Crown & Anchor, Shoreham-By-Sea

The Crown and Anchor consists of a thin bar at the front of the pub that was packed with well dressed ‘lads’ during my visit on a recent Saturday night. To the left of the bar are a pool table and a door that leads to a cocktail bar where the woman mostly congregated. Beyond the cocktail bar in this deceptively large pub is a split level restaurant area housed in a hefty extension that overlooks the harbour. I spent my stay in the front bar where a standard draught range was available alongside Sharp’s Doom Bar and Harvey’s Best; the third hand pump was unused. There was some background music playing and I didn’t notice any televisions. Out the front is some café style seating under an awning and I was led to believe that there is some harbour side seating out the back in a beer garden. I didn’t really gel with this place and would walk past if in the area again.

I presume that this is an historic inn as it appears from the street, but the interior has been so heavily refurbished that it is difficult to tell. There is a staple-shaped two-part lounge bar with rather anonymous decor at street level, plus a modern split-level restaurant and the Long Room cocktail bar area below. Beyond that, there is a large terrace at the back overlooking the harbour (which I imagine would be a fine spot if the weather's decent, but it wasn't...). Three handpumps offering Doom Bar, Pride and Harveys (£3.35). Perhaps the most notable feature is the large pirate effigy at the front.

Official site of the Crown & Anchor, contains menus, wine list and event details - www.crownandanchor-shoreham.co.uk

Official site of the Crown & Anchor, contains menus, wine list and event details - www.crownandanchor-shoreham.co.uk