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Pubs in Hove Guide

Our top picks

Pubs in Hove

The first in our Pubs in Hove Guide and a great place to start. The Better Half, offers a sophisticated menu of both food and drinks whilst refusing to grow up fully. Sunday roasts are a big deal at The Better Half, but evening and weekday meals are not to be overlooked, with homemade and seasonal produce at their heart. The décor is a clever mash-up of traditional and modern design, you are in a ‘proper pub’, but not an ‘ordinary pub’, regular entertainment and live music keep things lively and fun.
The name itself may be a reference to ‘The Better Half of Hove’, one of the oldest pubs in Hove, or a friendly jibe at that sibling rivalry that exists with Brighton, most likely both. Close to the sea, with a heated rear garden, The Better Half is also a dog-friendly pub in Hove. In 2023, the Better Half Pub unveiled an exciting new addition to their offerings – a delightful cocktail menu.

As far as pubs in Hove go, Hove Place ticks a lot of boxes. The front terrace and Italian themed beer garden at the rear are heated to enjoy year-round. Just a few minutes from the seafront, Hove Place is a great spot to punctuate a summer’s day. With a modern bistro menu available for lunch and dinner every day and a thoroughly raved about Sunday roast at the weekend, the pub’s food serving is well known for its innovation and quality. The pub itself retains a friendly local feel with a changing menu of cask beers from local breweries as well as popular lead brands, a healthy selection of spirits and, as is to be expected from a Bistro pub, an extensive and well thought out wine list.

BRAVO 2018 “Best Pub Grub” winner, The Urchin is about two things, craft beer and shellfish. Whilst it’s conceivably a brave move to pair back so much, the concept itself is not a new one since both ingredients have long been major components of Sussex’s produce. So, before shellfish became the prerogative of City businessmen and local ale got expensive it was simply the standard fare of those who lived nearby, something standard to pubs in Hove. The secret of The Urchin’s success, other than its indefatigable ability to do a simple thing very well, is perhaps in its cashing in on this collective Sussex memory.

Nestled on the outskirts of Hove, The Gather Inn is a delightful pub restaurant offering scenic views of Hove seafront. Partnering with Lobo’s Caribbean Cuisine, the kitchen presents a tempting menu featuring authentic Caribbean delights such as Jerk Chicken, Pork Belly Bites, Jerked Garlic Prawn, Open Kebabs, and the finger-licking Buffalo Souljah Burger. For those inclined towards classic pub fare, indulge in crispy fish and chips or a comforting plate of bangers and mash. Open Monday-Thursday 5-9 pm, Friday-Saturday 12-4 pm and 5-9 pm, and Sundays 12-6 pm.

Set on Hove’s stunning stretch of seafront, Rockwater has an unbeatable offering that is unique and impressive. While the multi-venue restaurant may not, at first glance, seem like a pub, we assure you that there is an area worthy of a ‘pub’ title in the mix. The Bar and Kitchen, which is set on the sea-facing side of the venue, is cosy, comfortable and stylish. The food menu offers some great gastro-classics that’ll satisfy the whole family and of course, as every pub should, they have a great selection of beverages to enjoy beside the seaside.  

Head to The Farm Tavern for lashings of traditional pub comforts, oodles of charm and a jolly neighbourhood atmosphere. Serving a delicious European small plates menu and scrumptious Sunday roasts, featuring a vegan and children’s option. You can expect a roaring open fire throughout the colder months and a 2 for £12 Margarita deal every Thursday. Head to our events page to see what’s happening at The Farm Tavern, from sea shanty evenings to DJ nights and summer BBQ’s.

Paris Wine Bar on Church Road is an intimate yet spacious bar and restaurant that is perfectly suited for relaxed social gatherings. Everything about Paris Wine Bar is designed around a sense of conviviality, deep comfy seating, dark wood interiors and a large secluded outside space that provides plenty of opportunities for taking time out for congenial socialising. The food menu is modern British small plates, ideal for sharing and the wine menu is extensive but accessible. There are also great options on cocktails, beers, ales and spirits.

More Hove pubs

A stylish gastropub with a glowing reputation amongst pubs in Hove, The Ginger Pig, part of the Ginger man Group, has a smart bar serving excellent classic cocktails and Fine Sussex sparkling wines. The restaurant is open 7 days a week serving seasonal quality meals from breakfast to dinner, with roasts on Sundays.

Located just off Palmeira Square, with dark green tiling, a dark wood central bar and tinted windows this is one of the old school pubs in Hove that has had an injection of life into it, often with a lively bustling crowd. Head upstairs of a Friday or Saturday evening for a speakeasy-themed bar, intimate and hush with post-war jazz, flowing liquor and an exclusive feel.

traffic light decor at the old albion. Craft beer Brighton guide

The Old Albion

Extensively remodelled after being run for 36 years by a previous landlord, The (new) Old Albion, is one of the growing number of pubs in Hove to undergo a new burst of life, offering fun and quality. Here you will benefit from a list of 40 gins and an ever changing repertoire of guest ales and beers, consistently good roasts and cheery staff.

craft beers and ale in Brighton. Award winning pub in Hove

The Watchmakers Arms

One of a growing number of micropubs to appear in a new trend for simple venues for real beer lovers, although the first of its kind for pubs in Hove. The Watchmaker’s Arms serves its own in-house keg and cask beers under their Beercraft brand as well as a changing selection of reputable, local and independent brewers.

The-Southern-Belle-Brighton

The Southern Belle

Winner of BRAVO 2018 “Best Sunday Roast” award, top 3 for “Dog-Friendly” and making top 20 for “Best Pub Grub”, the people of Hove (and Brighton for that matter) were keen to speak up about the Southern Belle. With a mini theatre, boutique guest rooms and weekday vegan and vegetarian pop up by Jaldee Jaldee, Indian street food, there’s a lot to make a noise about.

Bottom's Rest pubs in Hove

Bottom's Rest

Making an appearance in yet more pubs in Hove Jaldee Jaldee will also be popping up in the Bottom’s Rest from August 2018. A tucked away gem of pub with a wonderful local and friendly atmosphere, keeps it simple and traditional with pub quizzes and local ales.

The Gin Tub Bar interior

The Gin Tub

With over 100 gins on their menu, The Gin Tub is Hove’s number one destination for lover’s of the UK’s number one spirit. As a neat twist to go with your gin the Gin Tub has a novel take on table service, simply use the vintage phones on each table to dial in your order.

More good pubs

Hanover will always be the best neighbourhood for a pub crawl. This list might help you organise yours.

Beer, brewed locally? Yes please.

If it is a walk in the countryside followed by a refreshing pint, we hope these Sussex pubs will be able to help you out.

Q
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According to the 2023 BRAVO awards which is an annual public vote with almost 60,000 votes cast. The Better Half and The Urchin from Hove are voted as some of the best Hove pubs in the ‘Best Local’ category. The Eddy near Brighton station won best pub in Brighton. Here are the Top 20 best pubs in Brighton and Hove.