The Basketmakers Arms

You'll find yourself on Gloucester Road in one of Brighton's best stretches for independent spots, and The Basketmakers Arms is exactly the kind of place that makes this neighbourhood tick. Walk in and you're greeted with dark wood, low ceilings, and the kind of worn-in charm that can't be faked—this is a pub that's genuinely been loved by regulars for decades. The bar stocks proper ales and ciders, the sort of thing the staff actually care about, and the food is straightforward and satisfying without pretending to be anything it isn't. It's the sort of place where you can sink a pint on your own without feeling awkward, or settle in with mates for hours.