Stanmer Park, Brighton

nicknamed the zoo, this hideous chain pub dive was closed a few christmases ago due to fighting amongst knuckledragging locals. It reopened, and nothing really changed except more tv screens, cctv and no pool table. its one of those places where the only way you can't see a tv screen is if you close your eyes. The clientele is sad old geezers, oiks and students who havent learned that a meal for �2.99 is never going to be better value or more nutritous than eating their own socks. The regulars are people who can't climb back up the steep hill after visiting one of the better establishments at lower altitude, and those who can't bear the pretenciously nouveau yuppie mothers meeting that is the adjacent Tin Drum. Beer is swill, food is awful, atmosphere is setanta and moody staff on minimum wage. Avoid

7 May 2009 00:58

Park View, Brighton

This used to be a great pub, spacious and trendy but with a mixed crowd of interesting people. But then it changed. First to go were the draught lagers- It was worth visiting just for the Kuppers. Paulaner and Frulli that were served on tap alongside the usual wifebeater and Fosters. Next up the food took a nosedive. Until late 2007 it was always a good place for a burger or fish pie, with good chips and crisp salads- I ordered a rare burger and was served an incinerated hockey puck with wet chips and a disgusting green slime which, upon enquiry I was told was salad. I returned the meal and it was re-cooked and returned to me minus the salad. I asked for my money back and the embarrassed looking manager obliged. It's depressing that a pub will throw its reputation and good products away so cheaply in favour of stella and brake brothers. Theres no reason why a pub in such a great location (its a mile up a very steep hill to the nearest pub, an awful Barras aggro pub) shouldn't be able to offer something original and rewarding to its customers, and on that basis there is no reason for anyone to go there until they sort their act out

6 May 2009 16:10