The Lion & Lobster, Brighton

One of my favs in Brighton. Good selection of high quality beer, attractive barmaids, local feel. Busy in a good way early evening but very relaxed this lunchtime. Darkstar Hophead & Festival, Wessex Bitter from Cottage Brewing, Harvey's Sussex, and Abbot from boycotted GK. Wood bar and panelling, 2 TVs (no sound today), 1 plasma out back. Best pub near seafront for beer & atmosphere. Food selection didn't look great, in fact I can't recall seeing anyone eat there on my half dozen visits, but Bankers chippy is just up on Western Rd where I tend to eat in, as the gulls round here attack in squadron formation - I'm sure they must be in radio contact.

A characterful dark interior serving 5 real ales and food. The real fire was a bonus on a cold breezy day. Didnt visit garden/terrace.

The Lion & Lobster official site - www.thelionandlobster.co.uk

The Lion & Lobster official site - www.thelionandlobster.co.uk

The Lion and Lobster is made up by a U shaped bar area and a room with seating to the right rear that is labeled as the restaurant. The food is priced around £9 for the mains and looked pretty good from what I saw on a few diners’ plates. The bar supports five hand pumps that were drawing Harvey’s Best, Sharp’s Doom Bar and Abbot along with Festival and Hophead from Dark Star. There is also a standard draught selection and I found the service to be friendly enough. Sky Sports is shown and there are plasma screens throughout. These were all muted during my visit yesterday (Tuesday) evening and some low background music was playing. There is an open fire around to the left of the bar and every inch of wall is plastered with old pictures, photos and posters. There is an advertised garden and roof terrace that I didn’t visit on this occasion. Bed and Breakfast is also advertised on the exterior. The bar area is quite narrow so it can be a bit of a squeeze at busier times, but that wouldn’t stop me popping back in again for a pint or two.