please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Saturday afternoon - very busy, managed to find a position to squeeze three of us into. Decent range of Fullers ales, the Seafarers was an Ok beer for quaffing on a warm day. Nice pub but avoid Saturday afternoon.
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Excellent pub, very good beer quality, a proper drinkers establishment. Correct but friendly staff and some of the best cod and chips I've had in a long while. Just the sort of place you'd want to have as your local. Shame it's not mine.
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THE BEST PUB IN BRIGHTON BY MILES!!!!! My family and i are always welcomed and if we can find room to sit have a lovely time!!!!
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Street corner Fullers/Gales house on the edge of the North Laines area. A very relaxed ambience with a definite bohemian feel, wooden floos and bar, traditional seating; the walls are adorned with tin signs and old tin boxes of the Oxo or tobacco type while beermats and cigarette cards decorate the area around the bar. A real mix of clientelle from trendy 20somethings and student types up to OAPs with yours truly somewhere in the middle I suppose! An eclectic mix of non mainstream music plays at a subdued volume so not preventing conversation. An efficient friendly hands on guv presides, and makes sure everyone entering is greeted and thanked on leaving.
The food looked good and the menu suggests an emphasis on locally sourced and organic produce. Daily specials are listed on the chalkboard over the bar.
Beers were ESB, Pride, Discovery, HSB, Butser and Jennings Cumberland.
Very pleasant and enjoyable, worthy of inclusion in any crawl of the area.
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Called in for a quick beer just before last orders and wished I'd found it earlier.
Gem of a pub, 6 ales on, The Gales Butser was in very good form. Loved the interior with the tobacco/cigar tins on the walls. Liked the idea of the Malt of the month as well.
Will call back next time I'm in town.
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Fabulous pub, one of the best in Brighton along with the legendary Evening Star. Not too many conference delegates in here. Fullers ales are pretty good and they do Gales Butser and a guest ale.
Decor inside is pleasant traditional but the outside could now do with a coat of paint!
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The Basketmakers is a gem... hidden away just behind the Gloucester Nightclub/ Barfly and on the edge of North Laine it is only one of a handful of pubs in the Brighton town centre that isn't aiming itself at a pre-club clientele. The beers are always well kept and at a nice drinking temperature. I think the turnaround on a barrel is probably so quick that the beer doesn't have time to go bad! Not eaten here for a while but it was ok. Homemade burger with a crisp fresh salad and chips....for about £7 i think. They used to be well known for a 'Fish and chip Friday' but i'm not sure if that is still happening?
Very reliable and friendly, a good whisky selection, a lot of things to look at including a great Hank Williams poster ( and lots of tins filled with secret love letters to the bar staff.)
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Always pop in here for a drink and some food when I'm in Brighton as both are always good. I often end up drinking more HSB than I sensibly should but it is so delicious.
Like many Fullers pubs the prices are on the high side but it is worth it to spend some time in this friendly, well-run pub.
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Lovely little pub, but prices have certainly increased since Fullers took over Gales.
Beer is well kept, but at these prices I should think so.
In saying that, I know many a Fuller's pub where the prices have increased drastically, yet the beer is not well kept.
Perry - 19 May 2008 13:47 |
very interesting pub! cosy and friendly, plus those tins with the notes inside, a nice idea :) yet to try the food, but will on my next visit.
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It must be 30 years since I last visited this pub, when it was a Gales outpost and the landlord had a large poodle, which I seem to remember nearly knocking me over! As then, its still a real pub serving well-kept ales and tasty homemade food. Was pretty crowded lunchtime on a cold, wet Bank Holiday. Well worth seeking out if you fancy getting away from the seafront area. Poodles gone, thank God!
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This pub appears to be always busy and lively - which is not surprising as it's very good. My mate reckons it's one of his top 5 pubs in the country.
Staff are friendly and efficient. The Fullers/Gales beers (and guest beers too) all seem to be in fine condition, and the food is good too.
