BITE user comments - skippybn21
Comments by skippybn21
The Royal Sovereign, Bexhill-on-sea
£3.80 for a pint of cider in an intimidating atmosphere. Won't return.
22 Sep 2014 11:08
Visited one recent lunchtime after walking my dog. Very quiet but friendly service and a good pint. Two people in restaurant who said their meal was great. The landlady bought out a huge bowl of water for the dog which was appreciated. Will happily return.
22 Sep 2014 11:03
Pleasant pub with nice garden. More restaurant than pub and at four quid a pint I won't be rushing back.
1 Aug 2014 09:08
After a visit in 2010 I popped in and the place has been transformed into The Town House. Good service but very pricey drinks. 50p per pint dearer on pint of cider down the road.
5 May 2013 11:19
Just off the sefront so should be ideal. However staff are rude, grumpy and unwelcoming. Don't bother.
20 Mar 2013 12:32
Visited during the Dickens weekend. Lovely pub only spoilt by the hopeless and rude barwoman. If you're going to attract tourists, at least try to pretend they are welcome.
3 Dec 2012 10:16
Good range of beer and nice spacious bar, oonly spoilt by indifferent service and homophobic clientele who seem to think it hysterical that a gay bloke comes in for a beer. Not recommended for gays.
8 Mar 2012 08:12
This has no been rebranded as the Susse Arms. Spacious but pretty souless with indifferent bar service.
28 Jan 2012 07:10
The Devonshire Arms, Bexhill-on-Sea
Recently revamped and reopened as a pub. Airport lounge style with multiple TV screens. Decent pint though the staff are pretty miserable and unwelcoming. Poor atmosphere and service.
28 Jan 2012 07:07
Remains very unfriendly and unwelcoming. Viisted with a couple of gay mates and they found it intimdating and very unfriendly.
26 Jan 2012 09:26
I love this place. Great staff and wacky customers. I think its the best pub in Eastbourne. No TVs or people talking about football and (so far) no screaming kids or yobs. Hit it at the right time and you won't be disappointed.
17 Jan 2012 08:56
Visited again twice recently. Sadly the food has gone downhill. Both meals we had were not hot enough, even after we returned them. Yesterday at least 4 people returned their plates leaving everything. A shame as meals used to be good. Also prices for beer seem expensive. A great shame.
22 Nov 2011 14:33
I really like this place. Full of locals and sometime "interesting characters", the staff are always friendly and welcoming.
20 Oct 2011 09:02
The Devonshire Arms, Bexhill-on-Sea
The review by Santaclausiswatchingyou was spot on. This would make a brilliant place for a decent pub. I'm a great fan of the Brighton Evening Star - Bexhill deserves better than it has now.
20 Oct 2011 09:00
What is the problem with this place. Prime position opposite pier yet all day it plays lounc rap/hip-hop videos. No wonder visitors pop in, hear the music and make a quick exit.
10 Sep 2011 09:54
The Counting House, Eastbourne
Nice in the summer but incredibly expensive for a pint. There's a nearby cashpoint, presumeably because after 2 pints you won't have enough money left.
10 Sep 2011 09:48
The Burrell Arms, Haywards Heath
This place is awful. I stopped off after a long flight in Gatwick and stood at the bar waiting for almost 15 minutes to be served. Every person (all local i guess) was served before me by a thick looking student. Hostile atmosphere and would not recommend. This pub doesn't deservce to succeed. Steer clear.
1 Jul 2011 08:59
Blimey - this has really gone downhill. Perfect position opposite the pier but now with the added "bonus" of vast tv screens - just what we need. Can get very rough during the summer and showing footie won't help. Avoid unless you like yobs and screaming kids stuffing their faces with McDonalds and chips. A delight.
12 Apr 2011 08:27
Popped in for a quick pint. Miserable woman behind the bar and spoilt by massive tv screens. This could be a pretty cool place if they got rid of the sport constantly blaring out.
12 Apr 2011 08:24
Visited again. This place has gone downhill. OK if your local but not welcoming to strangers. Poor beer quality. The bar woman was rude, unpleasant and couldn't be bothered to say please or thank you. She also seemed to pop out for a cigarette when the bar was at its busiest. Another let down for Bexhill.
22 Dec 2010 10:24
The Pevensey Castle Hotel, Westham
Nice bar with friendly staff. Very pleasant garden and nice pint. Great to sit outside in the summer.
8 Dec 2010 10:23
Apparently the number 1 pub in Eastbourne for live music. That's as maybe but everytime I've visited its been grim and unfriendly. New faces are not welcome it seems.
