skip nav  
 


Park View, Brighton

back to pub details

user reviews of Park View, Brighton

please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.

Perhaps the future is orange after all. I had an orange liquid with a slice of orange in it in here - an American (craft keg) oat beer called Blue Moon. Very moreish.

As a result I can't comment on the cask beer quality - didn't have any.

Despite mostly negative comments from other BITE users I had an enjoyable evening. Pub was buzzing but not over busy on a Saturday night. Four of us got a table and had some food at 8.30 pm. Food was good, staff and other punters were friendly.

Can't comment on the prices though - my mate paid after we had spent the day helping him assemble his new shed. Us oldloafers know how to live...
oldloafer - 10 May 2012 08:17
Though we would try here again after a year or two to see if it had improved. But no, food was OK, nothing special and definitely overpriced for what you get. Service at the bar is shocking, the bar staff need to learn to look around the bar and not just ask 'who's next'!
When we ordered food we asked if they could swap some chips for sweet potato which was also on the menu, we were told it couldn't be done and 'that's just how it is'. Can't be that hard!
We won't be bothering to go back. Shame really as with a lick of paint and some decent service this could be a great place.
theandthem - 10 Nov 2011 08:50
This pub just gets worse & worse, which is quite difficult as it was never that good in the first place!
Pub quiz now rubbish - unfortunately the goth girl who always used to do it seems to have been canned and they now have a Heart DJ wannabee doing it. Also, the quiz has moved from the downstairs room (which was ideal for pub quizzes) to the upstairs bar which is chocka block with normal non-quiz punters .
Should have known better but went for Sunday lunch yesterday - what a disaster! Thinking the new Summer menu would be a tasty alternative we were sadly mistaken. Liked the sound of the 'Oak smoked chicken, apple & chicory salad with citrus dressing' @ �8.25 a pop so ordered two plus a veggie beef wellington.
After waiting for an hour and ten minutes (and having phoned the pub from downstairs to see where our food was as it was too busy to actually go and ask at the bar!) two bowls of what looked like two week old yellowing lettuce with a few miniscule bits of chicken turned up. No apple visible, no dressing visible, nothing really that edible visible so we send the food back and managed to get a refund from the surly manager who didn't even offer an apology for the lateness or order or the fact that the menu description varied wildly from the finished product.
Added to that pints of bitter for a minimum of �3.30 per pint, draught cider @ �3.60 a pint and bar staff who would be better replaced with headless chickens then you have a very expensive pub with nothing really going for it.
Have now learnt our lesson and will not be going back unless it changes hands and the new owners employ a competent bar manager and competent staff.
Try the Preston Park Tavern just up the road if you want an alternative - that's where we headed after this lunch disaster and had a very tasty crumble whilst sitting in the sunny beer garden.
chunkypetersplat - 11 Jul 2011 17:10
This place continues to disappoint. I visit 4 or 5 times a year despite living just around the corner and each time I wonder why I bothered.
The service is DIRE. When are the owners going to wake up and do something about the waiting time. Even when the place is quiet the dimwits behind the bar seem to faff about with anything other than serving customers.

