Rights of Man, Lewes

Visited 04/10/24. First ticked off on 01/12/18 but oft visited since! Six hand pumps, four operational dispensing Harvey's cask ales, which on this visit were Best, Old Ale, Armada Ale and their table beer Sisters. Keg offering was Pells Pale, Wharf IPA, Camden Stout, Brixton Reliance Pale Ale, Camden Hells, Stella, Stowford Press cider and Moretti. Another bay fronted venue in the upper part of the High St. There are a couple of tables in the windows, the area in front of the window opposite the bar being slightly raised. The bar counter, a nice wooden affair, is on the left-hand side in front of the stairs and the three leather stools nicely sit in front thereof without impeding access to the bar. There are some tall round tables opposite the bar, separated from each other by wooden dividers with the upper part being filled in by some nice etched glass and the seating in each via a single tall stool and padded seats fixed into the screens, with the last "compartment" housing a more conventional seating arrangement. The downstairs is boarded apart from the raised area, which is carpeted. The lighting is very art deco. There is a dining room out the back with regular tables and chairs and there is also a roof terrace, but I have to admit I have always been happy residing in the venue on the ground floor and being in that vibe.

Inside the Rights of Man, it's all dark wood, intended to look older than it would actually seem to be, and really not as much space as you might have expected - consequently, new arrivals were ready to pounce on my seat as I prepared to leave. 3 Harvey's to be found on the bar (with a clip for Old turned). I opted for an excellently funky pint of Sussex Best. The service was fine and the food great. But! They did apply a service charge, even for just a sandwich, so it's marked down a point for that.

Other than still being a small thin bar, the Rights of Man is unrecognisable compared to before Harveys took over back in 2012. The etched windows across the front and the clean wooden floors and panelled walls inside are much more inviting. To the left of the entrance are a couple of high tables on a rug and to the right is a small raised carpeted area with a high table in the window and small table behind. High backed booths run up the right-hand wall faced by the serving counter up the left opposite. Standard and premium keg were available alongside six hand pumps, five of which were in operation all drawing Harveys. The toilets are found upstairs, as is a large decked roof terrace that sits above the dining area found at the rear of the bar area. The service was polite and I got comfortable very quickly, so I’d pop back in if passing.

Interesting inside as there are small alcove seating areas, otherwise ordinary pub