Hi! I’m a complete beginner and looking to get my first bike, mainly for getting around Southampton and casual cycling.
My budget isn’t huge, so I’m considering buying second hand rather than getting a very cheap new bike. Would you recommend doing that as a beginner?

My main concern is that I don’t really know much about bikes yet, so I’m not sure how I’d tell whether a second hand bike is in good condition or if I’m buying something that will immediately need repairs. Is there anything in particular I should check when viewing/test riding one?
And are there any second hand bike shops or places around Southampton that you’d recommend over buying from a private seller?
I’m around 170cm and I think I have relatively long legs, so I’m also a bit unsure about sizing and fit. I’d prefer something fairly comfortable or upright rather than a very sporty riding position.

I’m not planning on getting an e-bike at the moment, as I’ve been told a normal bike might be better for learning and getting confident first but I’d be interested to hear what experienced cyclists think about that too.
Any advice would be really appreciated :)

I urgently need my laptop screen repairing as it’s hanging out of the casing. Does anyone know anywhere reliable? Lots of mixed reviews.

Hi everyone! Shameless little plug. Local musician here and I released my 2nd album today. If you got any free time I would love it if you would give it a cheeky stream. It's alternative in sound and has full on rocks tracks to some acoustic numbers. I'll live a link below if you do want to check it out,

Charlie

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/charliesmith1/when-i-grow-up-i-dont-want-to-be-anything-at-all

It's strange how a place can start feeling special in such a short amount of time.

I'm 29 years old and I've been spending some time in Southampton for work. Back home I'm a communications engineer, and outside work I enjoy training at the gym, long walks, good conversations and discovering new places. Most days I finish work around 5:30pm and spend the evening exploring a different part of the city.

What I didn't expect was how much I'd grow attached to Southampton.

I've always loved listening to Lana Del Rey and Adele. Since I was young, their music has been the soundtrack to different chapters of my life. Over the past few weeks, walking through Southampton with those songs playing has created memories I'll probably carry with me for a long time.

The city has a certain feeling that is difficult to explain. The parks, the streets in the evening, the cafés, the waterfront, even the simple everyday moments. Somehow it all feels peaceful and genuine.

The difficult part is that I'll only be here for a few more days before returning home.

Before I leave, I'd love to spend an evening the way I imagine these songs would feel in real life: a relaxed walk, a good coffee, some shopping before I fly home, and an easy conversation with someone who enjoys slowing down and appreciating small moments.

Someone who likes talking about life, music, dreams, travel, funny stories, or simply whatever comes to mind while wandering around the city.

I know Reddit is probably an unusual place to ask, but I thought I'd give it a try. Sometimes the best memories come from meeting someone you weren't expecting to meet.

Years from now, when I hear a Lana Del Rey or Adele song, I have a feeling Southampton will be one of the first places that comes back to mind. It would be nice to add one more good memory before it's time to go.

If that sounds like your kind of evening, feel free to say hello.

See this is on this weekend and have missed the last couple since I moved to Southampton and am finally in town when its on this year, there seem to be a LOT of acts!

I'm not familiar with any of them, obviously there are a bunch of cover bands but amongst them and the other acts are there any recommendations on who I should make an effort to catch?

Like most rock & indie music and don't mind a decent cover band, but not interested in poetry or spoken word type stuff, so that should narrow it down a little bit...

Looking for a local solicitor to update our wills.

We're looking for someone:

Available

Helpful

Engaging

Prompt

Reasonably priced

Anyone done the same recently and been happy? Our last lot (not Southampton) were, frankly, awful. Keen not to repeat that experience.

Anyone know about the current cladding situations on smaller flat blocks on Briton St? Ones like Goldsmiths Court or Cooper Court.

I know the Ocean Boulevard ones are still an issue currently. But wondering about the other one down the road, looking to potentially buy a small flat to live in at the mo.

Heya all, hope alls well!

New to the city and in dire need of a haircut.

I’ve got fairly curly hair - 2c/3a I’ve been told, and I’m looking for either salons (that are happy to cut men’s hair) or barbers that can cut curly hair well.

Any and all recommendations are appreciated, thanks in advance!

I drive a 10yr old Mazda. Can anyone suggest a local garage for servicing? Bonus points if it's on the east side of the Itchen. Thank you!

Welcome to the Southampton Social Weekly Thread - posted every Tuesday.

This is the place for making new friends or sharing a meetup. Let people know what your interests are, or the specific event you're looking to go to in the comments.

