The Lewes Arms — Restaurant in Lewes

A lovely pub and staff...apart from one who I'll come to. Visited 4.30 on a wet Friday and got a small table for two in the lovely side room with fire. Beer was very good. I called my wife to join me for what looked like good pizza. About 6pm a couple arrived to say they had booked my table. I explained I'd been there 90 minutes and there was no "reserved" sign that I had noticed on other tables which I'd avoided. I explained also that my wife was now on her way to join me, so the pub would have to sort it out. The couple went to get the bar staff. Next thing an older bearded barman arrives and aggressively tells me the table's booked and I had to move... And the exact words were "I'm not asking you I'm telling you "'. I explained the previous and that there had been no reserved signs. There was the chance for him to at least apologise for the confusion caused by the pub not marking it, take responsibility for that maybe and offer me another table instead (there were none available at that point but might have been later when we could have come back) which I would amicably have accepted, and which most decent publicans in my experience would have done in the interests of keeping all customers happy. But this guy just doubled down and very aggressively said I had to" get out ". To further put this in context , I'm 64, been going to pubs for nearly 50 years and never been in bother or dealt with this rude and aggressive way anywhere.

I told him he should drop the aggressive attitude, at which point he aggressively denied he was being aggressive. I was angry as there was no effort to recognize that the situation wasn't my fault. If you're going to be the big man behind the bar and get heavy with customers, save it for when it's really necessary and listen to what a customer is politely saying about the situation because the bar was at fault for not marking the table. As it is I found this guy's nasty attitude disgusting, left and we had an excellent pizza in the establishment opposite followed by better beer in the gardeners arms where we got a genuinely friendly welcome. So no more return visits for us and will be telling others about it.... Word gets around and bad attitudes...

This could be a really great pub for food and drink.The oub has a lovely vibe, the staff seem like they’re trying hard but I get the feeling the kitchen or management is letting them down or it’s just a mix of inexperience and amateurism. We we’re possibly unlucky that the till system had broken down that night so ordering was a unnecessarily laborious but it’s not a deal breaker. We we’re pointed to our table. No menus, no run down of not on menu, specials etc. I can live with that. Just. Being told at 7pm on a Saturday night that they have no burgers when you’ve got two strapping young lads in tow is! I’ve run restaurants so I know what’s involved with prep especially on weekends with tables booked. I got the feeling the bar person taking the order was a bit embarrassed but did his best. Then we we’re directed to the cutlery station but it was empty. Another oversight that could be preempted. In any case cutlery, condiments should be brought with the food or when the table is cleaned before service. Which brings me to the next little gripe. There was a couple sitting at our reserved table who we politely asked to move (not a problem) but no effort was made from staff to give it a wipe down. Just basic hygiene. I’d like to think I had an off night because I liked the pub and it has charm. Maybe I will. My only request guys, if you’re trying to promote your pub as a destination to eat and drink then perhaps look at...

With three bar areas downstairs, two outside areas and an upstairs, there's almost certain to be a nook for conversations, although sometimes this pub's popularity means it is far from quiet. Dogs are most certainly welcome. Although the Lewes Arms stocks the local beer from Harveys, the establishment is owned by Fuller's brewery in London so the choice of ales will not necessarily be entirely local. The kitchen hours are long, and it stays open all afternoon, serving a fairly traditional pub menu to which some slightly exotic choices are added. The beer-battered cod is often huge! Look on the blackboard for today's specials, or pick up a printed menu from the bar. At its best, the cooking is outstanding for its class. The beer and bar wines are not the cheapest in town, though lower than some venues whose focus is not alcohol. The Lewes Arms is clearly at the heart of a lively community of diverging opinions. Traditional Lewes games such as pea-throwing and Dwile Flunking (its origin lost in history), and English morris dancing teams can often be witnessed here. Regular poetry and music events (such as the Thursday evening traditional folk tunes session, expertly led) take place upstairs and downstairs, and the annual pantomime attracts much comment.

Post-pandemic, the trade has recovered successfully, due to the positive attitudes of all staff and management.

A new pizza kitchen brings totally delicious food,...