The Temple - Brighton and Hove

Recently known as The Star and Sailor, The Temple Bar has gone back to it's original name after what looks to have been a massive re-branding effort. What strikes you immediately is the new décor. What once was a gaudy, purple, Vince Ray-style exterior is now more classically finished in a British racing green, framed with flowers and general greenery. The bar itself has been extended to be accessible from almost 360 degrees and all the pumps glisten in the way newly installed brass features tend to. To be honest the staff seem all the more chirpy for it. Prices are on average the same as they were under the pub's previous guise so, with real ales and organic ciders aplenty, it's the kind of place I could see becoming a very popular haunt for many of Brighton's older elite.

Outstanding place. 1- for its choice of beer. Beavertown on tap? Yes please! 2- South Indian food which was brilliant! So random to find it here but so glad to sample the food. Very good. Perfect pub food I don't know why more pubs don't do it but they nail it here. Not sure what it's like here at night. I suspect if like it even more. In the day it's not what I expected in terms of decor. Almost too fun interior for the name which I expected to be a rock type pub but I loved it all the same for what I experienced.

The temple bar was always very dark and drab, but since they've redone it, I just think its fab! Very trendy looking with a great selection of beers! Staff are all very helpful and great at explaining all the different beers they have on offer. If its busy, like it was when we went in, there is an upstairs with lots of booths you can take a seat in. My one qualm was the smell. They have curry leaf cafe serving the food, now I LOVE curry leaf cafe and it always smells great when you go to the restaurant, but the whole bar smelt of curry. We'd just had a huge meal beforehand else where and when we walked in we were hit by a wall of curry, not really what we wanted! We sat upstairs and could no longer smell so all good in the end!

Popped in for a late night drink on Saturday and was really impressed with the refit. Friendly staff, plenty of space and cosy booths upstairs. Crazy good selection of beer on draft and by the bottle. I will be heading back soon to try the food provided by the Curry Leaf Cafe no less.

I used to drink in the Temple many years ago and must have missed it being re-named as the Star and Sailor? Very odd. I was always a fan and when I mooched in today I couldn't believe my eyes. Completely gutting a pub and re-furnishing/fitting it is a really expensive process and is usually done really badly by owners trying to save money or appeal to a new group of people. When you have the guts to fit a beautiful hardwood panoramic bar and install comfortable, tasteful furniture, to me it says you care about your pub and the way its run. There was a fantastic choice of bitters, lagers and ciders. They weren't serving food yet but are starting this Sunday (17th Jan) and I can pretty much guess it'll be really good quality.