The Dolphin Inn, Hastings

Located on the seafront opposite Hastings' famous fisherman's net huts (and the modern intrusion of the Jerwood Gallery), the Dolphin is a great example of how a traditional fisherman's pub can be updated for a contemporary audience. A small front patio with limited seating gives some great views out to the aforementioned sights and the sea beyond, making it a good spot on a warm day. Entering into the left hand side of the pub, you find yourself in the smaller of two bars where a compact square servery in the rear right corner has a board to one side listing the full range of ales available. It's a quaint little room with some rather cramped back to back pews under the windows on the front wall and a selection of standard seating options down the left towards the rear. As you might expect, the room is decorated with plenty of seafaring bits including ship's wheels, ropes, lobster pots and the diverting sight of a fishing net hung from the ceiling and full of various plastic fish. The main bar is through a doorway to the right, where a larger room can be found with the servery along the left hand side. The choice seating options here seem to be the smart banquettes along the right hand wall which look very comfortable and stand beneath a great collection of vintage advertisements and a ceiling covered with pump clips. Plenty more nautical themed bric-a-brac can be seen around the room and there are some very attractive partitioning screens here and there with a wave shaped motif carved along the top of each. A few people outside were getting stuck into some no nonsense pub grub, but I didn't see a menu, so I'm not sure how the prices compare. The pub has been a leading light in Hastings' ale scene for a number of years now and the boards next to the bar detailed a good selection from established favourites and some obscurer micros. The full range on this visit was Youngs Special, Harvey's Sussex Best, Tonbridge American Pale Ale, Arbor Blue Sky Drinking and Trade Union Pale Ale. I gave the Blue Sky Drinking a go and it was a lovely pint in excellent condition, whilst my Dad's half of the APA was also top notch - some excellent cellarmanship on show here. This place was relatively quiet when we visited on a Sunday afternoon, which is a shame as I imagine it could be the sort of place that really gets going with a good crowd inside. I thought it was a very nicely presented venue, making good use of its history and location to create an interesting and comfortable environment in which to spend some time, with great quality beer as a bonus. I'm not particularly familiar with the Hastings pub scene, but I'd be surprised if there were many that could better this place.

Near sea front in Old Town and at bottom of the cliff railway. Central bar with small seating areas around as well as on the front terrace. It was full of families on my early visit & the menu seemed to be mainly burgers, sausages & pasta. Thereare however 6 very well kept real ales & if you can put up with all the kids well worth enjoying. Pirate/fishing theme throughout.