skip nav  
 


Snowdrop, Lewes

back to pub details

user reviews of the Snowdrop, Lewes

please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.

A bit of a trek to find this olde worlde character pub a few streets away from the busiest part of Lewes. Not a tremendous selection of beers, and all a bit cluttered inside (there are plenty of tables outside), but worth a visit. Pizzas advertised but not tried.
Trev - 7 Jul 2019 09:10
Expensive food & drinks, loved by DFL's. Opening hours suddenly much reduced and now don't open until 5pm Mon-Friday. Website suspended and pub now up for sale - yours for £960k. Owners lost imterest? More money to be made from rural DFL's at Laughton.
ropey2 - 15 Aug 2018 19:14
Great find, edge of town but worth it. Two well kept outside areas & very pleasant inside. Good range of 4-5 Ales, plus at least one cider. Food looked a tad on the expensive side. However, all in all - highly recommended.
Wilson_MacDonald - 1 Jul 2018 10:58
Back in town! A bit too soon for trad beers to be on the pumps. Harveys, a Burning sky plateau and predominantly local Gun Brewery beers which included a stout. Again well kept and food good.
TonyMitch - 21 Mar 2018 19:26
I;m a big fan of the Snowdrop. Great beer, friendly service, charming location.

Plus points is they were playing I Am Kloot when we were in their and they have a poster up with an old Eden Kane gig on it. Quality.

Contender for best pub in Lewes if you ask me.
terenced - 13 Feb 2018 08:53
6 pumps available for also, only 4 on, but it is Wednesday evening. All 4 beers were very pale in colour and very citrus in flavour. There is still a demand from ale drinkers for a traditional copper in colour and not tasting like grapefruit or lemons. That said, the 2 I drank were well kept.
The pub is very pleasant, good food, friendly, but needed a better variety of beers for their customers who have walked that bit further out of the town. Plus point that in Lewes it is NOT a Harveys pub, so there is a free trade in town.
TonyMitch - 7 Feb 2018 19:35
The Snowdrop was my last and favourite pub of the day. It is situated in a residential area of Cliffe with a fairly dramatic chalk cliff backdrop. It's also next to a lengthy tunnel that leads to the other end of Lewes. The interior feels cosy. But there are plenty of tables crammed in. There are also 2 outdoor areas either side of the pub. Both have several tables too. The ale selection was good and was complemented by a good range of craft beers on keg. Yesterday they had Harveys Sussex Best Bitter, Burning Sky Aurora & Plateau, Downlands Twent Six Strong Pale Ale & Thirteen Pale Ale & 360 Degrees Pale Ale on cask. Cider was Seacider Medium. The best pub we tried in Lewes.
blue_scrumpy - 13 Jun 2016 19:41
In any other town this size this pub would be a godsend, in Lewes it's probably not worth the walk out of the town centre (when you've got the JHT, Lewes Arms and Gardeners already). The Snowdrop has good beer, nice decor, but feels a bit too foody if you're only drinking (and the food is nice but not amazing if you're eating).
swebbzzz - 8 Mar 2016 14:23
IMHO food not as good as the Lewes Arms, but a real variety of stouts when I went, great little pub
OldandBitter - 12 Feb 2016 23:28
I agree with lezford below!

A great pint of Bristol Milk Stout, make that three! My mate also had the same so I can't comment on the other beers available.

The food is excellent, although my first choice was unfortunately un-available.

When back in Lewes, I would definitely return.
Ade.The.Raider - 2 Apr 2015 15:32
With my football teams game at Lewes being postponed due to the wet weather it was decided to travel to Lewes anyway and tick the 5 pubs in the town that were on my list.

Our 1st stop after a 15 minute walk was the Snowdrop, a very busy free house.

I'd been told this was a food pub and this is very true. By 12.30pm the majority of the punters in the pub were ordering food or eating.

On the bar there are 6 pumps dispensing 5 cask ales and 1 cider. All of the ales from different breweries including the dependable Harvey's Sussex Best. I started the day with a pint of Blackjack Brewery Shuffled Deck @ 3.8%. A cracking pint that unforateluy was so good that by the time I wanted a 2nd it had run out, so my 2nd beer was Bristol Beer Factory’s Milk Stout @ 4.5%, another decent drop. In addition to the ales there are several pumps offering good quality “craft” lager and also a good bottle range.

