I spent about a week in Brighton/London area visiting my daughter as she was going to school at the university of Brighton. While, I have a lot of highlights of my trip in the UK, one of the best was going to The Basketmakers Pub for drinks and dinner. It is interesting how many people asked me when I got back to the states if I'd gone to a pub and they wanted me to share the experience with them. It was a joy to be able to tell them about my time at The Basketmakers. read more

I loved my visit to this pub. The bartender was very friendly in helping me choose a beer and an order of food to eat. I ended up with the HSC beer and Sausage & Mash with the leek and chive mash on her recommendation. The food was very good and the beer selection was good as well! They have multiple food & drink specials in addition to the regular menu items. I will be back next Thursday for the surf & turf special. Can't wait! read more

Great little spot just on the outskirts of the lanes...proper pub with a great selection of pints to fill and food. Gets busy with people enjoying each other, so you'll need to wait for a seat. read more

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Delicious pub food in an authentic pub. Friendly service. Pie and mash was fire. I'll be back!

I found this on yelp and knew it was gonna be pretty good with all the awards it shows on its windows. The place is a nice and cute looking pub with and chill vibe to it with calm music in the background I got mussels and chips here and they were my favorite British meal I've had in my week here. Nice and flavorful and quite cheap compared to the US. They get their seafood from local fisherman here. Would recommend to anyone in Brighton who wants solid food and/ or wants to grab a drink at a chill pub read more

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Amazing authentic Pub food & Ambiance. Super friendly & efficient staff. A true Gem !

If it wasn't for the review on Yelp! I might never have found this little pub and stopped there...and this is why I love Yelp! L This little pub is a bit away from the centre, so you might not come across it when visiting BUT it is really worth going a bit further down the road. It's tiny but we were lucky to find a table straight away. The menu is not massive which is usually a good sign for me, you will find Sunday roast, fish & ships, burgers, classic pub dishes...I went for the chicken roast which was delicious and two of our group tried the fish & chips which was 100% approved...and this comes from people who are not this kind of dishes fans...to sum up, perfect lunch spot for a day in Brighton, not far from the station so perfect when arriving at lunch time! Have a look in the boxes on the wall as they contain message from guests! You can leave one too! read more

The Basketmakers - Pubs Near Me - Brighton, BNH

Pubs might be closing at an escalating rate across the UK but it's still hard to get a seat inside the Basketmakers Arms. An old fashioned, British boozer at the bottom of the North Laines, it attracts a loyal crowd of locals all year round. There's about a dozen tables with old velvet stools and chairs and the walls are covered in vintage tin boxes and paraphanelia. As for the drinks, they serve proper pints of beer, ale and Guiness and packets of crisps and pork scratchings. In short, a friendly, feel-good boozer. read more

The Basketmakers - Pubs Near Me - Brighton, BNH

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Rarely do I enjoy a relaxed drink as much as I do in the Basketmakers Arms. It's such a snug little pub, perfect for a nightcap on a cold winter night and, with its low ceilings and charming décor, you always feel comfortable. It serves great value pub grub, a selection of real ales, whiskies and every other drink you could possibly want. What's more is that all the staff are very sociable and the service is usually very quick, even when it's rammed on weekends. Situated a few roads down from the often hectic Sydney Street, The Basketmakers Arms can be hard to find but I assure you that your search will not be in vane. You'll notice the walls are covered in various tobacco tins of all shapes and sizes and inside each is said to be a message written by a random punter. Despite many attempts at reading them all, I will have to conclude it's a claim that's impossible to verify but it's a nice touch that brings an extra dose of personality to the place. If you fancy adding your own message you don't have to ask. Happy times! read more

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Regarded by many aficionados as the best all-round pub in Brighton, the Basketmaker's Arms is a busy, traditional local, close to the North Laines area of Brighton. Nearly every square inch of the interior is decorated with smoking memorabilia - cigarette cards, old adverts, you name it. But the focus is on high quality real ales, good pub food, and good service. The choice of beers is good and they are very well kept: and some reckon it does the best burgers in Brighton. The staff are friendly and very efficient, even when it gets busy - which is does, especially on weekend evenings. My only criticism is that it can get a bit smoky for my taste, but this will not be a problem after smoking is banned inside from 1 July 2007. read more

