please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Totally agree with most of these reviews... Traditional pub, lovely outside and inside period decor. Beer was great; I was a bit worse for wear when we got here, but think I had Northern Star (?) and Longman. The jukebox is ancient but fantastic, and set on free play. Whiled away a few happy hours with Beer, The Jam, The Selector and a bit of Northern Soul... Look out for the massive cat that sometimes guards the door!
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Very small pub, with two Ales & an old juke box. Historic exterior and windows. Lively
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Discovered this pub late on Saturday night and it made our trip to Brighton very memorable. Not only is the jukebox one of the best I've encountered but any place that doesn't mind forty and fiftysomethings dancing gets my vote. Will be back when we're in Brighton again.
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An old school boozer in the centre of Brighton. No frills. Two ales on tap were Harvey's Sussex Best and Doom Bar (which was not available). A nice place to stop to see how pubs used to be, cosy and pleasant atmosphere on a cold winter's day.
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Proper turnaround. Always was a good looking hostelry but the service used to be disgusting.
Now the service is friendly, the content on the jukebox is sublime and the beer is decent.
Always wanted to like the Heart and Hand, now I can without apologising for it.
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This was the first time I had been in this pub although I had passed it several times and always commented on the impressive exterior (the tiling and old brewery lettering as well as the leaded windows - all superb). A good banter with the licensee about the trade in general; his rent and the cost of everything! The Harveys Best was fine and had it not been for our busy schedule we would have stopped for another. Is it a Brighton thing to have as many posters on the walls as is possible? This is not the first pub to have a huge display.
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Always a favourite for those who enjoy a less-affected Bohemian vibe, and a solid respect for, amongst other things, a range of good cask beer. Only 1 of the offerings last weekend was a Kemp Town brew (the China) but not such a disappointment with such an enticing range of alternatives accompanying it, including Brewdog Riptide. All ales sampled by me and my entourage were excellent, and pulled with efficiency and effervescence by the barmaid.
The popularity of the place suggests that whatever has been the case in the past, they have got back into their stride again now and are pleasing most of the people, most of the time. There was a mixed crowd in attendance, but there was a palpable perception of organic enjoyment amongst all, and I suppose the atmos really did epitomise the liberal freedoms that Brighton so wants to be known for.
My last visit here was around 2006; I certainly don't intend to leave it that long again before returning.
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What a difference a day makes, or in this case a change of management (see my previous review dated 10th Feb 2009). Last Saturday morning I walked in anonymously (ie didn't let on I was Mr Boozy) and was immediately greeted with a tangible sense of welcome, a fine self-respecting pint of chilled Guinness, and Buddy Holly singing "Brown Eyed Handsome Man" on the (free) jukebox.
Two ladies were serving, one dark & sultry, the other blonde & bubbly ~ both were bright & cheerful ~ the clientelle boho & friendly ~ making our stay at the new "Heart and Hand" a relaxed & convivial experience, before heading off in the general direction of the Brighton Farm Market just up the road. And yes they've fixed the malfunctioning Johnny Cash single too...
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Between 16 and 21 August the Heart and Hand must have had a change of bar staff. The barmaid who served us was charming. The beer was excellent and served promptly. The food (when it eventually arrived) was also very good and good value: interestingly it seemed to have been prepared by some other establishment down the street somewhere. I liked what seemed like genuine Art Nouveau touches to the pub decor. The juke box had some ancient tunes on it and I think the speaker must have been facing the wall at the back. In all, an eccentric and characterful place.
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Nice pub but last time I went in the person behind the bar swore every time a customer walked in as she was trying to eat her lunch. Not exactly welcoming. Will not be going back...
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I want to still like the H&H honestly I do... best jukebox, charming looking hostelry, nice location........ but the whole notion of you doing people a favour by being there when the pub trade is dying is a curious one. And rude bar staff is not really a trade magnet is it.
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The landlord in this pub watches and makes notes of how much you drink, if he feels you're not drinking enough he becomes abusive, if you choose to drink the mineral water he sells he becomes even more abusive. IN the hour we were there he pushed three of us for no reason and shouted abuse into our faces. He then offered me out for a fight. All we did was sit and chat. It seems the landlord doesn't appreciate his clientele unless they are fat sweaty alpha male types stuck in the 70s.
Avoid this place at all cost, the beer was off, the carpet stank of mould, the staff were rude and the drinks pricey for a dingey little cramped pub. I would seriously recommend any other pub in brighton, i'd even recommend a goth go to Oceania before setting foot in this excuse for a pub.
Landlord, you're a ridiculous excuse for a bar man and it seems the majority who frequent the Heart and Hand are already aware of this, incuding the staff, who spent time making excuses for him.
Rubbish, sweaty, stinking miserable pub, i'd rather chew barb wire and make love to a dead rhino before i go in there again.
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Like a pub from the 70's. That's not a criticism. Doombar and leffe on draught and a cosy atmosphere.
