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
Phone: 01273 328931
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Nearest train stations: Brighton (0.1 miles), London Road - Brighton (0.7 miles), Hove (1.5 miles)
Reviews by BITE users:
The Basketmakers Arms, Brighton
Address: 12 Gloucester Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 4AD
Phone: 01273 689006
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Nearest train stations: Brighton (0.3 miles), London Road - Brighton (0.7 miles), Preston Park (1.7 miles)
Reviews by BITE users:
From the moment I enter it hits me how loud the pub is, there is so much chatter going on among the packed crowd but not only chatter a lot of laughter...its only Wednesday afternoon!
8 pumps on the bar with most of them offerings from the Fullers family. I went for a pint of George Gales Spring Sprinter, perfectly served and kept.
Very good service from the barman who everyone seems to know, its like Cheers!
2 rooms but only 1 entrance with the bar stretching between both rooms.
The walls are plastered with signs, posters, beer mats, tins, bank notes, coins etc all of which are vintage.
I was not prepared for a pub like this on my short tour of Brighton pubs but I love it. What an absolute gem.
Visit now but only post if you like it.
10/10
The Hand In Hand, Brighton
Address: 33 Upper St. James's Street, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 1JN
Phone: 01273 699595
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Nearest train stations: Brighton (0.9 miles), London Road - Brighton (1.3 miles), Moulsecoomb (2 miles)
Reviews by BITE users:
The Hastings Arms, Hastings
Address: 2 George Street, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 3EG
Phone: 01424 722208
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Nearest train stations: Hastings (0.6 miles), Ore (0.8 miles), St Leonards Warrior Square (1.4 miles)
Reviews by BITE users:
One barmaid said 'with you in a minute' - then vanished for a chat...
Much better food, service and hygiene standards in nearby establishments. Bad service - by staff with attitudes. And just waiting for their shift to end.
The Royal Albion, Hastings
Address: Marine Parade, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 3AG
Phone: 01424 432658
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Nearest train stations: Hastings (0.6 miles), Ore (0.9 miles), St Leonards Warrior Square (1.3 miles)
Reviews by BITE users:
The staff were young, fun and friendly and drink prices were on par with others in the area. We didn't order food so cannot comment on that but the toilets were clean with soap and hand towels available in the gents.
The unplugged evening with Arivmia and Ivy King was fantastic I will definitely come to the next ones.
They seem to be moving in the right direction, hope they can shake the stigma from the earlier reviews.
The Watchmakers Arms, Hove
Address: 84 Goldstone Villas, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 3RU
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Nearest train stations: Hove (0 miles), Aldrington (0.5 miles), Preston Park (1.2 miles)
Reviews by BITE users:
As a slightly younger customer, it has been nice to introduce friends to the wonder that is ale, and socialise with people of all ages. On a standard night out, it is unusual to find myself in genuine conversation with strangers, and it makes a welcome change.
In reply to the previous comment, it seems slightly ridiculous to suggest that TWA has turned into a 'drinking den' for the owners' friends to commandeer as their own. The whole purpose of a micro pub is to promote conversation and make new friends. Maybe it's not so ridiculous that you struggled to do so.
All in all, great pub, great beer and a fun evening.
This was pub number 4 and I certainly saved the best for last. I have been told on numerous occasions that this is a must visit but had never been here until now.
As previously mentioned on this site this is the Dark Star tap, with their full range plus some very decent guest ales.
I decided to spend a bit of time here and work my way through some ales I’d never had before. These were Brighton Bier Thirty Three Black @ 3.3%, Dark Star @ Revelation @ 5.7% and my personal favourite Tiny Rebel’s Dirty Stop Out @ 5.0%.
Busy with real drinkers as its a haven and a must tick in Brighton, it’s now firmly on my list and will visit every time I’m in Brighton now.
Music playing at a decent level. There’s also a good range of old bottles of beer on the shelves about the seating areas.
All in all this is a cracking pub and another 10/10 from me.