Pub tending to a restaurant in Seven Dials. Relaxed feeling, lots of nice tables. But wow, food. Ham hock, burger, hake, squid, all amazing for really not very much money. Nice place for just a pint too.
Verdict: Awesome
Location: 95-97 Dyke Road
Category: Pub
Bar-BQ Shack at The World’s End
Food concession in the pub, with a promising menu of proper BBQ classics. I tried to go – twice – but you seem to have to win the lottery to actually get any of it. First time they were not running for unspecified reasons, and today none of the proper BBQ plates were on due to staff issues. Sandwiches were on but honestly the Pitmaster sandwich with brisket and sausage was just average. Cheeseburger pretty ok though. Overall, not worth the trouble really.
Verdict: Ok
Location: 60-61 London Road
http://worldsend.pub/post/149360827094/worlds-end-is-the-home-of-bbq-in-brighton-with
The World’s End
This pub has some things going for it, in terms of space and beer selection, but it’s otherwise deeply average with extremely basic furniture and generally not much atmosphere to call it out.
Verdict: Ok
Location: 60-61 London Road
West Hill Tavern
Newly refurbished (although I never went to its previous incarnation) and really quite charming. Small, but full of character like overstuffed armchairs, fireplaces, that sort of thing. Popped in for a pint and enjoyed, menu looked nice but didn’t try. I wish them well but 4pm on a Saturday and almost empty doesn’t bode well.
Verdict: Awesome
Location: 67 Buckingham Place
The Joker
They call themselves a pub but they’re tending toward a bar – lots of seating outside, booths inside if you can get one, pretty loud music. Friendly vibe. Famous for its wings (“The Orange Buffalo” concession) and oh my stars rightly so. Skip the BBQ ones but the Original ones are just amazing. Mozzarella sticks and curly fries also great but my lips will still tingling twenty minutes later from those wings.
Verdict: Awesome
Location: 2 Preston Road
The Westbourne
Interesting pub split in two. We had a drink in the smaller bar, which is perfectly serviceable, but the larger part is more restaurant-y. Food looked good. Generally, just fine – bit lacking on the character side.
Verdict: Ok
Location: 90 Portland Road
The Palmeira
Greene King pub and largely as you’d expect. Had nice gammon egg and chips, and a Mexican veggie burger. Loses points for being basic even for a Greene King.
Verdict: Ok
Location: 70-71 Cromwell Road
The Bright Helm
I’m normally the first to defend a Wetherspoons – cheap but cheerful and normally quite good. Not this one, it’s huge and has all the decorating panache of a 1970s comprehensive. No charm to offset the loudly drunk people – go to the other Wetherspoons!
Verdict: Don’t go
Location: 20-22A West Street
https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/england/east-sussex/the-bright-helm-brighton
The Cricketers
Cracking Victorian pub, with loads of space, varying areas (big tables vs small but highly cushioned) and tasty food (had great burgers, enjoyable pork belly baguette special – and AMAZING brownie). Rock solid.
Verdict: Awesome
Location: 15 Black Lion Street
The Victory Inn
Cool old-school tiled facade to this pub; walk in and the first impression wasn’t great (figured one of those stripped down boozers). But that was wrong – grab your beer and go behind the bar and there’s a really nice seating area with maps on the wall. Didn’t try, but the menu is full of pub classics and looks great.
Verdict: Awesome
Location: 6 Duke Street