The Great Eastern Brighton

The Great Eastern, Brighton

Classic pub charm with a selection of cask options

Entering The Great Eastern feels a bit like entering a wood-clad cocoon. It’s a bit tight space-wise, but in all seasons that cosy crampedness amongst the bar stools, wooden furniture and other patrons just makes you feel safe and at home.

Outside you can join one of the benches which fill with a lively rabble of post-work drinkers and people starting their nights out.

The location and reputation bring a healthy mix of locals and visitors to The Great Eastern, and the unwritten code of table sharing, the presence of kooky Brighton regulars, plus general dog friendliness, make for a disarmingly jovial atmosphere. Just as a true pub should.

There’s a decent collection of cask options here, some of which rotate (others like Timothy Taylor’s seem fixed); there’s little for keg fans to get excited about, but there is a good selection of lagers.

On weekends bearded DJs play a distinctive background soundtrack of country, blues and classic rock from a record player perched haphazardly at the end of the bar – it’s so The Great Eastern.