East Sussex pub guide - information about pubs and bars in East Sussex # beerintheevening.com

East Sussex pub and bar guide

Here's a guide to the pubs and bars of East Sussex - good or bad, we bring you the most talked about venues and the places you have to visit at least once. We've included a few user reviews, to give you an idea of what to expect when you get there. Or you can follow the links to see full details and all reviews for each pub.

The Evening Star, Brighton

Address: 55-56, Surrey St, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 3PB [map]
Phone: 01273 328931
See full pub details

Nearest train stations: Brighton (0.1 miles), London Road - Brighton (0.7 miles), Hove (1.5 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Fantastic pub and is always a first and last call for me when I visit Brighton. Excellent quality and range of real ales. I am a big fan of Dark Star beers generally plus is nice to try some of the interesting Foreign beers they have from time to time. My girlfriend also likes that you have real cider and perry too. For me a must visit on the south coast.

30 Jul 2008 16:58

Great pub. Hophead superb and Summer Solstice also most enjoyable. My girlfriend had a Pimm's and the helpful barman apologised for having no fruit and stuff to put in it, but kindly went and hacked up half a cucumber to go in it!

29 Jul 2008 14:14

Great little no-nonsense boozer. Busy, lively atmosphere. Quite a varied crowd, obviously drawn in by the excellent beer - as was I! Of the seven beers i had to choose from all were top quality. If a little bloke asks you if you like musicals...just say no! :-) I shall return.

18 Jul 2008 12:53

The Lord Nelson, Brighton

Address: 36 Trafalgar Street, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 4ED [map]
Phone: 01273 695872
See full pub details

Nearest train stations: Brighton (0.1 miles), London Road - Brighton (0.6 miles), Preston Park (1.5 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Traditional old Harveys house with a carpetted lounge and a public bar with wooden floors. Bigger than it first appears, the lounge opens up to a quieter room behind this in turn leading on to a large conservatory type space. A garden area lies beyond.
Music and theatre posters decorate the walls, the etched window to the bar proclaims "Smoking Room". How times have changed.
Harveys Sussex Best, Hadlow, XX Mild, Olympia Golden and a wheat beer, Copperwheat I think on handpump. Two proper ciders too, Addlestone's and Westons Organic.

21 Jun 2008 12:18

Decent pint of Harveys Armada when I called in. Seemed a bit quiet on a monday evening but would call in again when passing.

16 Jun 2008 16:42

I can never decide on my favourite pub in Brighton. Is it the Lord Nelson, or the Evening Star? I guess I'll just have to carry on visiting both to find out. But what if I never do find out - will I have to keep drinking in both? Oh yes please.

The Lord Nelson is a pub that looks small from the outside but is actually quite spacious inside, and with an inviting gallery room right at the back. The Harveys beers are always superb and most of the usual varieties are here - if not the entire range.

Not living in Brighton I can't discern who the regulars are but the atmosphere is friendly and inviting - I've never experienced that icy stare reserved for outsiders that you get in some pubs.

I have nothing but fulsome praise for this pub - that's all you need to know. I'll stop now before I get boring.

22 May 2008 10:36

The Basketmakers Arms, Brighton

Address: 12 Gloucester Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 4AD [map]
Phone: 01273 689006
See full pub details

Nearest train stations: Brighton (0.3 miles), London Road - Brighton (0.7 miles), Preston Park (1.7 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

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.

21 Jun 2008 12:05

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.

16 Jun 2008 16:36

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!

29 May 2008 21:04

The Stanley Arms, Portslade

Address: 47 Wolseley Rd, Portslade, Brighton, East Sussex, BN41 1SS [map]
Phone: 01273 430234
See full pub details

Nearest train stations: Fishersgate (0.2 miles), Portslade (0.8 miles), Southwick (0.9 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Added to yesterday's Brighton crawl (10mins on train) and struck lucky as there was a beer festival in full swing, some 20 or so to choose from. Local camra poty 7 times in the last 10yrs, great stuff.

15 Jun 2008 08:42

Friendly local pub, beers were in good condition - a real find!

5 Mar 2008 10:38

Proper community pub with pub decor. Thatchers cider is on sale most of the time. If that is off, there is still Old Rosie. TV screens could be distracting in the Public Bar.

