The Basketmakers Arms, Brighton

The Basketmakers Arms is a Fullers pub that had an almost full range of their ales available from the many hand pumps that line the bar on the right hand side of the pub. The draught products are mainly of the premium type, but I did have a decent pint of Guinness that was served by a very friendly barman. It was busy during my visit close to closing time on Saturday night, but everyone was in good spirits and the younger patrons dancing to a bit of background music mingled quite happily with the older generation who were propping up the bar. The walls are adorned with al sorts of memorabilia including old tobacco tins and old Southern Rail signs along with some old ale clips that are stuck on the ceiling beams. Food is served and the mains seemed to come in around the £9 mark which isn’t cheap, but Fullers pubs never are. Being originally from West London I do like a good Fullers pub and this one is right up there with the best.

Friendly bustling corner pub just far away from the main tourist area. The HSB was worth the walk in itself

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.

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.

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.