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Detail Pages
The Stage Door, Eastbourne
Eastbourne
BN21 4BW
Pub Type
Orchid (Mitchells & Butlers)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Stage Door
With the adjacent theatre looking rather quiet and with nothing going on, I feared that without anything else open locally, the Stage Door might have been closed. However, the advertised opening times of all day every day turned out to be correct and the pub was open.
However, the pub was very quiet, with just myself, a couple in the raised area overlooking a tennis club to the rear and the friendly barman. Another customer arrived later and also commented how quiet it was. The main bar area is L-shaped with booths along the right-hand wall.
The real ale range was one of the better selections in Eastbourne. Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter was present alongside other regular beers (Long Blonde & Rising Giant) from Long Man. In addition, there was Lister's Pride of Sussex & Gun Scaramanga. In common with all other pubs I visited in Eastbourne, I couldn't find any real cider. I instead opted for the Pride of Sussex, which was pretty awful and certainly the worst beer of the day. It had clearly not been pulled through properly (or at all).
On 10th October 2023
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2454 recommendations about 2453 pubs]
Steve C left this review about The Stage Door
The Buccaneer changed its name to the Stage Door a number of years ago, the refence being the adjacent Devonshire Park Theatre. The pub is L-shaped with high tables across the front windows and an L-shaped bar counter that runs up the left facing tables up the right. A raised area with seating at the rear overlooks Devonshire Park Tennis club that hosts the Eastbourne tennis before Wimbledon every year. There’s also a projector screen at the rear for live major sporting events, no Sky Sports. Premium keg and Beavertown’s Neck Oil are available alongside six hand pumps, four of which were in operation during my latest visit on the Friday afternoon of Airbourne weekend. Gun Brewery’s Scaramanga and Harvey’s Best were available alongside Long Man’s Long Blonde (on its way out) and Rising Giant (very good). Pub grub is available, the burgers are priced at £15. I think it’s a lot better in here since the name change, the service is certainly a lot more friendly. Worth a look.
On 27th August 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5254 recommendations about 5222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Buccaneer
Scruffy looking pub with Eastern domes on the roof & near the Winter Gardens.
Inside is one long room that is raised at the rear overlooking what I think is the lawn tennis club? Lots of signed theatre pictures on the walls. Some booth seating near door, the rest is wooden tables & chairs.
The raised area at the rear has a skylight & chandalier.
Sticky table could have done with a clean, but its a nice interior.
4 well kept real ales
On 29th October 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1456 recommendations about 1434 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Buccaneer
Interesting looking pub which was originally built by the Duke of Devonshire as a theatre bar for staff from the Grand Hotel and has a bit of a Brighton Pavilion theme going on architecturally. It’s a short walk from the centre of Eastbourne in the heart of Theatre Land and overlooking the Devonshire Park Tennis courts, so utilising it during Queens was probably not representative of what it’s like normally. Certainly wasn’t lacking in users and atmosphere during my visits (surprising how many other blokes got pulled down for the Tennis and escaped to find solace in here)
One large internal L shaped space but interesting interior décor with many framed theatre posters several being signed by the performers
There were five ales on, and the always on Harvey’s Best and the Buccaneer Ale (which is Arundel Sussex Gold) were complemented by Longman Best Bitter, Kings Best and one from Dark Star.
Difficult to judge what this place would be like to visit without the tennis or theatre crowds in, but I rated it highly.
On 1st July 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2111 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Nigel Sheppard left this review about The Buccaneer
If you are not keen on 'Harveys' then this pub is for you. A selection of real ales reasonably kept, with friendly bar staff, possibly the only pub in town with a good selection of beers from different breweries.
On 1st October 2011
- rating: 6
[User has posted 192 recommendations about 192 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
BRUMMIE STEVE left this review about The Buccaneer
If you dont know Eastbourne this is'nt the easiest place to find, but it's worth the search.
Good selection of real ales on offer, on my recent visit to Eastbourne I found this pub on a
busy Friday night, they had a live band on but as I was only having the one here I did'nt stay
as guy came round selling tickets at £4.00 asking me if I'm staying or not.
On 11th June 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 39 recommendations about 39 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Manky Badger left this review about The Buccaneer
Always worth a visit when in Eastbourne - six ales on, all well kept. The food's good, and the service is friendly. the place is clean and spacious, and very convenient for the theatre (!) or the ice cream parlour.
On 13th October 2009
- rating: 8
[User has posted 155 recommendations about 154 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Buccaneer
A curious-looking building, inside and out, with a reasonable selection of five real ales on including a tasty Itchen Valley Pure Gold. This was very lively and a bit hazy, but the efficient and helpful (if not exactly friendly) barman took care to point this out in advance in case customers wanted to choose something else. A strangely subdued atmosphere.
On 19th April 2009
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Buccaneer
This is a large pub that was devoid of any atmosphere during my visit.
Black Sheep, Harveys Best, Youngs Ordinary and broadside were available and one pump was off and one unused. There were also four standard lagers along with Guinness, Strongbow and Tetleys Smoothflow.
The barmaids were very friendly, but I did get a hint of a Wetherspoons feel, even down to the cheap food. Some would say that this is a good thing and others would not. The Harveys and Black Sheep were good and for this reason I am willing to give this place another try next time I'm in Eastbourne twiddling my thumbs at the in-laws. Maybe I'll take the laptop and make use of the free wi-fi.
On 8th January 2009
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5254 recommendations about 5222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
train man left this review about The Buccaneer
Missed this one on earlier visit to seafront so it became the last of the day and things are a little unclear. Big pub, high ceilings, good choice of beers, had to rush off for train.
On 29th July 2007
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 412 recommendations about 411 pubs]