The Prince Albert Brighton

The Prince Albert Brighton

A colourful pub with a musical past and present, unmissable and irreplaceable

Whether catching the sun out front on multi-coloured forecourt, or watching one of the myriad bands performing upstairs, proximity to the station means there are few who have not visited The Prince Albert, even fewer who later didn’t emerge abslutely loving the place.

The pub’s musical heritage is writ large all over this place. Outside, street artist Sinna One’s huge deceased icons mural covers the entire side wall. Prior to this the original of Banksy’s ‘Kissing Policemen’ resided here accompanied by a John Peel memorial fresco.

A line of pumps and taps greets you on the corner bar as you walk into the main bar space of the two adjoining front rooms. There are low and high tables, tables for groups large and small. Continue through past the bar where there is a small back-bar standing area and two further rooms crammed with tables and more memorabila.

The artistic theme is continued in the back patio smoking space where the walls are alive with the colour of more graffiti art pieces. Inside, signed music posters, football scarves, postcards and other memorabilia are signs of the landlord’s colourful personal touches, everything is characterful and genuine.

The upstairs venue isn’t huge but it regularly hosts the great and the emerging, and its calendar is so busy and welcoming that it’s a destination for pretty much every up-and-coming local band. The space has had a technical upgrade in recent years to improve sound and lighting, but it still feels like the upstairs room of a pub – which simply makes it a relaxed and unpretentious place to watch all kinds of music. It seems rare to find places with passionate promoters willing or able to spend years and years cultivating a reputation like the Albert’s. It has bred true affection among a vast swathe of people and makes the pub a local legend.

Lest we forget, The Prince Albert also stocks great beer. Local brewers are represented on cask and keg, and the taps offer a combination of trusted regular favourites, such as Arise and Plateau by Burning Sky, as well as rotated guests options. There are beers in the fridge too, and a smattering of big brand lagers round off a fantastic selection.

Currently the Albert isn’t running a kitchen, but you are welcome to bring in takeaways from the great vendors across the street.