Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
Gus Woltmann with Quinno
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Basketmakers Arms, Brighton
Brighton
BN1 4AD
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about Basketmakers Arms
This is a former Gales pub, now run by Fullers, situated near the North Laine area of Brighton, but thankfully far enough away from the main thoroughfares that it seems to avoid the worst of the tourist masses.
Three Fullers (Pride, ESB, Discovery) and three Gales (Seafarers, HSB, Festival) plus two guests (Butcombe Bitter £3.20, Elgoods Cambridge) made up the healthy selection at the bar. The Butcombe was in great shape and went down very well after a day spent sweltering on the beach front.
As great as the beer is, it's the pub that is the real star here. The interior comprises of two rooms with padded benches and low stools arranged around traditional tables. The stools are upholstered with old fashioned fabrics, which fits in well with the amazing collections of old beer bottles, pump clips, tobacco tins, advertising signs, photos, stamps and other assorted bric-a-brac that demands your attention. A small selection of outdoor seating caters for those who didn't get enough sun on the beach.
A real find and one of the town’s most appealing pubs. I would put this high on my list of 'must return' pubs for Brighton.
On 3rd June 2010
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3126 recommendations about 3126 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Clive Thompson left this review about Basketmakers Arms
Seems to have some history to it, if even just for the myriad of bric-a-brac nailed to the walls. Did seem to be a bit of a tourist attraction though on my visit which I suppose is not surprising given it's location. Service was friendly and efficient. Just Butcome Bitter on offer outside of the Fullers stable.
On 12th June 2009
- rating: 6
[User has posted 777 recommendations about 697 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Basketmakers Arms
Mostly Fullers beer, but a couple of guests at well (including a decent Butcombe Bitter). Staff efficient (but too busy to be friendly). Overall, justifiably popular.
On 21st February 2009
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8149 recommendations about 8149 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
train man left this review about The Basketmakers Arms
I know it's tantamount to sacrilege in these parts, but I've long felt that the Basketmakers is rather over-rated, especially if you just want a drink. The choice is primarily the Fullers range, although they did have a Batemans guest last night in good shape, but its excessive popularity is off-putting – it was rammed last night & I ended up supping outside, shivering, to escape the claustrophobic bar. I've reviewed before, and the lunchtime food specials do look very good value and, yes, the staff are friendly & efficient, but I live in London, and this is a Fullers pub …
28 March 2007
Good range of beers, including Jennings Cumberland today, and the daily food specials read very well indeed, eg Fillet of Black Bream with new pots & roasted pepper sauce for just £5.95, but I can't help thinking that the drinkers are slightly marginalised at lunchtime when the whole pub smells like the kitchen. That, however, is admittedly something of a devil's advocate standpoint and I think this is a terrific pub run by people who evidently care about their food & drink and are always welcoming & polite.
On 23rd November 2008
- rating: 7
[User has posted 412 recommendations about 411 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about Basketmakers Arms
Street corner Fullers/Gales house on the edge of the North Laines area. A very relaxed ambience with a definite bohemian feel, wooden floos and bar, traditional seating; the walls are adorned with tin signs and old tin boxes of the Oxo or tobacco type while beermats and cigarette cards decorate the area around the bar. A real mix of clientele from trendy 20somethings and student types up to OAPs with yours truly somewhere in the middle I suppose! An eclectic mix of non mainstream music plays at a subdued volume so not preventing conversation. An efficient friendly hands on guv presides, and makes sure everyone entering is greeted and thanked on leaving.
The food looked good and the menu suggests an emphasis on locally sourced and organic produce. Daily specials are listed on the chalkboard over the bar.
Beers were ESB, Pride, Discovery, HSB, Butser and Jennings Cumberland.
Very pleasant and enjoyable, worthy of inclusion in any crawl of the area.
On 21st June 2008
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Nigel Sheppard left this review about Basketmakers Arms
Outstanding food menu at great prices, the food is well worth a visit alone. Couple that with some great beers (2 guests) and really friendly polite staff and you will have a great time.
On 28th May 2007
- rating: 8
[User has posted 192 recommendations about 192 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john mcgraw left this review about Basketmakers Arms
Fairly comfortable corner pub 10 mins walk from the railway station.Was a Gales pub now taken over by Fullers and selling both beers.
On 6th February 2007
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]