8 Dec 2010 10:19
This is a peculiar pub. Its unfriendly and expensive and every time I've walked past they seem to have painted it a different colour. Not much atmosphere and indifferent staff.
8 Dec 2010 10:15
The Alexandra Arms, Eastbourne
Popped in a couple of times and met with disinterested staff and few customers. It doesn't help that the bar staff seem to stay in the larger bar and if you are in the other it takes ages to get served. Miserable.
8 Dec 2010 10:10
Visited for Sunday lunch which was poor. Not particularly friendly and slighty offish. Wouldn't go back.
24 Nov 2010 08:49
Great little local. Good choice of beers and ciders and friendly staff. Shame we don't have a place like this in Eastbourne!
19 Nov 2010 13:03
I used to live locally a few years ago and this was a great local. My goodness it has really gone downhill. I won't be back.
19 Nov 2010 12:40
Sports pub and disco in the evening. Quiet during the day and the drinks are a bit pricey. OK for watching sport.
15 Nov 2010 12:10
This is a great addition to the Brighton gay scene. Well decorated, tasteful, clean with very pleasant staff and a good selection of beers and wines. The food is also of good quality. All this and reasonable prices make it one of the best in town. It should be used by other gay venues as a benchmark.
3 Nov 2010 11:53
Nice little "theatrical" pub with probably the most expensive price list in town. For somewhere so small the prices are extra large. A shame because it would make it more reasonable if prices were realistic.
30 Sep 2010 11:03
Upmarket 'Little Chelsea' bar with slightly stuffy atmosphere and a price list that would make Londoners choke.
30 Sep 2010 10:57
Fine for the wedding crowds that come from the town hall opposite. Otherwise dreary trendy bar which leaves one underwhelmed with the poor atmosphere.
30 Sep 2010 10:56
Expensive and over-rated wine bar. Not particularly friendly with a limited range of refreshments.
30 Sep 2010 10:54
I really like the wacky alternative crowd. Friendly and young but very welcoming. Good selection of regular and guest ales.
30 Sep 2010 10:53
The Royal Sovereign, Eastbourne
Still attracts a dodgy crowd, despite recent take-over. I'll give it one more go but I don't hold out much hope.
30 Sep 2010 10:49
The Crown & Anchor, Eastbourne
Under new management with little effect. Loud TV and bar staff who are more interested playing with their laptop. Completely without atmosphere.
30 Sep 2010 10:48
This place (despite the comments from a worker below) continues to offer a dreadful experience. I waited for 15 minutes to get served but gave up. The staff are on another planet. They are dis-interested and look bored. JDW should either sack the lot of them and get a new manager - or close the place down. It's possibly one of the worst JDW's I've visited. Even in the evening the staff look like they would rather be anywhere else. A bloody disgrace.
30 Sep 2010 10:46
The Duke of Devonshire, Eastbourne
Rough and dodgy bar which attracts an unpleasant crowd. Indifferent bar staff and the toilets are disgusting. Can't believe that people would want to ever return, let alone eat here.
14 Sep 2010 10:02
Friendly enough place with a core of "locals". A bit pricey for what it is though.
19 Aug 2010 10:43
Grim, grim, grim. Dodgy atmosphere. Had a quick pint and left.
19 Aug 2010 10:41
This has been renamed Coda Bar. It attracts a very dodgy crowd from the nearby estate. It's rough enough during the day - goodness knows what its like at night but I wouldn't want to be there.
19 Aug 2010 10:37
I have lived in Eastbourne for 10 years and this was my first visit. Young, friendly and welcoming staff. Clean with a good mix of people. Menu was varied and reasonable. I will certainly be back - just over the road from the town hospital.
19 Aug 2010 10:34
Visited during the day. Friendly crowd and service. Decent prices too.
19 Aug 2010 09:48
Packed on a Wednesday lunchtime. Food and drinks a bit pricey and the landlord seems as miserable as sin. However the young lady behind the bar was very friendly, chatty and welcoming. For that reason alone I will certainly go back.
19 Aug 2010 09:47
The Senlac Inn & Restaurant, Battle
Visited for a quick pint yesterday. Friendly enough (didn't notice any drunken builders). I quite liked the fact that they were no children. Reasonable prices and would return.
19 Aug 2010 09:44
The Devonshire Arms, Bexhill-on-Sea
Visited last week and the pub was "closed until further notice". Bloke was removing barrels from the pub onto a van. Hopefully if it reopens it will get rid of the riff-raff (single mums with screaming kids and dodgy blokes swearing) and make it more welcoming.