Inside the pub is pretty quirky with lots of bits and bobs hanging from the ceiling these include a couple of surfboards!

Outside there are 2 garden areas but with the rain hammering down these were not the place to be.

Even though food was being served I only saw a couple of plates of chips pass me so I cannot comment how good the food is however it was certainly popular.

All in all the Snowdrop is a smashing pub and a great place to start the day’s ticking trip.
lezford - 5 Jan 2015 10:23
a very good pub now.
johnsul - 8 Nov 2014 10:04
The Snowdrop has a certain Brighton/Lewesian boho charm about it but feels friendly enough. Bar Staff are a credit, the food looked generous as it sped past us (we were in a hurry) and the beer was delicious - they do Belgians in bottles as well - so worth a visit...
pkrp - 10 Sep 2014 22:45
Tucked away but worth the effort to find.

Friendly and helpful staff and very good beer.

A worthy inclusion on any trip to Lewes.
terenced - 1 Jul 2014 13:24
Pub number 6 on our Lewes pub crawl, and yet another great pub for the real ale drinker. My first pint, which was one of the Titanic ales, was actually rather cloudy. However, the barman unhesitatingly changed it for another beer at no charge, even though I'd necked half of it. Interesting music on the sound system at a sensible volume. We were greeted by The End by the Doors on our arrival, and this was followed by a selection of what I believe is referred to as "New Country". Interestingly, there was a good balance between the sexes among the clientele, which makes a nice change from the usual male-dominated pub environment. The menu looked good with some interesting dishes such as oxtail and rabbit. Probably the friendliest barman we encountered on our crawl.
Number11 - 11 Feb 2014 20:48
Excellent little pub. A reasonable way from the town centre, but well worth the effort. Food is a big draw, and so it should be, it's excellent. The beers very good too. Four or five to choose from, mostly independents including a couple of Dark Stars.

It does get a bit overrun with hippies on a Sunday afternoon, and as stated elsewhere service can be a bit slow, but overall a very good pub indeed.
Maltster - 24 Dec 2013 12:57
Beer festival today, What a waste of time! Waited over 10 mins to get served. Gave up and went inside. Waited over 10 mins to get served. Won't bother again, plenty of other pubs in Lewes where I'm nor as invisible!
persist_artist - 5 Oct 2013 20:30
Unusual interior with barging theme. Beer excellent, staff great. Bit of a long walk from town though, but worth it.
Richardhuddleston - 4 Jun 2013 15:52
Lovely food great choice of 'different' dishes on the menu - beer was in good condition and the staff were very friendly and attentive. I actually am looking forward to going back soon.
thestonedhero - 26 May 2013 20:40
What a joy to get away from the Harvey's mould. Used to be Punch but they couldn't make it work and flogged it. Great beer and brilliant locally sourced food. Might be a bit eclectic for those who prefer McDonalds and canned lager but each unto their own.
martincombe - 29 Mar 2013 11:51
Clearly a good beer place BUT....no need for the attitude from the young bar staff and defo no need for the blaring music at 11.45am on a Saturday morning. A touch on the pretentious side for my liking.
loveleedshatebates - 24 Mar 2013 20:33
I use this pub whenever I go to Lewes, which isn't often enough. There is always an excellent choice of well kept beers on tap with Sussex brewers well represented. The menu is original and always inviting and the food is well cooked with honesty and care. Although out of the centre of Lewes I would recommend the effort which will be well rewarded and a great improvement over some of the tired establishments closer in.
friarymeux - 31 Dec 2012 10:46
Such a shame this place use to be so good.
What is it with bad service in pubs, why don't they drill their staff in the basics
1. Acknowledge people who come to the bar
2. Keep a mental note of who is served first and next to be served (look all around the bar)
3. Be steady and swift in serving
4. Please and thank you

It's not that hard.
bclgrh - 15 Dec 2012 03:52
I have been visiting the Snowdrop for many years and have seen it change from good to bad, to good and back again. Having recently spotted that it was nominated in three categories in the Great British Pub Awards 2012 I thought they must be doing something right so decided to pay another visit. An average Saturday lunchtime started off well with a choice of 5 ales - Darkstar Hophead and Harveys Best were joined by three darker beers, and the Hophead was nicely kept although service was a little slow even though it wasn't particularly busy. We found a table and ordered lunch, and about 15 minutes later lunch arrived just as I returned to the bar to try one of the other beers.

