Poets Ale & Smoke House, Hove

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Pub SignMan left this review about Poets Ale & Smoke House

Close to Aldrington station, this is a cracking two bar, backstreet pub that has branched out with its own smokehouse which helps them churn out smoked meat across an American comfort food style menu. Of the two bars, the left-hand side is much larger, occupying quite a large open space with high tables and stools to the front and through the centre, chairs, and low stools along the left-hand wall and to the rear and the servery over to the right. The bar has a typical wood panelled counter front, albeit painted blood red, with a nice dark wood bar back topped with two matching ceramic lions. The room is bare boarded on the bar side, but carpeted elsewhere, whilst the décor comprises lots of blackboards, a few quirky beer themed items and lots of World Cup bunting. Two TV screens were showing the evening’s fixture with loud music in place of any commentary. A passage behind the bar connects the two rooms and gives access to the beer garden as well. The other room is a little more compact and quieter, with a similar servery to the left, plenty of seating around the perimeter and more of the same décor, including what appeared to be butcher’s hooks on the ceiling and some art that ties in with the whole smokehouse theme.
They had three Harvey’s beers on cask – Sussex Best, IPA and Old Ale – plus a real cider on the final handpull. The IPA was okay – not my favourite from the Harvey’s range but in good nick at least. The barman was extremely friendly and the pub was absolutely rammed – not a free seat in the house – on my Saturday evening visit.
I was a little apprehensive about this place, as the name suggested it might be a little too food focussed, but on a Saturday night at least, it was very much dominated by drinkers, which made this a pleasurable visit. Some well-kept beer and interesting food options add to the attraction, and I’d say this is worth a look if you’re on a crawl around the wider Hove area.

On 20^th March 2023 - rating: 7
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