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Phil Mellows is a freelance journalist living in Brighton

 

 

 Pub Guide


 

 

 

This page lists the pubs I like. It begins in the vicinity of Brighton station and extends outwards from there in kind of widening gyre. The common denominator is that they can be relied upon to serve good cask beer. So far I've only done Brighton and (bits of) Sussex. More later!

As it’s not possible for me to be in every pub all the time (although it’s an intriguing thought) I’d be grateful for your corrections and updates.

Last updated April 2013


Brighton


Around the station

Battle of Trafalgar, Guildford Road
Unpretentious freehouse with a garden.


Evening Star, Surrey Street
Dark Star tied house, but other interesting ales always available, plus Belgians. Honeypot for real alers and tickers.


Caxton Arms, North Gardens
Well run Sheps tenancy in a quiet side street. Terrace and function 
room to rear, plus pool.

Queens Head, Queens Road
Used to be a real dive, but this pub opposite the station - despite still displaying some of the rough edges that come with being opposite a station - has raised its game in the past year. An interesting beer selection - cask and keg - is the main reason to visit. Footy on the big screen, too.


Centre/The Lanes

Pump House, Market Street
One of Brighton's oldest pubs, the Pump House is now in the care of M&B's Nicholson's Inns chain which has installed an interesting, and constantly changing, selection of cask beers, mostly from micros.

The Mesmerist, Prince Albert Street  - Web site
Old Orleans is now a splendid and spacious proper pub over two floors with frequent live music and general partying.

The Quadrant, Queens Road
Opposite the Clock Tower, a good place to meet – and wait for a bus. Quite nice upstairs, apart from them blasted table lamps.


The Quadrant

Market Inn, The Lanes
Good, friendly service marks this pub out. They even took the sink apart to find my mum’s earring.

Druids Head, Brighton Place
In the heart of the Lanes this Druids (definitely not to be confused with the other one) is a little touristy but serves a decent pint of Harvey's and an interesting menu, including all-day breakfasts. Operated by arguably the best large national pubco in the country, Orchid.

The Cricketers, Black Lion Street
Splendid Victorian establishment that’s buzzing at weekends, although the posh upstairs bar is quieter. Flagship of legendary operator Dave Day.


The Cricketers


Western Road/Brunswick

Prince Arthur, Dean Street
This bright and cheery bolt-hole just off the main shopping centre has been taken over on a free-of-tie lease by the guv'nor of the Windmill at the top of the road. Three cask beers on the pumps, plus some fairly unusual bottled imports. No food.

The Craft Beer Co, Upper North Street
The team from the Cask have decamped to the former Florist where you can still find the amazing range of cask and craft keg beers but in the comfortable surroundings of a proper local. Top class bar snacks include pork pies, scotch eggs and Sussex cheeses.

Prince of Wales, Churchill Square
Tiny pub serving an excellent pint of Sheps.


Pull & Pump, Clarence Square
Handy for the shops. A Pleisure pub specialising in tequilas.


Lion & Lobster, Sillwood Street
Since Gary Whelan out of Ballykissangel took over here it's developed into one of the best pubs in Brighton, as you can tell by the crush at the bar. Find yourself a nook or cranny in the maze of rooms, which include a split-level roof terrace, and enjoy local ales, excellent food and Sky Sports - even outdoors

Robin Hood, Norfolk Place
Owned by Martin Webb out of TV reality show Risking it All this is a People’s Pub which means all profits go to charity. So you can’t ask for a top-up. It’s a good pub, though, with a nice range of pizzas. Recently refurbished with a warmer feel.


Iron Duke, Waterloo Road
Friendly, close to sea, pool, rooms to let.

The Temple Bar, Western Road . Web site
Local ales served from an island bar, plus Thai food and a rather pleasant upstairs bar cum function room. Run by Brighton pubco Indigo.


The Windmill, Upper North Street
Bustling pub, good place to eat, serving into the evening.


North Laine

The North Laine, Gloucester Place
Housed in the cavernous former Gloucester nightclub, this one has really adds something to the Brighton pub scene. There's a shiny microbrewery behind the bar producing a range of beers (so far just a smoky porter, but more promised) plus good food, loads of big tables to sit at and the kind of harsh acoustics the young folk don't seem to mind.


The North Laine

The Brewery Tap, North Road
Featuring Brighton's only beer wall - the taps are behind the bar rather than on it - the Brewery Tap could be intimidating for the novice. And there's no cask ale. But a dozen or so interesting brews from around the world are usually available on draught, and most at a bargain £4 a pint, making it worth a visit. 

The Pond, Gloucester Road
Small, simple freehouse just off the road leading down from the station to the sea. Dark Star brews usually on tap and in good nick. Thai restaurant upstairs. Thai snacks served in the bar.

The Prince George, Trafalgar Street . Web site
Brighton's famous all-vegetarian pub has been pulled out of decline by Indigo and now serves local beers alongside an imaginative meat-free menu.


