The Exchange Inn, Hove

Great pub, i'm not usually one for venturing in to towns to drink but this once is my exception to the rule. Always a nice atmosphere and although the beer choice isn't the best in the county by far, there's just something about the place that works very well. Lighting is usually subdued and ambient which is nice in the evening. Music usually playing too, not too loud either. Recommended.

30 Dec 2008 18:34

The White Horse, Steyning

Trendy, over-priced and over-rated. The barman and his stains (guess they only have one shirt each then? Maybe they spent the clothing allowance on nice taps??!) could bore from 300 feet, and they all look like they've just come back form being extras in a zombie movie.
Totally devoid of character and charm, but of course, it's each to their own. The place to go if you want to feel 'cool' but traditional pub fans will most likely hate it!!

12 Oct 2008 19:29

The Royal Oak, Poynings

Used to use this pub years ago before it went a bit more up market. Have been in a couple of times since and found it tolerable, if people on laptops and mobiles are your thing... Anyway, went in yesterday with a friend and her 2 kids and ordered 4 drinks and 2 portions of chips. Woman behind the bar was a bit curt but no probs as I know what it's like if you're busy, and guessed food may not be quick, so off we went and sat down. Shortly afterwards a couple arrived and placed a food order, which was brought out ten mins later... fair enough I thought, as it was a ploughmans so not exactly time comsuming to prepare, so thought no more of it. Right, 45 minutes later I needed to go back in to 'turn by bike round' so to speak, and thought I would ask behind the bar as to whether everything was ok. Now, before I have a rant, I would like to point out that I am NOT normally someone who moans about pubs in general, and it usually annoys me a bit when I see some poor bar maid getting it in the neck when a customers order isn't there, like, right this minute!! If I hit on a bad pub I usually learn from experience and don't go back, but on this occasion, I just can't help it!! So, off I went to the bar, and there is a bloke next to me who has been waiting 50 mins for a sarnie. When he politely asks the 'lady' behind the bar, she gives him a sharp reply of 'you should have been told it was an hours wait for food - you're order has already been taken out'. God I wish I could somehow make my words portray how rude she was!!!!!
So he slinks off probably feeling a bit embaressed, and she looks at me and barks 'yes?'
In the mean time, I have realized that she has put down cheesy chips not nornal ones (not a big ussue, but by now, i'm feeling it's more a principle thing) and I ask if everything's ok and mention the chip situation and.... Well, if looks could kill i'd be six foot under a tomb stone that might read 'Death by food order enquiry'..... this bird was ready to blow!!! To cut a long story short, she was very very very rude and in got the same treatment as the sandwich man, and having paid for cheesy chips, got non-cheesy ones but no offer of a refund (don't mind that) and i'm pretty sure that 'Sorry' is not in her vocabulary. She was the one who served us and she never mentioned a hours wait, not that it was a problem, but she could have just said 'sorry love, it'll be there soon'. The lad who bought the chips out (5 mins later!) even said she was horrible old wotsit and that ironically, she is head of customer service ha ha ha ha ha!!!! You have to laugh I guess!!!!!
I found out her name but I don't think it's fair to write it here... but if you ever pay a visit to this nice building and you spot an old blonde thing behind the bar who you think would look more suited sat in a hut with 'FIDO' written over it, chewing a bone.... Run away!! x

12 Oct 2008 19:09