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Submitted on Tuesday, 28th March 2023
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Detail Pages
Grand Central, Brighton
Brighton
BN1 3PA
Served areas
Reviews of Grand Central (Average Rating: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Pub SignMan left this review about Grand Central
One of a number of pubs within easy striking distance of Brighton station, this is a smart two bar boozer with a bit of the quirk factor I associate with Brighton's pub scene. A corner entrance takes you into the bare boarded main bar, which has high banquettes formed into booths down one side and the servery down the other, with high tables and stools filling the remaining front and rear spaces. The servery has an amazing polished wood counter front with highly decorative struts and a truly beautiful bar back with a stunning top that has the pub's name across it and a central clock (sadly not working). The room is painted in a rather a dull shade, but brightened by a huge pump clip collection and a few small murals. TV screens could be found to the front and rear, showing muted golf with alt-pop tunes playing in the background. You can pass behind the servery for a second room, which has some dark wood panelling with quirky painted top panels and some paintings hung above. A white tiled wall opposite surrounds a notional servery, that seems to only be used as a tea station these days. Mixed seating is available including a curved banquette serving an oval table to the front, and a mix of chairs, high stools and banquettes further back. The ceiling has a cool pattern effect across it and there is some frosted and stained glass to the rear, plus shelves full of board games and other random bits, fairy lights, a disused TV screen and loads more pump clips.
Two cask ales were available - Fullers London Pride and Dark Star Revelation, with the latter costing a station-side hefty £5.80 a pint. Two more handpulls were out of service and there was a basic craft keg range that included the ubiquitous Beavertown Neck Oil and a Cornish cider. The barmaid was a bit surly, but there was a pretty good atmosphere on my early evening visit and the Revelation was in decent nick, although not as flavoursome as I remember it from years gone by.
I had no real expectations for my visit to this place, which I expected to be a depressing station pub with no decent beer, but I was surprised to find an atmospheric boozer with a couple of well-kept beers and some great heritage features. The Evening Star might still be the default 'go to' pub for a quick pre-train pint, but this is a good alternative to keep in mind.
Date of visit - 16th May 2024
On 28th September 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3294 recommendations about 3294 pubs]
Blue Scrumpy left this review about Grand Central
Fairly prominent Fuller's pub opposite the railway station. It's somehow one that I've not visited previously. The ground floor space circles the central bar. TVs were showing live Premier League football, whilst quite a few people were heading upstairs, where there is obviously further drinking space.
Fuller's London Pride is the regular beer. In addition, there was Fuller's Grand Slam, Gales Seafarers & Dark Star Revelation. Craft beers were Beavertown Neck Oil & Tiny Rebel Dance Off, Waffle, Clwb Tropica & End Game.
Certainly a convenient place for the station, but maybe a bit too close, as it can get quite busy. For a pub near the station, I'd still recommend the Evening Star, where our party had started the day.
On 25th February 2024
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2865 recommendations about 2863 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Delboy 20 left this review about Grand Central
Attractive Fuller's pub close to the station. 4 Fuller's beers plus Dark Star Hophead. We tried the Hophead and Fuller's Bohemian Way. Both were fine.
On 30th September 2019
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 1772 recommendations about 1653 pubs]
View more reviews of Grand Central (9)
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- Official site of Grand Central - grandcentralbrighton.co.uk
- CAMRA WhatPub :: Grand Central - whatpub.com
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 24 March 2018 by Tris C
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 24 March 2018 by Tris C
- Beer Garden : Yes - Roof terrace. - last updated 24 March 2018 by Tris C
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 04 June 2015 by ROB Camra
- Car Park : No last updated 24 March 2018 by Tris C
- Child Friendly : Yes last updated 24 March 2018 by Tris C
- Darts : No last updated 28 September 2024 by Pub SignMan
- Function Room : Yes last updated 24 March 2018 by Tris C
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 04 June 2015 by ROB Camra
- Jukebox : No last updated 28 September 2024 by Pub SignMan
- Karaoke : No last updated 28 September 2024 by Pub SignMan
- Micropub : No last updated 24 March 2018 by Tris C
- Pinball : No last updated 24 March 2018 by Tris C
- Pool Table : No last updated 24 March 2018 by Tris C
- Real Ale : Yes - Fuller's. - last updated 24 March 2018 by Tris C
- Real Cider : No last updated 04 June 2015 by ROB Camra
- Wheelchair Access : Yes - Disabled WC and baby changing. - last updated 24 March 2018 by Tris C
- WiFi : Yes last updated 04 June 2015 by ROB Camra
