The Bulldog Tavern, Brighton - pub details
Address: 31 St James's St, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 1RF [map] [gmap]
Tel: 0871 951 1000 (ref 23520) - calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras
Brighton (0.7 miles), London Road - Brighton (1.2 miles), Hove (2 miles)
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> Current user rating: 4.1/10 (rated by 10 users)
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other pubs nearby:
St James Tavern, Brighton (0.0 miles), Marine Tavern, Brighton (0.0 miles), Kings Arms, Brighton (0.1 miles), Queens Arms, Brighton (0.1 miles), Star Inn, Brighton (0.1 miles) - see more nearby pubs
user reviews of the Bulldog Tavern, Brighton
please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
5 most recent reviews of 8 shown - see all reviews
| Now here's an interesting thing. I have never seen cause to visit a gay pub before - at least not having known that it was such prior to entering the establishment. That is not born of prejudice or intolerance so much as the fact that I see places of this ilk as 'minority' venues that are tailored very specifically to one section of the wider community. Personally, I tend to prefer pubs that offer a slightly more neutral experience that can appeal to a broader cross-section of pubgoing puntery, without fixating on sexuality, colour, race or any other division. It would be potentially uncomfortable for me to go somewhere like the Bulldog, as indeed it would be to step into a pub populated by all black people or all under-21s, as it is quite simply 'their world' and I'd prefer to leave it to them, whether I'd be made welcome or otherwise. All that said, I did visit this place last weekend as I happened to be in a larger group which comprised 3 gay people. It was a rather dingy interior, with red back-lighting only to light one's way, and a series of TV screens, some of which were showing rotating photos of 'buff' chaps looking predictably macho. Hardly an integral part of enjoying a pub any more than a looped video of glamourous women with big boobs is. However it wasn't so intrusive that one could be seriously offended by it. There were other more positive features to focus on. The place was certainly lively for a Saturday afternoon, and the music suited the sub-club atmosphere. Albeit I was in a big group, I didn't feel the staff were unfriendly even when it must've become obvious that most of us were straight. I also didn't feel I was being unduly eyed by the regulars, either with desires or suspicions! But, the actual fear I'd always harboured about gay pubs is simply that they didn't sell good beer, as the gay contingent don't traditionally tend towards a passion for gentle supping of a wide range of cask ales. Happily, in this instance that fear was entirely allayed, as they had THREE pumps, all active, and whilst not unorthodox choices, the pint I had was kept very well indeed (Harvey's Best). Fuller's London Pride and Bass also were on. So, I was pleased to have at least one preconception shattered. On balance, not a great pub, but one that shouldn't necessarily be completely ignored just because it maintains a 'minority' interest. TWG - 24 Jan 2011 18:30 |
| Friendly pub with three cask ales on - worth a visit! alexw - 7 Sep 2010 11:42 |
| I went last Saturday with gay friends and we had a BRILLIANT time. Have wanted to go for ages and perhaps we went at the right time from other comments posted (new mgmt). Everyone really welcoming and good fun but maybe that had something to do with us rolling in raring to go and in good form! I would definitely recommend trying it, dance floor as you enter and karaoke upstairs - I'll be back! Casers - 7 Aug 2010 17:36 |
| This is Brighton's most famous and poular gay bar and I could never understand why. The bar staff were rude, clientele arrogant and queeny. Managers have now changed and is much friendlier and welcoming. However warm larger and flat cider didn't appeal. Something wrong with the chillers. Worth visiting though as far friendlier than under old regime. skippybn21 - 1 Feb 2010 10:09 |
| Rude and Arrogant Bar Staff! I won't be going back. Keniff - 1 Oct 2008 21:45 |
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