The Ultimate Pub Crawl
of The Lanes
Ahh The Lanes – Brighton’s very own contender in the “did you know this was JK Rowling’s inspiration for Diagon Alley” sweepstakes. And who could blame her if it was? It’s a magical place.
In fact, if you had access to Ron Weasley’s flying car and threw some kind of very large, magical blanket over The Lanes, the chances are you’d cover at least three pubs.
In other words, The Lanes is filled with lots of pubs in one condensed area. So let’s take a look at which pubs you simply have to visit while you’re there.
Pub crawl in Profile:
📍 Location: The Lanes, Brighton & HovE
🍻 Total no. of pubs: Eight (but up to ten)
🧭 Total Walking Time: 11 minutes (Yes, really!)
🗺️ Total Distance: 0.5 miles
🗓️ Last updated: March 2025
pub 1: Mad Dog Brewery
We start with a pub that’s sort of in The Lanes, but also sort of not.
After taking a nine-minute stroll down Queens Road, all the way from Brighton railway station, you’ll soon hit Duke Street. Head down there and within a matter of seconds, you should see Mad Dog Brewery Co. appear on your left-hand side.
We were lucky enough to be one of the first people to try the beers from this taproom, which decided to bring Welsh beer to Brighton’s shores. So take a look at our dedicated article from Mad Dog’s launch night to learn more.
Alternatively, if you’re just after some solid beer recommendations to start your pub crawl off with, the Apollo Sunrise IPA was our personal fave. Either that or the Now In A Minute red ale, but we are both half-Welsh so are slightly biased…
Pub 2: Fiddlers Elbow
From Wales to Ireland (sort of), you’ll find your next stop approximately two minutes away at Fiddlers Elbow. You’ll need to go back on yourself a little bit but don’t worry – you’ll be coming back to Duke Street again later on for pub number eight.
While the pub may not have the same level of flair and external beauty as some of Brighton's other pubs, Fiddlers has a lively atmosphere that's perfect for catching a game or watching some live music.
As you'd expect from any Irish-themed drinking establishment, it's also home to one of the best pints of Guinness you'll find anywhere in Brighton. You could even say it’s a craic-ing place to stay for a pint or four.
Pub 3: The Hop Poles
Once you’ve suitably Irish-jigged yourself out, it’s time to head off on a marathon two-minute walk to pub numero three: The Hop Poles.
This quirky old pub offers everything you could ask for. Good food? Check. Decent craft beer selection? Double check. Beautiful beer garden? Triple check.
After you’ve headed inside and got yourself a nice seat somewhere, settle in for a quick pint or two. After all, you’ve got another very long journey ahead of you to reach pub number four…
Pub 4: The Walrus
Located 492 feet away from The Hop Poles, you’ll find a hilariously named pub called The Walrus. Now, this pub may not look like much from the outside. But when you set foot inside, get set for a multi-level experience.
It's genuinely like one of those shopping centres you'd find in the old Pokémon games.
On the ground floor, you'll find the main bar. Heading upstairs, you'll stumble into the hideaway – a private function room. Next, you’ll discover a first-floor dining room on, well, the first floor. But it doesn't stop there.
There’s also a very aptly named Tusk Club bar area in the basement, as well as a rooftop terrace all the way at the top. It just keeps going.
If we were you, we'd try and have a drink on each level – y'know, just for that full, authentic Walrus experience.
Pub 5: The Cricketers
For your next pub, you’ll have a difficult choice to make: The Black Lion or The Cricketers. Or maybe even both?
For us, The Cricketers slightly edges it as it generally has a bit more of a laid-back vibe and a better range of beers to choose from. However, The Black Lion is also a stunning pub, offering a great lineup of live music and is home to a fab beer garden.
If we were you, we’d probably get a half-pint in each, before carrying onwards with your journey…
Alternatively, if you’re feeling a bit beer-ed out and fancy a more boujee cocktail experience instead, head to Bohemia. The porn star martini is a personal fave (but mainly because we’re both suckers for a bit of dry ice).
Pub 6: The Mesmerist
From The Black Lion or The Cricketers, you’ll need to head forward along Prince Albert Street for approximately 190 feet. This’ll take you to the doorstep of The Mesmerist – a LAINE pub that offers a multi-level experience to rival The Walrus.
If you’ve got the PUBBL app, you’re going to love it here, as you’ll get double points for any LAINE beers you choose to buy.
You’re also going to love it here if you’re a fan of beer gardens, insane rotating food menus or live jazz.
At the time of writing, their current menu is Red Dog – an Austin TX barbecue that serves up some of the most flavourlicious burgers we've ever discovered.
Oh, and did we mention there's a rooftop terrace too? Two in one pub crawl – we really do spoil you.
Pub 7: Seven Stars
Once you’re done being mesmerised by the burgers and PUBBL points at The Mesmerist, it’s time to move on to pub number seven – the very appropriately named Seven Stars.
Now, this pub may not have all the bells and whistles that others like The Mesmerist or The Walrus do. But what it does have is charm, personality and one heck of a great craft beer selection.
Their cocktails and food options are fab as well. In fact, if you’re keen to hear all about our love of their sweet potato fries, check out our detailed guide on Seven Stars to learn more about what’s available.
Pub 8: The Victory Inn
With a name like The Victory Inn, we couldn’t think of anywhere better to end your pub crawl of The Lanes. After all, you should be feeling pretty victorious after taking down eight of the best pubs that Brighton has to offer.
Once you head inside, grab a seat somewhere near the bar to soak up the atmosphere. Or, if it’s a nice day and you enjoy a spot of drunken people-watching, grab yourself a table somewhere outside.
Wherever you decide to sit, raise a glass to yourself and celebrate completing your pub crawl. Then, head to our website to let us know your favourite pub of the day – we’ve even got a special voting form ready and waiting for you to fill in already…