Review: Freehaus Brighton

The Freehaus​, just off Elm Grove, is a two-floor tap bar with a downstairs games room and upstairs a cosily lit, simply decorated yet comfortable pub space. There’s plenty of room for groups down below, and it’s nice to see these pub sports celebrated with their own space and not simply shunted into a corner.

The decent paved garden space downstairs is an additional string to its bow for summer evenings and sunny weekends.

The variety of taps and cask pumps generously offer punters a plethora of excellent Brighton Bier brews – and guest options – to hydrate you throughout games of darts, football, toads or retro arcade. We opt for the incredibly reliable Freshman Vermont Pale; it’s slightly hazy, thirst quenching and well balanced, and goes down an absolute treat.

We walk into an open mic session in full swing this Wednesday evening, with the pub about half full and respectfully watching the chap on the guitar. The pub is also dog friendly, and an excited collie decides to join in with one of the songs.

The American theme is highlighted by various US plaques and beer memorabilia, as well as the twice-monthly cowboy rockabilly DJ events with the Whiskey Preachin DJs. This actually sounds like a lot of fun – something different for a Friday evening.

There’s a kitchen offering burgers, fries and associated sides. Don’t forget to try the notorious Wing Roulette!

The pub seems to be aimed squarely at a younger student demographic, and it’s markedly different to the traditional feel of The Reservoir that it replaces.

That’s not to say that cask drinkers wont love the generous selection, or that it’s not a pub for anyone over 30. It’s just that the pub has set itself apart from the many classic pubs in the area, and the entertainment on offer feels youth oriented.

The Freehaus is a solid addition to the Brighton Bier pub portfolio, and gives both local beer drinkers and those looking for gaming fun a top option.

What do you think, Brighton? What’s your favourite Brighton Bier brew? Does anyone know how to play toads, and can you teach us some technique?

The Freehaus​, just off Elm Grove, is a two-floor tap bar with a downstairs games room and upstairs a cosily lit, simply decorated yet comfortable pub space. There’s plenty of room for groups down below, and it’s nice to see these pub sports celebrated with their own space and not simply shunted into a corner.

The decent paved garden space downstairs is an additional string to its bow for summer evenings and sunny weekends.

The variety of taps and cask pumps generously offer punters a plethora of excellent Brighton Bier brews – and guest options – to hydrate you throughout games of darts, football, toads or retro arcade. We opt for the incredibly reliable Freshman Vermont Pale; it’s slightly hazy, thirst quenching and well balanced, and goes down an absolute treat.

We walk into an open mic session in full swing this Wednesday evening, with the pub about half full and respectfully watching the chap on the guitar. The pub is also dog friendly, and an excited collie decides to join in with one of the songs.

The American theme is highlighted by various US plaques and beer memorabilia, as well as the twice-monthly cowboy rockabilly DJ events with the Whiskey Preachin DJs. This actually sounds like a lot of fun – something different for a Friday evening.

There’s a kitchen offering burgers, fries and associated sides. Don’t forget to try the notorious Wing Roulette!

The pub seems to be aimed squarely at a younger student demographic, and it’s markedly different to the traditional feel of The Reservoir that it replaces.

That’s not to say that cask drinkers wont love the generous selection, or that it’s not a pub for anyone over 30. It’s just that the pub has set itself apart from the many classic pubs in the area, and the entertainment on offer feels youth oriented.

The Freehaus is a solid addition to the Brighton Bier pub portfolio, and gives both local beer drinkers and those looking for gaming fun a top option.

What do you think, Brighton? What’s your favourite Brighton Bier brew? Does anyone know how to play toads, and can you teach us some technique?