Freemasons Tavern

Pretty average & no secret

26 Jun 08, 13:01 As expected

I'm still undecided about The Freemasons! Fantastic location, just on Western Road, food is very mediocre, edible but nothing to rave about. Seating is not used as well as it could be, when it's busy, it's far too busy, & far too hot.....saying that have had a few good nights in there, but I think that's more to do with the people I was with rather than the venue. Music.......leaves alot to be desired! Worth a try, but only if you're in the area.

Busy but not for me...

03 May 08, 10:30 As expected

I have visited here quite a few times and am yet to leave feeling like I've enjoyed it there. It's always really busy with loud loud music! There is a real 'Brighton' feel to the decor, quirky and interesting but a little odd? Upstairs has a nice cocktail bar, but the lighting is a little stark - everyone seems to have a blue tinge! Also, the seating is very haphazard, you can be perched on a stool whilst your friend has been swallowd up by a battered old armchair. I always feel that this place looks good on the surface, but it's not particularly practical? A good place to stop off on the way into town but don't spend your whole evening there (unless you've got stuck in one of the armchairs)

Is it me or is the music in here really, really, really loud?

01 May 08, 20:17 Below expectations

Is it me or is the music in here really, really, really loud? I've been to this bar on many occasion, often in a biggish group of people, which has generally always been a mistake as you just can't hear a word anyone says. Yes. I'm old. I think if they turned the music down and played a better variety of music then it may get a better mix of people who can actually stay here and enjoy it rather than do a quick drink and move on.

Popular Hove venue

29 Apr 08, 11:44 Above expectations

Freemasons is a great evening out or a stop off on the way into Brighton for the night. It's one of the more popular bars in Hove with good reason. The staff are really friendly, the atmosphere is relaxed and buzzy and the music is funky if not a bit loud. Downstairs is more traditional with adequate seating and tables and upstairs is slightly more upmarket with a great little cocktail bar... great for parties or just a couple of drinks with your mates.

True Brighton Style

28 Apr 08, 21:56 Above expectations

I went in here for the first time at the weekend so I'm not a great expert, but it seemed like a great little bar. It had people spilling out onto the street which is always a good sign. It had great interior, that unique Brighton style, but very relaxed and laid back. Nice little booths for those in a group of people wanting to catch up over a cocktail.

Great cocktails

24 Apr 08, 13:11 Above expectations

Love it here. It is one of my locals so the bar staff always say hi and make you feel welcome. The recent refurbishments haven't made a massive difference but still enjoy a few drinks here. The upstairs is great to hire out if you are planning a big party and the cocktails they serve are gorgeous!

A mixed bag

21 Apr 08, 08:02 As expected

The Freemasons is a good pub but I think is going through some sort of identity crisis. Esentially it's a pub downstairs with some cosy round booths. They serve decent food...especially the Sunday roasts although they do start to run out of stuff around 2pm.

Upstairs is the cocktail bar which is swanky with lots of mirrors (too many actually...you don't need to see yourself from every angle as you make you way to the toilets), blue lighting and perspex. Friday and Saturday nights it gets absolutely rammed with the pre-club crowd. They sometimes have a DJ on downstairs and pack the place out. That's all very well apart but you do end up looking a bit bedraggled by the time you leave!

All in all the Freemasons is worth a visit but not if you're looking for quite and intimate. Not a chance!

Freemasons - no secret handshakes required

17 Apr 08, 13:23 Above expectations

The Freemason's is a great bar on the way into Brighton from Hove with a big square bar in the middle so it's easy to get served. Downstairs there is an Interesting mix of chairs/sofas/circular bench thingames to sit on. It has a really buzzy, fun atmosphere on a weekend and the staff are all very friendly. Personally I don't like the upstairs as much as downstairs. The seats are uncomfortable and they have these ugly pendant lamps over the tables, which make it look a bit like a snooker club!?

Great place to go

17 Apr 08, 12:53 Above expectations

This place benefits from being in a great location for the Hove-ites walking into Brighton. It's also across the road from one of my favourites, Barneys.

Freemasons is like a pub downstairs, good size with seats if you want, good drinks as well. The best bit is upstairs, a non-pretentious cocktail bar where you can sit with your mates. They do other stuff apart from cocktails so don't worry if you don't want a pink drink with an umbrella.

It's not just somewhere to go for a quick drink before town either, you'd do a lot worse than spending your night here