The beer is always good when it arrives, but the food is not the best.
flagship - 13 Jun 2011 14:56
Trouble with the pub is the lack of serving staff and the fact they have no idea of who is next to be served. Very frustrating when the bar is four deep and they just serve whomever is nearest to them rather than having the nous to clock the punters at the bat=r and mentally note who is next!
A shame really as the beers are good and the food is good but the bar service is a complete letdown.
There was a rather nice curly haired filly behind the bar last night but as attractive as she was I don't think that working in a bar is her calling,.
chunkypetersplat - 30 Dec 2010 19:16
This is my local. The service has improved a lot, but still can be slow at busy times (Friday evenings, Sunday lunchtimes - when its rammed). The care with the ales has improved a lot over the last 6 months and they are generally well-kept. The manager and one of his staff are very keen to maintain their reputation for serving good ales. I'm therefore surprised at some of the comments here about the staff's attitude. I had a roast there last Sunday with my mum and 4 year old daughter. They both loved theirs and my nut roast was ok - but I don't really like roasts anyway.
shredhead - 20 Nov 2010 12:41
Terrible pub, terrible food (eaten there twice and both times inedible) and TERRIBLE staff and service. I live round the corner but I've basically given up as it takes so long to get served and it's so unwelcoming. As inconvienient it is I'd rather traipse up the hill to the Preston Park Tavern or the Cleveland.
whiskeydrum - 6 Oct 2010 19:19
I think the people who left bad comments about this pub must have hit it on a bad day. I use the place regularly and have found the place to be a pleasure, awsome burgers, great standard ales...you get to choose from Hophead, Broadside and Harveys plus guests. Nuff said
lovealepubs - 29 Jul 2010 18:09
Really bad service, the manager is very unfriendly and rude. had a dodgy stomach after 'beer rocks' which is a draft beer, called him to let him know and he tried to convince me i had food poisoning instead! I didnt have diorrea or anything which u get with food piosoning, was just throwing up and hadnt digested the beer 6 hours later, me and same friend who had the beer were both ill but noone else was. Reported it to environmental health coz his attitude was so awful - he wouldnt acknowledge the possibility of it being due to the pint. Also v unfriendly staff - all of them. Ordered our first round and the guy took our order then disappeared for 10 mins. he came back and started putting away clean glasses. asked him when we would get our beer and he didnt even apologise - just said he'd had to go and give someone their food as if it is normal to take an order from someone then go and busy yourself with something else!! awful awful awful. Nice pub though, shame the management and staff are so terrible.
lupe - 12 Apr 2010 14:11
Excellent selection of Belgian and German beers. Really friendly staff and a good selection of food. Seem to have ironed out the problems documented below and a lovely evening was had by all.
robamy - 30 Mar 2010 14:17
Visited last Sunday for a quick pint , but given cloudy and sour tasting 'Adnams guest beer' so took back to bar, but obstinate and rude staff refused to change it! Seems that they dont care about the punters. Have been fairly regular but won't visit again for a while, there are loads of other pubs in area which have better attitude. Awful beer and rude management.
nmdwilson - 20 Nov 2009 12:31
I was in lthere last night and had an couple of pints of Bavarian Gold ale. Still not eaten there so cannot comment on that, but its basically a good pub in an area where they are pretty few and far between.
shredhead - 21 Jul 2009 22:35
This used to be a great pub, spacious and trendy but with a mixed crowd of interesting people. But then it changed. First to go were the draught lagers- It was worth visiting just for the Kuppers. Paulaner and Frulli that were served on tap alongside the usual wifebeater and Fosters. Next up the food took a nosedive. Until late 2007 it was always a good place for a burger or fish pie, with good chips and crisp salads- I ordered a rare burger and was served an incinerated hockey puck with wet chips and a disgusting green slime which, upon enquiry I was told was salad. I returned the meal and it was re-cooked and returned to me minus the salad. I asked for my money back and the embarrassed looking manager obliged. It's depressing that a pub will throw its reputation and good products away so cheaply in favour of stella and brake brothers. Theres no reason why a pub in such a great location (its a mile up a very steep hill to the nearest pub, an awful Barras aggro pub) shouldn't be able to offer something original and rewarding to its customers, and on that basis there is no reason for anyone to go there until they sort their act out
yaphetkoto - 6 May 2009 16:10
Ive always had good food here in the past, nothing special but good pub food. But we went there a few days ago and the food has gone downhill. I had the burger and it was awful, burnt, flavourless and the chips were cold.
Ales are pretty good though just dont have the food!
theandthem - 10 Jan 2009 11:37
Having passed this pub on Preston Drove and thinking it looked quite nice from the outside with a half decent menu, we looked it up online and read a few reviews here and decided to give it a go last night. First impressions when we walked in weren't too bad but that was the only high out of a lot of lows. We found the surly bar girl a turn off as she could barely raise a smile let alone anything resembling customer service. The tables were dirty and sticky and there was a really mixed clientele including some noisy chavs. Foolishly, we persisted and thought we'd at least try the food. Mistake. We ordered the venison burger thinking it would be difficult to get a fairly basic meal wrong. It turned up burnt in a crap white bun with a token bit of lettuce and tomato and some chips thrown on the plate. Terrible presentation and a less than average taste, A rip off for �8.50! When the stroppy waitress asked if our food was OK we gave her our feedback but clearly she only asked us as she's been told to as she didn't seem to give a toss that we weren't happy. Not wanting to spend any longer in there and certainly not spend any more money we paid (reluctantly) and got out of there never to return.

Nil points.
Choppermermaid - 2 Nov 2008 11:39
All was going very well, good, friendly service and a good choice of drinks whatever your pallet... I'd ordered a pork roast and was naturally thinking along the lines of a roast dinner.
Then it arrived, a rice crispy cake sized piece of meat sitting on a similarly sized amount of mashed potato and a few small rings of crackling around it. It was good quality and I don't want to sound like a philistine but this was food for people who like looking at food not eating it, if you went in hungry you'd come out hungry too.
Its trying too hard to be arty really and get away from any notion of being an old man pub, the decor and atmosphere was contemporary and relaxed and comfortable and I'd find it a good place to go for a drink if it was closer to home, a trip there to eat out was just a bit disappointing.