It was always without atmosphere.
18 Aug 2010 09:36
Visited last week. Place was empty with only Guiness and one lager on tap. Half a bottle of gin and whisky. Not sure what's going on but apparently new manger is due soon. It was a mistake to stay open from what I saw. Evertime someone popped in for a drink they didn't have it, so left. Grim.
18 Aug 2010 09:33
Visited again this weekend. Saturday night was empty and at �7.20 for two pints, I'm not surprised. This place really lacks an atmosphere good host and
10 Aug 2010 08:53
First visit last weekend. Huge pub with great and efficient staff and one of the few Wetherspoons that does decent food. Mixed crowd and can get a bit rowdy but the manager and staff cope well and are great. Shame others in the chain (Eastbourne/Brighton and Hastings) don't have the same quality.
10 Aug 2010 08:51
The Chelsea Corner, Eastbourne
This has recently been completely refurbished and reopened at the end of July 2010. Review to follow.
4 Aug 2010 10:36
Another visit. I never find this pub at all welcoming. It seems more and more to be pushing the food and not the beer - mind you the drinks are almost expensive as a meal. Unfriendly and seems to appeal to Waitrose guys and gals. Suspect that there would be more atmosphere and welcome on the moon.
31 Jul 2010 07:23
In answer to the question - no they are no gay friendly pubs in Worthing. In fact there are hardly any friendly pubs at all in my experience.
31 Jul 2010 07:19
Young loud crowd. The usual Eastbourne chavs. Cans and fag end are piling up on the pavement outside whilst the management can't be bothered to tidy up. Not particularly friendly with a pretty regular staff turn-over. Not the place for a quiet drink.
31 Jul 2010 07:16
New managers yet again. This is the fourth lot in 7 years. Friendly enough but unusual to hear rap blaring out in Eastbourne at 2.30 and all afternoon. That's probably why it was empty. This is really hit and miss and I wonder how long this new manager will last. No doubt they will have changed when Jay Z is replaced with something more suitable.
31 Jul 2010 07:01
Popped in for a quick drink to to be served by a nasty old trout with glasses. She was about as welcoming as garlic at a vampire gathering. Lewd bloke swearing at the bar about "coloureds". Made quick exit. Shame because some of the staff are friendly. Put the trout back in the pond - she puts people off.
31 Jul 2010 06:50
Dark and dingy entrance - this place is a shambles. Visited yesterday lunchtime and the place was like a riot. The queues for were three deep and there were only two staff. Groups of people had been waiting for over 20 minutes and others left in droves. There is something seriously wrong here. The manager of landlord needs shooting. Why isn't there a separate queue for food and one for drink. Avoid at all costs.
30 Jul 2010 08:33
Visited again recently. Still good staff and nice pint of cider. The draught lager was off and was awful. A slip up here in what is one of Bexhills few pleasant bars. Keep away the riff-raff and swearing youngsters and I will continue to visit.
27 Jul 2010 08:28
My first visit last weekend. What a lovely pub. Excellent range of beers and very reasonable. Food is also excellent value and the young ladies behind the bar work hard and are very friendly. Apart from the usual couple of yobs who were swearing, because of their limited vocabulary (they should have been chucked out) this is a nice place.
13 Jul 2010 09:12
This is in an ideal location. However some of the crowd were very dodgy when I visited. The food was the worst I have ever had in any pub. Ploughmans (with cous-cous?) and Chilli with no beans and made from sort of gravy powder. Absolutely awful. Won't be returning.
13 Jul 2010 09:07
The food is awful - everything microwaved and overcooked. It was virtually empty when I visited which is a shame because it could be a great place.
4 Jul 2010 08:08
Been for a few visits now and this has got to be one of the nicest gay bars in Brighton. Good pint and prices, friendly staff and well decorated. Other pubs should take a lead. It's now also a Freehouse.
27 Jun 2010 10:11
Made a couple of visits to this local bar. Many regulars or characters. Nice pint but some of the regulars can be, shall we say, rude (lots of 'effing' and 'blinding') which spoils the atmosphere. A couple of these people seem to think its find to make dodgy racist comments and this can make for a nasty atmosphere.
27 Jun 2010 10:07
Visited over the weekend. Dark and dingy. Stroppy and rude landlord who was about as welcoming as Nick Clegg at a Labour Conference. And at �3.50 a pint, goodness knows what you're paying for.
8 Jun 2010 19:04
Nice pint and the pub layout, with small garden, is nice. However at nearly �3.50 for a pint of cider, its a bit steep.
