The West Hill

Great atmosphere in this pub. Always good music and I particularly enjoy the bar billiards. Always a nice place to go for a quiet pint even though its only slightly outside the train station area which is more often than not overly packed. Pub quiz is a must

Came here on a Sunday night right before my train. A large band was playing live Irish music. Just listening to them and people watching each and every one of them made me give this review 5 stars. The service was quite friendly as well. Definitely try to go when there’s Irish music.

I went here one night and I was completely off my conkers. The bouncer was about to not let me in because I was slurring but luckily my genius friend reacted quickly to the situation, ‘he always talks like that, he has a speech impediment’. To which he quickly opened the doors for me. Which to be honest was a mistake, because I was miserable by this point. It doesn’t feel good having bouncers guarding the doorways of public houses, and I didn’t get an all too friendly feel for this place. But then, I was super drunk.

I used to drink here once in a while when it ws the Belle Vue as the late licence kept the beer flowing later than most places in the area. They had some issues and it was taken over and given a new name, The West Hill.
Since the change over, I have only popped in for a quick half when having a little time to kill before a train. It did happen to be mid afternoon, but I was still the only person in here. I walk past the pub regularly when I am visiting my girlfriend and have never seen the place full. It’s a bit random because the pub is quite nice and the food seemd quite promising from looking at the menu.
Perhaps an injection of events would fill out the pub a bit more, but as it stands unless you want a quiet drink, or a low key venue for a chat I would probably pass it up.

Located up the hill to the left of the station is the West Hill. Formerly the belle Vue, it’s a great place with long opening hours. Their Sunday roasts are pretty good and the Italian kitchen pumps out some decent grub. It’s all good value and the portion sizes are quite big. With real ale and a decent drinks selection I’d definitely give it a try if you’re in the area.

Previously known as the Belle Vue, The West Hill is a great little place open till late most nights. With a decent Italian menu that puts most pub menus to shame it’s a great value place whether you’re after a drink or a bite to eat. Sunday Roasts are another jewel in the West Hill’s crown, as the portion sizes are surprisingly big for the price. I really rate this place. I think it’s definitely worth a visit.

A quiet little place that has been decorated to a decent standard, and is fitted with possibly the most excellent pub game I have ever had the pleasure to stumble across. Known as pub billiards, it involves shooting «up» a pool table, and landing the balls used in different holes, with different holes being worth different points. The real challenge comes into play with a trio of pegs, which block off the high scoring holes, and can reduce your score back down to zero if knocked over… intense stuff.
I was chatting to my Dad about this, who informed me that its a game he and my Mum played back in the 70s, and was strangely addictive. The bar staff are more than friendly enough, and with a decent looking garden and the promise of food, it has everything you need from a pub. Don’t be put off by the slight walk out of town, or the quiet nature of the place, as its really worth dropping by for a quick round of pub billiards, and the pleasant atmosphere.

This place seems to have gone through more transmogrifications than Dr Who. Formerly the Belle Vue, it has had several new owners, and as many new exterior paint schemes, in the course of a couple of years. The interior is still traditional with lots of wood, with the exception of a corner of leopard-​skin-​print banquettes (well, this is Brighton).
A short-​lived stint as a gastro-​pub seems to have given way to a more traditional pub feel, with Harvey’s Sussex Best Bitter and an occasional guest real ale, alongside the usual drinks and snacks. It also does food, with an Italian theme, Tues-​Sats until 9pm, although we’ve not eaten here (yet).
There’s subtle piped music (80s electro-​synth the other night) and a mixed crowd — during the evening it seemed to go through both quiet and busy patches. But not a bad place for a quiet pint, and for once you can have a conversation without having to shout.

I’d really love to give this place a higher score, as it’s a nice looking pub with a cosy interior and is clearly well cared for by its owners. Unfortunately, it always seems to be empty. As the Belle Vue, it was always packed, particularly after midnight as it was one of the few real pubs (not bars) in central Brighton which had a late licence. It’s now been turned into the West Hill, but is still independently owned. Inside it’s an unusual shape, sort of oval, with the bar in the centre, meaning that there are lots of little nooks and crannies to cosy up in by candlelight. There are also plenty of games to keep you amused.
Like many pubs, they’ve converted a once redundant outdoor space into a cute little courtyard for smokers. Food is provided by ‘the Flying Italian’ — although I haven’t tried it so can’t vouch for the quality.
Sadly, when I last visitied, and every time I walk past and peer through the window, it was empty. And I do mean, totally empty. While we would have liked to have stayed to support the place, a pub with no people is rather missing the poing. I hope they can start pulling in the crowds again as the Belle Vue used to do.

Really nice little pub, go there a lot

It seems like just yesterday that I began the new millenium celebrations with a few drinks in the Belle Vue. ! (there then followed several other drinks elsewhere but that’s another story !)
Forward on nine years and it’s now been refurbished and re-​named The West Hill (presumably so called because it’s situated on a hill overlooking Brighton Railway Station).
I’ve only been in a couple of times since the refurbishment and both times it was very quiet (despite being weekend nights). I literally had one drink and then moved on (and I got the impression that everyone else had done the same).
It’s situated right in the heart of bedsit land so I’d suspect the pub is actually probably busier during the week.
Pub is clean and comfortable and staff are friendly.