Lord Nelson, Trafalgar Street
The best pub in Brighton? Harveys ales, choice of ciders, great food, Sky Sports, occasional live music, Mark Williams out of the Fast Show (when resting).


Great Eastern, Trafalgar Street
Part of the local Pleisure chain. Reliable, always busy, interesting beers, good service, live music and comedy.


Basketmakers, Gloucester Road
One of Brighton’s most popular pubs. Fuller’s (ex Gales) tenancy. Good food, relaxed atmosphere.


Basketmakers


Waggon & Horses, Church Street
Well run freehouse that’s taken full advantage of pedestrianisation. Interesting whisky list.


Wagon and Horses


The Foundry, Foundry Road
Nice. Nice and comfortable. Cheap pizzas.


Heart in Hand, North Road
Brilliant old fashioned jukebox that pulls in the Mods on their Brighton jaunts.


Heart and Hand


Seven Dials/Preston Circus

The Cow, Dyke Road
The Indigo boys have converted the old Tin Drum into a not-too-crafty craft beer house with an American saloon kind of feel to it. Without the fighting. Superior pub grub and bar snacks provide the solids.

Good Companions, Dyke Road . Web site
A revelation. Local operator Indigo has transformed a large, dodgy boozer into a splendid, if slightly pricey, place to eat and drink.


The Mitre, Baker Street
Old boys pub. Occasional old girl sighted. Full Harveys range and arguably the best beer pub in Brighton, once scoring an 11 out of ten. Serves hospital lunches (ie from 11.30am).


Pumps at the Mitre.

The Prestonville, Hamilton Road
Solid old ex-Gales house with decent food lunch and evening.


Open House, Springfield Road
Inn Brighton headquarters next door to London Road station. Interesting spaces, expansive garden and very nice food.


The Signalman, Ditchling Rise

Formerly the Railway Tavern this is now The Signalman, and part of the Inn Brighton chain. Fine range of local ales and ciders, quality food, Sky sports and a sheltered garden. Classy.



The Level/Hanover

The Southover, Southover Street
The Pub With No Name, as it used to be called, now has a name and a much-needed refurb creating  an island (or rather peninsula, since it's attached to a wall) bar that makes a world of difference to the atmosphere. It now also has customers and, as well as Sussex ales, craft keg beers (served in two-thirds of a pint glasses) boasting that it's the first pub in Brighton to have Brewdog on tap. Thai food available.

The Bugle Inn, St Martins Sreet
Unspoilt backstreet Irish boozer serving Harvey's Best, Dark Star Hophead and Guinness from a traditional font. Live music at weekends. Football (and food) -free zone. Run by the bloke in the beard at the end of the bar. Don't think he isn't working, though.

The Dover Castle, Southover
This Sheps tenancy lost some momentum following the departure of Meusli Mountain Simon, but the new people run a solid operation and have retained most positive features, including the relaxed atmosphere. There's less flair to the food but the Sunday roast is certainly quite good

The Hanover, Queens Park Road
Unpromising from the outside, but inside they serve rather fine Italian-style pizzas that you can wash down with a Sussex-brewed ale at very reasonable prices. Warning: attracts families.

Druids Arms, Ditchling Road
Grungy freehouse that somehow manages to serve one of the best pints of Harveys, and occasionally guest ales from Dark Star, in Brighton. Friendly service, Thai menu, live music, late opening.


The Geese Have Gone Over the Water, Southover Street. Web site
Smart community local with two screens for sport. Expect only one or two cask beers - but invariably in good shape - plus above-average food.


Constant Service, Islingword Street
Light and airy Harveys house. Sky sports.

The Reservoir, Howard Road . Web site
Hiding down a side street, the Reservoir is a bit of an odd one, featuring a Thai kitchen on a sort of stage at the back. It's a very popular Thai kitchen, though, and there's also a surprise downstairs bar and garden. Local ales and exotic lagers served.


Queens Park/Racecourse

Walmer Castle, Queens Park Road
New tenants were installed at this Hall & Woodhouse pub in 2010. The tropical fish out, interesting Sunday roasts are in, along with great value steak and chips on a Monday night.

The Hartington, Whippingham Road
Punch tenancy and one of the best run pubs in Brighton. Always plenty going on. Good food lunch and evening, plus pool and a sheltered garden.


Round Georges, Sutherland Road
Pleasant pub with cheerful, helpful staff and a fine Sunday lunch – featuring real mint sauce! One of the few pubs round here to serve lunches midweek, too, and it's great food at reasonable prices. Plus satellite footy.


Kemp Town

The Black Dove, St James's Street website
The draught range is, frankly, disappointing, but the bottled list is good and reasonably priced. Most importantly you can drink amid a surreal Victorian-Americana decor in the kind of fizzing atmosphere you get from a team of enthusiastic cocktail bartenders. Oh, and don't forget to check out the kotch


The Royal Oak, St James Street
This former sports pub is now in the tender care of Blue, who runs both the Basketmakers in the North Laine and the Lewes Arms in Lewes. The Oak has been refurbed on a musical theme and has eight handpumps on the bar, featuring some real classics. The food is predictably good and there's an open fire in the rear bar.


