The Lockhart Tavern, Haywards Heath

Although this was a cocktail bar before Dark Star moved in you have to suspect that it was originally a shop. It describes itself as an "Ale House and Dining Room" which is just about right. Inside it's an open plan split level rectangular room. The "Ale House" is at the front with the bar on the left and just high tables with medium height stools. The "Dining Room" is down a few steps at the rear with just low tables and chairs all set out for dining. The kitchen appears to be entirely visible on the left and I thought it looked remarkably small. The food prices I thought were roughly double what you would pay in a Spoons but a quick glance at Trip Advisor shows people are quite happy with the food here. There is a patio at the front with a cask containing "Doghart Ale" at 0% ABV and a dog bowl under the tap. I wonder if any of the canine punters have been taught how to turn the tap. The bar has six hand pumps which on my visit had Dark Star Hophead, Partridge, APA & Sunburst with Bedlam Phoenix and Rooster's Scrambler as guests. There are around 10 keg taps which range from a low ABV cider at £4.50 to a Beavertown one at £7.60. There is a large selection of bottles or cans ranging from a 500ml Dark Star Espresso at £4.30 to a 750ml 10.5% ABV Belgian brew at £28.50. I stuck to the cask and tried the Hophead (£3.45), Sunburst (£3.80) and APA (£3.75) all of which were very good. This place is probably the best beer option in the very poor town of Haywards Heath but I preferred their venue in Horsham.