The Waterloo Inn, Bognor Regis

A little two room local just off the seafront, unspoilt to the extent that it is straight out of the 1970s. Sadly the (keg) beer range is too, although the regulars didn't seem to notice. Could be a cracking little pub with minimal effort.

There were ten or so locals in the right hand bar of the Waterloo Inn when I visit just before 11am on Saturday morning. Horse racing was airing on the plasma screen as the jukebox competed for sound. The left hand bar that houses a second plasma screen (off) and the jukebox was devoid of customers. At the rear of this bar is an area with two dartboards. A standard keg range was available and the four hand pumps (2 in each bar) were unused. To be honest I’m not sure that real ale is going to be popular in a pub where the locals are buying Sambuca chasers before most pubs have opened for the day. For those that need a break from the smell of arse there are three picnic tables out the front. I found the service to be friendly, but this is a pub for locals.

Bit of a spit-and-sawdust dive without the sawdust. Friendly enough on entering but, sadly, lacking in ale. I couldn't bring myself to drink the John Smiths Smooth offered, so left. No Ale, No Sale.

Very basic pub, but still retains a traditional layout of a lounge bar (with a carpet) and public bar (without). A few patio benches out front plus a very small courtyard to the rear. Four disused handpumps, all with reversed Flowers Original clips. Had the dreaded John Smiths Smooth, but my expression probably gave the game away and the barman offered to see whether he could find something better in the back fridge. He returned with a bottle of Theakston XB (£3.40) which cheered my up somewhat. (NB - Review dates from August 2011.)