Smokeys, Brighton

The Fishermans Rest is a small bar on the right hand side of a fish and chip restaurant. The bar is located on the back wall and the draught options available were Guinness, San Miguel, Kronenburg and Becks Vier. Another two draught taps had sold out stickers on them and the sole hand pump drawing Harvey’s Best was off. There were four locals sitting at the bar when I visited yesterday (Monday) evening and they all seemed friendly enough. I had to wait a while to be served as the girl on duty had disappeared, but one of the locals eventually served me. I didn’t see any food advertised, but being attached to a restaurant there is obviously food available. There is no television, but some background music was playing. To the right of the entrance is ‘Tacky Corner’ where there is a piano with lots of camp old tat on top of it. There are shelves with bottles and other such stuff and maps of the South Coast can be found on the walls. There is some seating out the front where steps lead down to the entrance. Sunday lunchtime cabaret is also advertised, but I’m not sure if it is a regular occurrence. I wasn’t expecting to find a camp bar attached to a fish restaurant next to the Hilton Hotel, but this is Brighton so I should have learnt by now to expect the unexpected. Would I return? Probably not as I prefer a proper pub.