It's always sad when you have to leave a good pub - but there are some good ones to choose from in Brighton.
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Good food and a lovely pint of HSB. Mmmmmm,
AaaaitchhEsssssBeeeee....
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This is my favourite Brighton pub. Honest, down to earth, genuine boozer with a relaxed vibe. Only don't tell too many people - they'll all want to get in.
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This pub is magic. You can tell straight away when you enter: friendly, clean with fullers and gales ales - and food. What more can you ask for?
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Lively street corner pub just bear the North Laines area. Fullers ales (since the Gales takeover) which are well kept and good food. Busy but friendly with plenty of atmosphere. One worth seeking out.
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Lively street corner pub just bear the North Laines area. Fullers ales (since the Gales takeover) which are well kept and good food. Busy but friendly with plenty of atmosphere. One worth seeking out.
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i miss this pub so much.
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Worth a visit if only for the chilli and garlic bread! Top pub.
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just been there and the food was average. I was after a great Sunday roast after seeing the "good food" stickers on their windows, but sadly, the roast meal was very average. The pub is full of characters with it's low ceiling and very traditional deco. good ranges of beer and staff was very friendly and chatty.
My partner and I ordered beef and lamb roast respectively, both our meats were very dry and actually tasted like the meal you'd get in those frozen packaged roast meal. the gravy was very thin and quite tasteless. However, if you are a vegetarian, then you could actually getting a very nice treat. The vegetables that comes with the roast meal was absolutely fantastic, you can actually taste the freshness and it's very well-cooked. What's more, all the roast meal comes with 2 Yorkshire puddings! all in all, average food it may be, the pub is still worth visiting coz I really like the deco and the ales there.
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Welcome return visit on Saturday afternoon. The pub has a good feel and is lively and friendly. The HSB was lovely but we also missed blessed Festival Mild too. It seems unbelieveable that they only carry a prize-winning much-loved beer twice a year, but perhaps that's the brewery's fault not the pub's.
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Absolutely Fabulous - Great Atmosphere and delicious Food. I highly recommend a visit. Not been there for a couple of years as moved away, WOW still brilliant - Always great service and PUUUURFECT BEER. Still top of my list.
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Fabulous pub - great atmosphere, first class ales; one of Brighton's finest. Smoking ban will improve it even more. If they did wholesome food rather than superficial pub fare, this would be a practically perfect pub. I've got great memories of this pub, and love taking friends here from foreign parts - they love it.
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Truly one of Brightons finest pubs. Never short of conversation in this hostlery. I love the decor with all the original tobaco tins, good fun reading whats inside them! Before Fullers took over the Gales beers were supreme - going to miss Crowning Glory seasonal ale and have not seen Festival in here for some time. Only gripes here would be the smell of chip fat during food sevice, some knackered scratched-up glasswear and the smoke from snouts. Grumbles really, I should shut up..
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Enjoyed my visit looking for real ale in Brighton, and visited this pub a few times while on holiday. Enjoyed Gales beers and the guests.
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This is a delightful (albeit small pub). I disagree with the view previously expressed that Fullers will not maintain this pub as well as Gales did. In my view Fullers look after their estate and I am sure they regard this pub as one of their "jewels".
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This is the first place I make for when I visit Brighton. It used to be my local many years ago when I lived there. Its the only pub that I don't really mind about the the food being served, if you know what I mean. Top Pub, Brighton's best, bar none. If Fullers don't want it, I'll have it like a shot.
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If Fullers were to sell, I'm sure that a reputable brewery such as Harvey's or Dark Star would snap it up and leave it just as it is!
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Good pub. It's to be pitied though that it has fallen into the hands of Fullers whose stewardship of the old Gales estate is thus far pretty poor. We can be grateful that Fullers haven't closed the Basket Makers' down or sold it - yet, it doesn't fit into their model of pub ownership.
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Top pub,top beer,top staff,nuff said
anonymous - 13 May 2007 10:08 |
Great pub and a sighting of Chapmans the Saviour.
