The Eagle Bar & Bakery - First For Food
By Tony Leonard 13th May 2003

Brighton pub, The Eagle Bar & Bakery has just won the accolade of Greene King Pub Partners’ Food Pub of The Year, beating over 1,000 other pubs to the national title. An emphasis on fresh ingredients, wholesome cooking and value for money with the bonus of artisan bread baked freshly on the premises clinched the title for The Eagle at the recent Night of Excellence awards ceremony.

Owner Dominic McCartan is overjoyed at the outcome and says: “This a great reward in recognition of the effort and hard work undertaken by the staff team at The Eagle. This achievement vindicates our belief in good quality, value for money food made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.”

The Eagle has been through a number of incarnations over the years. Formerly frequented by journalists from the nearby Argus building, it built a following of rock fans and musicians when The Argus moved away. The Eagle was home to Brighton band, The Levellers, who once rehearsed upstairs but changed its name to The George Beard when it was acquired by local pubco, Beards of Sussex and went into a period of slow decline. Beards was later acquired by Greene King and the pubs became part of their estate. Dominic McCartan, who also runs The Hop Poles in Middle St, saw the potential of The George Beard when he took on the tenancy in February 2001 and, in partnership with Greene King, made plans for the pub’s most dramatic transformation to date.

After months of extensive renovations, The Eagle Bar & Bakery opened its doors on September 12th 2001 as the first pub in the UK with its own in-house bakery. Martin, our artisan baker, makes a range of breads including Country White, Wholegrain, Dark Hearth (Guinness) IPA Honeywheat, Ciabatta, Olive Rolls Jalapeno Rolls, Foucaccia and Herb Fougasse using no additives and traditional, centuries old techniques fresh every day. In addition he frequently bakes special occasionals such as Date & Walnut, Cinnamon & Raisin and Papaya.

Food is served The Eagle Bar & Bakery daily from 12noon to 9pm, Monday to Thursday, 12noon to 8pm on Friday and Saturday, Sunday lunch from 12pm to 6pm, then home-baked pizza from 6pm to 10pm on Sunday night and 7pm to 10pm on Mondays. The Eagle continues to set new standards in pubs in Brighton and nationally and this month the pub opened upstairs as an exclusively no smoking lounge.

Listing Details:
The Eagle Bar & Bakery The Hop Poles
125 Gloucester Road 13 Middle St
Brighton BN1 4AF Brighton BN1 1AL
01273-607 765 01273-710 444

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