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When I visit Brighton with my wife the Heart and Hand is usually our first stop for a pint. I love this little boozer, we were there on Saturday and the Harveys Best and Sharp's Doombar were both in fine form, as was the wife's Leffe. I've always found the staff here to be friendly and the vintage jukebox is ace. The Evening Star may have a much better ale selection but the H & H is still my favourite Brighton boozer.
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Bar staff were v friendly,
Spiced mulled cider was exellent.
the way pubs should be
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Yes, this handy little pub in the North Laines has all the potential of a 5-star review: good location nr Saturday morning street market, great beers, vintage working jukebox with excellent range of desirable & obscure 45s - but all spoilt by a particularly surly & intractable landlady (" i don't do families" "Crisp flavours? Look on the wall") who seemed to have more chips on her shoulder than she did on the menu...
Shame 'cos it could be so good otherwise. And someone needs to replace that Johnny Cash single on the jukebox: the one that skips & jumps like it's been a veteran of half-a-dozen barroom brawls...
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The Harvey's Best bitter was rather warm and in poor shape - all three of us agreed. Apart from that this is a nice dusty boozer and the retro-juke box was ace.
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Have to say, I've been here several times and the Harveys has been perfect, perhaps you got the end of a barrel?
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"mods with jump the gun shopping bags and old geezers" Oi. I resemble that remark.
IMHO, its still the best boozer in the area. I'd rather have a slightly 'not quite mint' pint here, than the most perfect pint in some sterile gastro-box. Atmosphere really does make a big difference.
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Zaphod is right - the real ale is not always in tip-top condition in here.
However, the HAH is deserving of commendation for it's jukebox and atmosphere. Students, aspiring young mods with jump the gun shopping bags and old geezers makes for an interesting mix.
I would stick to the lager if you can however, but a decent street corner hostelry. And its green on the outside.
Play "Runaway" by Del Shannon on the jukebox, have a drink by the bar and play air mellotron in the middle of the song.
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My respite when SWMBO is let loose shopping in the Laines. Real ale is generally not in the best of shape so I stick with the Leffe. (better than Carlsberg) The jukebox as has been mentioned is amazing. However it seems to be possessed by strange demons and will on ocassion spit out a random song that is completly different from what you have selected. I mean, where else can you select Bowie and end up with 'See Emily Play' by Pink Floyd on a jukebox.
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The jukebox remains a winner in here.... classic tunes on it.
Decent beer and a decent pub worth a visit...
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Lovely little pub - good beer and top juke box.
Occasionally spoilt by the huge amount of trendy 60s/70s extras on display - still, you can't have everything...
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Classic looking hostelry on the outside and inside.
The IPA was pure malt vinegar so my mate got a suitable replacement pint.
Friendly enough and jukebox with great tunes on it.
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Nice little street corner boozer, not really my cup of tea, bit gloomy for me but OK.
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Well worth a visit if only for the juke box which mainly stocks 60s and 70s sounds. Some really obscure songs on there that you won't have seen for many a year. Also offers a wide range of beers including real ale and imported beers such as Leffe. Cosy little boozer - far better than the chain pubs that now threaten to take over the landscape.
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Saw Jim in here there other week.
But that's not the pubs fault.
Great jukebox.
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An example of how a traditional pub can also be trendy. AFAIK
it is family-run and I have neverhad any problem with the staff.
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Quality duke box and a decent pint well worth a visit on a crawl around the North Lanes, found the barmen very friendly and said if I couldn't here the duke box from where I was sitting that I could have my � back.
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Excellent jukebox, good craic
anonymous - 21 Sep 2005 15:18 |
I sympathise with Andyrug as I have also had my evening out spoilt by the staff in this place. There seems to be some sort of exclusive attitude going on, that only desperate-to-be-seen retro-dressing sixth-formers put up with. Sadly the music, crampedness and frankly horrible decoration just add to my dislike of the H&H. I'd say go and make up your own mind, but I really don't recommend it.
Peacock - 26 Oct 2004 00:20 |
Shame to hear about the last readers experience as I loved this place when I visited and have had it recommended to me by several people. I'm hoping this was just a one-off...
anonymous - 14 Jan 2004 19:18 |
I found this pub to be distinctly unfriendly: after an evening enjoying the atmosphere provided by the landlord and punters, the night was entirely spoilt for myself and many present by the extreme rudeness and aggressiveness of the (apparent) pub manager. One to be firmly avoided; this man's attitude towards his customers has severely tarnished the image of a previously reputable establishment. What a shame for all,
Andy. - 13 Jan 2004 00:06 |
Any pub with original 45's from the MC5, Love, The Byrds and many many more, has got to be worth it's wait. Suberb.
Good for: Getting pissed to the sounds of the 60's
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Tiny, good beer, atmos about right. ANd the juke box is excellent.
And the cat from the printers' round the corner is very friendly.
Ant - 24 Sep 2003 18:12 |
Original, nice atmosphere and a proper jukebox that plays 45's! Excellent!
anonymous - 2 Apr 2003 08:18 |
