August 2014

 

“We are focusing on quality but our prices can't be beaten,” says owner Martin Hayes in the newly opened upstairs seating area, part of a £150,000 refurbishment at the Upper North Street pub.

 

The pub as a meeting place and centre for great beer is reflected in the newly refurbished space. Craft Beer Co. closed for five weeks to allow Hove contractors Yelland & Price to open the upstairs space in the pub. A glassed in staircase now allows access to a snug which can seat between ten to 15 people on a round table - ideal for meetings - and a bigger upstairs room with views over the street below and capacity for up to 40 drinkers.

The rooms feature vintage beer adverts and promotional material collected by Hayes, ranging from classic Bass and Burtons metal adverts to a rare pre-First World War promotion for Anglo-Bavarian Beer and a Whitbread fireguard.

As well as refurbishing the rooms Hayes took the opportunity to completely revamp the kitchen, leading to a new partnership with Forty Burgers.

“Burgers are pretty fashionable at the moment, but when you're sitting in a pub with a beer or wine there is nothing better,” he says.

 

Craft beer co, Upper North Street, Brighton, 01273 723736. Open Mon to Thurs 4pm to 12.30am, Fri 4pm to 1.30pm, Sat noon to 1.30am, Sun noon to 11pm. Visit thecraftbeerco.com/pubs/brighton/