1 Mar 2008 20:20

The Rose and Crown, Burwash

Address: Ham Lane, Burwash, Etchingham, East Sussex, TN19 7ER [map]
Phone: 01435 882600
See full pub details

Nearest train stations: Stonegate (1.7 miles), Etchingham (2.8 miles), Robertsbridge (4.3 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

What a great pub - stayed here with my husband and two other couples after a wedding nearby and happened upon it by chance. What a find - lovely clean, comfortable rooms, proper traditional pub decor and great original well by front door. Food was excellent (particularly the fish and chips) and very welcoming staff. Gary (owner) was incredibly accomodating and friendly. Will DEFINITELY be coming back. Thanks Gary

16 Jun 2008 16:48

Always pop in here after cricket. It is usually quiet when we arrive, but you can tell that it has a great character and is an ideal place to meet friends and chat. The landlord, the beer, and the surroundings were fine and it is definitely one to visit.

29 Apr 2008 13:57

It is a very good pub, but strictly speaking it is not 'the only pub in Burwash'. I would say the best, but if you lived in a desperately poor inner city area the Bull, and even the Bell, would stand out as beacons; and if you ever had to dice with death by walking to the station in the publess village of Etchingham you would wish you were carrying a few more pints from any of Burwash's boozers.

16 Apr 2008 00:10

The Middle House Hotel, Mayfield

Address: High St, Mayfield, East Sussex, TN20 6AB [map]
Phone: 01435 872146
See full pub details

Nearest train station: Crowborough (3.9 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Excellent food bar-side (the quail beat the pork, but both were good). Given the quality and quantity, prices are reasonable (~£15/main).

16 Jul 2008 23:32

Very friendly Aussie and Kiwi staff and friendly manager.

Great, great food and not too expensive.

Good atmosphere.

Only thing is it can get very busy.

Has been a consistently high performer for many years.

There are not many pubs in Sussex that can beat it.

19 May 2008 21:34

We stayed at the Middle House Hotel last week on our walk from Redhill to Hastings. The beer was good, the food was expensive but worth it, and the people were very friendly. The room had a real 4 poster bed, was warm and clean. We would have preferred a bath not a shower for our tired limbs, but that the only negative.

15 Apr 2008 23:37

The Gardeners Arms, Lewes

Address: 46 Cliffe High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2AN [map]
Phone: 01273 474808
See full pub details

Nearest train stations: Lewes (0.4 miles), Cooksbridge (2.4 miles), Glynde (2.7 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

A very fine pub serving a vast array of beers from micros. It can be very crowded, but that's half the fun; rubbing elbows with other people who think proper beer is worth seeking out.

The beer is this pub's strength: it's all tip-top, and after a couple you'll want more, and the whole place develops a rosy glow...

Cheers,

15 Jun 2008 15:21

Simply the best in Lewes, always an intersting mix of people, fantastic guest ales, almost impossible to walk past (which I have to do most days!)

22 May 2008 12:16

An absolute favourite. Slightly bohemian, and all the better for that. Have never been in there without getting engaged in friendly conversation with either staff or other customers.

Always have an interesting selection of beers and a draught scrumpy.

17 May 2008 21:54

The Brickmakers Arms, Ridgewood

Address: New Road, Ridgewood, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 5TG [map]
Phone: 01825 762795
See full pub details

Nearest train stations: Uckfield (0.9 miles), Buxted (2.9 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

I have visited a few times since it has been taken over - the new staff seem very friendly and appear keen to make an effort (which is excellent news after the 'care'-taker manager).

9 Aug 2008 18:10

You could easily not know this pub existed as it is hidden away on a back street between the Eastbourne and Lewes roads through Ridgewood. It's definitely worth finding. Although the range of ales is limited, only Badger Bitter and Tanglefoot, it is well kept. I have visited in the evening when it was very busy and on a Sunday lunchtime when it was fairly quiet, but on both occasions the place seemed friendly and the service was good.

5 Mar 2008 11:52

Had Christmas lunch at the pub, excellent and plenty of it. Good friendly service. Worth a visit

15 Jan 2008 17:30

The Filo (First In Last Out), Hastings

Address: 14/15 High Street, Old Town, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 3ET [map]
Phone: 01424 425079
See full pub details

Nearest train stations: Ore (0.5 miles), Hastings (0.8 miles), St Leonards Warrior Square (1.6 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Best pub in Hastings by a mile and the food doesnt look too bad either, Recommend Mikes Mild as well

17 Jun 2008 21:55

I think I had the same barmaid on my last visit. I asked what she recommended in the beer selection and got told they were all good. I would have expected a CAMRA pub to have staff who know their beer. But the beers they have were good and the ambiance pleasant. Well worth a visit when they have a beer festival in the small beer garden outside.

