Maxims, Eastbourne

This is a fairly simple, modern bar with a single, narrow room on the ground floor and a restaurant area upstairs. The bar runs along the right hand wall, with some smart and very comfortable leather seats opposite. The walls are all bare brick and the wooden floor and folding front doors completed the cafe bar look. As the room opens out towards the rear, the seating switches to standard table and chair arrangements although this area was completely empty on our early Saturday evening visit. Two large screens were on showing Championship football to a small and chatty group of locals stood at the bar. Like Quinno, I had also popped in with the aim of finding some Beachy Head Brewery beers and unfortunately, like Quinno, all I found was Harvey's Best (although there was a Shepherd Neame Kent's Best clip turned as well). The friendly barmaid explained that they hadn't had any Beachy Head beers on for a few months, so maybe that relationship has come to an end. I tried the Harvey’s, which was not too bad and had a flick through their impressively extensive burger menu. I don't think I would have given this place a second glance had it not been for the promise of the Beachy Head beers, but it was actually quite a tidy little place that would have benefited from something (anything) other than Harvey's on the bar.

Modern bar, long and narrow which I sought out for the Beachy Head Brewery beers. Three ale pumps at the bar on arrival but only Harveys Best available, presumably the rest had been drunk dry by the friendly footy fans who’d been watching the game on the large screens. I was disappointed that no obvious effort was being made to get them back up and running again. Having had enough of Harveys for the day I decided to head off without sampling, which was a shame. Maybe next time.

Any pub serving Beachy Head's 'Legless Rambler' gets my vote. This is a quiet but refined pub ideal for a lunchtime pint. Does anyone else think Beachy Head's choice of name for a beer 'Christmas Jumper' cynical?