rhandolph - 18 Oct 2008 22:57
This is a quick message just to say how impressed i was with the park view this week. i have always lived locally to preston park and have found that this week the park view out-did itself... after not visiting for a while i decided with the weather turning that i would go to the Park view and not venture too far. I had been speaking to some friends at work and they had said that it had changed from a builders pub back to being fairly nice again.. so i gave it a try. well done to the new manager as the builders have all but gone and the roast i had with my wife was delicious... congratulations i was very impressed and will be returning with friends this week.. what a nice pub again. regards Jim
chabston - 15 Oct 2008 22:08
This is a good local in an area without a lot of choice. The ale can be too cold sometimes and they need more bar staff at busy times but they do usually have good interesting guest ales on as well as Harveys. The pub has a nice feel to it - apart from when local idiots are in the place (normally Fridays).
shredhead - 4 Oct 2008 16:30
One of the better pubs in the area, staff can be trying, but they do try I suppose. Slowly getting back into shape. Nice beers, food is ok-good. Can make for a pleasent evening. Breakfast is worth a try....strangely excellent value �5???
averagepubgoer - 15 Sep 2008 19:09
fair play, the park view goes all right for a good quiet beer in a sip of a shy whim. bar staff could do with a jolly good roger to cheer the poor chaps up a sconce, but the space is well and good for what it is.

there's a lot of bad press about the food here. i thought it was alright - nothing bad afoot in my eyes, or stomach for that matter. might just be lucky timing on my behalf or unlucky on theirs.

jolly good show chaps - keep up the good work.


cuzza - 3 Sep 2008 08:51
I love this pub, it's got a fun relaxed atmosphere in the day and really livens up in the evening. The beers on offer were really good (I'm a lager drinker bored of Carling and Stella in every single pub I visit) and really reasonable. I've eaten there and the food was great, so not sure if the other reviewers were unlucky or very picky.
Grifter49 - 2 Sep 2008 09:57
I have been to this pub loads of times and think its great. One of the best nights I have had is during Gay Pride when a silent disco was held downstairs - I definitely threw some serious shapes on that dancefloor!!!

I have always found staff to be friendly and the food tasty. I also like the fact that there is not a footie game in sight!
kebabiqueen - 2 Sep 2008 09:28
Honestly, this pub served up the absolutely worst Sunday Roast we have EVER had in our lives. Utterly disgusting and inedible, I cannot fathom how they had the face to send it out of the kitchen. Let's be honest, meat and two veg is pretty hard to screw up, but to do it in such style is pretty amazing.

The pub itself could do with a spruce up, the staff could do with a kick in the ar$e and the chef needs a slap. Gross. Will never go back.
pussycat21 - 19 Aug 2008 14:14
Had to register just to voice how disgusting my Sunday Roast was last week.

The menus on tables and board near bar stated they did a Pork Belly roast, but staff denied it didn't exist and said they do a 'hog roast' instead. I went for Beef instead but my friend went for the hog.

Turns out later the Hog was leftovers warmed-up from an event on Saturday. Fine - but be honest and say it is leftovers when you sell it.

The biggest problem was the rest of the meal. Roast potatoes which were rock hard and tasted like they had been cooked 2, maybe 3 times before - and had a strong taste of chlorine. 2 tiny slices of overcooked beef, which also seemed cut cold and then warmed up. Overcooked carrots and undercooked yorkshire pudding.

If the meal was under �4 each I would have been disappointed, but it cost �16 for the both of us.

We complained about the potatoes as they were the worst part of the meal but just got a mumbled apology.

Beer was Harveys and was kept OK.
Mattyb - 5 Aug 2008 09:33
We were regular visitors to the Park View because they allow dogs so it is perfect for an early evening drink after a walk & several bowls of moorish chilli puffs but we made the mistake of eating there. We had Sunday lunch & although my husband said his roast was ok my terrine was so disgusting that I swear they had run out of terrine & a tin of dog food came to hand! I hate to be so mean but it is such a shame that this pub isn't better.
The bar staff could do with a lesson in customer service, they look miserable the minute you walk in the door & barely acknowledge you.
They offer a good selection of beers & wines so someone there has some enthusiasm, perhaps the brewery isn't giving them the support they need?
It has so much potential perhaps in the right hands it could be so much more.

svj - 30 Apr 2008 18:49
After all the reviews I was scared to enter, I was pleasantly surprised. Yes it is part of a chain, but name a pub that isn't? I had the Roast Chicken and was presented with half a chicken!!WOW!! The beer is averagely priced, but the staff were all friendly and with great food I'll go back.
sketchydodgy - 31 Mar 2008 18:18
Crap food sack the chef ASAP!!!!!!!!
superseagulls - 19 Mar 2008 21:48
This is a chain pub but disguises it well. The Drinks are OK but expensive but as before the food is stupidly expensive & poor.
smudgethewudge - 21 Feb 2008 18:53
Don't eat here, don't drink here, actually just don't go here at all � it's revolting. I have been here a few times as its a local of mine but I have been served raw potatoes, raw chicken and gone off beer. They have now run out of chances.

