Great Eastern Brighton
“The Great Eastern offers guests the best local cask ale and cold, crisp lagers and craft beers. While specialising in whiskey from America, Scotland and Ireland, we also offer a wide selection of gin, tequila and rum. As we don't have a kitchen, we are all about the drinks, and the music. We are small, so screens and game machines are not our thing, but music really is. We soundtrack our days with the best blues and country, jazz, swing, soul and rock and roll, and on Fridays and Saturdays we host some of Brighton's favourite record spinners. If you like the sound of that, we'd love to see you some time soon.”
Quick info
About Great Eastern Brighton
Great Eastern Brighton is a whiskey-focused pub at 103 Trafalgar St in Brighton, with no kitchen and no screens or game machines, so the drinks and the music carry the whole offer. The whiskey list covers America, Scotland and Ireland, with gin, tequila and rum behind it. Local cask ale, lager and craft beer are served on tap and in bottles. Blues, country, jazz, swing, soul and rock and roll fill the days. A vinyl DJ sets up at the end of the bar, live DJs play on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, and themed nights give different genres their own evenings. Fairy lights hang in the decor of this traditional pub, which has plenty of seating indoors.
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention live DJ nights, beer selection, whisky selection and fairy lights decor.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention live DJ nights, beer selection, whisky selection and fairy lights decor.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often come for the music, especially the DJs on weekend nights. One praises the vinyl DJ at the end of the bar, and another notes themed nights that change genre from one evening to the next. A visitor from the southern United States found the honky-tonk night they wanted. Close behind is the drinks list, described as a good selection of beers on tap and in bottles, plus whisky. Fairy lights and friendly staff add to an atmosphere several call great, and one reviewer describes regulars who prefer talking to over-amplified music. The complaints are fewer but specific. One reviewer says a manager threw away a pint still three-quarters full at closing time, shortly after it was sold, and that they were nearly charged more than the price first paid. Another was told a spirit was unavailable while a full unopened bottle sat behind the bar, and one disliked the paper cups. Among the praise, a bartender introduced a visitor to new beers and shared some history of the pub.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often come for the music, especially the DJs on weekend nights. One praises the vinyl DJ at the end of the bar, and another notes themed nights that change genre from one evening to the next. A visitor from the southern United States found the honky-tonk night they wanted. Close behind is the drinks list, described as a good selection of beers on tap and in bottles, plus whisky. Fairy lights and friendly staff add to an atmosphere several call great, and one reviewer describes regulars who prefer talking to over-amplified music. The complaints are fewer but specific. One reviewer says a manager threw away a pint still three-quarters full at closing time, shortly after it was sold, and that they were nearly charged more than the price first paid. Another was told a spirit was unavailable while a full unopened bottle sat behind the bar, and one disliked the paper cups. Among the praise, a bartender introduced a visitor to new beers and shared some history of the pub.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Nice atmosphere and friendly staff. The only minor issue was that I asked for Smirnoff Cherry Drop as it’s my favourite spirit and I could see they had a full unopened bottle behind the bar, however they refused to serve it to me as they said they didn’t have it - however I appreciate they had probably newly got it in so may not have been aware. A little annoying as they had it and I wanted it, but not the end of the world. Would definitely still come back.”
- Google user
“⭐☆☆☆☆ The pub itself is very good, but the management is extremely disappointing. If you are going to throw away customers’ drinks at closing time, then don’t sell drinks 10 minutes before closing. I bought a pint for £7.75, and they later tried to charge me £12. Luckily, I noticed the mistake and pointed it out. At midnight, they told me the pub was closing. I explained that I had only just bought the beer and that I would finish it and leave. Instead, the manager took my glass — still three-quarters full — and threw it away. He refused to listen and simply told me I had to leave. Very rude and unprofessional behaviour. A good pub can be ruined by poor management. I will not return and I would not recommend this place because of the way customers are treated.”
- Google user
“A lovely local pub with a good selection of beers, both bottled and on tap. I suspect the majority of customers are 'regulars', one of those places where people prefer to talk to each other and not be overwhelmed by over amplified music. Plenty of seating indoors and a limited amount outdoors in the cul-de-sac (you don't have to suffer passing traffic).”
- Google user
“Brilliant pub apart from the paper cups, what's all that about. I'm hoping it was just a one off due to the pathetic marches going on outside, very inconsiderate. Loved the vinyl DJ at the end of the bar, terrific 👏”
- Google user
“The Great Eastern is a great pub with an excellent selection of beers and whisky. There’s always something interesting to try, whether you’re in the mood for a good pint or a quality dram. Definitely a top spot in Brighton if you appreciate a strong drinks selection in a friendly setting.”
Location
Bars near Great Eastern Brighton
- The Green Dragon4.62680.1 mi£10–20ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
pie, mash and pint deal, live jazz on tuesdays, steak and ale pie
- The Geese4.68090.3 mi£15–30
sunday roast, sausage and mash, wild boar sausages
- Haus On The Hill4.55030.4 miWheelchair accessible
sunday roast, craft beers and ales, sausage and mash
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Eastern Brighton | 4.7959 | — | — | live DJ nights, beer selection, whisky selection |
| The Green DragonReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.6268 | 0.1 mi | £10–20 | pie, mash and pint deal, live jazz on tuesdays, steak and ale pie |
| The Geese | 4.6809 | 0.3 mi | £15–30 | sunday roast, sausage and mash, wild boar sausages |
| Haus On The HillWheelchair accessible | 4.5503 | 0.4 mi | — | sunday roast, craft beers and ales, sausage and mash |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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