Following a three hour trip to the tattoo parlour and with arms wrapped in cling film, my partner and I decided to celebrate our new ink with a trip to the pub. Despite living minutes from The Mucky Duck I’d never been inside but it was the perfect place for a couple of pints in the afternoon.

We pretty much had the place to ourselves and although it was just the two of us, the manager and an older chap it felt calm and inviting. Perhaps it’s the thought of brighter times and warmer weather but whatever the case I opted for a pint of cider, aptly named Silly Moo from Trenchmore Farm while my other half went for a classic Guinness.

The style of The Mucky Duck is timeless, with green tiles, low lighting and hardwood floors, there’s not a whiff of a beer-soaked carpet and no sound from a television. Utter bliss.

As the bottom of the pint glass crept closer the decision was quickly made to have one more for the road (albeit a very short road to our front door). I’ve found the best way to decide what to drink is to consult the staff which is exactly what we did. I went for a local lager from Gun Brewery called Numb Angel which was absolutely delicious. Slightly darker than regular lagers and with a malty vibe it tasted a bit like a bitter/lager cross, which to me is perfection.

My partner went for a sour pale ale which sadly (or maybe not depending on your taste…) I forgot to get the name of. It was flavoured with lemon and lime and the only thing I can describe it as is chemically lemon squash. He absolutely loved it though so I guess it’s true that opposites attract.

There’s plenty going on at The Mucky Duck with a quiz night on Wednesdays, and a folk session on Tuesdays called The Mucky Pluckers where you can bring your own instrument and join in to receive a free pint! They serve roasts on a Sunday which look fab and by the looks of it are going to be serving Thai food from 3 February so even more of a reason to return.

Here’s the lowdown on The Mucky Duck:

Draught selection – Aside from Guinness almost everything on draught was local and the options were plentiful. Plenty of options for lower ABV too which is always a delight when you want a few jars but don’t want to get steaming.

Staff – The manager was fantastic, knowledgeable and just the right amount of chatty, even if he did skip a Fleetwood Mac song on the playlist!

General vibe – On a Wednesday afternoon it was quiet and chilled but as we were leaving the table reservations for the quiz were being put out and it looked like it was going to be packed. I’d like to go back on a Tuesday for the folk night and get a better idea of the people who frequent The Mucky Duck. As the pub is only a few metres from the seafront I imagine it gets busy in the summer as it’s just off St James’s Street, I reckon a Wednesday in January is very different to a Saturday in July.

Toilets – They are downstairs so this does make them less accessible for some but they were clean and fragrant.

Outside space – As far as I could see the only outside space is at the front of the pub and is straight onto the road. If you’re after a beer garden this isn’t it.

The Mucky Duck is located at 7-9 Manchester Street in Brighton, just opposite Morrisons on St James’s Street so you’re close to the buses on Old Steine and the taxi rank near Sainsburys. We visited on a Wednesday afternoon in January, it was cool, dry and cloudy.

Another day, another pub. We’d walked past this pub a couple of times but most recently on the way back from a doctor’s appointment, both mentally bookmarking it as a place we wanted to check out.

The Actors is set back slightly from the junction of St James’s Street and Old Steine and for this reason you’d have to be looking for it to find it. A quick chat with the bartender told us that this site has been a pub for over 300 years, previously as The Marlborough and has recently had a refurb and rename becoming The Actors.

On a cold but dry and sunny afternoon it was reasonably empty but it’s a decent size pub with plenty of nooks to settle yourself into with one of the many great beers on tap. As a lover of bitter I went for a pint of Bluebell by 360° Brewing Company, a Sussex (local) brewery.

For anyone looking to grab a bite to eat there’s evidence of a pizza oven behind a Punch and Judy scene, the perfect accompaniment to any pint.

I’ll be totally honest, this place took a while to grow on me. It was a little bit too cold for my liking and it felt more style over substance but I can admit when I’m wrong. And I was wrong.

The Actors is a beautifully decorated with rich red velvet seating, dark teal green walls and huge oversized theatre masks above a fireplace. I’m sad I’ve missed the Christmas decorations, it takes little imagination to picture the tree and fairy lights which would make it a super cosy hideaway as a break from shopping.

