The Cricketers, Brighton

This pub was one not on my original plan of pubs to visit on the day, but being nearby to the Bath Arms decided to give it a go.Unusually there is an etched glass screen facing you as you enter the door, once this has been negotiated you find a rather low lit room with little natural light yet rather luxuriantly dressed up in flock wallpaper some rich red upholstery and red carpet, there are collections of various china pottery including a row of chamber pots suspended from the ceiling, it added a touch of quirkiness to the pub.Beers on were London Pride,Caledonian XPA and something called Veteran 303 Golden Ale, I went with the XPA which was fine. I liked this pub and was glad to fit it in with the schedule.

Official site of The Cricketers - www.cricketersbrighton.co.uk

Official site of The Cricketers - www.cricketersbrighton.co.uk

On my previous visit to Brighton, the unusual layout of the pub (with a screen just inside the front door, and the bar jammed up against the screen) created such a bottleneck that we decided to go elsewhere. My more recent visit found the pub not so busy, and I was able to get to the bar and subsequently find a seat where I could enjoy my beer. There were four hand pumps on the go, featuring Fullers London Pride, Caledonian Deuchars IPA and Flying Scotsman, plus Long Man American Pale Ale. I went for the APA, which was not really to my taste but was in good condition, once I had recovered from paying £2.20 for a half. There's a huge choice of pubs in central Brighton, and there are plenty that I prefer to the Cricketers. Having said that, I wouldn't refuse a return visit - assuming I can get through the door. Date of visit: 1st January 2017

Always pleasant to walk through the door of this pub to be transported back to the days of Victorian splendour with thick carpets, thick flock wallpaper of the kind that was once fashionable in Indian restaurants and copious pictures and paraphernalia on the walls and ceilings giving the place a comfy, homely atmosphere. Well described by previous reviewers, this popular tourist pub is a should visit when in Brighton and is only let down by its small size, which makes it not the most comfortable spot on busy sessions, some indifferent and uninterested service levels and a pricing policy that would not be out of place in the West End on London. Despite those the beer has always been passable, as again was my pint of Harveys Sussex Best the other evening. So I will continue to pay it a visit when in town.