The Hole in the Wall, Brighton

Following a recent recommendation from one of the previous reviewers, I tagged this place for a sharpener before attending a Heaven 17 gig last night, given that so many of the surrounding pubs have been crushed by the wheels of industry. Arriving at around 7.00pm, I was presented with a venue that was so small that I could barely get over the door jamb for the sheer number of people just queuing at the bar, the folk music trio taking up much of the precious seating; I decided to save it for later. On returning at 10.10 pm, I found a venue which had an agreeable level of customers but was told by the manager ‘I close at 10.00 on a Sunday’. Why? There were plenty of punters in and I overtook customers making their way here after a Daryl Hall gig at the nearby Brighton Centre, the same potential customers entering the pub that I passed on leaving. This place may superficially offer much in the way of temptation, but ultimately its lack of space means that it’s also a waste of it too; I should have taken advantage of the other recommendation, the neighbouring Lion & Lobster.

Facebook page of The Hole in the Wall - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Hole in the Wall - www.facebook.com

By miles the best venue visited in this 2-day in the day visit to Brighton. Clearly the other venues I have ticked off were very different to this traditional pub so no surprises by my accolade for the venue and its lofty heights. As noted below, two room venue with a small walk through on the side of the bar area that divides both rooms with service from both sides of the bar. Very well worn red fabric banquettes with small white topped round tables in front thereof that I occupied on my sole punter at the venue visit around 1.30pm today. Plenty of high stools with similar fabric covering at the ledge along left hand side of front room and at the bar in the front room. A great soundtrack during my visit also. I too was caught out by the 5 hand pumps staring at me on walking through the front door but I did see the chalk board through the bar on the wall in the back bar still not spying the much larger board on the left hand wall inside the front door. Panic over was quickly reassured this place deserves all the lofty ratings it has achieved on PG! Rather than replicate the beers (there were 4 cask offerings and I took a flawless pint of the Kazbek pale ale from Redemption) have posted a picture of the board as it was today on the date of my visit. I hadn’t noticed this pub in the over 10 years I have been regularly popping into Brighton from weekend place nearby. It instantly will become of one of my go to venues in Brighton, space permitting of course as it is quite a small venue but no doubt has overspill onto the quiet area out the front in a pretty sheltered spot. It has a number of CAMRA awards above the beer board in the front bar and very well deserved I must say. Top notch venue.