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Good range of beers, including Jennings Cumberland today, and the daily food specials read very well indeed, eg Fillet of Black Bream with new pots & roasted pepper sauce for just £5.95, but I can't help thinking that the drinkers are slightly marginalised at lunchtime when the whole pub smells like the kitchen. That, however, is admittedly something of a devil's advocate standpoint and I think this is a terrific pub run by people who evidently care about their food & drink and are always welcoming & polite.
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My friend and I had a great evening here on Saturday night and I would definitely visit again when next in Brighton.
The pub has a great atmosphere - friendly and relaxed, but also lively too if that's not a paradox.
The pub was crowded so we never got a seat but that didn't matter to us fortunately. The Gales (Fullers) beers all tasted excellent including my favourite Festival Mild - it's ages since I'd had a pint.
I would struggle to think of anything that could be improved about this pub - it wasn't even that smokey despite being very busy. So I'm also happy to give it a 10.
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Like most locals in Brighton I reckon this is one of its best pubs
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One of the best pubs I've been to, anywhere, ever!
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Utterly superb - excellent range & quality of beers, friendly & helpful staff in abundance, loads of character (and characters), and what looked like very good food. I've never given any pub a "10" in my life before, but I really can't pick any fault with this one.
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This is one of the great brighton boosers.
Only problem - too small.
anonymous - 21 Nov 2006 11:23 |
A wonderful pub. Great beer and food. Very good bar staff who make you feel welcome.
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I've just read in a new book called "Brighton's Best Pubs" that a 'jury' of honest and discerning drinkers rates this Brighton's Number One. I'll drink to that.
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Definitely worthy of inclusion on any serious beer or food lover's Brighton pub crawl. Contrary to some people's view I find the Basketmakers a friendly enough place; plenty of character(s) but a mixed clientele. The ale is always well-kept, although puritans amongst us can't forget that it was once a Gale's pub and the Fuller's interpretations of their old portfolio just can't quite match up. Still, so far it appears to have lost no charm for being part of the Fuller stable. I agree this isn't quite in the same league as the E Star or the Nelson, but it's streets ahead of many Brightonian boozers, especially some of those ghastly touristy places in the Lanes etc.
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The only problem with this place is that it's just too popular. On the busy weekend evenings it's full anyway, then you get the freshers and the pub crawls that all want to try it and it just gets so bloody busy, you cant enjoy it.
Try it during the day, a summers day, and try the food, then you will see why we like the pub so much.
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Great pub with good beer and good food. Worth a visit.
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I have mixed feelings about this pub. It's been too busy every time I've been there - a good sign I know but frustrating if you want to eat and a table isn't available. The food is very good and the portions generous - for example, you get a block of cheddar on the ploughman's which is about the same size as a prepackaged supermarket portion! I find the mixture of Gales and Fullers beers uninspiring but they are well kept. The clientele - which has attracted a number of comments below - I still haven't quite worked out despite numerous visits. Nice enough but not friendly like The Lord Nelson or Evening Star just up the road. I'd go to those instead if you're going for beer and conversation.
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Quality beer, really good value food. Can get too busy and it's hard to find a seat. Good for lunch.
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Was rather quiet when we called (there being a world cup final on elsewhere). Friendly atmosphere offering a choice of 3 Fullers beers and under threat ales from Gales x2 and Jennings. Was obviously a Gales house before the takeover - mostly wooden interior with lots of old signs and metal boxes covering the walls. The Gales HSB was excellent.
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I think this is the best pub I have been to anywhere, any time, ever, in the world, in space!
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Another good pub colonised by the "jovial and trendy Brighton middle class" as darloexile so eloquently puts it. This basically means you get stared at by the "locals" (who've all just moved down from London and who seem to view Brightonians as some kind of exotica), and aren't exactly made to feel welcome by the staff. Perhaps it was just "one of theose nights".