I stood there at the bar, holding my empty glass and waited.... and waited.... and WAITED... The two guys at the bar seemed completely unable to figure out who was waiting and who was next, so much so that three people who came to the bar after me were served first! They could see me waiting and yet through stupidity or sheer bad manners chose to serve other people who arrived at the bar after me. After 10 minutes (yes TEN minutes!!) I put me empty glass down on the bar, returned to the table and ate my now cold lunch. My friend was bewildered, they said they saw people on the other side of the bar coming up after me and getting served while I was totally ignored. If they can't get the basics right of servibg people in a timely fashion when it's not particularly busy, then heaven help them. When I asked how my friend's lunch was, I was told "average at best" which was the same for mine. As soon as we'd finished we left, and I probably won't be returning for a long while.

Such a shame, this pub obviously has potential but the bad service let it down.
fazerblue - 2 Dec 2012 09:27
All the staff here have had personality bypasses; the pub is mediocre at best.
croydonpeer - 12 Aug 2012 20:47
Had another excellent meal here the other day washed down with cider, all reaonably priced and though the sun had brought out lots of customers we didn't have a long wait for our food. Their apple crumble & custard is big enough for two!
c_and_j - 12 Aug 2012 18:06
a bit off the beaten track of high street worth seeking out. friendly staff, good choice of rotating guests including local ones. food very acceptable and reasonably priced.
lawrencesmith - 27 Jun 2012 12:19
Went to the Monday night jazz recently. Terrible experience. Long wait and cold food at the end of it. Hopeless student staff giving very poor service. The jazz was annoyingly loud for the size of the venue. Second time I've had awful food here. Too many good alternatives like the Pelham and Kings Head to waste my time and money going to the Snowy again. Real shame. Used to be a good pub.
TCH - 27 Mar 2012 10:19
A late Friday afternoon visit to the Snowdrop and well worth it. Friendly staff and locals with a great range of beers. A decorative interior with a 'canal boat' painted theme. Dark Star (American Pale Ale, Hophead, Rye & Juniper and Black Coffee Pilsner) and Harveys (1859 Porter and Best) dominated the Real Ales along with Hepworths Conqueror Stout noticed on the Fonts. The Porter, APA and Black Coffee Pilsner were on top form. Missed out on the Rye & Juniper which was replaced with a Dorking Brewery Ale. Nice people and great ale - happy days.
Slipkid - 20 Mar 2012 20:56
Came here a few months ago for the Beer Expo, amazing! A great pub (freehold) which whenever I am down in Sussex I try to reach via a slight detour. Dom and Tony are possibly Sussex's best pub entrepreneurs. The Beer Expo wasn't just a beer festival, it featured Pete Brown the Beer Writer, comparing beer to literature, a scotch egg off, and much more. It may not sound too 'non cardigan' but I assure you it was inspiring. Just goes to show other publicans what is achievable if you are not 'tied'
huntsbeer - 8 Jan 2012 15:14
Wow. Beautiful, characterful pub on outskirts of Lewes. On a lovely, sunny autumn day pints of Harveys Old Ale and Dark Star American Pale Ale went down well. Fantastic food with the scotch egg magnificent.
JonW999 - 24 Oct 2011 21:27
Excellent pub full of character and characters. Food was good and pretty cheap; wide choice or ales and the place just oozes atmosphere.
Well worth a visit or ten.
Campanologist - 17 Oct 2011 09:28
Hard to beat it - excellent food, excellent beer and excellent friendly service!
wppclarke - 12 Oct 2011 18:39
My Wife and i always try to make a point of stopping here on our way back from Eastbourne. There is always an excellent choice of real ales. I had the Dark Star Winter Meltdown which was superb. They are always kept well too. The food looks good though i haven't eaten here yet. Definitely one of the best pubs in East Sussex.
RIHM72 - 18 Sep 2011 21:23
Excellent food and a good range of well kept ales - worth the detour.