4 Jun 2008 08:11

Excellent for real ale, and good food, but real cider drinkers may prefer the Biddenden cider down the road at the Duke of Wellington to the Addlestones semi-real cider at the FILO.

23 Mar 2008 00:23

Dorset Arms, Lewes

Address: 22 Malling St, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2RD [map]
Phone: 01273 477110
See full pub details

Nearest train stations: Lewes (0.5 miles), Cooksbridge (2.4 miles), Glynde (2.7 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Lunched here after a tour of Harvey's Brewery on the recommendation of staff at the brewery. A good pint of Harvey's Copperwheat washed down a rather expensive sandwich, but I had no reservations about the quality.

A pub for families, I felt. Pleasant outdoor drinking and eating area with a separate area for smokers. Excellent arrangement!

Cheers,

15 Jun 2008 15:15

Could do so much better despite trying so hard! Neither a top notch pub for food nor a relaxed and convivial place to drink. If half the effort went into the product as has gone into the marketing this place would be worth visiting.

23 May 2008 10:39

A well looked after Harveys pub with restaurant, but it still retains bar areas for drinkers. The game of toad in the hole is available in the snug bar.

9 Apr 2008 18:11

The Six Bells, Chiddingly

Address: Chiddingly, Lewes, East Sussex, BN8 6HE [map]
Phone: 01825 872227
See full pub details

Reviews by BITE users:

A bit like memory lane for me as I sat down to an excellent ham shank in that I saw a poster for Britain's biggest bullock competiton in Ashford market back in 1978-we put a big old charolais steer in:needless to say it wasn't the biggest!
Back to business:this is a very pleasant local pub, featuring good value bar meals, including a large veggie section, not that we indulged. The Harveys Best was pretty good, and contrary to what some posters have suggested, I don't think that it has altered over the years, and still is in the running for one of my must have ales.
A dog friendly pub: a group came in with a lovely wheaten lurcher-always a plus point with this family.
I agree about the Gents! Could try harder.

1 Mar 2008 20:33

This hidden away country pub can be hard to find but it is well worth the effort. A mixture of several rooms which have not really changed that much in many years and also an outdoor seating area. It is deservedly popular and so is often busy. Harveys best bitter is the main real ale which most of the time is in good condition although I have had the occasional poor pint over the years. The service is probably the weak point and I have on a number of occasions been ignored for quite a while in favour of locals before being served. It is well known for excellent live music every week.

31 Jan 2008 14:34

A straight ten for this place- on my first visit this week. A top rate pub where the beer, the food (range inc veggie options) and prices; the atmosphere and ambience; and the welcome, were as good a sone could expect. Why it isnt in the Good Beer Guide when far inferior places are is a mystery to me. Impportyantly it is still a pub first and foremost- the food hasn't taken over and turned the place into some sort of restaurant as so many pubs have become.

31 Oct 2007 19:58

Terminus Hotel, Eastbourne

Address: 153 Terminus Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 3NU [map]
Phone: 01323 733964
See full pub details

Nearest train stations: Eastbourne (0.3 miles), Hampden Park (2.1 miles), Pevensey & Westham (3.9 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Very nice pub with interesting interior, and variety of areas to eat and drink in. Serves the full range of Harvey's ales, food is OK, tailored towards the local OAPs.

3 Jun 2008 18:27

Top quality pint of Harvey's here. A proper pub next to the chav-fest-bedlam that is BN21. Not enough places like this in E'Bourne!

10 May 2008 23:30

I tend to use this pub at lunchtimes. The Harvey's ales are extremely well kept and a good session is assured. All Harvey's ales are on tap and this is my pub of the year. Go there.

15 Mar 2008 01:15

The New Inn, Winchelsea

Address: German St, Winchelsea, East Sussex, TN36 4EN [map]
Phone: 01797 226252
See full pub details

Nearest train stations: Winchelsea (0.7 miles), Rye (2.3 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Horrible! We stayed 2 nights and our room not serviced on day 2. Long wait for food - evening (35 mins)and breakfast (1 hour!)though evening meal ok when it came. The wait not improved by by swearing and arguing from the kitchen. Agree that pricing merits better, more competent, service and perhaps tables could be laid not wait for cutlery and SACHETS of condiments. Awful continuous loud background music. Not much sign of the "loads of locals" either, just a few youngsters in the pool room.

