This was recommended by Time Out as a cool place with a mix of weird antiques and good cocktails. We headed in on a Sunday afternoon and the music was too loud to talk, so stuff that.
Verdict: Don’t go
Location 74 St James’s Street
Category: Pub
Waggon and Horses
Went here to see about Brighton’s largest selection of whiskeys (whiskies?), which they do have – immense. On a Friday night though no-one’s going to tell you anything about it (I’m not going to fault them on this, since we went to the Great Eastern after to do the same with bourbon and had the same problem, unlike my first time). The draw I think is all the picnic tables outside (since the inside’s a bit…spartan) to drink your whiskey or beer. For those, it wins.
Verdict: Awesome
Location: 109 Church Street
Couldn’t find a website
The Robin Hood
All profits donated to charity, but apart from that is just a great little pub. Lots of comfy chairs, flavoured vodka shots (Werther’s particularly good) and tasty beef, chorizo and jalapeno pizza all enjoyed. Cosy!
Verdict: Awesome
Location: 1-3 Norfolk Place
William The Fourth
Nice looking pub on the outside, bit of an old man pub on the inside. Only had beers so can’t speak to the food. Perfectly fine, just not particularly interesting, especially when there’s so many interesting pubs in Brighton!
Verdict: Ok
Location: 4 Church Street
https://www.facebook.com/William-The-Fourth-129534233765033/
The Post & Telegraph
Old bank and newspaper offices – even for a Wetherspoon’s, it’s huge, so you can get a seat and chill out. Cheap and cheerful booze and food that you would expect from a Wetherspoon’s, along with the drunks and slight stickiness you would also expect from a Wetherspoon’s.
Verdict: Ok
Location: 155-159 North Street
https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/england/east-sussex/the-post–telegraph-brighton
The Great Eastern
Brunel holding the SS Great Britain on the sign? I’m in. Really cosy little pub – we parked at the bar and the bartender tells us they’ve the largest selection of bourbons outside of London. Had one, and it was delicious.
Verdict: Awesome
Location: 103 Trafalgar Street
The Prince Albert
What a night. Looks grubby from the outside, but is cosy inside with airbrushed Spock and the Birth of Venus among others. Bartenders look like roadies and/or members of a death metal band but incredibly friendly. Menu is randomly Portuguese tapas and other food, and super great. We had chorizo – piles, and delicious – and a brascada (steak, parma ham, fried onion and cheese sandwich) which was also immense and delicious. To top it off, smoking outside we chat to a guy who asks if we’re here for the hip hop? So we go upstairs and watch freestyle rap battles. I mean, WHAT. Amazing.
Verdict: Awesome
Location: 48 Trafalgar Street
The Lord Nelson
Deceptively labyrinthine pub with bits and bobs of nautical memorabilia. Quiet and nice, but £5 a pint.
Verdict: Ok
Location: 36 Trafalgar Street
The Pond
Nice little pub (a bit light on seating) with a fanastic Thai concession. Try Simply the Best – best described as a Thai twisted on fried potatoes. Ace, and very friendly.
Edit: Quite some time ago The Pond was totally refurbed, and got a bao bun concession. Having just tried it, it’s amazing. Just incredible all around, especially the house fries and fried bao like churros for dessert.
Verdict: Ok
Edit: Awesome
Location: 49 Gloucester Road
Can’t find a website
Dorset Bar & Kitchen
Friendly enough, and great fish and chips, but too loud in there for my tastes.
Verdict: Don’t go
Location: 29 North Road