The beer's still excellent though, and it was recently declared to be the best pub in Brighton - albeit in a top ten that didn't include the Evening Star!?!?
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Lovely old fashioned type pub with a good atmosphere, every thing an English pub should be. Can get far to busy some evenings but always worth a visit during the day. One complaint, we live in an era of 24 hour opening and they just close to early!
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One of the best pubs in Brighton. Atmosphere crackles somewhere between student-esque and a Camra destination, jovial and trendy Brighton middle class, staff always with smile and food some of the best bar snacks around (try the rabbit pie, when on). I really hope Fullers dont ruin it, already they had ESP and London Porter on, as long as the Festival Mild and HSB remains, I for one will remain happy.
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Great little pub with excellent atmosphere if a little smokey. Good beers (I could drink Gales Festival all night). Haven't eaten here but have nosed in on other people's plates and the food looks very tasty. Hopefully this pub will stay as it is with the takeover.
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One of the best in Brighton.. just hope they keep their nerve with the Gales Brewery sell out to Fullers
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Easily the best pub in Brighton. No question. Simple as that!
anonymous - 30 Jan 2006 20:21 |
The only possible criticism is it is too popular and you can't always get a seat. Beats shopping in the North Laines anyway. The only veggie burger better is at it's sister pub The Prestonville. Gales beers never tasted better.
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Just seen a copy of what's brewing. Bad news is that gales has been taken over by fullers and might stop brewing the beer for this pub (and all other gales's pubs). Make the most of it!
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Like virtually all the really good pubs in Brighton, this pub is too small for the number of people it attracts. That said, it is well worth visiting. It has a nice atmosphere and the beer is kept well.
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This pub has been placed at number 12 in the "Morning Advertiser's" Top 20 pubs in the UK. Thoroughly deserved recognition, IMHO
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Having recently moved into offices around the corner, I have given both the Basket Maker's and the Eagle (opposite side of the street) a try.
Basket Maker's wins hands down. Friendly staff, cosy atmosphere, good ales, excellent food at very reasonable prices. We are even going to have a staff member's farewell drinks her tomorrow night.
Top notch
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This is quite possibly the finest pub in Britain (sorry Brighton!). Great Staff, great beer, great atmosphere - a must visit!
anonymous - 6 Sep 2005 16:46 |
Lovely little pub. Nice atmosphere, good selection of beers. Good for cooling off after visiting the Eagle opposite. the pub with the worst service in the South of England.
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In a word Superb, one of the best pubs in Brighton for me, great atmosphere, varied ale selction with regular guests and good food (if alittle pricey) a very cosy pub (always busy)
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I was there last with my mates noisy little girl, she had a wonderful time, winding up old CAMRA queens. If these people are to be aloud in pubs - please let them loosen up... Did you know, there are 'hidden' messages in most of the tins that are nailed to the walls. Well there were before someone read this an took them all away.. maybe it was that sinister CAMRA chap. GREAT PUB.
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Festival Mild & their house burger - does life get any sweeter? Still, it's difficult to decide between this and the Star. Just make sure you stop at both sometime on your next dirty weekend.
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Great pub, providing you like Gales beer. Food is good too.
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A GBG ever present since 1990, this traditional pub is located on a street corner in the North Laines area. The wooden-floored, roomy interior is partly partitioned by a central dividing wall, and decorated with an interesting collection of old photos, tin boxes and advertisements. There is a good bar menu and a selection of five Gales beers – Buster, HSB, GB, Frolic (a seasonal, spring brew, replaced during June by 60th Anniversary D-Day ale, surprisingly light-coloured and hoppy), and the jewel in the crown, Festival Mild, which I have found difficult to come by in other Gale’s pubs. The conviviality of its mixed clientele and fact it serves mild always makes The Basketmakers worth a visit. The two downsides to my first lunchtime visit: first, I had to ask for my pint of mild to be topped-up; second, if young children are to be allowed into pubs, it would be appreciated if their parents could keep them a little quieter than the one that perched itself on the seat next to me. My second visit some weeks later found pints full to the top and no noisy kids. Read more about it via <http://ultimatepubguide.com/pubs/index.phtml>
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A good pub with a mix of clientele.
