White Hart Hotel, Lewes

Smart hotel/restaurant which has had a substantial restoration by the new owners giving a very effective historical feel. The bar is on the left as you go in, featuring a beamed ceiling and a nice fireplace and is dominated by a large old-looking but new counter carrying 4 handpumps and a row of keg taps. Across the other side is a very tasteful lounge, with a restaurant area and outside terrace to the rear. Ales labelled were Harveys (of course), TT Landlord, Tribute and a missing Doom Bar, with a couple of Camdens amongst the keg. All very civilised and pleasant but lacking atmosphere.

Visited 03/10/24 Had four hand pumps providing Doom Bar, TT Landlord and Tribute. Fourth pump had the clip turned round but a quick glance revealed this was Harvey's Sussex Best. How can a venue that wants to sell Harvey's in Lewes not have that one on FFS? A boring set of keg options of Camden Hells and Pale Ale, Peroni, Pravha, Guinness and Cornish Orchards cider. This is (2 days ago of my visit) recently re-opened after being closed for about a year for a refurb post-acquisition by Raymond Blanc's empire. The previous venue, originally first visited on 01/12/18, had gone downhill since it re-opened post pandemic. Think the last time I was in here was about this time on a Thursday evening about 18 months ago and I was the only punter. Clearly a lot of money has been spent on the refurb and it has a lot of ambience. The bar area is through a door on the left-hand side as soon as you walk through the front entrance. The counter is against the back wall in this quite narrow room and the room is dark wood, including dark floorboards and beams, with a grand fireplace against the right-hand wall. Some stools at the bar (quite annoyingly in a small room that makes it difficult to get to the bar). Opposite the bar area across the walk through to the hotel reception and the restaurant, is another bar seating area with small tables around another large fireplace. The venue was effing heaving on my visit, bar and all the seating around and seemingly the restaurant. Apart from the dull beer choice, clear the venue was in soft open mode with cocktail bar staff being supervised and instructed to the extent that the wait to get a simple glass of Bordeaux was utterly painful. Quite probably the longest wait I have ever had at a bar when I was the next person to be served. It is nice to see the place re-opened but this place is style over substance and there are far better places to drink in Lewes. Will clearly be popular here as it provides something different to other places in Lewes, places where the punters aren't interested in the beer choices.

Facebook page of White Hart Hotel - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of White Hart Hotel - www.facebook.com

Official site of White Hart Hotel - whitehartlewes.com

Official site of White Hart Hotel - whitehartlewes.com