November 27, 2011
Small, quirky character bar located a few streets back from the beachfront. Solid cask ale selection including a house brew, as well as local and UK microbrews (including Orkney and Caledonian at my last visit). Solid and frequently changing international bottle selection. Good value and friendly service. Really nice ambience and music (jazz and blues at the time). It also has interesting black and white pictures of nude women on the ceiling.......

August 30, 2009
Visited on 29th August 2009. Only beer from the pub’s brewery available was Kemptown (see rating), but another six or so beers were on from other small/micro breweries. All staff friendly and there were some very outgoing and conversational locals in the pub when I visited, making it difficult to leave! In my review I have awarded 7/10 for food. I need to qualify this. The pub is not a "foody" or gastro pub, but it DOES serve homemade pies subject to availablilty, and these are excellent. I recommend the Thai chicken variety. Pies served by themselves in a foil case and paper plate. Subdued lighting and some interesting artefacts, namely german "Stein" mugs hang from the ceiling and the pub’s central beam is festooned with ties and cravats. The pub has a piano but I’ve not seen it in use. A real, proper pub and worth seeking out even if only one homebrewed beer is available. Do phone beforehand to check availability. Recommended.

March 25, 2009
The only brewpub in Brighton I think. Five real ales and one cider on tap. A small but very nice place. Brewery is in the same building (upstairs). The landlord was very friendly for showing me that (22.10.08).

August 8, 2008
Looks a bit dusty, old and uninteresting. Got served as if I wasn’t really wanted there by a annoying fat guy. Selection wasn’t that great either. They didn’t have 10 taps, maybe 8? but only a few cask ales.

October 29, 2006
After The Evening Star, the next best pub in Brighton. I usually call in once a year after my visit to Brighton Eye Hospital which is nearby. A pint or two of Kemptown Bitter (my favourite of the three beers) is usually enough to sustain me for the walk down the hill to the Evening Star before catching a train home. I was sorry to read of the passing of the charismatic landlord recently. He was quite a character.

November 20, 2004
I liked the Hand, it was small but very friendly, with a knowledgable barman. A good ange of Real Ale to keep you away from the dreaded lager. Very nice.

September 21, 2004
The Kemptown Brewery is on the same site, so this is essentially a brewpub. They serve the Kemptown beers as well as guest ales. They have a dcent bottle selection (mostly Belgian from memory) and have hacker Pshorr Weiss and Hellese on tap aswell as some standard Foster/Stella type rubbish. This is quite a small cosy pub, with a friendly atmosphere, definitely worth a visit if in Brighton.