biggles221 - 15 Aug 2011 16:32
Can't add much to previous reviews...my favourite pub in the Lewes/Seaford area. Great, easy going atmosphere. Food is excellent, cooked by a chef with real enthusiasim for his food, and the range of ales is superb. 4-5 always on tap with always something new to try. Good range of Dark Star brews always well kept. Staff friendly and bright and a real family-friendly feel. I wish I lived nearer as I would never be out of it...only wish it were a little easier to get to as access and parking are not easy- but well worth the effort.
ParsonDarby - 20 Jun 2011 20:58
Taken over a few months back by the people from the Hop Poles in Brighton. Well kept ales with a wide selection, good range of pub food including a fair few vegetarian dishes, efficient friendly staff and a good atmosphere.
melita666 - 11 Jun 2011 17:47
Went there for the first time last week and had a really good roast dinner with vegetables that tasted of the countryside - really really good. I counted 9 different veg on the plate, maybe too many but what flavour. Loads of meat but a bit light on the spuds.
Great selection of ales and ciders.
The second visit was very soon after and it is now very much on the list of top pubs.
flagship - 31 May 2011 23:39
Not long since I was here last but have to say again the beer selection excellent Hophead, American Pale Ale, Mai Bock (?) and Jaipur (6.1%). All tasted lovely, what a line up of light beers alone! The food again second to none and the staff really helpful!
uriahheep - 28 Apr 2011 19:31
Promised myself I'd come back and try out the food here having only discovered the Snowdrop at the end of my last visit to Lewes. Still a good choice of ales with Dark Star beers (Hophead and American Pale) still on and a good selection of other beers and guest ales. The food was well worth the wait and as good as anything I've had in some time. Next visit will try and catch some live music?
uriahheep - 4 Mar 2011 00:25
With a group of friends, I've been cycling from Brighton to Lewes or Glynde most summer Thursday nights for about 12 years. For many years the Trevor was our destination, but last year we changed to the Snowdrop. It has a fantastic range of well kept ales including Harveys and Dark Star and excellent reasonably priced food. My most recent visit saved my annual Saturday trip to Lewes (the smuggest, most twee town in Christendom) depressing me as much as it normally does. The owners have now taken over the Trevor Arms in Glynde - deep joy.
shredhead - 18 Feb 2011 22:21
Back again, and the place seems to keep on improving. Ate this time (pheasant casserole-- yum!) and the Dark Star was a very good accompaniment. Highly recommended. (I saw a sign that this was one of Jamie Oliver's 100 recommended best English pubs-- but don't let that put you off.) 8/10
HenPen - 22 Jan 2011 22:04
Clearly a change of heart and I assume a change of hands at the Snowdrop, about which the grapevine (possibly that should be the grain-vine) had yielded an appealing rumour that it has been much-improved in recent months. Having not been for at least 5 years, I and various other ale and 'arty friends of mine fetched up on Saturday, and happily found the rumour to be perfectly true. Gone is the inverted-snobbery and pseudo-studenty flim-flam which had slowly but surely taken over, and in its place was a smart, yet still essentially traditional local pub which cannily combines the best of the food and beer worlds under one happy and efficient roof.
There were about 5 ales on during our extensive stop-by, reducing to 4 as we worked hard to keep pace with our own appetites. Various Dark Star nuggets of gold were available, plus a Hog's Back Ripsnorter which was an unusual choice for these parts. All were found in splendid form. Other imported beers are on tap for those who opt for them, and all were served by a motley, but friendly bunch of youngters. One of them looked vaguely like Nick Beggs out of Kajagoogoo, but then what goes around comes around and for all I know he could be right on trend (certainly in off-beat Lewes this look isn't unfavourable!).