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I have been going to this Pub on and off now for over twenty five years, in the days when your shoes used to stick to the beer soaked carpet. It was a great pub then and still is, I always visit when I'm in Brighton. Nice to see they scraped up the carpet and cleaned the floor boards.
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Totally the best boozer in brighton - great ales, atnmosphere, food and still thinks of itself as a pub (not a wine bar, gastro-pub or anything else fatuous). If you don't like that, then stay away and leave more room for those who do.
Henri - 22 Oct 2004 15:13 |
Great pub. Nothing better on a cold winter day.
Tim - 16 Sep 2004 12:29 |
Used to live in Brighton, and still visit it every chance I can. Best burgers for the price. Is a real proper pub.
John - 28 Jul 2004 18:14 |
It's not perfect, but this is easily one of the best pubs in Brighton. Excellent ales, very well managed, good barstaff and an interesting range of customers! Well worth a visit.
anonymous - 5 Jul 2004 21:32 |
Paddy, that's probably because you don't like pubs.
It's a proper pub for proper people. Lovely, lovely place.
Darryl - 17 May 2004 00:02 |
The MOST overrated pub in Brighton. Too cramped, nasty decor, uncomfy seats, average food, its in the dark ages regarding shorts (vodka etc, not what you wear!), no music or tv (I know thats an incentive to some) and unfeasibly popular (often packed). Plus sides are a good male/female ratio, no lads, friendly bar staff, everyone loves it except me!
Paddy - 4 Feb 2004 04:00 |
They do a great Sunday roast - but get there early for a seat. Friendly staff, nice atmosphere.
jane - 27 Jan 2004 12:32 |
Cosy little local where you can meet the most interesting people
Cornelius - 24 Jan 2004 19:48 |
Great little back street boozer. Good selection of beers, friendly staff, incredible home-made burgers.
Dave G - 22 Jan 2004 14:59 |
Seriously one of the best pubs around.
Amazing food, good prices and really freindly staff.
JUST GO NOW!!!
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cool pub. go there. nuff said.
martin - 29 Oct 2003 16:45 |
Great pub, excellent Festival Mild. Does good food. Bit of a hippy crowd at times.
Adrian - 28 Oct 2003 10:47 |
Great place this - I've been going there since they did it up the late 1980s. Staff are superb, and the food is good. Downsides: I do wish they'd change the menu sometime - it's getting stale. Also, the gents' toilet is a very cramped.
Ian - 8 Oct 2003 22:19 |
Fantastic pub, if a little cramped sometimes. The legendary Sunday Lunches there are, well, legendary. Enough to feed me, and I like my food! Also the best-kept ales I've found in Brighton. Top notch
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A stunning little boozer. The food, beer, decor, atmosphere, staff and clientelle all conspire to produce the pinacle of pub experiences Without fail a good place for a pint.
However, the recent revival of the eagle across the road means that should it get to full, there is a decent alternative, and indeed the chances of it being too full are reduced.
Ant - 24 Sep 2003 18:06 |
I visited this pub at approximately 6pm yesterday and enjoyed quite the best pint of Gales' Butser Bitter I have ever tasted. Despite the low gravity it was clean, refreshing, yet full of flavour! The staff are very friendly with a good sense of humour, and the locals - at least those with whom I had the pleasure to speak - are equally friendly and laid-back. Amongst Brighton's best pubs for food, articles on the BM Arms appear in many pub guides. Sadly, 't was a bank holiday so the food had stopped half an hour before my train had arrived in Brighton! A MUST!
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Lovely little local with great staff and fine beer. A really great place in which to escape the Brighton crowds. Regulars have a habit of putting messages and jokes in the old sweet and tobacco boxes which are pinned to the walls.
Darryl - 27 Apr 2003 23:03 |
