the black dove

This bar doesn't boast the cosiest interior but I know some pyromaniac friends who would go nuts for the giant candle and all the wax hanging off it.

Outside there is some quite nice space and they have a few good beers, including quality cotswald lagers, to enjoy.

Open till late. When is late? Only one way to find out.

There is a big problem with pubs in Britain. Almost all are owned by bigger corporations and are forced into buying from a a set menu of beers and other drinks. The ones that aren't, do not have the buying power of the chains and end up paying alot more for the same drinks. They therefore cannot compete with the other pubs and shut down or are bought out. This isn't just the obvious Wether Spoons etc - almost every pub in Brighton , and the rest of the country is owned by a larger company. The Black Dove is one of the very very few true independent pubs in Brighton. It gets around the aforementioned problem by not going near the standard drinks, and instead having an eclectic mix of beers and spirits ffrom around the world. The staff are very knowledgeable, and always willling to recommendmend something new and different. They have some great whiskeys and make an awesome old fashioned. the place looks great too. Give it a go - it will become your regular in no time!

Friendly staff, fantastic cocktails and a buzzing atmosphere make the Black Dove a compelling place to drink at. I really enjoyed my couple of nights drinking there, the DJ played some fresh tunes and the bar staff put real care into making cocktails and knew their beers. Well worth a visit!

Amazing place with great atmosphere and selection of drinks. The only place in Brighton, I know of, where you can buy a Brooklyn beer on tap!

Absolutely love this pub. Go there, you’ll love it

This place is my "local", and I live more than two miles away. Seriously, the Black Dove is a gem. Step inside and you're transported to a cocktail parlour at the turn of the Twentieth Century. Deep colours, wood accents, heavy curtains, chandeliers, and that's before you even descend into the sumptuous basement lounge.

On certain nights, the Dove has DJs spinning music, and it's (gasp) actually enjoyable, ranging from speakeasy sounds to new stuff that makes you stop at the booth and ask what's playing. The staff are knowledgeable, friendly, quite charming, and got the muscle for those cocktail shakers, and those boys are some of my favourite bartenders in town.

The bar snacks... well, I'm not allowed to have the pork scratchings anymore, so if you see me reaching for the jar, just slap my hand. There's a fantastic selection of stuff to please every palate, from salty to sweet to super spicy, all for cheap.

And the drinks... Really, if this place was just a hole-in-the-wall with dusty bar stools and surly servers, the drinks selection alone would keep me coming back. The Dove had me at Absinthe. This the only place I know of that will make me a Sazerac, while I sit and dreamily watch the performance. Beyond that, the bar has a Cocktail Bible that you can peruse, and the boys will make you just about anything listed in its scriptures. Also, the bottled ciders collection is astounding, and, believe it, decently priced.

Anyway, I'll stop my rant. It's clear that I have a crush on the Dove. In other words, yes, it's worth a visit.

Great, relaxed place where the owner and staff are genuinely friendly and tell you all about the cocktails and speciality beers and organic wines they offer. It's nice to be able to enjoy well made cocktails in a relaxed fun place.