One of Brighton's nicer 'hidden' pubs, tucked away in one of the North Laine's many nooks and crannies, the Basketmakers Arms is a very nice place to grab a drink. I put hidden in quotations above as it is, despite being a little off the beaten track, often very busy; I think some of the call centres in the area stream into here at closing time. It's all very reasonably priced and the selection is good, and the food is splendid! However, what use is a great menu if you can't sit down? It's all very good, no denying that, but it's nothing special and there's nowhere to sit and enjoy it, let alone sit with a beverage. Still, everything's very good: I just wish there was more space this pub could expand into. Because it's always too busy, there are always people standing around like lemons, and there's often barely enough space to do even that. In the end, it's nice here, but it needs more space, otherwise it's just average. read more

The Basketmakers - Pubs Near Me - Brighton, BNH

Used good old reliable Yelp to find this place. First time in Brighton and we were looking for a decent pub that wasn't touristy (it can be hard to find here). This one seemed far enough away from the pier to be successful and had across the board good reviews. So glad we checked this place out. Very much a neighbourhood pub, on a plain street (thought we may be in the wrong area actually..) Beer selection was good and the food was excellent. We tried a few things amongst our group - no complaints. Would happily return here anytime. Kinda sad somewhere like this is so popular - it'll just get busier with all these good reviews.. read more

Great atmosphere, a true local pub experience in Brighton. Had a perfectly cooked steak with chips and mushrooms.

Did not know what to expect from this pub. Walked past it many more times than I can remember and when I finally went in I was not disappointed. Had my fruit cider as always and King prawn in sauce. The fish was plenty and cooked perfectly. Still tasted like the sea. Had a lovely salad as a side and is was all in a beer pint (because why not?). Quite pricey but it's worth it. read more

The Basketmakers - Pubs Near Me - Brighton, BNH

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A charming, hidden gem of a pub, situated just far enough off the beaten track. With great food, welcoming staff and a good selection of Real Ales, Lagers and wines, there is something for everyone. And don't forget to check out the trinkets on the walls, they may contain a special message!!! read more

I love this pub. Great beer, good food and its a lovely space. However, dogs. Food is served here and there's dogs in the place. I just got bitten by a dog here and the staffs attitude was "He's ok, he comes here often". I just got bitten by a dog that comes here often. Take your chances. read more

My favourite pub,in my favourite part of town. This has to be the best pub for food in Brighton,its worth having some patience as its usually pretty busy,but its well worth the wait. I had Cod and chorizo stew,which was lovely,before that I had the Whitebait which was just as good. The burgers are really good as well. A wide range of Ales if thats your kind of thing,and lager and cider. If you're drinking shorts,they even sell coke by the bottle to go with it,which doesn't sound like a big deal,but my pet hate is pubs which only serve mixers by the crappy gun(which is how they make a lot of their dough) A really good atmosphere,good mix of people(unlike The Eagle across the road,which is full of sheep checking out each others latest wears)a great place for day trippers to eat as its close to the Station. You'd think i work here,but i don't,just like to eat well in comfy surroundings. read more

Very nice place with great amosphere teh food and drinks were good and service was very good.

Sat directly opposite the Eagle pub on the edges of the North Lanes, the 'Basketmakers' is a nice cross breed of modern British drinking and traditional ale house. You'll find a very good selection of ales and lagers on offer here, certainly better than the Eagle. The Basketmakers is rather small though, and would struggle to serve groups. That said, it's all part of the slightly dated charm that you find here. The Basketmakers is relatively renound for food, serving a varying selection of daily specials in addition to the already impressive main menu that is on offer throughout the day. read more

The Basketmakers is, quite simply, a great local pub! It's reliable, affordable and friendly - exactly want you want in a pub. There's always a great buzz about the place, especially in the summer months when the customers literally spill out onto the street with their drinks, basking in the sun on the quiet surrounding streets. This feels rebellious (and who know if it's even really allowed) but it makes the experience of going to the Basketmakers for a summer cider a very enjoyable one! There's always a great mix of people at this pub too, which I find really appealing. It's not strictly a 'old man pub', not is it crammed full of fresh-faced students or ultra-cool hipsters. All groups collide here and this gives the place a really welcoming feel. The pub itself, on the inside, is cute but small. There's not always going to be a table free as it's a popular spot which, when the sun is not shining, can be a bit of a pain! That being said, the busyness makes for a cosy experience, which is welcomed in the colder winter months! :) All in all, it's a great wee pub. Close to the uni, town and the station, it's really in the heart of things, so there's no excuse not to pop down and give it a go if you in the center! read more

Go for the walls covered in old tin containers alone! It is really fantastic. The pub can get quite busy on the weekends but it's a great spot for a pint and a bite! We met up there before the Peterborough/Brighton game and enjoyed the atmosphere. If in Brighton, I'll go back...I'm a fan! read more

