Sir Charles Napier

Some of the previous reviews for the Napier are rather lukewarm. That’s because we’re spoilt in Brighton with a myriad of fine pubs. This backstreet boozer would be hailed as a gem by all in any other town. I fear we Brightonian’s have become pub snobs.
The Napier is a Fullers pub that usually serves a few house brews, normally London Pride as well as some guest ales. The also sell Gale’s HSB if you want a big bodied beer.
Foodwise, for a long time, they served up pizzas and very nice they were too but now it’s got serious. Bangers and mash! Mix and mash (sorry match) your different snags, including veggie ones, with an array of different mash styles. It’s brilliant.
But this is basically a very honest, decent boozer that’s passionate about beer and real ale. If you like a pint of the brown stuff this place is good. Yes, there is always a group of garrulous regulars propping up the bar, but they’re friendly and the soul of the place. Over the many years I’ve been popping in (it’s never been a local), I’ve always been struck by how friendly the place is. The staff are invariably lovely.
There’s nothing hip about the Napier. It’s substantial, warm, funny pub that knows the fickle, demands that being cool calls for will be meaningless next year. This pub was doing what it does now a century ago and I hope it’s still prospering when we’re all dead and buried. A great pub is timeless. This is one of the best pubs in Brighton.

I love a good old local’s boozer and this one ticks most of the boxes in my opinion. The only reason I’ve marked it down a star is because of the lack of food but it does do pizzas which seems to be the norm for most pubs that don’t have a kitchen.
The locals are great and there’s always a good gang of them huddled around the bar (best place to sit if you can get a place) happy to chat away. The beers okay, could do with a few more guest ales but not bad at all. The staff are really friendly indeed and seem happy in their jobs as opposed to your average Wetherspoons barman who gives you the 1000 yard stare when you order your pint!

I rather enjoyed my time in Sir Charles Napier… There was a selection of beers that included, but was — crucially — not limited to the standard array of taps, and had one or two ales I myself was not familiar with. There was a good mix of people in there and enough space in its various nooks and crannies to sit both them and our rather substantial group… One of my companions ordered a rather tasty looking (and sounding, as demonstrated by his audible salivating) apparently home made pizza that was just about reasonably priced if not sized…
I’ll admit, its not the best pub in the area, but a nice mix of locations is always a good thing in my opinion! And even if its only the first time, having a large collection of Sir Charles Napier related articles is quite the unusual pleasure that your not going to find anywhere else.

Hmmm… the Sir Charles Napier is not quite on a par with the string of other rather more lovely pubs located on Southover St. Having temporarily relocated to the area, I have been checking out the local hot spots as well as the local not-​so-​hot spots! Unfortunately this pub falls in to the latter category. Upon entering this pub I was greeted with the questioning eyes of the five men lining the bar, all looking on aghast, as if I had just barged into their living room! And to be honest, I may as well have. They were the only people in the place, and I got the impression that that was the norm. My friend and I sat gulping our pints uncomfortably (she staring accusingly at me, as if to say ‘I told you sooo!’ and to be fair, she has warned me), waiting to dive back out the door and into the safety of the real world!
On the up side you are guaranteed a table in this pub and you are also guaranteed a wait-​free pint. You are not, on the other hand, guaranteed atmosphere or a welcome committee! Although the barmaid was friendly and did somewhat make up for the icy reception, I’ll probably head down the hill to the Greys from now on…

Very good for Real ale. Sometimes claims to have cider but everytime I’ve been here there is no sign of the golden juice! Its a locals pub. Feels like the 1970’s but for a good reason. That reason being it’s not trying to be trendy and noisy.
There is golfing memorabilla decorating the interior. It has a quiz on a Sunday. And its possible to get a good priced Sunday roast here.