The Fishbowl

This is the place on reputation alone I don’t think about until it’s late late at night. But to be fair it’s actually quite a nice environment during the day, nice upstairs and the food was surprisingly good. 2 4 1 tacos on Tuesday can never be bad.

The Fishbowl is a solid, decent pub! I’ve been here many a time, drinking before hitting the seafront clubs (then) or having a quiet drink with friends (now) and I’ve always been impressed.
I like the atmosphere in this place — the décor is great and the staff are super friendly and helpful. The inside is a little bit dark and dingy but not too much so! It’s very comfortable and there’s an upstairs and an outside area, for the sunnier days, so though it gets pretty busy there’s usually somewhere you can sit!
The drinks are pretty standard — I always just get the house wine or a cider in here — and the prices are the same, so it’s certainly not an adventurous list of drinks that gets me back in here time and time again! There’s just something about the place that is inviting. You’ll find several fish tanks around the place, with a larger one upstairs, which is a quirky and nice touch. Those poor fish though… the drunk people they must have had to witness! :P
There is often music here, usually downstairs and (from what I’ve heard) it’s always been very good. I know this is a venue that takes part in the Great Escape festival, when that time of year comes around, as well, so they clearly take their music rather seriously, which is great!
I’ve seen pooches sitting outside in the smoking area, which you access through the pub, so I imagine that they’re welcome inside, though I can’t be certain. The pub does get pretty loud on a busy night though, so I wouldn’t take a pup there later on in the evening unless they’re pretty chilled around hustle and bustle.
Great location, good drinks and a lovely atmosphere! Nothing to complain about here! :)

After a long walk on the pier it was time for a drink and a meal! Just off the main beach road, the Fishbowl enticed us with their outdoor benches. The fish and chips were delicious! The traditional batter was crispy and thin and did not overwhelm the fish. The chips were lovely and the tartar sauce tasted home made. The scampi I stole from my mates plate tasted really fresh as well. The toilets need a refurb, but otherwise a nice find.

thank you the fishbowl for looking after us so patiently and sating our thirst so cheaply for the duration of the great escape!
a true gem of a pub. (toilets could do with a little improvement though! that’s your 5^th star right there)

One of Brighton’s late night pubs of distinction, The Fishbowl is one of the best places in Brighton to get a drink after midnight. It isn’t very special or very good, but it’s one of the only places worth going to late on a night for a drink, and that rates it quite highly in my book. Still, I wouldn’t order food here, it smells a bit funky at the best of times… or maybe it’s just the manky fishbowls that give this place its name.
That’s a little harsh, but it is a bit whiffy in here at the best of times. Still, it’s never that bad, and it doesn’t really cause that much of a problem: the prices are worse. It’s not the most expensive place in town, it’s still cheaper than Riki Tik’s late at night, but it is still pricey, especially in this part of town. I suppose the late night license and great location do cost a pretty penny to keep up, but it is still a bit much.
As you may have gathered, the Fishbowl is a little dingy, but its not too bad. If you’re having a drink and you’re pub’s closing, this is the place to go. The smoking area does shut early, but that’s forgiveable: just don’t expect anything special apart from late night drinking.

The fish bowl is in the position of being in a sellers market. They take full advantage of the late licencing laws and will still be pulling pints at 2am on a Friday or Saturday. I would agree with Felix’s description of the place being ‘aged and rustic’, but I don’t really mind that worn out look in a pub.
You will find yourself playing elbow warfare when the place gets busy, especially whilst fighting to the bar to get your drink. This being the case, I wouldn’t recommend going to buy a round as you will likely lose half your drinks, or spill them over a 6ft 7 angry giant en route to your table. On top of that, with prices the wrong side of £3 it would be a costly venture!
I usually make for the upstairs area and this is more spacious and airy. There is a small bar up here, but it is usually not in service. The place will also have a DJ firing of funky beats on the weekend, making the place somewhere you could have a mini night out opposed to just a few pre clubbing drinks. The staff are also quite chilled and friendly. Certainly a place to consider if they call time at a different venue.