Watchmakers Arms, Hoveback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I am not a fan of the micro pub format, they have no comfort,history,ambience or room to stretch out . They pay very low rates,low overheads and Usually do not make enough to pay V.A.T. and yet price the beers over the average for pubs In their area!!! The Watchmaker's is typical of the genre but they try to smile.I've seen enough now to not bother with them,give me a proper pub any day.
|
Lovely micro-pub just by Hove station. Usually four or five ales on, served on gravity from a cold room behind the bar, plus a choice of interesting ciders. Run by two cheerful ladies, there's always a friendly atmosphere. Never had a bad pint and always worth a visit when in the area. Wish there were more pubs like this!
|
Very pleasant "shop-become-pub" with a small but excellent range of well-kept local ales on tap - literally, as they're brought to you from the back room. Clean and possibly underfurnished (don't try sitting on the wooden 'shelf' for too long - it'll alienate your back-side forever) but a popular and sociable environment. Very close to the railway station.
|
Intriguing pub that is more like a shop without a traditional bar as such - bringing back the old serving hatch style of service cf. the Doctors Orders in Nottingham which has a very similar layout. An ever changing range of beers and knowledgeable people working there. Not enough seats - I had to perch - but this is testimony to its growing popularity. Near enough to Hove station that it should get passing trade as well.
|
after going to Brighton to visit family we were recommended to visit the Watchmakers Arms. We did this on Friday evening and enjoyed it immensely, totally different to our usual haunts up North, a real pity we dont have anything similar. will definitely visit again as the owners made us feel very welcome and at home! well done to you all for creating such a good atmosphere!
|
Lovely pub with a lovely atmosphere. Really friendly staff that seem to be enjoying the whole experience. I have visited a few times since it's opening a couple of weeks ago, and am thoroughly impressed with the progress that they have made.
As a slightly younger customer, it has been nice to introduce friends to the wonder that is ale, and socialise with people of all ages. On a standard night out, it is unusual to find myself in genuine conversation with strangers, and it makes a welcome change.
In reply to the previous comment, it seems slightly ridiculous to suggest that TWA has turned into a 'drinking den' for the owners' friends to commandeer as their own. The whole purpose of a micro pub is to promote conversation and make new friends. Maybe it's not so ridiculous that you struggled to do so.
All in all, great pub, great beer and a fun evening.
JSnow - 17 May 2015 14:28 |
Such a great start, but my last two visits have been disappointing. What set this aside was that it was different from anywhere else in Hove, good beer, good prices and good to sit and talk without the usual noise of a pub. Yet unfortunately within a couple of weeks it appears to have turned into a drinking den for one of the owners mates who drink and shout as though its their own private pub. Shame, also a shame that the owner appear oblivious to the customers quickly drinking up and leaving, ah well I am sure their mates will keep them in business.
|
Love this place! Definitely our new regular. We popped in for an impromptu drink on a Tuesday evening and are so glad we did. The Watchmakers Arms had been open for only a week, and it was the first time we could get in as it's been so busy in the evenings, and we could see why. As befits a micro pub the set up is lovely and simple with high tables and stools/benches which were actually comfortable to sit at. I had a local cider and other half tried two beers which went down very well. Understandably as it's a micro pub there is no loud music which makes a nice change and you can actually talk and relax. We were pleased to meet two of the owners, Ruth and Ali who were really welcoming. We also liked the fact that nice dogs were welcome which gave the place a friendly air. Already looking forward to our next visit.
|
We visited the Watchmakers arms a week after it first opened and what a welcome relief it was!! The beer was excellent as was the wine!! The staff were lovely and welcoming and we really enjoyed being able to hear ourselves speak without the blaring jukebox in the background. Always takes a brave person to do something different and we wish them all the very best for the future. Will definitely return soon!!
|
Great beer and friendly people. Top notch micro pub whether you want a quiet beer on your own with the paper or with your mates.
|
My honest review: Firstly I was accosted by a drunk peddler/busker whilst chaining up my bike outside the ´Watchmakers Arms´. He had two yukalayli´s taped together with red duct tape. It was almost fighting talk, but I had my bike chain in hand so i laughed at him. The opening hours are the same as a slack funeral parlour. There was no bar to sit or stand at. The beer is kept in a chilled room beind a closed door, behind a till. There is more atmosphere at an empty garden centre cafe. The tables, stools & pews are to high and uncomfortable, if you had a wooden leg, you´d have to stand. There is still a smell of fresh paint and Mr Sheen. There is a dog basket with a resident dog. It licked my hand after it had licked it's lady bollox, ahhhhh cute dog not! They have complimenty dog biscuits by the till besides the expensive Masterchef crisps for sale. There are brass horns on the walls, I was expecting more clocks. No background music to drown out the pretentious chat. No Wifi, only intermintent mobile 3G/4G, so you cannot even Google an escape route.
On a positive. Very good beer and the lovely blonde lady who was part owner, she was very nice and welcoming. Overall rating! DOG BOLLOX. I wish them all the best, but fine tuning is needed. The silence was deafening!!! Thank goodness I had a Mosquito bite to scratch. "If you ever think you´re to small to make a difference, then you´ve never been to bed with a Mosquito".
|
|
