The Best Pub in the UK is...

[fataddick]

No Stand Up Inn, Lindfield? It's got everything needed to be a good pub. Real ale at good prices and a cosy atmosphere with no rowdy, pissed up youngsters.

The Stand Up is 91st. I've found a bigger list (Top 100 rather than 40):

http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/top/100/

The two Norwich pubs I was surprised didn't feature in the 40 are in the 100, but none of the other pubs mentioned here I don't think.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Weatherspoons pubs are full of weirdos. I asked to take this mans picture in the one in Littlehampton because he "had a funny head" and he happily obliged.

RIP Toploader

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

The Evening Star is a ridiculous choice. It has one thing and one thing only going for it. Its' selection of real ale and the Fat Cat in Shef has that beat hands down. . Other than that it is at best average. Rubbish location, opposite 2 porn shops, right on the main road, and pretty much zero outside space. what criteria are these morons basing this on?

I've only been in the Evening Star once and once was enough. It was full of discusting hideous people. It was a really unpleasant experience. If I did not know any better I would have thought I had stumbled upon a secret meeting of peodos and sex pests. Why does everyone who drinks real ale have to be so unpleasant looking and carry a carrier bag?

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

I've only been in the Evening Star once and once was enough. It was full of discusting hideous people. It was a really unpleasant experience. If I did not know any better I would have thought I had stumbled upon a secret meeting of peodos and sex pests. Why does everyone who drinks real ale have to be so unpleasant looking and carry a carrier bag?

The main minus point for me is there's never anywhere to sit and the bar is fully blocked by bloated beer monsters on bar stools in overstretched black teeshirts. They're friendly enough, for sure, but that's not the point. Oh, and once happened upon the Star six in the evening when there must have been a Festival Of Pies on elsewhere or something, cos the bar stools were all standing empty - apart from one, where there was a collie dog sat, looking pleased as punch, lapping up a bowl of water. Says it all really. Well over-hyped, and not a patch on the Basket Case or even the Nelson. IMHO, like.

 

[beorhthelm]

The Evening Star is a ridiculous choice. It has one thing and one thing only going for it. Its' selection of real ale and the Fat Cat in Shef has that beat hands down. ... what criteria are these morons basing this on?

think you answered your own question, its the range. the rating is partly about those that go to pubs then go on t'internet to rate them, so id expect a London/SE/Trendy location bias. as someone said, it you like the Fat Cat rate it, because people will go there if they know about it.

however, saying that, the Royal Oak no2? its been shut twice when ive gone there earlyish evenings and its always shut for the weekends. and its pretty shit when it is open with a distinct attitude to anyone not buying Harveys. Market Porter is a far superior pub.
Like to see The Harp so high, thats a quality little irish run boozer very friendly and doesnt charge silly money despite its location. oddly has harveys bar towels and table mats without actually selling harveys (taht i recall, apparently does currently). if you are in the Old St area, the Artillery Arms (no25) is definate worth investigating, nice atmosphere, mix of suits, hoxton trendies and locals.

 

[Nibble]

Then join the site and rate the Fat Cat Sheffield accordingly. You seem to imagine this is a chart based on the views of a couple of people's opinion. It's not, it's the UK's biggest pub reviews site, absolutely ANYONE can join instantly and for free and start rating pubs. There's something like 250,000 members/reviewers and that Top 40 is their combined view. Join up and have your own say if you feel differently.

And, for what it's worth, the Fat Cat in Norwich poops all over the Sheffield pub it stole its name from (although they are both good).

I know how it works which amazes me even more that it got to No' 1. I'm shocked I tell thee, shocked and stunned and not a little surprised!

 

[mona]

Evening Star appeals to a lot of visitors to Brighton with its beer choice/cider and situation. Overcrowded on Saturdays but amiable Pompey landlord. The New Grove in Huddersfield is the best pub I've visited in the last few years for what it's worth.

