kept Bass from the cask. If you are not British or are just accustomed to bland carpeted lager houses then the Dolphin is there to let you experience a real pub. Fortunately not at all pleased with itself nor lapsing into self parody.... More

Real ales, real fires, real people. No catering. Bring in take away food if you like. Best kept beer I have ever encountered. Although very slightly extended in the 70s this lovely pub looks as if it's not been hacked about for a very long time. I agree with others who say this feels like real historic and locals Plymouth.... More

In my view this is the best pint and the best pub for drinking in the city. It has good and bad quirks but it is a great place whether quiet or packed out.

Always drink in here when we are in Plymouth. This pub is Plymouth. I wonder whether the recent addition of a series of additional cask ales in an apparent effort to turn the place into a kind of ale drinkers Mecca is such a good idea. The joy of the place is the perfectly kept Draight Bass poured straight from... More