BITE user comments - douvres
Comments by douvres
Bit shabby but on the positive side sells two ales in good condition from Otter Ales.
Staff suprisingly friendly and encouraged us to try the beers/ciders before buying.
Also an unusual outlet for RED STRIPE lager this far south
23 Jul 2010 14:42
re the below posting I forgot to mention the Jolly Boatman which is the best proper pub in town, old fashioned but real.
23 Jul 2010 14:37
Poorly run with unfriedly locals.... Newhaven struggles on many levels but if you find yourself here and need to use a pub then the Ark and The Hope are the best of the bunch down on the West Quay... they are are as good as it gets
23 Jul 2010 14:32
Chris and Shiv still have a very firm hand on the tiller after 16ish years.
Quality of the highest calibre in a beer desert.
23 Jul 2010 14:24
Still grim. A bit 'Wetherspoons' without the cheap prices, good quality, food etc.
Time warp ville Arizona
23 Jul 2010 14:16
This pub is a little out of town but can be very busy and lively. Separate public bar for the Sky Sports, pool and local 'Jack the Lads'. Has a convservatory where the older clientele tend to hang out.
It has got a good local reputation but I find it a bit shabby and don't find it that attractive although plenty do
23 Jul 2010 14:14
This is a pub on the up!!!. Well run with a nice grown up vibe. It seems to have thrown off the usual Greene King blandness and manages to sell a few reasonable guest ales.
By far the best choice of wines in Seaford if that's your bag.... they even have a wine list
23 Jul 2010 14:08
I agree that the landlord keeps a close eye on things.Obviously very experienced but not too interested in chatting to anyone who could be described as 'passing trade' He and his family can be found sitting in the bar area most evenings with their retinue.
Harveys is consistanly good quality & at �2.50 is a bargain.
Agree with the last poster that if you want a quick pint then you are likely to be waiting behind a customer ordering food for the group that are with them.
The quality of the bar staff is high. Attentive, polite and know how to pour a quality pint with a smile!
23 Jul 2010 14:04
Rough & ready as you would expect. Licensee was approachable though and the big benifit here is that it is the only regular outlet for Dark Star Hophead. Apparently it is a regular because the licensee's father drinks a lot of it.... which can only be a good thing!!
23 Jul 2010 13:56
reading the last few reports there seems to be an agenda of sorts Not sure what is going on but this is my take on it. Came here recently after going into the Regency Tavern and realised that they no longer sell Leffe Blond. The Dark Star Hophead was as it should be ie, very good. Sat by the fire and enjoyed a relaxed hour. Staff knew their stuff and were fine. No complaints whatsoever. A well run pub from what I saw.
6 Dec 2009 20:39
The Harveys is served from a barrel behind the bar area and consequently is of variable quality ( Although Harveys brewery tap have the same system and seem to produce consistency). Also Harveys is �2.80p at the time of writing which is too high compared to the other local pubs in the town.
Very much a locals bar and as a consequence they can take over the place which is very small. When I was in there recently very strong language was tolerated at the bar and I am no shrinking violet.
There are far better options within 5 minutes walk both for beer quality, ambiance and price.
25 May 2009 20:46
Ha! Ha! Bar and Canteen, Victoria
truly appaling with regard to beer measures; nothing has changed. If there was ever an example of a pub group trying to extract maximum profit whilst selling the punter short this is it. Deserves to fail
25 Jan 2009 22:47
As stated before this is a Greene King pub and therefore they have to sell IPA & Abbott. The best thing is that they sell Dark Star Hophead as a regular ale which is a great bonus. This pub is clean and tidy and the staff are friendly enough. Been in a couple of times midwek and everybody has been in the smaller bar watching the Sky football leaving the main bar virtually empty. It seems to lack a bit of atmosphere but this maybe because it was a bit quiet.
7 Nov 2008 18:23
Went in for an early saturday evening pint, was quiet and suspect that they maybe struggling for custom. Good location overlooking Newhaven harbour.A bonus is that this is one of the very view places in the area that sells LEFFE BLOND on draft. Nice outside area
22 Sep 2008 21:12
Had some beers after my wedding over the road at Battle Abbey. The staff accomadated us well and the locals were welcoming to us also. Nothing wrong with this place, Sheps beer a welcome bonus.Beats most other Battle pubs hands down. I am not a local to this area but recognising a pub that is trying when I see one !!
2 Mar 2008 21:11
Not really sure what if meant by previous reviewer about "beer expensive", Carlsberg is �2.09 and Harvey Bitter is �2.35p. The landlord seems a bit world weary but the bar staff have been trained well and do their best which is good enough for me
2 Mar 2008 20:48
On the positive side they have got some interesting lager options here including Pilsner Urquell.�3.40 a pint compares favourably with �3.80 in the nearby Slug & Lettuce for Peroni.
On the negative side has a bit of a pretentious feel about it.