26 May 2010 09:53
This a welcome addition to the town. No TVs showing sports or chavs with attitude. A good pint and great staff. Nice outdoor setting and ideal for more mature, quiet crowd.
22 May 2010 09:02
Nice local bar and a bit run down. One of the most expensive in Bexhill and not much to show for it.
21 May 2010 08:49
A bit of a shit-hole and with one of the most expensive pints in town. Could do with a hoover.
21 May 2010 08:48
This could be a great place . Ideal position and nicely laid out. However it is very expensive (even for Brighton) and beer quality is poor.
21 May 2010 08:47
This has been revamped and is now called The Camelford. Still gay but miles better. Full review soon.
21 May 2010 08:34
Have visited this pub t lunchtimes and have always been warmly welcomed. Although I am not local they always seem to remember me. Nice pint too, although I got slightly scared by the cat!
15 May 2010 12:17
This place seems different each time I visit. It used to have two young women behind the bar (a year or two back) and they were nice and friendly. Now it seems to have lost its way. Good pint of cider though.
15 May 2010 12:07
I really like it here and often visit from Eastbourne. Always good range of beers and ciders. A good friendly local which attracts a loyal following.
15 May 2010 12:04
I felt a bit like the guy in American Werewolf in London who pops into a pub on the moors. Felt very uncomfortable. Expensive and the regulars seem snobbish and ghastly. Won't be returning.
15 May 2010 11:58
Went in here with my sister who had a nice meal. Good range of beers and friendly. My sis felt a bit awkward at a group of guys making anti-gay jokes (she has a gay grandson). Good pint apart from that.
15 May 2010 11:54
This is one of the nicer pubs in town but at the same time you pay for it. Both food and drink are overpriced with the result that they doesn't seem to be a "regular" crowd. Can be unfriendly.
15 May 2010 11:49
Overpriced and attracts a transient crowd. Many people put off by the outside seating which attracts Eastbourne chavs during the summer and evenings. What with the pub next door it creates a nasty atmosphere.
15 May 2010 11:45
This could be a great place but it follows the line of almost every other pub in Eastbourne - widescreen TVs. They just don't work and surely someone in this town we realise lots of us don't want them when we're going out for a drink.
15 May 2010 11:43
Upmarket but friendly. Good selection of ales but on the pricey side. Attracts the posher people of 'Little Chelsea' area.
15 May 2010 11:39
The previous listing is correct about the ownership. This is a good addition for Eastbourne. A friendly bar with a mixed clientele - funky/young/old - and it works. Real ales change regularly and there is also a nice small outdoor area. No TVs at the moment which is always a plus.
15 May 2010 11:37
The Royal Sovereign, Bexhill-on-sea
Yet another football pub. Felt uncomfortable and it wasn't particularly welcoming. Wouldn't go back. A bit rough.
15 May 2010 11:11
Visited during the week so it was quiet. Not particularly friendly or welcoming. Staff seem to spend most of the time reading a book or papers.
15 May 2010 11:09
Made another visit over the Bank Holiday. At upstairs bar waited 15 minutes whilst the solo barmaid worked her socks off. Only to be told they were out of wine! Then asked for lager - that was not available. Then left. won't bother again.
10 May 2010 08:56
Local gay bar, popular with an older crowd. As a visitor I didn't find it particularly welcoming. Has a fair range of beers but a bit pricey for what it is.
8 May 2010 07:23
Didn't find it particulalry friendly (but I'm not "cute"). Indifferent staff and service. Wouldn't go again.
8 May 2010 07:20
Visited on a recent trip to Birmingham. Unlike many of the other gay bars loclly this one is friendly. Had a couple of fun nights. Good service and staff.
8 May 2010 07:18
The Figure of Eight, Birmingham
The most appalling cold undercooked breakfast in town. Bloody terrible. (unless you like it cold, of course). Needs the chef to be kicked up the arse (or the microwave)
7 May 2010 20:31
The Devonshire Arms, Bexhill-on-Sea
Hve visited here with my sister who lives locally. Mainly during lunchtimes. Lrge pub and OK staff and qulity of drink. Unfortunately there seems to be a group of "regulars" whoswer, making nsty jokes about jews, indians and how gays should be "strung up". How they and the bar staff 9and landladt I think) laugh. Maybe its Bexhill but this town needs a decent pub. This could be it, but, ls, I think not. Time to move on.
