THE JOKER
🍺 Pub Name: The Joker
📍 Location: London Road, Brighton and Hove
🗓️ Date of Visit: 07/09/2024
🍻 In One Sip: Looking for a slice of Brighton and a tray of incredible wings on the side? The Joker nails it every time. No joke.
🍺 Must-try: The Lost Boys Thuddbutt Hot 'n Smokey Chicken Wings with a blue cheese dip. Absolutely delicious.
All you need to know about The Joker
As you wander down London Road, you’ll soon stumble across The Joker – a homely pub ready to embrace you with its soft, smokey interior. Time to forget all about Clive from accounts (not Colin from accounts – that’s a TV show).
Warm lamps line the entire pub, and their booze is kept in what I believe is a giant repurposed 19th-century set of mailing drawers. Very cool.
Its V-shaped layout means no matter where you sit, you’re never too far from the bar. Always a plus.
Upstairs, they’ve got an oaken bar and a slick games room with a pool table and darts board. Two games we’re delightfully average at.
The room then leads out onto a wooden roof terrace – the ideal place to cradle an Old Fashioned and judge people from afar.
Food and drink at The Joker
Which types of drinks is it good for? 🍸
If you're into cocktails, The Joker is a playground ready to be well, played in. Our drink recommendation? Pineapple Tom. And no, that’s not the bartender’s nickname.
Does it do food? 🍔
Absolutely! If you’ve not heard of or had Lost Boys chicken before, you’re in for an absolute treat.
Their range of New York-style chicken-based dishes, including tenders, wings and burgers, knock places like KFC and Popeyes out of the park. They’re sensational, with a huge range of delicious sauces ready to tickle your tastebuds.
Talk about winner winner, chicken dinner.
Does it do roast dinners? 🍗
While there are no roast dinners available at The Joker, we promise you won’t miss them.
With just one bite of a Lost Boy’s chicken wing smothered in Kansas BBQ sauce, you’ll forget what roast potatoes even are.
Features and amenities at The Joker
Does it have a beer garden? ☀️
It certainly does! In fact, it has two! (Well, sort of).
Out the front of the pub, there’s a small area where you can sit and enjoy a pint whilst watching the traffic and people of London Road.
But, if you fancy somewhere a bit further away from the hubbub of noise below, you’ll want to head inside.
After you make your way past the bar, venture upstairs and walk through the games room, you’ll find yourself on The Joker’s charming wooden roof terrace. The ideal place to soak up the sun and enjoy your pint in peace.
Is it dog friendly? 🐶
Definitely! You’d be hard-pushed to find a pub in Brighton that isn’t, so feel free to bring your furry friends along.
Not only will they be welcomed with open arms but there may even be a treat or two in store if you’re lucky.
Does it have any games or activities available? 🎲
To quote the infamous Churchill dog: oh yes.
Upstairs you’ll find a lounge that you can hire for private events and things. But opposite that, you’ll stumble across a room complete with a pool table, darts board and smart TV.
The pub also regularly runs live music events, including jazz nights every Thursday. And, if you’re into knitting, you can master your art by signing up and joining the textile-based workshops they run.
Take a look at the Cocoon&Me website to find out more.
Does it run a pub quiz? 🧐
It sure does!
Every Sunday, gather your smartest mates together and prepare yourself for a comedy quiz night hosted by the one and only Julie Jepson.
Does it show live sport? ⚽
While The Joker isn’t necessarily the most well-known for showing live sports, there are TVs available and they do often show the Six Nations when it’s on.
If you’re hoping to catch a Premier League game though, you might want to head to The New Unity, The Hare and Hounds or The Signalman instead. After a swift pint at The Joker first, of course.
How far a walk is it from the nearest train station? 🚂
It’ll take you approximately 14 minutes to walk to The Joker from Brighton train station. The perfect amount of time to work up a thirst.
How would you describe The Joker...?
...to a friend? 🗣️
The Joker is a fantastic pub that gets better the further you wander in. Not only is there award-winning food from Lost Boys but there are also games and events aplenty.
The rooftop terrace is also one of the best you’ll find anywhere in Brighton – the perfect spot to enjoy a Pineapple Tom or ten.
...as a film? 🍿
Peter Pan – a magical place that’s also the home of Lost Boys!
The Joker is definitely up there as one of our favourite spots in Brighton and Hove. But where are yours? Submit your own ratings for pubs in Brighton and get your opinion heard.
