White Rock Hotel, Hastings

After promising my drinking partners that the quality of pub in Hastings would improve and that decent cask ales would be available from here on in, the White Rock Hotel proved me wrong. Having been the local CAMRA pub of the year a few times before Covid and having made regular appearances in the Good Beer Guide until 2023, we found 4 handpulls but 3 of them had reversed clips (2 from Harvey's, the third was a different brewery) and the other was unclipped. Having walked a bit out of the way in the pouring rain to pay this place a visit, I wouldn't recommend anybody else making the same mistake. Keg options were Super 8 Cherry, Moretti, Brixton Reliance Pale Ale & Coldharbour Lager, Appleshed Cider & Biddenden's Bushels. They'd even run out of Guinness. As ciders go, I was reasonably happy with my Bushels but the others weren't impressed. This is effectively a hotel cafe bar. Surroundings are quite nice and there are some lovely views of the sea. Tables nearest the window are most popular and dogs are welcome. Although one was occupying two tables! On a Monday afternoon, most were here for coffees and teas or possibly a late lunch. Sunday roasts are also served every other week. In addition to the indoor tables overlooking the sea, there is a small outdoor patio. I seem to recall it being covered which would explain its popularity. An area near the toilets had a modern fire going and seemed quite cosy. However there was another windowless area which I'd imagine you would only sit in as a last resort. Previous reviews on here looked promising but on the basis of my visit, I wouldn't recommend making a special visit here, unless perhaps you're visiting the pier.

Hotel bar open to non-residents until 23:00, with a smart interior with views of the beach and pier through the picture windows, but the front terrace on each side of the central entrance is certainly the place to be (if the weather is good, and you can get a table). The beer offering is unusually good too, typically with three local cask ales available from the four handpumps, e.g. Harvey's Olympia and a pair from Three Acre: Session Pale (£4.80) and Elderflower White. Surprisingly good.

Looking for all the world like a typical, large seafront hotel, this place also operates a smart cafe and bar which is open to non-residents and has even found its way into the Good Beer Guide of late. You enter via a front decked seating area with views across the busy road towards the beach and pier, progressing through a revolving door before turning right for the bar. A bare boarded runway strip leads to the servery, with carpeted seating areas on either side, filled with glass topped tables and padded chairs, lots of potted plants and a large display of chilled desserts. The servery has a glittery mosaic tile counter front, hard wood top and a plain, mirrored bar back with a coffee station to one side. The room has a suitably seaside cream and blue colour scheme and extends into a notional second room beyond the bar, with tub chair seating and large glass doors leading through to a lounge at the far end. An archway to the rear of the main bar area houses a small snug-like spot with orange walls decorated with arty mirrors, where a couple more tables can be found. It all feels very much like a café rather than a pub, but it was doing a great trade early doors, even if I was the only person on the beer at that time of day. Four hand pumps offered Harvey's Old Ale and Christmas Ale plus Rother Valley Boudicca Ale, with Long Man Long Blonde having recently been taken off. I though t this was an encouraging range that implies reasonable turnover and my half of the Christmas Ale was certainly in Good Beer Guide worthy shape. The staff seemed friendly and efficient and there was music playing very quietly in background. There’s no denying that this place feels more like a bustling cafe than a pub, but that’s still preferable to it coming across like a bland hotel bar and the beer was in great nick, which is reason enough to stop by. I can’t pretend that this is somewhere I’d want to take friends to or spend a longer session in, but it’s smartly presented, clean and welcoming, which makes it worth a look in passing. Date of visit - 21st December 2024

Visited 27/07/2024 Had passed this place by many times when regularly in Hastings and St Leonard's but wanted to try a new venue whilst stopping for a short walk on the pier opposite so popped into the bar here. Well described below in terms of layout and sat inside as the terrace out the front was (a) noisy and full and (b) whilst it has a nice view of the sea it is also v close to a busy main road that is only a pavement's width away! The bar is to the right of the reception and the actual bar towards the right end of the bar. There is another small area at the very right end and a sort of snug behind the bar but it didn't look very cosy! Only two of the four hand pumps were in use offering Long Man Old Man and Wantsum Brewery Fortitute, which i v much enjoyed. Keg choices were Moretti, Amstel, Guinness and the two staples from Brixton, Reliance Pale Ale and Coldharbour lager. There were also two ciders on tap Appleshed and Bushells Kentish cider from Biddenden at a potent 6% abv for unsuspecting hotel guests! This was only a short visit at a busy time. Have an overnight stay in the hotel in mid-autumn so definitely a venue i will check out the cask offering again either before heading out that evening or on returning for a nightcap!