The Seafield

The Seafield on Church Road works because it doesn’t mess about. Unlike so many pubs in Brighton and Hove, it knows what it does best: it’s a pub. There is no pretending that it is a bar or a café. Always a friendly welcome and frankly a cracking pint of Guiness. A gem for people who like it proper.

As pubs go, the Seafield is not somewhere I would go out of my way to return to. It’s not that it isn’t nice, it’s perfectly alright for a seat, a pint and a chat with friends, it’s just nothing special. The décor is pleasantly old-​school, with wooden beams all over the place and an old bar, and there’s plenty of ale on tap for the lager-​avoiders. In the end, a nice little place, nothing too special.
Both reviewers here mention the gamblers, and I don’t see the great plus points or problems with having them around. Sure the TV is on, and it’s loud, and it’s all the different types of horse-​racing, one after the other, but it beats the cheesy pop you have to sit through in most of these sorts of pubs. Just ignore it and grab a table, and enjoy the fact that the pints are substantially cheaper than your average Brighton pub.
The smoking area out the back is also very pleasant, although useless if it is raining. There really isn’t much to criticise or like here: this is my definition of a bog-​standard old man’s pub: none of the silly drinks and food, but more character than a Shakespeare comedy. The old-​school look does look a bit to refined to be really antique (probably made to look so), but it still beats flashing lights and pumping beats, in my book at least. Don’t ignore this pub, but don’t come here expecting something it isn’t.

I can’t help but be reference James’ review, albeit negatively. As he said, you walk in to find you’ll only have dedicated drinkers and gamblers, which is about as bad as you might imagine.
I came in here because we had moved in nearby and this was the first place we had seen, I wish I had walked on though.
When we walked in, we were greeted by a wave of turning heads working out if they knew us. We were also greeted by the noise of horce racing commentators and disheartened gamblers complaining about the injustices that had just denied them the big win.
Without being too scathing, this is the worst pub i’ve been to in Brighton.

I’m pretty sure a lot of people would walk into a place like this, spin on their heels and walk out. I think that’s why I find it so endearing, you’re only going to get dedicated drinkers and gamblers in this place. When you walk in, first you notice the TV relaying the horse racing, then you notice the four of five people watching the race, turn round and give you a long hard look. Hold fast and don’t give up, they’re a nice bunch really.
They have Harvey’s on tap but I popped in yesterday at 3pm and the barmaid had to pull a few pints through as it was the first one poured of the day, I think its more lager and whiskey consumed here.
The frontage of the place looks like the back of one of Napolean’s Galleys. Beautiful and really welcoming. This is a real traditional old pub with traditional old locals which I feel really relaxed to be in. Perfect for a quiet pint and a read of the paper or a good evening session and a chat about the football.