Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
Disappointment of the week with trainman
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Maris & Otter, Brighton
Brighton
BN1 2AB
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Will Larter left this review about The Maris & Otter
Difficult to balance the positives and negatives of my experience of this Harvey's pub. I tried the corner door but it didn't open, so went to the other door on the street side, which didn't open inwards but did open outwards. Which the corner door also did, as I observed eventually. On such a blustery evening an out-swinging door was the last thing I expected.
Good to see four Harvey's beers on the bar, and I went for the Old Ale and the lower alcohol Maris & Otter IPA 3.5%, both of which were a bit cold but I was in no hurry and they made it to NBSS 3 before too long.
This seems like a conversion of two shop units, and Harvey's should have told their design team that there's nothing chic about exposed walls of third-rate bricks and rubble. Try plaster and wallpaper next time. (They should have a look at the Regent Tavern just off Russell Square if they want to see chic.) On the plus side the toilets (gents anyway, I didn't check the ladies) were suave, although quite a hike up and then down, but definitely worth it; and the background music was ok. (Can toilets be suave? Well, these were.)
On 10th February 2024
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3734 recommendations about 3471 pubs]
Pub SignMan left this review about The Maris & Otter
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
On 1st January 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Maris & Otter
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.
On 10th May 2023
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2452 recommendations about 2451 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about Revelator
Now reborn as an American style bar concentrating on Craft beer, Bourbon and Whiskey,there are three handpumps as well but only Doom Bar and Rosies Pig Cider were available.There are two inter-joined rooms wrapped around the central bar, despite the lack of real ale choice, I found it a decent and comfortable place for a drink.
On 10th August 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1871 recommendations about 1844 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about Duke of Norfolk
A 2 sided interior served from a horseshoe shaped bar. 2 real ales and food served.
On 7th November 2014
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about Duke of Norfolk
The Duke of Norfolk is a decent sized U shaped pub that is split into left and right hand bars. Each bar has seating and a bookcase laden with books and games. The weekly open mic night was taking place during my visit yesterday (Tuesday) evening and the musicians were set up in the right hand bar. There is also a plasma screen in the right hand bar and the Six Nations were advertised, but I saw no advertisements for Sky Sports. There is a quiz from 21:00 every Wednesday and there is regular live music at the weekends. Standard draught products are available from the bar that supports three hand pumps that were drawing W J King’s Brighton Best, Directors and Heritage cider. Pub food is available and the mains cost around £8. £7 pies are also available to eat in or take-away.
It was busy with students during my visit, but there was a decent atmosphere and I would have no problem returning.
On 29th February 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5233 recommendations about 5201 pubs]