Tucked away down a side street off the main road leading down to the seafront from Brighton's main railway station is a small local boozer 'The Heart and Hand'.
THE ATMOSPHERE
In the 15 years I've been based in Brighton this pub has always been a favourite amongst a younger more alternative crowd of pub goers. This is not your posh frock, smart Chinos and shirt type of pub, but more a spit and sawdust watering hole.
Standing on a street corner halfway down North Street it is ideally placed for the centre of town and is used by many as a convenient meeting place for further late night revelling.
It is a small building, one main room with about sitting space for 40 or so people, furnished with simple wooden tables, the wall at the far end of the pub is completely covered with poster from all the different clubs gigs and alternative bars that you can find in Brighton. The overall atmosphere is loud, raucous, smoky but friendly.
During the day food is served, basic fare sandwiches, cold salads and the clientele is mainly made up of office workers from nearby business or off duty postmen from the nearby Brighton main post office. In the evening the pub undergoes a transformation and becomes like a surreal auditioning room for a version of Brit-Pop idol. Many strange haircuts can be seen and some decidedly second hand studenty fashion. However the pub is not solely frequented by would be Brit Pop and alternative rock fans often you can see the real thing. I've personally have seen Gaz from Supergrass drinking here on occasion as well as some of the members of the now defunct James.
The 'Heart in Hand' has been run for years by Bert and Jo the husband and wife team that manage to create a comfortable atmosphere which is appreciated by a diverse type of clientele. Even on your first visit to the pub you get the feeling that you've just stepped into yours and not somebody else's local.
SEX, DRUGS AND ROCK AND ROLL
The best thing about this pub is the antiquated juke box in the corner just before the loos. It's an old type jukebox with the 7inch vinyl singles still visible, automatically selected and played before you very eyes. The selection of music seems to stop somewhere in the mid 80's but includes some classic 50's, 60's, 70's and early 80's singles covering blues, rock, punk and New wave. The music has that scratched hissy quality that makes you (if you are old enough) feel nostalgic for those halcyon pre-cd days when musical content took precedence over flashy production. The cost of each play is great value at 20p for one record or 7 for £1.00.
Drugs and sex might be harder to find but the bar usually serves a good selection of drinks ranging from standard lager, to real ales, usually Flowers, IPA, Guinness or the locally brewed Harvey's best bitter, as well as the usual selection of alco-pops and spirits. For a pub that is so close to the centre of town all the drinks are very reasonably priced.
It can get very busy on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays but does tend to empty out at 10.30 when most of the younger patrons troop off to the many clubs in town. Me I'll stay to the end getting my money's worth on the juke box and trying to work out how much I owe the babysitter when I get back home (too old to Rock and Roll too young to die!)
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
very helpful by (91%):
helpful by (4%):
somewhat helpful by (4%):
