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The Dolphin, Eastbourne
Eastbourne
BN21 4XF
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Steve of N21 left this review about The Dolphin
Despite my promise in 2014 I missed to return to this one when I was last in town, so put it right on my recent visit.
The fine wooden interior is still laid out as well described in the review below and as this visit was in daylight, I could fully appreciate the stained glass in the upper parts of the front windows. Only three of the pumps in operation with Brakespears Gravity, Harvey’s Sussex Best and the Gun Brewery Extra Pale (which was unfortunately the same beer I had just sampled in the Dew Drop across the road). I went for the Sussex Best and was probably one of the best pints of this local brew I tried during this latest week visit.
Still a very good pub
On 11th July 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2111 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Southern Man left this review about The Dolphin
Wonderful pub by celebrated Kemp Town Brewery in-house architect John Leopold Denman in a revivalist Arts & Crafts style in 1928 (originally called the Railway Arms). He has two other pubs in Eastbourne, Langleys (Ex Bourne Inn), now closed and the grade 2 list Tally Ho in the Old Town.
Once two separate bars at the front (see the doors with Private and Public Bar, plus an old off sales down the left hand side) it is now one large front bar and a small rear bar plus large dining room to the rear of that. Taken over by Charringtons when they acquired the KTB in the 1950s and the small rear bar still retains the Toby Ales signage above the bar. Many of the original fixtures and fittings plus those from the Charringtons refit are still in evidence.
There are 5 hand pumps which on my visit were dispensing Harvey's Best, Long Man Best Bitter, Gun Extra Pale and American Pale Ale and Brakespear Gravity. There is a good selection of lagers etc and what looks to be a very good food menu. I would recommend a visit when next in Eastbourne. It's only a 10' walk from the railway station and and even shorter walk from the pub to the seafront.
On 6th July 2019
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8 recommendations about 8 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Dolphin
Lead stained glass gives a mock castle feel inside, wood through out including a real wood fire (formally gas which appears to have been cut) its a small but comfortable Breakspear pub.
Central bar, bench seating with cushions infront of the windows.
3 real ales that were kept very well.
On 29th October 2014
- rating: 8
[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 Dolphin
Yes agree, this town centre pub situated in the Little Chelsea area, doesn’t look much from the outside, but is quite a good pub inside. As described below its an L shaped bar area in two distinct parts with a front bar area with large open fire and a friendly mixed clientele atmosphere, then a smaller bar area to the rear, and then a larger room mainly set for dining, and then an outside patio area to the back.
Four ales were on the go for my visit, one from Brakspear, (Special, as it is apparently a Brakspear tied house) and then Harveys Sussex Best, Dark Star Hophead and Longman brewery American Pale Ale, and the Longman brew was on very fine form.
Liked it here and wouldn’t hesitate returning when next in town.
On 1st July 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2111 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Dolphin
This pub doesn't look that much from the street, but has a more interesting interior with a few 1930s(?) features including some stained glass in the front windows. 'L'-shaped layout with real log fire and a slightly rustic feel. Separate dining room beyond. Three of four handpumps in operation when I visited a couple of months ago, with Brakspear Special, Harveys and a decent pint of Dark Star Sunburst (£3.35) available.
On 7th July 2013
- 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 Dolphin
This is a nice enough pub with the bar area at the front and a restaurant located at the rear past a piano. There is also some seating out the back for us smokers, but it’s not the most scenic space.
I think that I counted four hand pumps alongside some standard draught products and my couple of pints of Harveys Best were spot on. This place is worth a visit if in the area.
On 12th August 2008
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5251 recommendations about 5219 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
train man left this review about The Dolphin
First in as pub was opening ystdy at 12:00, off came the towels and relieved to see the beer pulled thru before we were served 3 very good pints of Harveys (£2.55), TT Landlord was also available. I liked the look of the bar although it is probably 'newer' than it seems at first glance. Food menu (& prices) a little pretentious, but good start to the Eastbourne crawl.
On 29th July 2007
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 412 recommendations about 411 pubs]