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Chat about:
Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Volunteer, Lewes
Lewes
BN7 2LP
Pub Type
Punch TavernsReviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Tris C left this review about The Volunteer
If pool, darts, games machines and naff inflatable giant mylar rabbits (?) all over the place are your thing, this might appeal.
The only upside was a welcome break from the Harvey’s with a half of Proper Job, £2.55 and good.
As others have mentioned, this place is proof that there is actually a basic pub in Lewes.
On 1st May 2025
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2208 recommendations about 2165 pubs]
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Volunteer
We popped in here on a Friday afternoon and the pub was very quiet, maybe it gets busy in the evening. The interior is very spacious and had some nicely patterned floor tiles around the bar area and beyond, the ceilings were white with the beams painted in black. It looked a well run pub, was very clean and tidy and the staff were welcoming. We even got a thanks for calling on our way out. Four handpumps with two ales on, Harveys Sussex Best and St Austell Proper Job. We went for the Proper Job which was in excellent shape. The pub also has darts, pool table and sport on large screens, toad in the hole and is a music venue.
On 17th April 2025
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3645 recommendations about 3645 pubs]
David Walton left this review about The Volunteer
Visited 16/01/25. Visited previously 11/05/19.
Four hand pumps, three on stream providing Harvey's Sussex Best, Proper Job and Old Rosie cider. Keg offering was Red Stripe, Inch's, Neck Oil, Guinness, Amstel, K1664, Cruz and SB dark fruits.
Sport orientated pub in Lewes town centre. Bar counter is along the left-hand wall in the front part of the venue. Tiled on this side of the pub with a few stools at the front edge of the bar counter. Right hand side is bare boarded and regular tables and chairs in the front area with a couple of dark leather sofas around the non-operational fire grate. The back part of the pub is just bare boarded and has a pool table and dart board and the few in here late'ish Thursday evening we're watching the footy with commentary. Similarly served by regular tables and chairs. This is one of the more basic pubs in Lewes town centre but is generally a pretty busy venue at the weekend.
On 7th April 2025
- rating: 5
[User has posted 631 recommendations about 631 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Volunteer
The pub has a shabby looking exterior,a smarter open plan layout inside inside but all rather uninspiring, entertainment wise there's a pool table, fruit machines and TV screens. Three of the four handpumps were in use with the expected Harveys and increasingly common Proper Job along with Old Rosie Cider. Nothing ultimately wrong with the pub but not my style.
On 8th September 2022
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2151 recommendations about 2118 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about The Volunteer
My ancient Sussex beer guide reveals that this was originally a two bar Bass Charrington house. Today it's a rather boorish large pub company (I assume) town centre pub. It's a single open plan room with the bar on the left and a few hand pumps. One of these had Harvey's Best and another Old Rosie cider. There was a dart board, TV screens and live music advertised.
I only came here as I had a 20 minute wait for the bus a few yards away and needed to use their toilet. There were signs everywhere saying the toilets were for the use of customers only so obviously people prefer to use the toilet without having a drink. The Harvey's Best (£3.40) was mediocre. It's pubs like this with Harvey's Best as a token real ale that give the beer a bad name. A town the size of Lewes needs a Wetherspoons which would either force places like this to up their game or close. I thought it was pretty poor.
On 1st October 2015
- rating: 4
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about The Volunteer
Town pub refurbished in modern sub-gastro style. Fairly open plan, with rear areas styled for eating. Has annexed the front garden next door for some outdoor space. The beer was a bit iffy but was probably first out of the barrel. Not especially wonderful but tolerable.
On 19th July 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3641 recommendations about 3576 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Strongers . left this review about The Volunteer
I thought that the barmaid in here was polite and my Guinness was well served. Harveys Best, Tribute and Doom Bar were also available alongside Old Rosie and a standard draught selection.
The background music was decent and at a nice volume and I collared a couple of friendly locals who were very forthcoming in their explanation of the toad-in-the-hole game which I had not come across before.
I'd certainly pop back in here for a pint again if passing.
On 4th November 2009
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5965 recommendations about 5931 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Clive Thompson left this review about The Volunteer
Has a nouvelle look to it outside but is fairly traditional inside. There were four hand pumps but none were on. To be fair the guy behind the bar was very apologetic and said they'd had a busy weekend and the new barrels weren't yet ready. Went for a bottle of Westons Cider.
On 13th June 2009
- rating: 6
[User has posted 780 recommendations about 697 pubs]