Craft beer barQueen's Park Road

The Independent

Worth the hill climb for serious craft beer

9.2/10

Local score · A local favourite

No. 12 of 212 pubs & bars on r/brighton, from 35 locals across 31 threads.

98% would send a mate. Still recommended in 2026.

Regularly named among Brighton's best pubs, with a huge, ever-changing craft beer and cask ale selection — locals rate it alongside the Rook, Evening Star and Hole in the Wall. It's a trek up Queen's Park Road/Albion Hill, but the reward is a relaxed, unpretentious vibe, a good staff playlist, and even solid non-alcoholic options.

Go for
A big craft beer selection after a steep walk

What locals say

Both the Independent Taproom (Hannover) and the Rook (just off Western Road) have cask ale pints for £3.50 Monday to Wednesday. The Great Eastern also has "cask club" which I think is £4.20ish a pint 12-4 Monday to Thursday. Mad Dog Taproom 5-7 everyday all pints £5.50 (which isn't much off but their beer tends towards…
u/Englishtwerkingclass, 202620 upvotes“Happy Hour Again?”
Maybe a dumb question, but best at what? Fortune of war is a great location, Basketmakers is a great traditional pub with good beer, Haus on the Hill is a great little traditional vibe with a great selection but out of the centre (same for the Independent, but that's a cooler vibe with an even bigger selection of craft), The Grays/Geese further down the hill have great food, The Howard has REALLY great food. The Evening Star is close to the station and very strong on beer choice, particularly if you're looking for something away from the IPA/PA choice…
u/WilboSwagz, 202617 upvotes“Absolute best pub?”
Yep, Albion is definitely the steepest climb, but it leads you straight to the Independent at the end of it too, where you can reward yourself with a decent pint for your conquering.
u/Rare-Bid-6860, 202429 upvotes“What’s the highest hill to walk on in Brighton”
If you want an actual brewery taproom then UnBarred is your best bet in town. Alternatively there’s Lost Pier Brewery near the marina out of town a bit. Good craft beer bars in town are: Vine Street Tap, The Rook, The Independent, or Mad Dog. Most other bars will do some sort of craft beer, but I’d rate the ones above for having particularly good local craft beer selections. I’m sure I’m missing some though!
u/matto1990, 202413 upvotes“Fancier restaurants for a birthday, and any taproom recs?”

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