I headed to the bar to choose my next tipple and I saw a poster with the pub’s Code of Conduct. As a woman who enjoys going to pubs on her own the pleasure can quite often be overshadowed by the atmosphere, the clientele and the fear for my own safety. Now you might say I’m being melodramatic and I will tell you to piss off. It’s scary being a woman and it can be especially scary being a woman on her own in a pub. When I saw the rules displayed it told me the establishment I was in cared about me and my safety. Always a win for me.

Anyway back to the drink. This time I went for a cider, Orchard Thieves, Apple Cider and my partner in crime opted for a Mangolicious by Laine’s Brewery. Getting fruity on a Thursday afternoon. The cider was good but I think I was looking for more of a still scrumpy-esque cider and this wasn’t it. Mangolicious split us in opinion, I think this will become a firm favourite for my partner but it wasn’t the ticket for me. I’m going to try more of the beers by Laine’s Brewery, not only because they all look delicious but the artwork is top notch.

I’ll have to make a conscious effort to go back to The Actors as it isn’t on my route to the station or as I head into town but this just adds to it’s charm. The people who are there have chosen to be there.

Here’s my verdict of The Actors:

Draught selection – solid selection with plenty of local beer choices, 3 Laine’s Brewery beers on tap plus the delicious bitter I had.

Staff – Wonderful, helpful and knowledgeable. Plus they gave us a taste of a Twisted Lips Rhubarb IPA which was absolutely superb.

General vibe – as pubs go it was slightly quieter than I normally feel comfortable with but once I’d settled in (about half a pint down) I felt relaxed and at home. I’m building up to going to pubs on my own again and this might be the place I head to first with a good book.

Toilets – unisex, clean and accessible for all. Plus there’s baby changing. This is how pubs should do toilets.

Outside space – There’s plenty of seating out the front and a small courtyard smoking area to the back of the pub.

The Actors is located on 4 Prince’s Street in Brighton, it’s a few yards behind the Sainsbury’s at the bottom of St James’s Street and just off Old Steine. We visited on a Thursday afternoon, it was cold, sunny and dry (aka the perfect winter day in Brighton).

There’s been a lot going on over the past 18 months and what I intended to be a light-hearted blog turned into a chore. But no longer. I’ve moved from London to Brighton and we’re slowly coming out of the other side of a global pandemic.

My partner and I were on our way back from a tattoo shop earlier today when the immortal words were uttered, ‘do you fancy a pint?’. We were right by the Brighton Bierhaus, a pub I’ve walked past multiple times on my way to or from the station so it seemed a visit was long overdue.

We were the only people in there (bar one solitary bloke) and the draught line up was strong with a delicious looking cinnamon cider and plenty of local beers from Brighton Bier but my eyes were immediately drawn to Manchester Bitter by Marble Brewery and the decision was made for me.

Taking a seat we supped on our pints (Will had an Ur-Dunkel, a dark lager from Paulaner) and sat in companionable silence as a playlist featuring The Kills, LCD Soundsystem and Pulp played.

I thought it was about time to taste the local brew and ordered a Brighton Bier Pilsner. I really enjoy a lager or a pilsner but I think moving from bitter to pilsner was my downfall, it’s a cold, damp day in January, not a sunny afternoon in April. Word of advice, pick your beer based on the weather.

There is the option to order food from local independents or you can get your fave grub Deliverooed to your table which is always a plus if you’re having a sesh. Do I wish I could have ordered a hot dog? Yes.

To sum up, here’s what I think of Brighton Bierhaus:

Draught selection – outstanding, plenty to choose from and a couple of cider options which is always welcome.

Staff – friendly without being in your face but ultimately it was the playlist which won me over.

General vibe – located on a reasonably busy main road without huge amounts of foot traffic it was pretty quiet and I’d be interested to know what a Tuesday night crowd is compared to a Saturday night. For a quiet pint on a weekday afternoon I couldn’t ask for more. Plus I noticed they had board games under the tables which is always a bonus.

Toilets – clean and lighting which didn’t age me 10 years, big thumbs up.

Outside space – a few tables out the front but I can imagine it would get reasonably busy on a Friday or Saturday so if you want to secure your smoking spot I’d get there sharpish.

Brighton Bierhaus is located at 161 Edward Street in Brighton, it’s close to the Pavilion and just behind St James Street. We visited on Wednesday 19 January at 4pm on a reasonably chilly and damp afternoon.