1901, Eastbourne

It's not actually clear what this place's current name is, although it may be Drop in the Ocean or still 1901? Anyway, it's a busy, relatively basic bar and restaurant in the main pavilion at the far end of the pier. A band was setting up for some live music (but rock rather than the previous jazz), and there was not a seat to be had on a sunny Saturday afternoon. No real ale of course, so had a quick Lagunitas Day-Time (£2.60, half) before moving on.

Official site of 1901 - www.eastbournepier.com

Official site of 1901 - www.eastbournepier.com

I’ve walked to the end of Eastbourne pier several times to see if the Waterfront was open as the signs at the front of the pier state that it should be open all year. I was quite surprised last Saturday when I did find it open just after the FA Cup final, but I was the only customer. There is a club next door so maybe the footfall increases later in the evenings. I had a chat with the friendly barmaid and she informed me that this place is only open during the summer months. The interior is contemporary and a little tacky in my opinion, but the major draw are the twenty-or-so picnic tables out the front that afford the best views in Eastbourne. Standard draught, chart music and numerous plasma screens await those who decide to stay in the pub so on an inclement day I don’t think that this place is worth the walk up the pier.