The Poets Ale and Smokehouse

Head down Montgomery Street in Hove and you'll find yourself in a place that actually feels like a proper local's boozer—the kind where people linger over pints rather than rush through them. The Poets takes its two things seriously: the beer selection is thoughtfully put together (not just the usual suspects), and the smokehouse operation means actual quality meat cooked low and slow in the back. It's got that comfortable, unfussy charm that comes from not trying too hard—dark wood, decent lighting, and a vibe that works whether you're dropping in solo for a pint or settling in with mates for the long haul. This is the sort of place you'd genuinely recommend to someone visiting from out of town, not because it's Instagram-friendly, but because it's genuinely good at what it does.