The Gather Inn

Just near Hove Lagoon is this pub with attached B&B, which I obviously can’t speak to. We went in for a couple of pints and dinner – one of us had a fish cake starter and the other burger and chips.  Fish cakes pretty small even for a starter, burger ok but not going to win awards. True of the whole place really, nothing wrong with it, but nothing dramatically right with it either.  Just a very basic pub.

Verdict: Ok

Location 330 Kingsway

http://www.brightonbnb.co.uk/

The Saint James

A solid example of a Brighton pub. A bit quirky in the decor, chilled out staff. I’m docking them though for only having fancy schmancy lagers.

Verdict: Ok

Location: 16 Madeira Place

Couldn’t find a website

The Black Dove

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

http://blackdovebrighton.com/

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 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

https://www.facebook.com/ThePrinceAlbert