Seven Stars
The Seven Stars is a pub on Ship Street at the edge of Brighton's Lanes, a short walk from the seafront. A pub has been licensed here since 1535; the present building dates from around 1900 and is Grade II listed, and the kitchen is run by Little Blue Smokehouse.
Photos
Philippe Aumont
The building
The listed frontage is worth a look before you go in: canted oriel windows on the first floor with a round-arched arcade between them, granite pilasters with Corinthian capitals, and a pedimented gable topped by griffins holding shields. It is one of the more decorative pub fronts in the old town and easy to miss if you are walking with your head down.
Drinks and food
Don't come expecting real ale, as the pub no longer serves cask beer. The back bar leans towards spirits, gin in particular. Little Blue Smokehouse runs the kitchen, with food at lunchtime and in the evening. There is a real fire for colder days, a function room, sport on TV and live music.
When to go
It works well for a drink and a meal between exploring the Lanes and heading down to the beach. The Ivy in the Lanes is next door if you want something more formal, and the Friends Meeting House is a couple of minutes away. On a cold day, the real fire makes it a good place to warm up after a blustery walk along the seafront.
Highlights
- Licensed as a pub since 1535
- Grade II listed building of around 1900
- Gin-focused back bar
- Food by Little Blue Smokehouse
- Live music
Good to know
- No real ale is served.
- There is a function room for private events.
- Sport is shown on TV.
Frequently asked questions
Nearby
Sources: brighton.camra.org.uk · britishlistedbuildings.co.uk