To our relief, food was served all day, and not only was the menu extensive with a broad choice of starters and mains, but the pricing was remarkably reasonable too. Gastro-pub with air-brushed contemporary decor and faux London sophistication this is not. It is a solid, capable pub that does not insult its clientele by charging �15 for lamb shanks. Here, one can pick up roasted sea bass and crushed garlic spuds for �8.50 - in fact I don't recall any main dish being much over this mark - and on receipt of our various choices, which included liver and bacon and some sort of rabbit ballotine (can't remember the exact billing as it wasn't mine!), nobody in our group was disappointed with the quality. It even took our minds off the primary issue of ale consumption for a while.

I would now heartily recommend the Snowdrop, which is a schlep from the main Cliffe drag but worth the detour especially as an escape from the town's hustle and bustle, and I have upgraded my old score accordingly.
TWG - 23 Nov 2010 17:48
What a great pub! The food is fantastic, the bar maid was phenomenal, the range of cider and ale superb. They even have a range of snacks for dogs!! I would have given it a 10 but for the 10-year old boys screeching around in the gravel in the beer garden...
SharonBee - 18 Jul 2010 19:47
Just ambled into this pub - almost by accident. Quite stunned by the magnificent choice of beers - for all tastes! From other peoples comments this place has obviously had a good change of fortune. The food looks worth coming back for - I'd made the mistake of eating in the John Harvey Tavern (not recommended on this occasion?). I had to have a couple of beers here as I was spoilt for choice even though I'd promised I'd only stop for one? Star choices: Dark Star American Pale Ale and draft Bruge Zot (Signature, Copperhead, Hophead .....)
uriahheep - 30 Jun 2010 23:42
A bit off the beaten track but well worth the visit.

Excellant beer and food. Tried and enjoyed the Ox Cheek which was very tasty with a few pints of Dark Star to wash it down. Very good value.

Great staff and one of the owners took the time to came over and chat to us and gave us some cooking tips.

Shall definately visit again on my next visit to Lewes.
bob.the.wop - 20 Jun 2010 20:51
Vastly improved from my last visit a couple of years ago. Excellent varied menu with most dishes around the �8 mark and 4 or 5 ales. Beer garden is a real sun trap and nicely done out. Not much to fault really, will be back regularly
steve_on_tour - 15 Jun 2010 14:57
Hurrah that the Snowdrop is back on form after a dismal period. It's been taken over by the people from the Hop Poles in Brighton (but - thankfully - it's not a Greene King!) and it's been cleaned up but not to the point of being unrecognisable, with a new menu and a good selection of well-kept ales.

On my visit they had Harvey's Best and Old, Dark Star Sussex stout, Crouch Vale Snowdrop, Rectory Ales Light Relief, as well as Meantime Helles, Koelner and Zot on tap.

melita666 - 12 Apr 2010 14:53
Following a re-visit to the Snowdrop, I've changed my mind. The music is now at a much better level and both Dark Star Pale Ale and Hophead were on fine form. Add to this decent food, some rather god live music (again at a sensible volume), very good frindly staff to boot and the Snowdrop is actually rather good.

Well worth the short walk to the end of South Street, I will be going back soon!
The_Man_From_Soil - 9 Mar 2010 11:55
Heaps of praise to the current landlords for turning this from a very so-so pub in recent times to one of the finest Lewes now has to offer. Great range of beers - Dark Star American Pale Ale and draft Bruges Zot were both fantastic last night - and a reasonably priced but imaginative menu. The live jazz was excellent too. I hope Lewes drinkers will reward the fantastic efforts that are being made with this pub.
pipsby - 9 Mar 2010 09:51
Went to this pub Saturday about midday. Basically agree with brightonbrawler although when it got busy around 1pm didn't see the standard of service drop. The menu looked very interesting and not over expensive and the food looked good although I didn't partake. Beer is as described and very well kept. Tables all full in the very atmospheric all-round bar downstairs so people were going upstairs to the more stark music area.

To me this pub is excellent and well worth that little extra walk from the town. Definitely needs upgrading.
lyeemoon - 8 Mar 2010 09:18
I can only agree with the latest reviews. This place has come on by leaps and bounds since the new people took over. It's a bit out of the way but well worth the effort to get there.
southdown12jack - 25 Feb 2010 14:08
I visited this pub at around midday on a Saturday. A stunning selection of real ales on offer including Dark Star American Pale Ale and Hophead and Harveys Old. They even had Brugse Zot Blond on draught! The food was your average pub fare at fairly reasonable prices. Also very dog friendly offering a menu for dogs including chews and pigs ears etc. which we liked very much. I have one criticism in that the bar staf, although incredibly pleasant, seemed to have no sense of urgency with regard to customer service and I felt a bit abandoned at the bar! We had to wait over half an hour for food menus which were not released until around 1 pm by which time we were incredibly hungry! Overall though despite the slight hiccup on the service a top pub and I would definitely visit again.
brightonbrawler - 22 Feb 2010 10:13
Wow! This is pub utopia - very good beer (including Dark Star Hophead), pleasant surroundings (narrowboat style to reflect the history), good food and very friendly bar staff / owners.

They often have live music on a Saterday evening, which unfortunately has become something of a rarity in Lewes.

