The West Quay (JD Wetherspoon), Brighton

Large Wetherspoon's on two levels. Downstairs is open plan with good outside drinking areas overlooking the marina and on a nice summers day like today it would take a lot of beating. There were 4 guest beers on tap with the Arundel New Horizon being in good form. Did not try upstairs as it opens later in the day. If like me you don't drive bus no7 leaves the railway station approx. every 10 mins. Worth a visit if only for the area.

This is probably one of the best situated ‘Spoons I have visited in my travels having as it does, a commanding position overlooking the length of Brighton Marina. Formerly a pub called Jackson's Wharf, which opened in 1998, it converted to a Wetherspoons in 2004. On two levels, both having an excellent outside veranda area to sit on and stare at the boats, seagulls and people walking the boardwalk of this part of the marina. Inside it’s the usual plastic chain pub design with the usual cheap but very cheerful plastic ‘spoons menu. But good on it for that, because when sitting on the Veranda in bright sunshine, staring at the view a pint of real ale at under £2.00 is a positive steal for the location. I think I counted the usual 12 handpumps in two banks of 6 along the separated bar services and the usual Wetherspoons house beers were complemented by a couple of local real ales. Visited twice, once at lunchtime and then again late evening during my visit to the Marina and the service was OK on this midweek day, but cannot comment to what it may be like at the weekend. However I did get the impression when back in the evening that, due to the fact that it is some way out of town and you have to drive to it, it doesn’t convert to a nightclub for the Brighton youf like the other ‘spoons situated in the town centre and the evening crowd seemed to be more mature and no bouncers required on the doors of this one.

This should be the best pub in Brighton. It has the location and internally it has lots of style, what a fantastic venue. On summers days you can sit in the shade or in the sun on the verandas and watch the world go by. They do serve real ales but it is so badly kept I defy you to even sip it...the smell is awful and this was on several occasions. There are however some imported lagers that are OK although they do charge like a wounded bull for them. Never the less still worth a visit and you can take the electric railway along the front to get to it.