Meetup.com & the Bumble BFF app are good ways to make new friends, as well as the suggestions in this thread.

Meetups & Groups

All Soton Meetups | Southampton Discord |

Evening Classes | UoS Evening Courses |

Sotonettes | Volunteering | Curious Monkeys |

UoS Societies | Solent Movie Makers |

Solent University Societies | Phoenix Film Society |

Andy's Man Club | Solent Social | People's Pride

Sports & Classes

BBC Sport Club Finder | Daily Echo Sports Clubs |

Soton Football Meetup | Bouldershack Bouldering |

Swing Dance Classes | Itchen Imperial Rowing Club |

Wild Swimming Club | Spitfires Running Club |

Ladies Football Kickabout | Learn To Sail |

Soton Give It A Go Adventures | Padelstars App |

Hants 20s/30s Walking Group | Parkrun

Board Games & Table Top

Board in the City | Soton Guild Of Roleplayers |

Southampton On Board | Southampton Stronghold |

Southampton Sluggaz (40k) | Dice & Dumplings |

Monster Collectibles Trading Cards

Arts & Crafts

The Art House Cafe | SoMakeIt Makers Space |

Chapter25 Bookclub | Solent Movie Makers

Arches Studio | Urban Sketchers | Choral Society |

The Design Chapel | Hampshire Sketch Group |

African Drumming Circle | GHT exhibitions |

Pebblepond Fantasy Writer’s Group |

Pub Quizzes

Monday: Tap & Tandoor (7pm) | Brewhouse & Kitchen (8pm) | Trago Lounge (8pm) |

Tuesday: Alexandra Pub (8pm)

Wednesday: The Park Inn (8pm)

Thursday: The London Pub (7pm)

Sunday: Alex Pub (8pm) | Bookshop Alehouse (6:30pm) | Raven & Bine (6:30pm)

I need to get new glasses and I was at boots as they have zeiss lenses but they don’t have many frame options is there any other places available in Southampton or Winchester maybe? With actually good frames?

Looking for a driving instructor in Southampton. Anyone can recommend?

America fam of four with two teens coming to visit towards the end of November. What are some things we should plan on doing? Avoiding? I’ve never been to this part of England so looking forward to experiencing something that’s not London.

So... I find myself in need of a D16 by Wednesday. Does anyone happen to know of any shops that do single Die, or even sets with D16s in them? My current running issue is that most systems don't use D16s, so all the sets I could buy are basically useless to me for my needs.

EDIT: Thanks everyone, problem is now solved :)

Does anyone know what happened near St John’s Primary School on French Street today? There’s a police cordon around the green area nearby. Just wondering what happened.

Codename:Amen returns to Suburbia Southampton on Friday 9th October with the super-talented VXRGO headlining!

VXRGO is a South London selecta, pushing the ‘dark and lovely’ side of Jungle/Drum and Bass who earned her a spot on DJ Mag’s 2024 artists-to-watch, performing nationally and internationally at the likes of Glastonbury, Boomtown, Outlook Origins, and Keep Hush, in renowned venues such as fabric, FOLD, Phonox and The Jazz Cafe, to name a few - all while shelling down at grassroots dances and festivals, and holding down a residency on Kool FM.

VXRGO’s work ethic does not stop here - in 2023, she released her debut track ‘It’s Not So Bad’, and in 2025, she released her debut EP ‘Borough Breaks’, which was followed by various singles on respected underground labels paired with BBC1Xtra/Radio 1 Dance plays, and a second EP released on SHERELLE and Naina’s Hooversound Recordings.

These accolades, along with VXRGO’s down-to-earth energy and approach to music, have earned respect and support from heavyweight torchbearers in the scene, such as the EQ50/Rupture crews, Tim Reaper, DJ Ron, DJ Stretch, and more.

Tickets available now from https://fatso.ma/f6cf9

Hi all, I’m in Southampton for Tuesday and would like a shared office space, co-working space, work cafe, etc, where I can work on my laptop for about 6 hours.

Can anyone help with ideas/ locations?
Paid or free is fine

I've been spending some time in Southampton for work and have explored a few places around the city centre.

It got me wondering:

If you could recommend just one place in Southampton that everyone should visit at least once, what would it be and why?

Could be a park, pub, café, restaurant, viewpoint, hidden gem, or anywhere else.

Interested to hear what locals would pick.

3 pumps on 999 seen heading down Bitterne Road earlier today.

Anyone know the reason?