Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
Random news of the day with Real Ale Ray
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Dolphin Inn, Hastings
Hastings
TN34 3DW
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Steve of N21 left this review about The Dolphin Inn
This is a fine old Fisherman’s pub, opposite the famous tall Fisherman’s nets huts and the shingle beach where I believe they still have the largest beach launched fishing fleet in the UK.
Unfortunately, its prime location does mean it’s a bit of a tourist magnet in high season and as mine was a late lunchtime visit it was full of people dining and quite a few families included. But difficult to complain as on this occasion I fitted the tourist definition and they are renowned for their pub food rating very highly for it on Trip Advisor, and especially the sea food dishes, as the product come direct from the fishing fleet each day.
The interior is as well described by PSM below, but we actually chose to visit here as, on passing we spotted a bench being vacated on the excellent small front facing terrace and decided to grab it to celebrate the fact that the sun had just broken through for the first time that day.
Fortunately, real ale is as much a focus as the food and all six handpumps dotted along the bar were in operation with Harvey’s Sussex Best, Youngs Special, Dark Star Hop Head, Marstons Pedigree, Surrey Hills Brewery Sheer Drop and 360 degree Brewing Fast Back American Pale Ale. I did notice they offered a paddle of 3 1/3 measures but we went for halves of the latter two and they were in very good condition.
This was a very good and well run food and ale pub in the tourist section of Hastings and was probably our second best preferred pub of the day after the FILO.
On 1st September 2023
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2110 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Dolphin Inn
A very busy pub as described by Ray and Graham below, the six cask beers on were Youngs Special, Harveys Sussex Best,Dark Star Hophead and APA, Rother Valley Hoppers Ale, the choice was welcome given a lot of surrounding pubs were Shepherd Neame owned. I had an enjoyable couple of pints here.
On 13th October 2020
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1872 recommendations about 1845 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Dolphin Inn
A decent two roomed pub with the main bar on the right hand side, with a fine example of some oak parquet flooring. The smaller room on the left was also busy on our visit and drinks are served from a tiny section of the bar area. The weather was good on our visit, so the front patio area was utilised by further customers. The majority of the customers were dining on our visit, however the pub did have a choice of six handpulled ales. The majority of the beer selection was fairly mainstream, so we went for Dark Star Hophead and Oakham Citra, prices were also slightly inflated.
On 4th November 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about The Dolphin Inn
An excellent pub, despite being in the touristy bit opposite the famous fishing sheds. The interior is a fairly standard seaside type, with fishing nets and other nauticalia around the two rooms, either side on the bar. There is a patio area at the front, raised above road level. But what it does have is that feel of a lively, well-run pub, with a good welcome. A fair range of beers is offered, at time of visit including 3 Legs Black, Youngs Special, Harveys Sussex and Long Man American Pale. That they take their beer seriously can be seen as the pub has also won various local CAMRA awards.
On 21st January 2019
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3339 recommendations about 3276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about Dolphin Inn
Located on the seafront opposite Hastings' famous fisherman's net huts (and the modern intrusion of the Jerwood Gallery), the Dolphin is a great example of how a traditional fisherman's pub can be updated for a contemporary audience. A small front patio with limited seating gives some great views out to the aforementioned sights and the sea beyond, making it a good spot on a warm day. Entering into the left hand side of the pub, you find yourself in the smaller of two bars where a compact square servery in the rear right corner has a board to one side listing the full range of ales available. It's a quaint little room with some rather cramped back to back pews under the windows on the front wall and a selection of standard seating options down the left towards the rear. As you might expect, the room is decorated with plenty of seafaring bits including ship's wheels, ropes, lobster pots and the diverting sight of a fishing net hung from the ceiling and full of various plastic fish. The main bar is through a doorway to the right, where a larger room can be found with the servery along the left hand side. The choice seating options here seem to be the smart banquettes along the right hand wall which look very comfortable and stand beneath a great collection of vintage advertisements and a ceiling covered with pump clips. Plenty more nautical themed bric-a-brac can be seen around the room and there are some very attractive partitioning screens here and there with a wave shaped motif carved along the top of each. A few people outside were getting stuck into some no nonsense pub grub, but I didn't see a menu, so I'm not sure how the prices compare.
The pub has been a leading light in Hastings' ale scene for a number of years now and the boards next to the bar detailed a good selection from established favourites and some obscurer micros. The full range on this visit was Youngs Special, Harvey's Sussex Best, Tonbridge American Pale Ale, Arbor Blue Sky Drinking and Trade Union Pale Ale. I gave the Blue Sky Drinking a go and it was a lovely pint in excellent condition, whilst my Dad's half of the APA was also top notch - some excellent cellarmanship on show here.
This place was relatively quiet when we visited on a Sunday afternoon, which is a shame as I imagine it could be the sort of place that really gets going with a good crowd inside. I thought it was a very nicely presented venue, making good use of its history and location to create an interesting and comfortable environment in which to spend some time, with great quality beer as a bonus. I'm not particularly familiar with the Hastings pub scene, but I'd be surprised if there were many that could better this place.
On 17th June 2017
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about Dolphin Inn
Near sea front in Old Town and at bottom of the cliff railway. Central bar with small seating areas around as well as on the front terrace. It was full of families on my early visit & the menu seemed to be mainly burgers, sausages & pasta.
Thereare however 6 very well kept real ales & if you can put up with all the kids well worth enjoying. Pirate/fishing theme throughout.
On 29th October 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1456 recommendations about 1434 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about Dolphin Inn
The Dolphin was by far the busiest pub I visited on a crawl of Hastings on Friday evening last week. The pub is U shaped with a bar that runs all the way round the pub. It was still a little difficult to get to it, but the eagle eyed barman spotted me and served a decent pint of Hophead. Hylder Blonde and Directors were also available and there were another couple of hand pumps in the left hand side of the pub, but it was too busy to catch a glimpse. A band was on a break during my visit and I noticed that live music is advertised for Friday and Saturday every weekend. There is also a jamming night every Tuesday and Thursdays from 20:30 is quiz night, lots of music questions I’d imagine. Being on the coast there is a nautical theme throughout with a few nets and plastic lobsters thrown in. Out the front there are some picnic tables that were just as busy as the interior of the pub. Children are welcome up until 19:00.
I thought this to be one of the better pubs of Hastings and would have no problem returning.
On 7th October 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5249 recommendations about 5217 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Dolphin Inn
Splendid pub located opposite the famous fishermens' net lofts and near the East Hill Lift. Cosy rooms on each side of the serving area, with some extra seating outside on the front terrace. Six beers available from handpump - Harveys, Dark Star Hophead, Directors, Tribute, Betty Stogs and Hop Back Taiphoon (£3.20). Absolutely heaving on a fine bank holiday Monday, but the staff were working very efficiently. Well worth seeking out
On 2nd May 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Simon Todd left this review about Dolphin Inn
An excellent family run pub with a very friendly atmosphere and great real ales. With a promise of a micro brewery coming soon to their cellar, I'll certainly be visiting again.
On 7th March 2011
- rating: 10
[User has posted 1 recommendations about 1 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john mcgraw left this review about Dolphin Inn
A very good pub in the old town and opposite the beach and fishermen's huts.Has a bar with three sides with the pub being adorned with many artefacts concerning the sea.On my visit there were five real ales on and the ones that I tried were in great form.Outside drinking area overlooking the beach.Well worth a visit.
On 4th February 2011
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]