Great place
gelksy - 2 Feb 2010 21:18
I've been there a few times now. Each time it has seemed a very good, friendly place, with good beers (well kept) and some out-of-the-way lagers too (if you like that sort of thing). The food has been extremely good (not exclusively veggie any more). One evening, a man played piano through the evening, apparently a fairly regular thing. I like the place. 8/10
HenPen - 1 Feb 2010 22:02
I first went into the refurbished Snowdrop a couple of weeks ago and to say I was pleasantly surprised would be an understatement. They have done a wonderful job on the decor, very homely and great attention to detail with the hand-painted narrow boat theme. But most importantly the beer was superb. The had Harveys Best and Old and Darkstar's Hop Head. I did,'t try the Hop Head but both the Harveys were kept extremely well. I enoyed the beer so much I stayed for some food and once again I wasn't disappointed. I had a wonderful Game casserole which had my mouth watering.
I live in Brighton and wouldn't usually leave the city just for a pint but this place has done it for me. I returned the other day to find added to their list of ales 'Bonfire Toffee' from Rectory Ales. A real winter warmer and a winner.
Can't sing the place's praises nough. Fantastic beer, great food, freindly staff, cosy surroundings. I'll see you in there.
pintofmotherinlawplease - 8 Dec 2009 23:05
The Snowdrop has just reopened after a major refurbishment. The interior is very well done in a �narrow boat� style reflecting the building�s original use as a bargeman�s house. Harveys and Dark Star Hophead were on of which the latter was superbly kept.

The landlord seemed a pretty decent chap, but the whole thing was spoilt by the same old loud music problem � I don�t want to listen to your I-pod so loudly I can�t have a conversation, so I finished my pint and left � a real shame as I would have liked another. I wish the Snowdrop well, but until I can have a quiet pint there, I won�t be going back.

The_Man_From_Soil - 30 Sep 2009 08:06
I came here of a morning to research the record avalanche the pub was named after. I was still locked and I set off back down the road. I passed a bloke carrying a pack of paper towels, I asked him if he knew when the pub would be open, and he said

"When I open it!"

He let me in and I waited until he set things out and pulled the beer through. A really nice bloke and very good beer. He does pizzas and will be trying other food and bands, but is clearly having to work hard to stand still.

This is a gem of a boozer, with good beer, character and a goldfish pond outside. I would urge people to give it a go, especially those who've not been for an age.
bradwan - 20 Jun 2009 11:40
The Snowdrop did go down hill a lot after the Mays sold it. However, it was still a very good pub but it was the Smoking Ban that killed it dead (before even the credit crunch), which is ironic seening as it was the first pub in Lewes to have a non-smoking section ( early ninties). It did get an impressive amount of out of town visits but it's large circle of locals was it's back bone and they would ten to be smokers. I could see it becoming a smoke free restraunt but as a Pub it won't recover. I used to go to that pub almost every night for about 15 years. A lot of happy memories.
Fredrik - 8 Jan 2009 02:13
Currently for sale through Fleurets. �475,000 for the freehold sounds a bit steep in the current climate but it could be revived to its flourishing state five years ago. Still a 7.
CJG - 19 Nov 2008 10:17
I last went to The Snowdrop 8 years ago when I lived in the S.E., but it was great then, and if they 'only' serve veggie food now, then great! - If you want to go through the 'Golden Arches' for a 'Big Mac' that's your choice ...

Hooray for The Snowdrop!!!

;) Chris.
reactiv8 - 9 Sep 2008 19:56
Veggie food does not have to be unsatisfying. It makes a pleasant change to go meatless, provided it is good. I have not eaten here recently, but what I saw being served to other customers looked very good. I was there for the beer and the Harvey's Best and Adnam's Broadside were both fine. The atmosphere in this pub is always good and, as others have said, it's a bit different even for Lewes, and that's not such a bad thing.
southdown12jack - 13 May 2008 15:27
What a shame this pub is now veggie only. A group of us have just got back to the office after having lunch there and all of us have just been out to get a sandwich or snack including a vegtarian amongst us. The food was wholey unsatisfying and I shall not be returning there again.
trebort - 13 Feb 2008 14:15
The Snowdrop is open for business as usual.
nonnick - 4 Jan 2008 14:44
This pub is currently closed and seeming awaiting a refurbishment
thequaffer - 11 Dec 2007 08:55
Decent end of the road pub. Harveys well kept. Good pub grub. Little yard at the side for watching the empty road.
londinieres - 12 Jul 2007 16:11
I agree completley with the last comment. Nuff said!
raveydavey - 11 Jan 2007 01:50
Very friendly pub that can sometimes get very busy. Excellent, ever-changing food and well-kept beers. Lewes has plenty of good pbs but in many ways this is the most interesting and certainly the most eclectic.
CJG - 18 Oct 2006 15:25
good atmosphere on a Sunday pm. Fine Beer & Cider. Didn't have any food, but the diners seemed happy & the food looked good. 2 beer gardens, friendly staff & well kept real ale.
109steve - 10 Oct 2006 15:45
Overpriced, but quite friendly.

