Soju, Brighton

Koba advertises itself as a Café, Bar and bistro so I was reluctant to wander in off the street, but curiosity got the better of me and in I went. This contemporary venue has a bar area with seating at the front and some more seating up some steps to the rear. There is also some more seating in the ‘gallery’ which is located down some steps at the rear and both rear sections are available for hire. There are four draught taps on the bar, but one of these was off leaving a very limited option of Budweiser, Pilsner Urquell and Becks Vier, the latter of which set me back £2.10 for a half. This is primarily a dining establishment and after a quick glimpse at the menu I gleaned that snacks are available for around £5 and the gastroesque mains range between £10 and £16. A statement on a chalkboard out the front proudly boasts that this venue was runner up in the Observer’s hunt for the best Sunday roast in the South. There is an extensive cocktail list and happy hour on cocktails is late afternoon/early evening during the week and from 15:00 on Sundays. There is no TV, but some chilled music was playing in the background. This place opens early in the morning for the breakfast crowd and there is a late license on Thursday, Friday and Saturday until at least midnight. This isn’t a place that I would revisit just for a beer as I prefer a more traditional establishment.