This place is my favourite pub in Brighton by far. the staff are lovely, attentive and know their stuff about the whole menu of food and drinks, particularly the craft beers. It's a tiny place so grab a seat when you can, but when you do sit near a wall as the boxes on the wall have notes in them fro anyone and everyone. And add one yourself, they are always happy for you to do so! Get the fish platter - the best end to a long day in my opinion. Pair it with an ale and you've got a great after work pick me up. I love this place and can't recommend it enough. read more

This is a REAL pub with traditional charm and character. The Basketmakers always has fine real ales on sale, usually a number of guest brews, too. It also has a superb selection of whiskeys, malts and bourbons. There are few distractions other than the delightful tobacco tins, boxes and antique advertisements on the wall. On more than one occasion I've left little notes inside, or replied to someone else's message. The crowd is relatively young, the types who grew up in the 80s and still know how to have a good time. Staff are helpful and friendly. read more

Next time I'm in Brighton I will definitely visit this place. Although it's quite secluded and hidden from the touristy eye, this place is great for a thirsty "traveler" and/or for a hungry tummy. The portions are big, yummy and honestly, if I was allowed, I would have tasted every single thing they took out of that kitchen. Everything is old fashioned and inside the old tobacco tins (that cover the walls) you will find messages, secrets, codes etc written by the customers. So nice! read more

Even though this place is located right in the heart of the North Laine, it is still out of the way enough to attract a decent clientele. Tucked around a few side streets in the area, this is certainly a 'pubby' pub. They have a good selection of whisky on offer behind the bar and a nice range of ales on tap. I have always frequented the establishment as a drinker, but I have heard a lot of good things about the food. I guess that if you are situated across from the Eagle you have to raise your game or forget having a menu at all! This being said, I would echo some of the other reviewers annoyance at the lack of seating in the place. Sure, it's fine if you are drinking and can happily prop up the bar until a chair or table becomes free, but the layout must certainly impact on the food takings. All in all, I really do like this place and would certainly recommend it as a great place to come have a few pints. read more

Hear, Hear! Just a quick agreement with the guys below in that this is such a great pub. We're blessed with quite a few, but this one really stands out. Love you guys! read more

This is such a charming pub. A friendly cosy kind of place you really want to dwell. It is a bit of a shame that the beer range is a tad limited by being tied to Fullers. Even with that said, this is an essential Brighton pub, not to be missed. read more

I don't know what it is about this place but I absolutely love the Basket Makers. There's always a terrific atmosphere and its packed to the rafters at weekend. In the summer revelers spill out on to the back road of the North Lanes where the pub is situated, and chill out on the pavement to catch the last of the rays. The staff are friendly and easy going as are the varied clientele, most of the time. They have couple of tables outside but not nearly enough for the hordes of drinkers. Its this combination of elements that attracts such an array of visitors from artistic types and bohoers to ale geeks and student bingers. Your unlikely to stumble across this bad boy but its deffo worth a visit if you patrolling the North Lanes. read more

The Basketmaker's is my favourite pub to venture out to on a Sunday afternoon for a Bloody Mary and a roast. Even if it's more of a walk than my Sunday legs enjoy, it's worth it. Everyone seems to have the same idea though. Shielding from the elements in the warmth of a cosy pub was coined a long long time ago. Choice ales and wonderful barstaff, the £8 roasts arrive surprisingly promptly considering the hectic nature of a full house. Then there's the extremely charming tins adoring the walls, all containing folded up notes of jokes, quips and plenty of obscurity read more

The Basketmakers - bm - Pubs Near Me - Brighton, BNH

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My only gripe about this place is there's not enough room to sit! Its not the pub's fault that its too popular but its a shame. They serve some fantastic beers and serve some of the best pub food in town. It really is the epitomy of an old fashioned, un-touched pub that is so warm and cosy, you really do want to stay there all day long. The staff are friendly and even if there's a few things missing from the menu, they'll let you know if there's anything else they can rustle up. The burgers here are excellent! read more

The Basketmakers is a real little gem of a pub hidden in some little lane in Brighton. I've never been anywhere quite like here, given the tradition of the punters scrawling tiny little notes and hiding them in the myriad old tobacco tins on the wall! This is UNBELIEVABLY fun! You can find wisdom, rhyme, phone numbers, lyrics and sheer randomness contained within. But let's get down to business. On the beer side of things - it's a Fullers joint. This means, of course: Pride ESB Discovery HSB (Gales - but bought by Fullers I learned) Chiswick Bitter You can't go wrong with Pride, ESB or Discovery, so I was happy. There may have been a non-Fullers guest. Or maybe not! Excellent place. read more