It was my first time in there so maybe I need to check it out again to confirm my view
1 Dec 2007 20:25
Closed at the moment for a major refit & looks like it will open under a new name
29 Apr 2007 18:30
The Lion And Lobster, Brighton
Smoke on a rope. Really good pub which I am looking forward to visiting again after 1st July when the smoking ban starts.
9 Apr 2007 21:49
This is the trendiest bar that I have been to in Brighton. Went there on Easter Sunday early evening. My advice is to stick the bottles of beer in this place. Great vibe and music.
9 Apr 2007 21:46
Not sure what the last posting means, perhaps they could elucidate. Not experienced this myself.The slow bit comes from the bods pouring the drinks rather than the waiters from what I have seen.
9 Apr 2007 21:41
not too bad really.Cheerful staff. At least it feels like a pub as opposed to the all too often found Wetherspoon cavern
9 Apr 2007 21:37
Shame that this has gone as ideal Badger pub for the station.There does not seem to be many options to replace it. Any suggestions as to the best bet nearby now that it has gone ?
27 Mar 2007 23:37
For a pub next door to a large railway station I thought that it was not too bad. Good beer choice
27 Mar 2007 23:34
Was in here recently for a pint or two. Old Brewery is keg in this one. Strong sewer smell in the front bar which I was told was from outside but seemed to drift though to th rear bar later on.Maybe I was unlucky on the day I went.
27 Mar 2007 23:32
Been using this pub as the alternative bar at the Marriott bar next door. Friendly staff and �2.06p for the Cains Bitter. Clean and Tidy, nothing wrong with this city centre pub in my book
19 Feb 2007 20:25
Tetleys is now �1.25 and �1.40 for Carlsberg, otherwise it's buisness as usual
19 Feb 2007 20:21
The Fly in the Loaf, Liverpool
What makes this place special for me is the fact that the relatively young landlord is so passionate about keeping all elements of the pub on top form.... If only there were more like him, well done.
19 Feb 2007 20:19
Pop into this one whilst waiting for my Chinese Takeaway from next door. Always seem very quiet when I go in.It's not bad in there for a quiet "cheeky pint".
15 Jan 2007 18:33
Ha! Ha! Bar and Canteen, Victoria
Sorry to witter on but went in here again when it was very quiet the other day and even then my pint was woefully short. Barman was smug when I questioned this saying that they always top up pints on request. I requested a pint... they came nowhere near.Would be interested in other comments from visitors. If it seems that this is a concerted effort to short change customers (in a place where they make massive profits) then I feel a visit to Trading Standards coming
9 Jan 2007 20:18
The Oystercatcher, Littlehampton
Went in purely by chance as 'passing trade' when we wanted a bit of Sunday lunch. Did not not expect too much as it was a typical chain HArvester looking place.
How wrong I was. Service was quick and polite, food came quickly by friendly waitresses.
Harveys Best Bitter on draught is always a good sign in my book, and the prices were reasonable.
Plenty of parking and good seating outside.
All in all I was impressed and I have to say that I am not easy to please!
21 Dec 2006 22:26
Seems increasingly popular. I don't understand why as I find it expensive and I agree with others... the bar staff have a pooer attitude towards customers on the few occasions that I have been dragged here
8 Dec 2006 20:04
In a 70's timewarp. Must be the only pub in Central London that still has a Watney's pub sign outside (see photo)
8 Dec 2006 19:54
It's got plenty of character for a pub near the station. Popular the The Big Bus people who have their HQ nearby.
8 Dec 2006 19:52
Ha! Ha! Bar and Canteen, Victoria
I agree with Cleversaz... the beer measures can be woefully in here. I personally cannot stand the place.All the office bods seem to though
8 Dec 2006 19:48
Went back to this pub a couple of times recently after a gap of 6 months or so. Still think it is a generally good pub with a really good selection of draught lagers.
There are no pretensions here but it is well run and reasonably priced.There are a lot worse places than this.
7 Dec 2006 20:10
This is one of my favourite bars in Brighton that is very well run with pride by the owners a couple of minutes from the seafrnt. A mixed friendly local crowd is supplemented by passing trade from weekend visitors.
The beer selection is good (no draught bitters though) and the glasses are cold from the fridge. Prices are competitve with Leffe Blonde on draught at �3.60p a pint.
As for the decor this is a warming orange wood colour with many different sets of coloured fairy lights which along with candles give a lovely warm feel in the winter and a continental feel in the summer. A sliding opening front and tables on the pavement supplement the summer feel.
3 Dec 2006 21:14
Sheps have let this place go. Was in there for a quick pint a few weeks ago on a Saturday evening.
The few blokes at the bar were pretty unpleasant and I had already decided to leave when they did. When I left short afterwards it was just the landlord & landlady left.. at 8.30pm on a Saturday evening. Felt sorry for them having so little trade as they seemed to be trying their best. Would not be surprised if Shepherd Neame offloaded this pub. Could be so much better.
26 Nov 2006 22:11
First Class in all respects. The long standing landord keeps a firm hand on the tiller
26 Nov 2006 22:06
This is one of 4 bars with the same name within Brighton. The other three are in Hove,Kemp Town & Fiveways.
