Good Companions, Brighton

Official site of Good Companions - www.goodcompanionsbrighton.co.uk

Refurbished in typical Indigo style, so you'll recognise the formula if you've been to a few of theirs. Plenty of room inside, all the way around the large island bar. Space out the front if you want to observe the traffic on Dyke Road, and there's a patio out back as well. On our Saturday afternoon visit, we noticed that a fair few tables had reservations for the evening, and a few more were being set out as we were having our drinks. It's good to know that your party can be accommodated, but this could discourage casual visitors. Beers comprised 8 pumps (6 serving), all of them supporting both Sussex counties. Ours were a little hazy, though; the Langham Hip-Hop was a little tired but the 360 Pale coped ok. Keg taps go beyond the standard lagers to incorporate a few from Meantime, a Brewdog, a Blue Moon and an Orchard Pig cider. The low mark I'm giving is not simply down to the hazy beer, though. The gents toilet, while incorporated in the tarting-up, was pretty wet under foot. I'm not sure whether it's preferable for that to be due to dodgy plumbing or a poor aim by earlier visitors. It's not a great advert either way.