Bar Guide: Western Front
Published 1st Sep 2005 by Alex Hammond

As many tired shoppers over the years can testify, The Western Front provides comfort and sanctury for those stranded in the concrete wilderness of Churchill Square. Sitting bang in the middle of town, at the top of Cranbourne Street, The Western Front has a strong reputation for providing top quality snacks along with the standard assortment of town centre beers, spirits and wines.

The food on offer is one of The Western Front's strongest assets. Provided by the nice chaps from North Road's Three Jolly Butchers, the menu ranges from pub staples to exotic daily specials rustled up on-site by the resident chefs. You can enjoy the food inside, accompanied by suitably mellow daytime music, or outside on one of the numerous tables spilling out onto the street. Enjoy the view as the Church of Scientology conducts 'stress tests' on unsuspecting passers by and foreign students congregate on the steps outside Borders. See the envious looks on their faces as you dip into your spring rolls!


The bar comes alive in the evenings with live music two nights a week courtesy of acoustic diehards BadgerMusic on Tuesday nights great local singer/songwriter Christianne Beck on Wednesday. Saturday night sees Eclectic Electric taking over the establishment, with numerous guest DJs from local nights joining resident The Hun on the wheels of steel, playing whatever hits the spot. It can get busy at weekends, but you can usually find seats upstairs and enjoy the view of Cranbourne Street at night.

The Western Front sits perillously close to West Street, but, through careful music policy and general good attitude, manages to avoid the aggro which this part of town can sometimes attract. Big credit must go to Emily and Holly, the managers who took over a year ago and have turned the bar into one of central Brighton's finest watering holes once more. Drinks prices are normal for the middle of town, you're looking at ?3 pints, however Red Stripe goes down to ?2.10 a pint on weekday evenings from 6-9, bringing a little bit of Jamaica to Churchill Square.

The Western Front, Cranbourne Street, Brighton. Tel. 01273 725 656

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