Traditional pubNorth Road

The Dorset

North Laine pub for coffee, backgammon and people-watching

6.0/10

Local score

No. 74 of 212 pubs & bars on r/brighton, from 50 locals across 51 threads.

77% would send a mate. Some say it’s gone downhill lately.

A North Laine fixture good for daytime work or coffee by the window, hosting a Tuesday backgammon club, with outdoor seating and buskers outside in summer. Some call it one of Brighton's poshest pubs, while others had a poor pint of Guinness or took issue with drinks pricing.

Go for: Coffee, backgammon night or people-watching outside
Heads up: A few found it pricey or inconsistent on quality

What locals say

You’re more than welcome to join us at Brighton Backgammon Club on Tuesdays at 7pm at The Dorset. It’s a fun game, easy to learn and there are players of all ages. It’s a very small group so far but a lovely bunch of…

u/UdonDugong, 202614 upvotes“How did you build community here?”

Jubilee library is fantastic and airy, really nice. I often go to the Dorset and sit in the window seat looking onto north Laine. Al Campo lounge is huge and they don’t care how long you sit there for.

u/likes_rusty_spoons, 202210 upvotes“Those with fully remote/WFH jobs, where do you like to go to work outside of the house?”

Too many to chose from, live in Hove so am more of a customer of their restaurants and don't spend much on food out. Chilli pickle is the only medium-high budget one I have been to and it was amazing. We are fans of the Dorset's fish and chips and LOVE FilFil's Haloumi and Falafel wraps! Also Kensingtons Balcony Cafe is best place for breakfast! My favorite restaurant overall is Shandiz in Hove, love 7bone next door too if you want a messy burger or dirty fries. Orsino diagonally across does a great carbonara, we ate there the…

u/SquidgeSquadge, 20206 upvotes“What is, in your opinion, the best restaurant in Brighton / Hove?”

I’ve personally done north Laine (crap but 4 years ago), Walrus (nice but there’s the ethical issue), Open House (recommend), Signalman (recommend). I’ve also done the Dorset (crap) and Hotel Du Vin (crap) and last year we got an igloo at Brighton music hall which was a little spenny for what it was (about £45-55pp but with welcome drinks, private igloo and entertainment) and I’d do that again, food was decent and it was a cute vibe.

u/SpikeVonLipwig, 20252 upvotes“Staff Christmas Meal Recommendations”

Ranked from 21,200 r/brighton comments. Summaries are written by AI from what locals said; quotes are word for word. Not affiliated with Reddit. Back to the guide