Regency Tavern, Brighton

Tucked away behind the Churchill Square shopping centre, this is a pretty madcap Shepherd Neame pub styled quite comprehensively, in Regency-era décor. You enter into a carpeted, staple-shaped space with the servery along the back wall and plenty of seating around the rest of the perimeter, mostly in the form of banquettes and chairs. The bar counter is fronted with the most remarkable, detailed panels, which are well worth a bit of closer inspection and totally overshadow a rather uninspiring bar back. Elsewhere, the general décor is equally as eye-opening and almost impossible to describe but includes some Regency style furniture including a chaise longue and some sort of fancy throne-like seat, over-elaborate mirror frames, chandeliers and other such features, various statuettes, large wall paintings and a massive coat of arms, almost all presented in gold and all very garish and tacky. Some large potted plants in the front windows provide some greenery to contrast the gold onslaught, and there was a small stage set-up at the front of the pub, where a keyboard player was taking requests from the crowd, which helped liven up the atmosphere a bit. The pub is dog friendly, with one mutt surprising a group of ladies sat next to me, by jumping up onto one of their chairs. There was just the one Shep’s beer on cask – Master Brew at £3.00 a half and in pretty poor condition if I’m honest. I came pretty close to taking it back, but with no other cask alternative, I ploughed on, against my better judgement. The staff were really nice and friendly, and the older clientele were just getting warmed up and I can imagine it would’ve been quite a raucous environment if I’d turned up later in the evening. This is a fun pub with a pretty unique interior that is worth having a stop-off to explore, and the friendly service would also encourage me to make a return some day. However, it’s tricky to look past the poor quality beer and I think that is enough to knock this off the essential list and drop it back into the chasing pack.

An opulent Shepherd Neame pub situated in a narrow alley just off Regency Square, while conveniently close to the shops of Churchill Square. The usual SN keg range is supplemented with Spitfire and Masterbrew (£4.80), which was deliciously cool on a baking hot afternoon. With not too many in when I was there, the pub was a relaxing respite from the inevitable crowds in the centre of Brighton.

Official site of Regency Tavern - www.regencytavern.co.uk

Official site of Regency Tavern - www.regencytavern.co.uk

Historic alleyway pub, dating from about 1700, and now owned by Shepherd Neame. The plush interior features dark red furniture and decor with various ornate features around the 'L'-shaped bar and side room. Also has a tiny stage that could just about accommodate a singer with a guitar. Three of four handpumps in use, offering Master Brew, Spitfire Gold (£4.60) and Bishops Finger.

I wandered into the Regency Tavern on Sunday night after a nice meal in the Coal Shed (Previously the Full Moon) up the road. I’m not the biggest fan of Shepherd Neame beers, but I had my first taste of their Christmas Ale which I thought was very good. There are another five hand pumps that were drawing Spitfire (x3) Master Brew and the last was unused. The usual Shep draught including Oranjeboom and Asahi are also available and reasonably priced food is served at lunchtimes and early evenings during the week, 11:00 until 18:00 on Saturdays and from midday until 17:00 on Sundays. The usual opening hours are adhered to except for an hour extension on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and half an hour on Sundays. I had to wait a while at the bar whilst the manager/governor faffed about, but he was very friendly when I was finally served. The management have gone for regal décor with red and gold wallpaper and gold furnishings. There is some leopard print material in amongst the red soft furnishings and a baby grand piano takes centre stage. There is a resident pianist, five piece jazz band, jazz duo and advertised cabaret nights. This pub is different, but I thought that it aired on the side of tacky rather than regal. Maybe it was the baubles hanging from the golden cherub’s groin area. It was quiet during my visit so I didn’t get the atmosphere that is present when live music is played, but I’m not a fan of jazz music and I do not have a love for cabaret. This place really isn’t my cup of tea and I do not plan to revisit in the near future.