The Pilot Inn, Meads, Eastbourne

As we were staying west of Devonshire Park this time in Eastbourne we visited this one three times during our week in town, the first couple just for a beer and finally to eat here. As the previous reviews have noted this pub is now food focussed but we still found it a comfortable pub just for a drink. Internally there’s a central bar area with a curved L shaped serving bar with bar stools along the curve and then two areas off here that look like they were previously separate rooms. We particularly liked the smaller snug area to the left of the bar with its stained glass bay window and large brick former fireplace. Then there is a further dining room which is accessed from the corridor to the toilets. Externally there are some bench seats to the front of the pub and a two tier enclosed sunken garden out the back. Four hand pumps on the bar and all were in operation during our visits and Sharp’s Doom Bar, Timothy Taylor’s Landlord and Longman Breweries Best and Long Blonde are permanent beers. I stayed on the Long Blonde as it was an excellent summer session beer. The pub is has a reputation for good food and most evenings the restaurant area is fully booked and then the bar areas are also utilised for diners. This was the case for our dining visit when we ate in the snug area and the meals we had were probably the best food we experienced during the week. So on our experience the reputation is well justified.

Official site of The Pilot Inn - www.pilot-inn.co.uk

Official site of The Pilot Inn - www.pilot-inn.co.uk

Located right at the western extremity of Eastbourne, close to the Downs leading to Beachy Head, this is very much an upmarket dining pub these days. That said, the various seating / dining areas have been refurbished in a semi-traditional style, and there is still a distinct bar area and a small lounge that once had its own door from the entrance lobby. All four handpumps were in use, offering Doom Bar, Landlord and a pair from Long Man: Best Bitter (£6.00 with a packet of peanuts) and Long Blonde.