The Station, Hove

Helpfully located right outside Hove station, this is a large Greene King pub with an opened-out interior which gave it a nice bright and airy feel on my daytime visit. I only visited this place because the nearby Watchmakers Arms was full and couldn’t assure me of a table for another hour, so I slunk off here and found a decent enough example of one of Greene King’s modernised dining-led pubs. The pub forms two, maybe even three, distinct areas thanks to what was clearly once a multiple room interior. Entering from the station-side door, you find yourself in the right-hand, lower part of the pub which has tile flooring and large arched windows looking out to a beer garden of sorts, sandwiched between the pub and the station wall. These windows allow plenty of light in and follow the course of the front wall as well, ensuring plenty of light during daylight hours. A servery to the rear has been repurposed as a pizza kitchen and they were churning out a fair number to a modest crowd, most of whom were sat outside. The only seating available here is in the form of high tables and stools, a theme that continues as you ascend to the main bar area in the centre of the pub. An area opposite the bar has been cleared of furniture and now acts as a holding pen for anyone wanting to approach the bar. The servery runs along the rear wall and has a grey counter front, mirrored bar back lined with sunflowers and decorative bunting hung from above. A TV screen on the side wall was showing live test cricket and loud pop tunes were playing throughout the pub. Passing the left-hand end of the bar, you emerge into what looks like a dining area with rows of tables and chairs, half panelled walls and decorative wallpapered uppers. A few modern art prints here brighten the walls – an effect replicated in the beer garden where the station wall has been covered in colourful murals depicting various famous faces. There were four ales on handpull when I arrived – Greene King IPA, St Austell Tribute, Long Man Best Bitter and Firebird Best. I gave the latter a try and thought it was a reasonable pint of bitter but perhaps not quite in ideal condition. The staff seemed to be quick, efficient and friendly although the large room with missing furniture and distanced customers didn’t exactly lend itself to a lively atmosphere. This pub has clearly been knocked about and refurbished a great many times over the years, no doubt losing a lot of character and interesting features along the way, but that’s not to say that its current guise is entirely without merit. I found it a pleasant enough modernised bar with a couple of local beers and friendly staff, which is better than most station pubs can manage and suited me as an acceptable alternative to the Watchmakers.

A large and historic establishment outside the station, modernised in a sports bar/American café theme with various booths and modern furniture. The long central bar includes a prominent pizza oven. Sports TV screens abound, with a pool table tucked round the back. An outdoor area that doesn't really warrant the name patio is squeezed in at the side by the station entrance. A pedestrian range of beers featured IPA, Abbot and Harvey's Best which seemed in fair condition although a shade cold for my liking.

The Station is opposite Hove Railway Station and it was very busy yesterday evening with students taking advantage of the two for one offer on pizzas that occurs every Tuesday. The 12” stone baked pizzas are priced around £8 so it is a very good deal. Other pub food is also served daily from midday until 22:00 and the mains are also priced around £8. There is a seating area to the left of the bar and opposite the thin bar area are some sofas that line the front windows. Down a couple of steps to the right of the bar is an area with some high tables and a pool table that is towards the rear. There is an outside area to the right of the pub that houses some picnic tables, some of which are covered by a jumbrella. The bar is stocked with standard draught alongside San Miguel and the three hand pumps were drawing Doom Bar, Harvey’s best and Bombardier. I found the service to be prompt even though busy. There is a quiz every Wednesday from 20:00 and there are random blues nights and tango sessions. As station pubs go this place is perfectly acceptable, but if I felt the need to pop in after a journey on the train I would probably move on after the first pint.