 

[Ringmer Seagull]

The main minus point for me is there's never anywhere to sit and the bar is fully blocked by bloated beer monsters on bar stools in overstretched black teeshirts. They're friendly enough, for sure, but that's not the point. Oh, and once happened upon the Star six in the evening when there must have been a Festival Of Pies on elsewhere or something, cos the bar stools were all standing empty - apart from one, where there was a collie dog sat, looking pleased as punch, lapping up a bowl of water. Says it all really. Well over-hyped, and not a patch on the Basket Case or even the Nelson. IMHO, like.

Agree with your conclusion. In my view there isnt a pub in Brighton to touch the Nelson

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

The main minus point for me is there's never anywhere to sit and the bar is fully blocked by bloated beer monsters on bar stools in overstretched black teeshirts. They're friendly enough, for sure, but that's not the point. Oh, and once happened upon the Star six in the evening when there must have been a Festival Of Pies on elsewhere or something, cos the bar stools were all standing empty - apart from one, where there was a collie dog sat, looking pleased as punch, lapping up a bowl of water. Says it all really. Well over-hyped, and not a patch on the Basket Case or even the Nelson. IMHO, like.

Dogs in pubs, it gets worse.

 

[fataddick]

Evening Star appeals to a lot of visitors to Brighton with its beer choice/cider and situation. Overcrowded on Saturdays but amiable Pompey landlord. The New Grove in Huddersfield is the best pub I've visited in the last few years for what it's worth.

Ta for the tip. Have never been to Huddersfield before, but heard such good things about its pub scene from various people I've booked a hotel there for next weekend. Pub crawl is the main plan.

As for other comments, I think the basket is far more overrated than the star - harder to find a seat, and the most expensive ale in brighton. Of others, the nelson, west hill, prestonville, ranelagh and great eastern get my vote. Ooh, I want to join and start rating places now...

 

[BensGrandad]

Drove past there this evening and told wife about it being the No1. Her reaction "it looks a right dive for down and outs." Never understand womans logic.

 

[dougdeep]

They seem allergic to the countryside. There are some excellent pubs in Sussex.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

...the Evening Star in Brighton. Not according to me, but according to the Internet. More specifically beerintheevening.com:

Top 40 Pubs rated by beerintheevening users

There's an alarming number of pubs on that list that, from personal experience, I rate very highly.

Good to see, in particular, The Square and Compasses at Worth Matravers, Dorset (31st), still meriting a visit. A pub I would happily die in.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

... and, in the top 100 (at 51st), The Blue Anchor in Helston.

My (ex) great-great-great-grandfather-in-law (if that is any sort of relationship) lived next door to it, in 1871.

 

[perseus]

Q: What makes a good pub?

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2002/aug/06/advertising.marketingandpr

This obviously never caught on. 2002 it is dated.

 

[BensGrandad]

Is my favourite The Hare & Hounds in Worthing on the list. A good selection of real ale all in excellant condition, good pub food, a jovial friendly landlord and no kids trying to get served.

 

[Freddie Goodwin.]

The Evening Star is my fav. OK, so it's basic in decor but has excellent ales and the home of Dark Star.

Because of this, it will often be crowded, that's what comes of being poipular. The bar does get crowded but the bar staff don't keep you waiting long. It may well be that you have to sit with strangers but there's always a welcome.

 

[The Spanish]

everyone in this country secretly knows pubs down south are better. obscurantists might like the fact oddball pubs up north or in the middle of nowhere feature, but lets be honest we do pubs better just as northerners do fish and chips better. just one of those things. lets be honest.

i have never really rated the northern star at all but great to have a brighton pub top of the list. i personally think there are at least 5 better pubs within 500 f***ing metres of the place myself but then I am not a Viz Real Ale Twat.

see no jock pubs made it. they cannot do pubs at all, in general, just holding stations for piss artists.

 

[Questions]

everyone in this country secretly knows pubs down south are better. obscurantists might like the fact oddball pubs up north or in the middle of nowhere feature, but lets be honest we do pubs better just as northerners do fish and chips better. just one of those things. lets be honest.

i have never really rated the northern star at all but great to have a brighton pub top of the list. i personally think there are at least 5 better pubs within 500 f***ing metres of the place myself but then I am not a Viz Real Ale Twat.

see no jock pubs made it. they cannot do pubs at all, in general, just holding stations for piss artists.

The Northern Star you say and you dont do 'real ale'