At the moment this is my favourite pub in all of Brighton. Snuggled away in North Laine, if I didn't know where it was I would probably never find it - that's it's beauty, tucked behind all the hubbub. The Basketmakers is a classic, 'picture-book' pub: the ceilings are low, the tables are wooden and haphazard and the bar is full of gleaming brass and wooden ale pumps. The walls are completely covered in old signs and tobacco tins, which adds the most fantastic quality to the place and means you spend the first half and hour in there just gazing around and taking it all in. I love that the place is small, cosy and always cluttered with a chatting, laughing mix of people. The drinks are a little pricier than most places (which seems to put off the student crowds), but I think it's worth the extra to sit somewhere I enjoy so much. The food, however, definitely makes up for the slightly pricier drinks - fantastically priced, the portions are humongous and everything is locally sourced. If you want to eat here though, get in early or you'll be eating standing up the place is always packed which is testament to just how good it is. Last time I was there I had the most INCREDIBLE steak and chips; a huge rump, cooked to perfection gloriously red inside and melt-in-the-mouth. At £8.95 (£7.95 without the brandy peppercorn sauce, but why would you do that, eh?) for more than I could eat, the traditional pub meals are amazing value. My friend had their fish stew (£5.50) which was another enormous portion, smelt delicious and was flavoured to perfection. The Basketmakers Arms comes absolutely, 100% recommended. If you've lived in Brighton for a while and have never been here, you're really missing out. read more

This is a good pub in the cooler, calmer side of Brighton. Very busy on a Saturday night but with a friendly atmosphere and plenty of staff so you don't have to queue for long at the bar. Staff were a bit overenthusiastic when it came to chucking out time, but other than that were friendly enough. The best thing about this pub is the things that you can find secretly hidden in the wall decorations... read more

The Basketmakers - Pubs Near Me - Brighton, BNH

This place is always busy with a mixed crowd. They other a variety of Real Ales. It can be a bit pricey but worth it. They are respected for their food as well. Its a bit hidden but once discovred is then put on ones regular visit lists. read more

The Basketmakers - Pubs Near Me - Brighton, BNH

This is one of my favourate pubs in Brighton and in my opinion the best burger and chips you'll get. The only thing I used to not like was that it was always really smokey but with the ban I can't even complain about that. It's traditional decor makes it a favourate for for the older Brightonian but with it's central and trendy location it's also a winner with the 30 something croud and students. In the summer there are a few tables outside on the street and in the winter it can get pretty cramped but it just adds to it's charm. read more

Found this little gem via Yelp. On a bitterly cold and windy night, entering this warm, cosy and rustic pub is enough to make your heart smile. Full of real people, real ales and really great food, it's an absolute treat. Quite simply, a proper pub with insanely friendly staff and relaxed atmosphere. I had fish and chips where the batter was crunchy and delicious, the fish, fresh and succulent and the chips, mushy peas and tartare sauce, all homemade and scrumptious. So if you want a traditional pub with excellent and traditional food and beer - get your good self down here. You won't be disappointed. read more

The Basketmakers - Pubs Near Me - Brighton, BNH

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Fish and chips was good, but I found a hair in the batter. Seafood selection comprised on only fish and chips, so, quite disappointing. Beer selection was great, including some craft beers, but quite expensive even for London (£5.50 per pint). read more

Easily in my top 5 pubs in Brighton and always a good place to take visitors. An excellent selection of drinks with a full range of Fullers / Gales ales with guest beers too, wide selection of lagers and ciders and more spirits than you could safely get through in a year of visits! They have a Malt of the Month on special offer selected from the wide range of whiskies. The food gives pub grub a good name with great burgers, including a very good veggie burger, chilli and the like with more 'upmarket' fare all prepared freshly in the kitchen. Lots of fish dishes too. It can get busy at peak times but you may still be able to find a stool or two lurking around a table under someones coat and it's a very sociable pub so most people are happy to share a table & scootch round. read more

Great beer, great food, fanastic atmosphere. This is a proper pub loved by locals and welcoming of visitors. Arguably the best pub in Brighton. read more

Been here roughly a half dozen times, enough to make me wish I lived nearer to this place. It was a Gales house and now that Fuller's brews Gales beer you have everything you need from ESB to HSB in one convenient location. And the food is tasty. If you're in Brighton on a Sunday and miss out on their Sunday roast you should hang your head in shame. read more