The Jenny Lind, Hastings

Considering the Jenny Lind markets itself partly as a hotel, I was expecting something a little less, I don't know: grungy. Loud (not deafening, but not background either) reggae was playing as I entered, although the music selection did vary considerably during my visit. The front bar (where I spent my time) features lots of bare boards, stools and high wooden tables. This is a bright airy room, looking out onto the busy (with people, not traffic) High Street. Behind the main bar is another room, which seemed a little gloomier from what I remember. At the bar, there's seven pumps; two offer Theakstons products (including Old Peculier) while the rest are more locally focussed, several serving ale from Hastings Brewery - my Pale was a little cloudy but tasted just fine. Prices are reasonable too, starting at £3.19. The lager range is pretty standard, but I did note a triple font for wine. It may sound like I wasn't too keen. Not the case - I'd definitely recommend this one for a Hastings pub crawl, but it's certainly more pub than swanky Hilton.

Jenny Lind official site with menu and event details - jennylindhastings.co.uk

Jenny Lind official site with menu and event details - jennylindhastings.co.uk

The Jenny Lind is somewhere we normally walk straight past on the way to and from the FILO, but today we popped in for a pint. A pint – we could have had half a gallon here. Five hand pumps is more than you'll see in very few places outside London. This is a pub which will certainly be added to the Hastings list for future visits. And it's got two separate and distinct gents toilets. Two – I counted them. How posh is that?

The Jenny Lind wasn't on our radar of “to do” pubs for our Hastings mini crawl but a quick glimpse of the 5 hand pumps through the window deemed it worthy of a lucky dip visit. The interior consists of 2 bars, the fairly straight forward main bar at the front and a smaller paneled bar at the rear. The place has a slightly scruffy feel with random furnishings and features that include an old upright piano, open log fire and, for some reason, an American petrol pump. Music flyers and promotional cards are dotted about across the window sills advertising whats on in the pub (live music often a feature) and the town in general. Stairs lead up to a surprisingly attractive split level beer patio with probably the world's largest pub umbrella. There are views of the cliffs in the distance and I could happily spend a few hours here listening to the seagulls. The aforementioned 5 pumps offered Courage Directors, Deuchers, Doom Bar, Youngs and Old Peculiar which probably as good a range of Ales as you will find in town. Quality was fine and the prices were a bit more reasonable than some of its competitors. For a warm August Saturday night it wasn't too busy or rowdy and all in all, it was a bit of an unexpected bonus. Certainly a place I would add to my Hastings recommendations.