Old King John

Walk into the Old King John and you'll get the sense that this is what Hastings pubs are supposed to look like. Middle Road isn't flashy—it's real—and this place fits right in. You're looking at straightforward pub hospitality: decent beer selection, the sort of crowd that knows the bar staff's names, and an atmosphere that feels earned rather than designed. It's the kind of spot where you'll see regulars nursing pints at 3pm and groups settling in for the evening without anyone batting an eyelid. The ratings speak for themselves—people keep coming back because the Old King John doesn't try to be anything other than what it is.