SO there I was holding a horse head in my hand.

It was part of glass chess set that was laid out on the table in front of us. Despite having never played chess before my girlfriend was adamant we had a go.

“So, how do I roll a horse head,” I said, while eyeing up the completely un-dice like shape. “Or does it not work like that?”

Visibly frustrated by my lack of understanding of the game of chess, she tried to explain the rules for a fourth time.

“The king can move exactly one square horizontally, vertically and...”

I slumped back into the supple leather chair, let out a gale force sigh and took a long, refreshing swig of beer.

It was Friday night and the last thing on my mind was trying to master a complex board game.

We were in the snug area of Cargo. Tucked off to the side of the main bar and bathed in the glow of dimmed spotlights, the mood was relaxed and calm – but for the unfathomable game of chess.

Cargo’s boutique cottage interior felt soothing. After a hard week at work couples and groups were huddling around tables and sofas, engaged in romantic whispers and boisterous banter.

Upbeat music was playing at just the right volume – enough for a party vibe but without being so loud you had to communicate via text message or Brian Blessed shouting.

The main room was packed with punters gathered around the long, well stocked bar.

Quentin Martin, Cargo’s inhouse mixologist, was hard at work serving everything from vodka and coke to Mojitos and Daiquiris.

On offer was a good selection of beers, wines and champagnes and plenty of soft drinks, too. Cargo also has an extensive food menu serving up gastro-grub from homemade soup to 12 hour cooked lamb shank.

More people came in, drawn by Cargo’s unpretentious mood, vibrant atmosphere and chic décor.

With the world around us slowly descending into chaos, with cuts to spending and jobs and services, it’s the perfect place to sit back, relax and forget about life.

My only recommendation is that they swap the chess for tiddlywinks – because I’m actually quite good at that.

• Cargo, 20-22 Oxford Street, Southampton, SO14 3DJ.
• Tel: 023 8082 9042.
• cargosouthampton.com.
• cargo@faucettinn.com