yeah what a good pub,if only they could all be this good,we would all think we died and went to heaven...in fact when i die im going there..lolGood pub with well kept Dark Star beers. Hophead was as good as you get in London.a proper pub with proper beer. Dont worry about the splinters you will get off the furniture, the beer is worth it.

This was the first time I had been in this pub although I had passed it several times and always commented on the impressive exterior (the tiling and old brewery lettering as well as the leaded windows - all superb). A good banter with the licensee about the trade in general; his rent and the cost of everything! The Harveys Best was fine and had it not been for our busy schedule we would have stopped for another. Is it a Brighton thing to have as many posters on the walls as is possible? This is not the first pub to have a huge display.Always a favourite for those who enjoy a less-affected Bohemian vibe, and a solid respect for, amongst other things, a range of good cask beer. Only 1 of the offerings last weekend was a Kemp Town brew (the China) but not such a disappointment with such an enticing range of alternatives accompanying it, including Brewdog Riptide. All ales sampled by me and my entourage were excellent, and pulled with efficiency and effervescence by the barmaid.

The popularity of the place suggests that whatever has been the case in the past, they have got back into their stride again now and are pleasing most of the people, most of the time. There was a mixed crowd in attendance, but there was a palpable perception of organic enjoyment amongst all, and I suppose the atmos really did epitomise the liberal freedoms that Brighton so wants to be known for.

My last visit here was around 2006; I certainly don't intend to leave it that long again before returning.
What a difference a day makes, or in this case a change of management (see my previous review dated 10th Feb 2009). Last Saturday morning I walked in anonymously (ie didn't let on I was Mr Boozy) and was immediately greeted with a tangible sense of welcome, a fine self-respecting pint of chilled Guinness, and Buddy Holly singing "Brown Eyed Handsome Man" on the (free) jukebox.
Two ladies were serving, one dark & sultry, the other blonde & bubbly ~ both were bright & cheerful ~ the clientelle boho & friendly ~ making our stay at the new "Heart and Hand" a relaxed & convivial experience, before heading off in the general direction of the Brighton Farm Market just up the road. And yes they've fixed the malfunctioning Johnny Cash single too...

Can't say we found the beers expensive (but if you will drink so-called foreign fizzy pops then serves you right). Good range of local real ales and a very friendly and chatty barmaid. Nice to see a real fire as well. Some fine architectural features not least the exterior signage which has sadly been a bit damaged over the years (some of the letters are not complete) Nice feel to the place and a welcome little stop-off whilst doing the touristy bit in this part of town.Most expensive pub in the lanes area. Pint of Kronenburg - just under £4 and a double (50ml) vodka with a dash of coke - £6.30. Better and much cheaper pubs nearby.Visited on our traditional Boxing Day visit to Brighton. Great little pub - 4 local guest ales and 2 real ciders plus excellent mulled wine and helpful staff!! Food looked very good too, but didn't eat. Will make a point of visiting whenever in town.

Hophead was poor - probably turned sour by the man hating dykes who populated the pub on my visit.Lovely pint of Hophead in a well run and busy pub.
Highly reccommendedI'm amazed that this beauty of a pub doesn't have a higher average rating. All the comments I've read seem very positive and I echo them all. This pub is ace. The layout, the atmosphere, the staff....all great. Definitely one of the best in Brighton by far. We popped in by chance one Sunday eveing as we were passing and witnessed an 80-yr-old lady singing with a live jazz band.....unforgettable!

The cost of a double spirit and mixer was quoted at £6+ in this pub - by the last poster, but one; this is incorrect as the cost is well over £6 for a double spirit - with a dash. If a mixer was required, the price exceeds £7 - about £2 more than the Grand Hotel !!! 'Something funny going on' says robamy. Well, as the last poster says, the prices ain't funny, m8.No, not dodgy. The RS is nothing special; its barely adequate. But it does stand out on price. A double spirit and mixer is over £6 - more than the Grand Hotel. On Preston Street alone, there are many better and cheaper pubs.

Poor food!!!!!!!! Talentless Chef!!!!!!!! No Service!!!!!!!! Expensive!!!!!!!! Overated!!!!!!!! Attractive and welcoming interior and reasonably quick service. Have not experienced the busy outside scenario so cannot comment, but in five visits have noted consistency. Food a bit dear, but nicely served and a generally good experience all round. Like the locals with their dogs in the bar.Went on Sunday and the staff were appalling. They have a gigantic outside seating area and no way to handle that capacity. Food was supposed to take an hour, but friends waited nearly 2 hours bc the kitchen "shut down" at one point. My "root vegetable pie" was actually a cottage pie w/ zero crust. And it tasted like a child's pot. I've had excellent food there in the past, and I went up to the bar and in a nice way explained to Jan*, the old barmaid, that it wasn't a pie as it was sans crust, and I couldn't wait another hour for food, so just take it off the bill. A very tall man followed me out to my table, shoved it in front of me, and tried to start an argument, claiming it was a cottage pie. He was SHOCKINGLY aggressive and rude and my three guests were truly disgusted by his behaviour.

Jan later make a nasty comment about me right in front of me. These people are disgusting.