Ancient Mariner

Average at best

07 May 08, 12:34 Below expectations

I am not a fan of this pub. I think it is a sorry state of affairs when the only good thing about a pub is that it sells sausage and mash, average sausage and mash at that. The lay out inside is pants if it gets busy there is nowhere to sit, it doesn't seem to know if it wants to be trendy bar or a locals boozer and I have had more than one ropey pint in there before.

Its one saving grace is the outside area which is nice when the sunshines and we live in England so more often than not it doesn't.

I wouldn't go out of my way.

Sausage and Mash-tastic

29 Apr 08, 10:43 As expected

What a great little USP. At The Ancient Mariner you can drink a nice pint, whilst eating one of their fabulous choices of Sausage and Mash and play a board game all at once. It's a great spot for a sundowner too if you sit outside on the decking out the front.

Work Fave

23 Apr 08, 20:48 As expected

A popular choice for after work drinks, this pub gets quite busy and has a nice buzz to it. The food is proper pub grub, with a good selection for veggies. The Sunday Roasts are particularly good, although hard to eat if you've gone for the sofa option! Also, stay away from Sunday lunchtime if you are not keen on kids, it can get extremely tiring on your eardrums with all the screeching and running about. Good outdoor area for smokers, although the heating could be better. Bar staff are friendly and happy to perform, my last visit included the barmaid doing an impression of the lady in the Baileys ad, who shakes about all over the shop. Particularly amusing after a few large wines.

Star spot - Coronation Street killer Richard Hillman (Brian Capron)

16 Apr 08, 09:54 As expected

This a great pub right in the heart of the poet's corner bit of Hove. The food is good, bangers and mash and the service is prompt and friendly. The quiz night on a Monday is a little chaotic, but good fun. During the day there are lots of people taking advantage of the free wifi and comfy sofas. In the evenings, particularly on the weekends, it gets busy and the atmosphere is quite buzzy. If it was your local I reckon you'd be pretty pleased with yourself.

Don't sit near the back door

15 Apr 08, 23:03 As expected

Nice pub this, friendly staff and always busy with a nice atmosphere. The food is good too with the special sausage and mash combo they've got going on, there is another normal non sausage and mash menu as well if you want.

The drinks aren't the cheapest around, maybe the arty types don't mind spending that little bit more. It's a nice place though don't get me wrong, just try and avoid sitting near the back door which opens all the time with the smokers going outside, it can get cold!!

Great pub, although I don't do mash

15 Apr 08, 09:44 As expected

I love this pub, it always seems to be busy whatever time you go there. My mash-loving friends tell me the menu is top notch (i'm not a fan myself!) but there are other tasty options on the menu. Staff are friendly, although service sometimes a little slow. The patio area out the back is nice to sit in if it's good weather. Parking around there is not ideal though, I'd suggest don't take your car.

Sausage & mash heaven!

14 Apr 08, 08:58 As expected

I really like this pub...especially the food. They have an amazing sausage & mash menu. Pick your sausage...pick your mash...pick your gravy...or beans...yum! They have other stuff too but why would you bother? Unless you're like my exceptionally weird mate Kathryn who doesn't like mash...what?!

The pub gets really busy at weekends but has a really nice feel to it...lots of locals but not in the slightest bit clique-y. Good sofas...exhibits of local artists on the walls and a nice heated outside area for the smokers. The ONLY thing I would knock them down on is that the bar service can be a little slow. Other than that...all good.

Nice pub... ..but, yes, we did pay for the olives thanks!

10 Apr 08, 18:36 As expected

A great location for a casual drink after work on a Friday tucked away just off Portland Road. Good bar service, efficient and friendly. They specialise in sausage and mash foodwise with a good selection of other options available... ...and the burgers come with potato wedges not chips - dead classy! My last visit resulted in a rather peculiar accusation of trying to obtain some marinated olives without paying for them... ...I'm sure the member of staff doing the accusing was just having a bit of a wobble and it's not actually something they're in the habit of doing. Oh, and they have very comfortable leather sofas and nice artwork on the walls.