Waste of an excellent position and lovely building.

16 May 2008 09:34

In my opinion the landlords are doing a good job of improving the "feel" of this charming pub, certainly the absence of the heavy clouds of cigarette smoke which used to permeate througout the bar area is welcome, and it is certainly cleaner and tidier since my last visit, with a friendly welcome and well kept Greene King ales which are a tad on the expensive side.

The dining side of things needs improvement though, with a food tariff that one would normally associate with high quality establishments such as The Wild Mushroom, The Curlew and The George, the food offerings are overpriced, clumsy and inelegant, possibly due to lack of experience rather than incompetence.

All in all it seems likely to me that given time and a few adjustments then this hostelry will flourish once again.

22 Mar 2008 08:37

Very large corner pub - well kept and welcoming. The only one directly located in the town. Something of a 50/50 pub as it also has the feel of a restaurant, and there's hotel accommodation attached. Food and accommodation are historic accompaniments of inns, though the feel of the place is sliding just that little toward mainly hotel/restaurant.

Large open fire in a central pillar location. Pool table in the bar area at the far end. Bar snacks such as cheesy chips served alongside regular pub meals.

Greene King pub - offers IPA, Speckled Hen, Abbott and a guest (Old Hooky on my visit - just starting to taste tired).

Good view of the old church from the front bar, and interesting pictures of old British comedians add to the overall charm of a slightly above average pub.

20 Mar 2008 20:47

Trevor Arms, Glynde

Address: Glynde, Lewes, East Sussex, BN8 6SS [map]
Phone: 01273 858208
See full pub details

Nearest train stations: Glynde (0.2 miles), Southease (2.8 miles), Lewes (2.8 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

A lovely pub with a real local feel, and excellent range of Harveys beers on offer. Food seemed to be good value too, though I didn't eat here. One thing left an bad impression - I was charged £2.20 for a pint of blackcurrant squash. I queried this but was told this was correct! I may return but not with anybody drinking soft drinks.

9 Apr 2008 18:16

You don't need to have food at a pub to judge whether it is a good pub or not. The beer, which is what I go to a pub for first and foremost, is always excellent. However, if you go back on a normal day, you will find good, basic pub food at a reasonable price. As for Glynde being a well-off village, think again. There may be some wealthy souls around, but there are plenty of "ordinary" folk too. Look at the old workmen's cottages opposite the pub for a start.

9 Apr 2008 13:57

Can't really judge this pub without having food. Turned up on a wet saturday evening. This looks like a coutry pub in a quiet and pretty (and lets be frank, well off) villiage. So we were a little suprised inside. It was St Patricks night (or at least the weekend near to it), and looked a million dollars if cheap looking plastic lepricorns in every direction are your thing. Bar was small, just two tables, and not much standing space, which was mainly taken by men watching the football, one step removed from the nags head in only fools and horses (actuallys that's far too damming, look we are not talking sophisticated wine bar here). Have to say the St Patricks menu didn't get my appetite.

Will have to try the food in the summer, until then I'll leave judgement, but not on my list for a quiet drink.

26 Mar 2008 18:49

The Anchor Inn, Hartfield

Address: Church St, Hartfield, East Sussex, TN7 4AG [map]
Phone: 01892 770424
See full pub details

Nearest train stations: Ashurst (2.9 miles), Cowden (4 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

I visited this pub for the first time inb many years last Sunday evening. It seems to have changed relartively little and is still a nice old fashioned pub. Beers were from Harveys and Larkins and were well kept, prices were average. The service was good and very friendly. OIt was bvery quiet when we went in but it was latish on a Sunday evening. I suspect it gets much busier at other times. Overall a nice pub.

27 May 2008 17:41

A nice old pub with a good beer garden. Hops on the walls and some good beers on tap. Check you get what you ordered as we had a rogue garlic bread go missing which we still were charged for even though I complained about it being missing! I'll still go back because it was so nice :-)

9 May 2008 14:59

Good place for Sunday lunch but you have to get there early or book. Fine beer, friendly staff and locals.

14 Dec 2007 15:44

More information

Want to find out more about pubs in East Sussex? Why not have a look at our advanced pub search or full text pub search? You might also want to browse pubs by county or region. Or have some fun with the random pub crawl generator.