Atmospheric with candles in the evenings, Leffe Blonde on draught.
One thing to bear in mind is that they have a child friendly policy that may not suit everyone. One of my most recent visits there at about 5.30 pm felt like an after school club with kids running around whilst their parents drank.
That being said the staff are efficient & friendly. They encourage table service which attracts a 5% service charge. Gets busy towards the end of the week so table service may well be an advantage for many.
26 Nov 2006 21:55
One of the better options for a proper pub in the centre of the town. I agree that the staff have improved in recent times. Harveys sells well here.
26 Nov 2006 21:32
A great proper pub with plenty of choice. The refit has really made this pub worth a visit.
26 Nov 2006 21:22
Still a well run and decent pub. One thing that I cannot understand is the price of the Leffe Blonde on draught.It works out at �4.90 a pint which is staggering. By way of a comparison there are 3 other pubs selling Leffe nearby. Prices vary from �3.60p to �3.85p. Tried to get an answer from the staff without luck. Beware the high prices generally here
26 Nov 2006 21:19
One of the better options for drinking very close to Victoria Station, one of the better Wetherspoons, benefits from not being too big
26 Nov 2006 21:14
Good Guinness at �2.19 in Central Brighton ? Crazy but true
1 May 2006 21:23
Scruffy and dull. Brighton has so much more to offer than this
1 May 2006 21:19
Makes its money by having a very late licence. A lot worse places in town for a late drink if you want a real pub as opposed to a club
1 May 2006 21:10
Somewhat of a local for me. Well run with a mixed clientele. Leffe Blonde on draught at reasonable prices help to seal the deal.
1 May 2006 21:03
This pub is quite a nice back street local which sold Adnams Bitter & Broadside when I visited. Plenty of locals were drinking bitter so I decided to go for the Adnams Bitter. It was served in an Adnams glass with a thick glass bottom which retains heat which was a shame as the glass had literally just been taken from the washer and pushed up the beer temperature a few degrees and made it taste very poor and warm. If you are going to sell good beer at leastknow the basics. I can only put this down to poor staff training.
1 May 2006 20:59
Appalling... but what do you expect... after all it is a new generation Wetherspoons on the main route from the station to the seafront.Compare this to their pub in George Street Hove and it is hard to believe it is run by the same company.
Do yourself a favour. If you have to drink in this particular part of tourist central Brighton.. come out of the front door, go down the narrow street opposite and drink in The Fiddlers Elbow.. You will soon forget the misery you have left behind.
2 Apr 2006 18:01
Used it on my very first trip to Manchester and found the bitter in good condition with the bonus of a very cheap price.
Even saw a famous previous presenter of The Word having a pint
2 Apr 2006 17:08
I understand what the other members mean when they talk about tourists but that will be the result of its position in town. Only started using it recently and must confess that I have been pleasantly suprised.Appears to be well run and the bar staff have obviously been trained properly.
Harveys is kept well too which results in a lot of it being sold.Always a good sign
2 Apr 2006 17:05
Only started using this pub with the new management. A very well run Sheps pub now with excellent choice of their bitters and lagers including Asahi (I think thats how it is spelt)which sells very well despite being well over �3 a pint.
Very mixed clientele and great surroundings
20 Feb 2006 21:45
The Basketmakers Arms, Brighton
One of the best in Brighton.. just hope they keep their nerve with the Gales Brewery sell out to Fullers
20 Feb 2006 21:36
Everything has been said already except that the Harveys Sussex is also 1st Class
20 Feb 2006 21:26
Tried this pub last weekend as part of a Harveys tasting session including the brewery tap in Lewes. This was the best pint of Sussex Bitter of the day straight from the barrel. Lovely cottage style pub. Signed from the A27. Good for a pit stop if you are driving
20 Feb 2006 21:19
Been using this pub for about 4 years now.Seems to be getting busier in the last few months. Real mixture of clientele inc. Priests in dog collars from nearby Cathedral pop in for a 'cheeky pint' on occasions. Can get smokey though.Same landlord ensures high quality staff.Off the beaten track but well worth the detour.NB. The price diffence between the 2 lagers on sale is just short of 70p. The Alpine is still under �2.
4 Feb 2006 18:07
Have been using this pub on & off for the past 10 years.Harveys Sussex always on.Excellent Long standing landlord who knows his beer and the best well chosen staff as well.Quite simply the best pub I have ever had the privilage drink in... and I've been to a few !
4 Feb 2006 17:58
The Hophead is a superb consistant 3.8% light bitter. A classic pub just a couple minutes from the station.Easy to walk past on the way to local pub chains... go in it's well worth it.
26 Jan 2005 17:04
The Filo (First In Last Out), Hastings
Used this pub for the last three years or so. A true freehouse. It's a shame that they no longer sell Leffe Blonde on draught
26 Jan 2005 16:54
The Cardinal, Victoria
When Sam Smiths do a refit they do not worry about how long it is closed for... what are they doing in there... drilling for oil ?!?!?
19 Dec 2010 16:24