Pub quiz is good on Sundays!
theadz01 - 6 Mar 2006 12:59
Don't understand some of these comments about the Snowdrop. Have these people got the wrong pub?! Seems fine to me, good atmosphere, good mix of people, and the staff are a laugh -- informal certainly, but friendly and never offhand. As for food, the menu is large and varied, the portions are HUGE, and generally it's very good value. There's a very popular quiz night on Sundays.
hellosailor - 11 Jul 2005 00:57
Popped in last night and enjoyed an excellent couple of pints of Harveys, good music and great atmosphere, mainly younger clietelle but all well behaved and enjoying themselves
oddjob - 7 Jan 2005 14:15
I went in this pub in October with a few friends to try some real ale with good vegan food. What we got was indifferent staff, hardly any ale and a menu that did not reflect the food being served. The staff especially seemed to be put out by customers meaning that either the pub makes so much money that it just relies on staff drinking there - if so good luck because I will be in the Lewes Arms in the future!
sohosister - 27 Nov 2004 17:09
I agree with Robin's comment of Jul 2004. This pub has lost its way as is more interested in cramming the customers in, than maintaining standards of quality. The serving times for food are rather odd and when it does arrive, it's overpriced, small in portion-sized, and underwhelming in taste.
Lucy - 19 Oct 2004 16:53
I dropped in recently with a small group of visiting friends for lunch. However, because the pub was filthy, the menu woefully inadequate and the service dismissive, disinterested and rude, we decided to eat elsewhere.
James Patterson - 7 Oct 2004 11:03
It's a pity about the Snowdrop. I'm just thankful I was able to visit it back in it's hayday. :)
Guy - 6 Aug 2004 13:24
Was served two pints of undrinkable Harveys on my last visit. When I complained, they were replaced by Summer Ligtning, although I was asked to pay the price difference. Speaking of price... If two pints of Summer Lightning costs �5.00 then how much is a pint and a half? Bet you guessed �3.75. Wrong! �3.85. It seems they charge an extra 10p for a half. Leaving this rip-off aside, it's not got the friendly atmosphere and good beer it used to. If you want good Harveys and a lovely traditional pub atmosphere, try the Lewes Arms.
Gordon - 28 Jul 2004 11:27
A curious real ale pub on the outskirts of Lewes. Once a mecca for ramblers, students, vegetarians and real ale drinkers, the interior was a mass of obscure paraphernalia - there was even a canoe on the ceiling! In April 2003 the pub changed hands and was purchased by the Punch Group. It lost it's cosmopolitan atmosphere, it's quirky interior and exclusive vegetarian/vegan menu (and gained Sky TV!). Some veggie dishes are still on offer, but lack the imagination and flair of old. You're more likely to find fish & chips or lasagne on the menu. Sadly, items such as lentils, pumpkin or sunflower seeds and couscous are no longer in evidence. It's one redeeming feature is that it still serves up a nice pint of Harvey's!
Robin - 8 Jul 2004 07:43
got there to sample famous food only to be told not doing food. not a good way to maintain a reputation
jb - 17 Apr 2004 10:12
I think they're in the process of de-crustying the place. Popped in for a couple last Friday.

The local yout' were having a party upstairs and were strutting about in their finery. It was alright but I was expecting something a more interesting. The food was pretty good, there were still a couple of vegie options there.
scott - 10 Feb 2004 12:55
The outside has now been painted a revolting yellow colour and the food is now not all-vegetarian. This follows the sale of this once fine landmark pub to new owners.
Dave Kemp - 23 Oct 2003 08:07
Mad painted outside. Fantastic all-vegetarian food.
Claire - 9 Jul 2003 14:05

got anything to say about this pub?

Please read our reviews policy before posting.
Only registered users can post reviews. Please log in. If you don't have an account yet, register here.