St James Tavern, St James Street
A Pleisure pub specialising in the unusual combination of rum and Thai food. Don’t sit in the bay window at the back because that’s where Viv sits.

Hand in Hand, Upper St James Street
Tiny pub with a big character, and only one of two brewpubs in the city. Virtuoso brewer Gary Sillence of Brighton Bier has taken charge of the mashtun and is producing a couple of interesting ales that sit alongside a changing selection from other brewers.


Hand in Hand

Sidewinder, Upper St James Street
A young person’s place but there’s usually a handpump working and there’s a lively evening atmosphere and two big beer gardens.


The Rock, Rock Street
Quirky joint. Check out the strange little bar round the back. Pool room, garden.



Hove/Portslade


The Ancient Mariner, Rutland Road.  Website
Becalmed in the backstreets of Aldrington, west of Hove? In need of a pint? Here's your man. A bright and breezy local from InnBrighton featuring Sussex ales and all-day food.

Sussex Cricketer, Eaton Road
Part of M&B’s Ember Inns chain so the décor is a bit Ikea but the ale is cheap and good and varied. Hove cricket ground is out the back and it’s a handy place to nip into during lunch. Large sunny garden.

Poet's Corner, Montgomery Street
Formerly the Eclipse, this back street local is run by Graham from the Lord Nelson and offers the full range of Harvey's beers.



The Neptune, Kingsway
Best known for the Friday night live blues, and the beer’s good too. Can be a bit of squeeze getting to the bar though.


Stanley Arms, Wolseley Road
Ale house famous for its beer festivals.


East Sussex


Coach House, Rottingdean
Nice spot on a sunny day, with a view of the harbour from the upstairs balcony.


The Juggs, Kingston by Lewes
Extensive gardens picturesque setting at the foot of the Downs makes this Sheps managed house a summer destination.


Griffin Inn, Fletching
Top food freehouse (nearly a restaurant but not quite) with a rambling garden sometimes featuring a jazz band.


Tiger Inn, East Dene
Beachy Head Brewery now operates this village inn, in a great spot for a trip out.


Lewes


Pelham Arms, High Street
Spacious Hall & Woodhouse hostelry with a nice garden.


Brewers Arms, High Street
Freehouse right next door to Tom Paine’s house. Expect the old boy was always in and out of here.


Lewes Arms, Mount Place
One of the world’s great pubs. Since the Battle of Lewes Arms when regulars boycotted it because Greene King had taken out the Harveys, Fuller’s has taken it over, Harveys is back on and the bloke who’s got the Basketmakers in Brighton is tenant. Don’t forget the upstairs room.


John Harvey Tavern, Cliffe High Street
The Harvey’s brewery tap does good, interesting food, as well as the full Harveys range shipped in from just across the road.


Gardener’s Arms, Cliffe High Street
Freehouse with a variety of well-kept cask beers always on offer. The place to get the local goss.


Gardener's Arms

The Snowdrop, South Street
Named after the 1836 Lewes Avalanche, the Snowdrop is a gem of a freehouse in the town's Cliffe district prettily decked out barge-style with great food, a good selection of cask and bottled beers and regular live jazz and folk. Nice garden in the lee of the inland cliff from whence the snow fell.


Music in the Snowdrop


West Sussex


Buckingham Arms, Shoreham
Just opposite the station beside the level crossing, a highly convenient spot for a good pub serving a range of ales.


Duke of Wellington, Brighton Road, Shoreham
Dark Star tied house with bar billiards and a garden.


Shepherd & Dog, Fulking
Ancient pub at the foot of the Downs with a pretty beer garden and lots of old beams.


Maypole Inn, Yapton
Friendly village pub with a good range of ales.


Angelsey Arms, Halnaker
While it’s the restaurant quality food that keeps this pub’s tills full its appeal for the pub-goer is the warm buzz and well-kept ales in the public bar. The large garden has a country house feel to it.


Gribble Inn, Oving
Brewpub that gave birth to Hall & Woodhouse’s Fursty Ferrett.


Fox Goes Free, Charlton
Classic country pub with a big sunny garden. When the sun’s out, obviously.


Chichester


The Fountain, Southgate
Reliable watering hole just up from the station. Hall & Woodhouse ales. Live music.


Bull Inn, Market Road
Former Evening Standard journo and butcher Bill 'Mister Sausage' O'Hagan has taken over the Bull and installed a constantly-rotating half-dozen locally-brewed cask beers - as well as an all-day sausage menu featuring a range of flavours. There's also a sausage counter where you can buy them for home consumption. Pool room out back.

Eastgate, the Hornet
Friendly local just outside the town centre. Fuller’s ales.


Park Tavern, Priory Road
Former Gales house, Now Fuller’s.


 









 

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