I am surprised that they don't get closed down!
Liz_v - 19 Jan 2008 12:59
Could be a good pub. Decor needs a bit of attention. Staff could be a bit friendlier and try to give the appearance that they know what they are doing and care. Menu is varied and vegatarian selection is good and not overpriced. Quality of the other food can be a bit hit and miss. The only really good thing is the selection of real ale. Always have 3-4 on offer and are of good quality. Deucahrs, Black Sheep, Crop Circle etc.

DOBBINHWCC - 26 Nov 2007 08:02
Couldn't agree more.
flagship - 22 Nov 2007 23:30
head somewhere else,or, drink at home!
anonymous - 6 Nov 2007 16:19
Went there last night with my missus. Large Sauvignon, pint of lager and packet of crisps �9.20p.
Say no more, there's plenty of better and cheaper pubs. A RIP OFF.
flagship - 13 Sep 2007 20:08
Can't agree that the Park View doesn't cater to the local community; I've been drinking in there, off-and-on, for over 15 years with various friends and family memebers who are lucky enough to have this pub as their local. The current incarnation is the best yet but they still have a lot of work to do...

The younger bar staff can be a bit gormless at times, though the older ones are generally very good, but they all don't seem to cope well under pressure when it gets busy. The various chalkboards detailing the wines and food available are not always accurate or up-to-date. Sorry but no one; Torres Vina Esmerelda is NOT a Gew�rtztraminer and should not be listed as such. Sorry but no two; I should not have to ask for a non-available wine cooler when I order a bottle of white wine for Mrs Workhard and her girly friends.

The ale is generally well kept and usually there is a decent selection on, however the lager louts of my acquintance often complian that the lager isn't cold enough. Very pleasing selection of bottled Belgian beers for sale. Good pub quiz on a Tuesday which always seems to be won by the same pair!

Prices compare with the rest of Brighton i.e. it's expensive, food is popular but inconsistent
workhard - 29 Aug 2007 16:52
Has been done up in gaudy decor with African paintings. Overpriced drinks and unattentive staff. Good outside seating area. Like so many pubs, seems to cater for young trendies and dirsregards the needs of the local community. Plenty of seating and not too noisy, but could be so much better. Worth a visit though.
flagship - 19 Aug 2007 12:19
Good enough pub I suppose, especially if it's warm and you can sit outside, but food very average, with everything obviously cooked in the microwave. Staff young and inexperienced so be prepared to wait if it's busy.
gibberal - 10 Jul 2007 11:28
Mixed feelings about the place. Large and spacious which is good but oppressive purple decor. A relaxed atmosphere though. Went in Sunday lunchtime and it was heaving. Harrassed and glum looking bar staff were not very welcoming or friendly and did not alert us that food was taking an hour. I do think if pubs are gearing themselves up for Sunday lunch crowds they need to resource their kitchen appropriately and/or offer a 10% discount (or more) for waits of longer than half an hour. If pubs purport to be pseudo restaurants like this one, they need to perform at the resturtamt level too - you wouldn't wait an hour in a restaurant for food .. so why in a pub?
Ullage - 8 May 2007 10:41
This is a Mitchells & Butlers branded pub in a brand called Castle. It's supposed to not look like a corporate clone - it is. Beware - you've all been profiled!
anonymous - 16 Feb 2007 21:09
Beer Ok but a little expensive. Food acceptable - but you would be better off eating at home or ordering a takeaway.
Popular in Summer due to large outside seating.
anonymous - 2 Nov 2006 15:40
I must say i totally disagree with previous reviews... This is possibly my favourite pub ever, great selection of beers and ciders, great food, very friendly staff and nice modern decor. I couldn't praise this pub enough!
tamsin82 - 17 Oct 2006 17:02
Dreadful industrial food and dodgy beer. Good if you want a bowl of tarted up olives - which says it all really.
hrse12 - 31 Jul 2006 23:27
Really nice place near Preston Park. Serves food - not the best but ok. Has expanded a bit and so become a little more bland but good for groups as they have plenty of outside tables.


DMB - 14 Nov 2004 11:50

got anything to say about this pub?

Please read our reviews policy before posting.
Only registered users can post reviews. Please log in. If you don't have an account yet, register here.