The Heart & Hand, Brighton

Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Heart & Hand

A rather eccentric pub, this one. From the outside, it looks like a traditional local. Inside, it feels slightly more upmarket. It is fairly cosy with carpet and around 8 or 9 tables, all of which were occupied when we arrived. Given it is table service only, we were about to be thrown out when a couple of tables announced that they were just about to leave.

There are a couple of handpulls on the end of the bar. One was clipped with Gun Project Babylon, with the other unclipped. However, we soon found out that the pumpclip was just for show. There were in fact no real ales. Gun Scaramanga was the best of the keg selection. I opted for a Weston's Vintage cider.

As a group of 5, we were soon served and the bar staff actually seemed quite pleasant. It is just the rules here that seem a little unfortunate. In addition to table service only, cash is not allowed and it soon became apparent when 3 more of our party arrived that there is a limit on the size of groups. We claimed not to know the extra 3 who had joined us.

A jukebox at the far end seemed a strange feature for the crowd that were in, including a canoodling couple on the table next to us who really needed to find a hotel room. The music being chosen was fairly decent and other than arriving, exiting or spending a penny, the jukebox was the only allowable reason to stand. It felt like being transported back 4/5 years.

All in all, a rather strange appearance. We saw the funny side of the strange rules, but no cask ale and a fairly uncomfortable atmosphere meant that this is unlikely to be a pub we will return to. No sign of the pub cat either.

On 27^th January 2025 - rating: 5
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