Movie nights are so much better when they start in the best Sussex pubs

 

I like nothing better than seeing a good movie, and if the evening begins with a delicious meal in one of the good restaurants in Brighton then so much the better. I’m a big fan of going to the cinema, but one of my pet peeves is the price of food and drinks in the movie theatre itself. I would much rather visit a top quality Sussex gastropub and have a proper meal with a couple of glasses of wine, because I feel this represents much better value for money.

 

While I enjoy an eclectic range of films, I particularly like rom-coms. My favourite one of all has always been When Harry Met Sally, a 1989 offering that starred Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal. It’s perhaps best known for a scene in a restaurant in which Meg Ryan faked an orgasm, an eventuality that you are unlikely to ever witness in the best place to eat in Sussex, I would imagine. When it comes to evening dining Brighton has a great deal to offer the world, but iconic movie settings are unlikely to feature on the list.

 

http://shepherdanddogpub.co.uk/

 

When I’m in the mood for the type of fine dining Sussex has become famous for, I like to choose one of those chic little restaurants that are to be found in the Lanes area of Brighton or perhaps in the back streets of Worthing. I love the fact that I live in an area which has become synonymous with culinary excellence, and another bonus is that a number of superb rural pubs in West Sussex can be found in attractive, tranquil villages which would not look out of place on the lid of a biscuit tin or a chocolate box.

 

Another aspect of movie nights which I don’t enjoy is when another viewer makes too much noise during the film showing. I find it very hard to concentrate on the dialogue when someone is constantly rustling sweet wrappers or slurping on their drink. The occasional sounds are not a problem at all, but some individuals seem to be forever making noises. Thankfully, I won’t usually be one of them because I would have already eaten in one of my favourite pubs in Sussex by the time I queue up at the cinema in order to see the latest blockbuster.

 

Gastropubs in Sussex are not just about small portions and delicate dining

 

If I am planning to see a film that is longer than the usual offerings, I tend to book a table at one of the pubs in East Sussex that specialise in heartier meals. I especially like classic British dishes such as bangers and mash, steak and chips or even toad in the hole, usually washed down by a couple of ice cold beers or a glass or two of red wine. Once I have had enough and my belly is happily full, I then head to the movie house and settle in for some action.

 

There was a time when I went off the cinema a little and preferred instead to wait until a movie that I wanted to see became available on cable TV. There was no particular reason to make me stay away, it was just that I’d had a change of heart. Those days are gone now, and I see films in all their glory on a big screen and with top of the range sound. As long as I savour some time in the best Sussex gastropubs before seeing the film I am a very happy person indeed.

 

If you are yet to discover the type of fine dining Brighton has become famous for, it may be time to find out for yourself why it has become so popular in the past few years. This is a wonderful region in which to enjoy a holiday, thanks to a great selection of landmarks, some superb shops and of course a picturesque waterfront. Long walks along the promenade in Brighton are a particularly pleasant activity, especially when the sun is shining and the weather is warm. If you like the view, you’ll like it even more from the i360 observation tower, as long as you have a head for heights.