The Brighton Hotel

I have to admit, I’ve only been in here once, and that was because my other half needed the toilet while we’re were trogging up and down the Ladypool Road and we thought it would only be polite to stay for a pint while we were there.
It’s pretty dingy, but didn’t seem hostile, which was nice. It was only about 12 pm so there weren’t many people in there, just a handful of old boozers, who seemed to regard us with some amusement rather than aggro. I got the impression that the lady behind the bar was used to seeing all sorts, so she wasn’t phased by two randoms wandering in at lunch time, having a drink and then scarpering.
It’s pretty much a no-​frills, locals boozer. I have no idea what it gets like later on in the evening, but judging by the slightly worn appearance I can imagine it’s suffered a fair few bits of rough and tumble. That said, while we were there the atmosphere was pleasant enough, and the drinks were certainly cheap. I can imagine it’s probably a good place to have a pint or two before hitting the delights of the Balti Triangle.

Ah, The Brighton. Another old school boozer in the same neck of the woods as The Clifton and a million fantastic balti restaurants.
You are in no fear of mistaking this place for a chain pub or a wine bar, it’s another hangout for the locals although you don’t really get a frosty reception if you go in for a swift one. It’s not pretty on the inside or out but you really wouldn’t expect it to be.
Cheap as chips (I’ve never had the nerve to try their chips or any of the food for that matter) you can quietly sink a few and people watch. It’s definitely not the place to go if you want to impress your date, but you might want to escape the Weatherspoon and Firkins and sample a proper old man’s boozer, as we used to call them ’round my neck of the woods.

I’ve been in The Brighton numerous times over the years and have seen it change from a rough-​neck, hobo hang-​out, where the only drinks served behind the bar were cans of warm, multi-​pack Carling to the proud hosts of the worst singing karaōke DJ in the West Midlands (unfortunately no longer in situ).
Now the pub is actually pretty good and dirt cheap to boot!
As gastropubs, chain pubs and minimalist wine bars transform Birmingham, it’s refreshing to find a simple, no-​thrills local scuzzy urban boozer where you get random visits from men trying to sell you a carrier bag full of beef joints for £20.
On a Friday and Saturday they do a pacemaker-​troublin’ steak, chips and a pint for a fiver. A fiver! I still can’t work out how they do it so cheap.
It’s also ideally placed on the corner of Brighton and Ladypool Roads which makes it ideal for a pre or post Balti pint.

The area does not look too nice and the building from the outside is a bit run down, but the rooms are cheap and the owners very friendly.
A selection of rooms sit above the pub. Access to them is tucked away round the back. Each room is en suite with a selection of wardrobe/​drawers for storage.
The bed was comfortable and clean. The kettle didn’t work. The shower was good.
The pub is open late at weekends so don’t go to bed early if you are a light sleeper.
Breakfast is served in the pub in the morning. Without being asked we were delivered full english breakfasts after 20 minute wait. The bacon was very tough to eat. Upon finishing we were offered tea or coffee which would have been nice during the 20 minute wait.
If you like everything in good shape and modern then look elsewhere, otherwise value for money is found here.