Duke of Wellington, Shoreham-By-Sea

Official site of The Duke Of Wellington - dukeofwellingtonbrewhouse.co.uk

The Duke of Wellington was rammed with a crowd that was listening to a live band when I visited on a recent Saturday evening. Live music was also advertised for Fridays and Sundays so this seems to be the choice pub at the weekend for music fans. There is a dartboard around to the right of the U shaped bar and on the opposite side to the left is table football and bar billiards. Just outside the rear exit is a covered seating area complete with log burner and beyond is a large beer garden. As it was so busy it was a bit of a problem moving around the pub as there were a few bottle necks, but the service was prompt and friendly. I counted seven hand pumps that were drawing Thornbridge’s Jaipur, Ramsgate Brewery’s Dogbolter, three Dark Star brews, Green Jack Brewing Company’s Trawlerboys Best, and Rich’s Cider. I went for a pint of Jaipur which was well received. I would have enjoyed my visit more if it was a little quieter as I couldn’t really get settled, but that’s my fault for visiting on a Saturday night. The next time I’m in the area I will endeavour to return for another pint or two.

This pub has quite a striking external architecture (look out especially for the hanging wellington boot) and the promise of Dark Star ales within. However, once inside, there really isn’t a huge amount to write home about – the interior is off-putting , it seems rather half-arsed and done on the cheap; laminate flooring and bright colours really doesn’t make one feel cosy. A lot of the light from the coastal setting also seems to be purposefully filtered out by the stained glass windows, making the place seem very gloomy on a summer’s day. Most of the raw ingredients are there – bar billiards, darts, piano etc but it really just doesn’t pull it off. Beer wise, there’s usually four Dark Star ales which of course come out very well, alongside a cider (usually Thatchers). I’ve been here a couple of times now and I really wasn’t that enamoured on either occasion. Great beer but I wouldn’t go out of my way to do this one again unless I happened to be nearby.

A rather striking looking building from the outside, the interior has been rather half-heartedly refurbished with wooden flooring over the original and a functional light wood bar. The pub has a rather bohemian feel and unusual decor such as the display of old vinyl records with the centre labels replaced with Dark Star brewery beer mats. Now an L shaped area however looking at the front elevation I reckon there would have been two doors in the middle between the bay windows, leading to seperate rooms. Seating is banquettes which have seen better days, small stools and bar stools. Candles are set into Jack Daniels bottles, there are toby jugs hanging over the bar, a selection of board games and reference material randomly chucked on a chair back. There is also a piano(with tourism leaflets all over the top), a bar billiards table and a dartboard. The TV was off. The leaded windows deserve a mention with their stained glass upper sections depicting various objects/characters. The main attraction however is the Dark Star beers, four handpumps, three on yesterday dispensing Hophead, American Pale Ale and The Argos Ale. There is also Thatchers Cider from a plastic barrel. It's shabby, untidy but really rather good, and the service was friendly too. Good stuff.

Nicely refurbished pub worth the walk from the railway station. Great range of Dark Star ales with a bit more room than their pub the Evening Star in Brighton. Wasnt so busy on our last visit as in other years.

As a Dark star fan I was pleased when they opened up a pub in shoreham. The beers here are superb and over the first year the venue has been refurbished.They have live bands on Fridays and sometimes Sundays,and Roy and the rest of the staff are great. Well worth a visit!