7 May 2010 20:21
This is one of the worst 'Spoons pubs I've ever been to. What people expect is decent food nd drink, clean tables and efficient staff with decent surroundings. This has none of those. Applling service, scummy people, waited 40 minutes for cold food and totally indifferent staff. A disgrace.
5 Apr 2010 09:33
The Earl Of Burlington, Eastbourne
Like other comments, typical Wetherspoons. Staff work hard but the atmosphere cn be unpleasant. Lots of old soaks who can't mutter a sentance without a four letter word coming out. Shame as it's central and handy. However slightly dodgy crowd.
1 Apr 2010 09:36
This (Wetherspoons) looked promising when it opened. However it has quickly gone downhill which is a shame. Slow bar staff and now attracks 'customers' that have been banned from bars elsewhere. Hence it appeals to foul-mouthed locals who are drunk by lunchtime. Weekends attracts parents with kids in prams who struggle to get through the (badly installed) front doors. The beer is cheap but quality is poor.
1 Apr 2010 09:27
Unfriendly, expensive with indifferent service. A shme as the building and position are good. Beer OK but over-priced. Wouldn't rush bck.
1 Apr 2010 09:04
I live in town centre but visited this pub last week to meet some friends. It was full of screaming kids, liverpudlians who were swearing loudly and some dodgy looking characters. We left quickly after a swift half. What are kids and babies doing in a place like this (apart from sharing lots of crisps and pizza!) - the language was disgraceful. Avoid at all costs and watch your personal belongings. The only good point was the woman who was serving seemed friendly. However if you are easily offended by language i would give it a very wide birth.
1 Mar 2010 08:59
This place was always over-rated. The staff are pretty disinterested and seem like they don't like working there. Over-priced food and mediocre beer. Needs a good kick up the bottom or, idelly, a change in management.
27 Feb 2010 11:52
The Elephant and Castle, Lewes
My first visit yesterday and turned out to be a goodie. Very pleasant barman, clean and nicely layed out. Good pints too. Will return.
10 Feb 2010 08:33
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.
1 Feb 2010 10:09
Rude staff, bad quality beers and lagers. Very expensive. Typical gay bar - because it has a Sunday afternoon "following" the owners assume that gays will put up with anything. I had one sip of my beer and left. Local gay pub for LOCAL gay people. Visitors beware!
1 Feb 2010 10:03
A great little gay pub in Brighton. Staff are always friendly and welcoming (which, believe me is unusual in any pub in Brighton). Good cabaret and plesant atmosphere.
1 Feb 2010 09:58
I have visited this pub from Eastbourne in the past and it has always been fine. However on my visit last week I see it has been taken over. It now seems dirty, full of dogs rubbing their bottoms on the carpet (worms?) and when a couple ordered burgers and chips, the waitress went out of the pub to nearby Morrisons to return with the food). Not cheap either. Gone downhill and won't visit again.
1 Feb 2010 09:56
This could be a brilliant addition to Eastbourne. Instead the new owners have installed yet more big screen televisions and decided to make it a sports pub (like virtually every other in the town). Expensive and well over �3 per pint. Busy when football is on (and rough) and empty otherwise. A wasted opportunity.
1 Feb 2010 09:45
Local (and the only) gay pub in Eastbourne. Therefore most customers are regulars. Expect screaming teens and raving queens.
Prices and drinks aren't bad but, as with many bars like this, it is spoilt by the regulars who think of it as their own. Not a place to chat or meet new friends (unless of course you are stunningly handsome, gorgeous or have lots of money). A shame as much money has been spent. Maybe a bit of competition would perk it up.
1 Feb 2010 09:41
Nothing has changed apart from the name. Cheap booze and cheap people. Beer is dodgy tasting and toilets are a disgrace and smell badly. The clientele is "dodgy" Eastbourne - layabouts, dole scroungers from the north and really rough women. A disgrace to the area and to the town. Don't leave your jacket, bag or anything as it's likely to get stolen.
1 Feb 2010 09:31
This venue desn't know if it's a pub or a restaurant. Priority service is given to the restaurant customers and the bar area is small. Could be a good venue but staff can be indifferent. Also attracts youngsters that can't hold their drinks, particularly at the weekends and this makes it less appealing. Desd during the week, which probably says something about indifferent staff.
1 Feb 2010 09:21
The Devonshire Arms, Bexhill-on-Sea
Looks like the place should be in Essex. Trashy and gaudy serving cakes and pastries. Seems to be staffed by inhibitants of the Stepford Wives. Badly made up girls and thick bodybuilder barmen constantly looking at themselves in the mirror. Truly awful.
22 Sep 2014 11:17