As good as ever with 4 from Dark Star and 4 others. The pick of the bunch for us was the American Pale Ale amazingly giving Hophead a run for its taste.visited last night, nowt new to report, pub was busy, ale sublime.Magnificent Dark Star ale house with aforementioned breweries beers but some excellent guests. The DS Green Hopped IPA was a particular highlight alongside the kegged Magic Rock west coast pale ale. Bare and basic decor but beer wise this is pretty unbeatable.

What's going on now!! Are Gordon & Helen staying or going? Thought they were doing OK considering the general lack of customers. Still got the darts teams and bar billiards team and the Friday nite singalong!!Ooops. Ignore last post. It seems to be a misunderstanding or misinterpretation or something. Keep it up Gordon !!Have a lie down JP and speak for yourself - from no. 11. We shall be in this fine pub tonight.

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...

I registered on this site specifically to review this pub. Went in on a Saturday night, got served a bitter and flat pint by a miserable and unfriendly barmaid who clearly wanted to be anywhere else. Then got pushed into the kitchen by another barmaid, who subsequently took the pint off me, called the bouncer, who searched me, then told me to f**k off out and not let him see me in there again. I heard afterwards that he also searched the rest of my group of mates, with no respect for anyones privacy or personal space. Never known anything like it. They didn't need to give me a lifelong ban to make me never go there again.Beer was ok, but lousy ambience, overlit, sterile, unfriendly bar staff; left after one.This is a peculiar pub. Its unfriendly and expensive and every time I've walked past they seem to have painted it a different colour. Not much atmosphere and indifferent staff.

Myself and my family have eaten here a number of times and the food has always been found to be excellent. Harveys is an extremely pleasant ale. The service has been efficient, friendly and accommodating to our particular requests. I have only been during lunch times so can't comment on the evening trade. I am not local but when I visit my father we always choose the Eight Bells for lunch. We have tried others but they don't match the standard here.This used to be a lovely old pub, serving good food and nice ale. I am sorry to say this is no longer the case, the food is awful as is the ale, both are expensive and the service aint great either. The bar staff are friendly enough but with the prices they're charging they need to be. Its more a drinkers pub than a nice old country pub these days. It is not at all children friendly, they dont even do a kids meal, and dont ask for one or you will be looked at like you,ve just stod in dog mess. Maybe its a sign of the times but we definately not be returning, there are too many lovely little pubs around the sussex country side.I have to say I do agree about the snobby locals. They seem to have a right chavy lot behind the bar these days too.

The make over looks great, what a shame the food is awful and customer service worse! After a dreadful meal I tried to comment and the response was it was my fault! We eat out regularly and I am confident that we or our family (and firends once we spread the word) will not be going there again!

If only they had handle my comments better I would never have taken it any further. I didn't request or expect a refund, I also didn't expect to be blamed!! Wow what a place, a fantastic renovation to a great pub that had been an awful brewers fare. The new chaps have really made their mark. A great sunday lunch with fantastic beer and by far and away the most convivial atmosphere in a pub that I've seen in a long while. Full marks, I will be coming here again and again.mendes, you must have been drinking too much! This place was never a King and Barnes pub - the only K&B pub in the area was the wonderful Huntsman by the staion.