The Royal Sovereign, Brighton

Interesting-looking pub beside a sloping road which looks like it should have a split-level interior but which actually doesn't (although steps are required to enter). The bulk of the premises is housed in a three-storey building but the much lower side building has the name inscribed in the stonework above. The interior now comprises two seating / dining areas around an island bar with more of a lounge off to one side. There is also a patio beer garden at the back and a few wooden benches out front on the pavement. On the beer front, I found two from Sharp's - Doom Bar and Atlantic (with a reversed Sea Fury clip on another pull) - and the 360° Blood Orange IPA (£4.65), with Old Rosie cider on the fourth operational handpump.

Down busy Preston Street,this street corner pub has an impressive entrance but looks like two buildings knocked together and that would probably account for the split level layout.The island bar serves the various sections,but the fixtures and fittings are from a recent refurb and few original features remain.A coal affect gas fire is another sign of a win for ease of upkeep over tradition.The four handpumps were dispensing Sharps Doom Bar and Atlantic (yawn) and two from the more local Holler Boys Great Mode and Fog Cutter ,clear but too malty for my taste.Better real ale would have added a mark,but there's lots of room inside and it felt quite laid back.

Official site of The Royal Sovereign - www.royalsovereign.pub

Official site of The Royal Sovereign - www.royalsovereign.pub

A short walk from the seafront, the Royal Sovereign is a very smartly presented pub that offers a modern twist on the traditional pub. An attractive curved servery dominates the main room which sees bare floorboards throughout and a lot of low stool seating, plus a nice curved banquette in the front window bay with a stained glass 'Hotel Bar' insert. The décor is pretty eclectic, with a mix of old pictures, breweriana, London road signs and pump clips vying for attention on the half panelled walls, whilst to one side of the bar is a brand new, etched glass pub mirror. Side rooms are similarly decorated with more low stools, larger bay window banquettes and the odd high table with stools and there is at least one brick fireplace on show. One of the side rooms is in what appears to be an extension, with extensive banquette seating around three sides of the room and some nice arched stained glass windows . Out the back there is a heated and partly covered patio garden area which we enjoyed sitting in, soaking up the residual heat of a warm spring evening. On the bar I counted four cask ales - Sharps Doom Bar, Tiny Rebel Rocksteady, Firebird Sorachi Ace and Burning Sky Aurora. Keg taps from the likes of Meantime and Brewdog were abundant and there were some pretty impressive fridges full of bottled delights. My pint of the Sorachi Ace was in great shape and served by a friendly barman. I really liked the look and feel of this place and thought it was a very well presented pub which could find favour with the traditionalist and hipster alike. The beer range is a definite draw and with some other good ale houses in this part of town, you could have an excellent crawl without travelling too far.