The Maris & Otter, Brighton

I don't tend to associate Harvey's with this sort of smart, modern urban pub, so I was interested to check out this venture of theirs on the main drag between Brighton and Hove. You enter into the slightly raised left-hand side of the pub, with bare boards and a decorative splash tile band around the bar. The servery has a nice, dark wood panelled counter and a modern shelving and glazed tile bar back. Opposite is a row of high table and bench seating plus some button backed leather armchairs towards the front. An undressed brick wall with two small window openings looks though to the larger right-hand space, which is the main seating area. Standard tables and chairs are formed into a row to the right, under large windows bearing the pub's logo, whilst a comfy looking button backed banquette stands to the left with chairs in support and one high table with stools at the front. A blackboard showing the brewing process has been hung from the rear wall, with a couple of dubious art prints dotted here and there, a neon 'One For The Road' sign near the entrance and various books and listings magazines in window sills offering most of the visual distraction within. Blur's greatest hits was playing in the background with the barmaid occasionally singing along. Six handpulls were all fully clipped, offering a choice of Harvey's Sussex Best, Maris and Otter IPA, Armada, Forward's Choice and Olympia (£5.00 a pint), although the Wild Hop had to be taken off before they could pull me a pint of it. The Olympia was in good shape and the staff seemed friendly enough, apologising for a minor delay in getting me served. Harvey's have some great old pubs dotted around this part of the country, and this place can't really compete with such traditional venues, but I thought they'd done a good job in creating a modern version of such pubs, and would suggest it's worth checking out in combination with some of the other fine boozers at this end of town. Date of visit - 24th September 2023

Harvey's pub on the Western Road, which has somehow managed to find itself in the 2023 Good Beer Guide. In fact, this was the last remaining Brighton pub in the Guide which I hadn't been to. I suspect it has changed hands since the last review in 2019, as I couldn't identify an American influence. There are 2 roughly equally-sized sections. The one on the left-hand side contains the bar and therefore less seating than in the right-hand side area. It has a fairly traditional feel. Although you could tell that the room has been knocked about a bit. The barman was friendly and fairly jovial. Just 2 real ales were on - Sussex Best Bitter & Maris & Otter IPA, whilst there were a few craft beer options dispensed from taps at the rear of the bar. Downstairs toilets have a bit of an unusual set-up with a corridor full of unisex cubicles. Although there is a separate ground floor ladies' toilet too. Not too bad for a stop off in you're in the area, but there are many better pubs in Brighton.