🍻 First In Last Out (FILO)
⭐ 4.7 – Lively, house-brewed ales, friendly vibe.
🍺 Ye Olde Pumphouse
⭐ 4.5 – Historic, Georgian-era charm, welcoming atmosphere.
Located on George Street, the Pumphouse is one of the more relaxed, traditional pubs in the Old Town. It has a strong local following and a steady flow of regulars throughout the week.
It’s not flashy, but that’s the appeal — simple pub food, well-kept ales, and a comfortable atmosphere that works for both quick pints and long lunches.
👉 Best for: quiet drinks, casual lunches, traditional pub feel
🍖 Anchor Inn
⭐ 4.5 – Historic Old Town pub on George Street
One of Hastings Old Town’s most established pubs, the Anchor Inn sits on George Street in a traditional, historic building with low beams and a cosy interior.
It’s a dependable all-rounder in the Old Town pub scene — popular for relaxed drinks and casual pub meals. The pub attracts a steady mix of locals and visitors and tends to be busier during daytime and early evening service.
It works well as a stop on a George Street pub crawl, particularly for those looking for a more settled, traditional pub atmosphere rather than a louder music-led venue.
👉 Best for: traditional Old Town atmosphere, relaxed drinks, George Street pub crawl stop
🥧 Albion
⭐ 4.5 – Seafront Old Town pub known for its house-made pies
The Albion is a historic seafront pub in Hastings Old Town, well known locally for its range of house-made pies and rotating cask ales.
It has a lively, characterful atmosphere with regular music sessions and events, attracting both locals and visitors throughout the week. The pub combines traditional pub charm with a strong food identity built around its pies, which have become something of a local signature.
Located on the seafront near George Street, it’s a popular stop for both drinks and casual food, especially during busy evenings and weekends.
👉 Best for: pies, live music, seafront pub atmosphere
👑 The Crown
⭐ 4.6 – Independent Old Town freehouse with strong community feel
Tucked away on All Saints Street, The Crown is one of the most well-known pubs in Hastings Old Town and is often described as a community hub as much as a drinking spot.
It is a family-run freehouse with a relaxed atmosphere. It has a strong focus on craft beers, wines and a regularly changing food menu.
The pub is also known for its rotating art displays. Its welcoming atmosphere attracts both locals and visitors throughout the week.
While food is an important part of what they do, The Crown is best understood as a proper Old Town pub with a strong social and cultural identity rather than a formal dining venue.
👉 Best for: community atmosphere, craft drinks, relaxed Old Town pub experience
🎶 Royal Standard
⭐ 4.5 – Historic Old Town pub with maritime character and live events
The Royal Standard is a long-established Old Town pub located close to the seafront in Hastings, known for its traditional interior and strong maritime character.
Inside, it has a cosy, heritage-style feel with wooden panelling, framed historical prints and a warm, classic pub layout that reflects its coastal setting. The pub has been modernised over time but still retains a traditional atmosphere rather than a modern bar or gastro feel.
It is a popular social hub in the Old Town, hosting live music, community events and seasonal gatherings. Outside, it also features a sheltered garden area which is well used in warmer months.
👉 Best for: traditional pub atmosphere, live music, Old Town social hub, seaside drinks
🌊 Hastings Arms
⭐ 4.5 – Historic Old Town pub with strong community feel and themed nights
The Hastings Arms is an 18th-century Old Town pub located on George Street, known for its traditional character, wooden floors and cosy interior filled with local artwork and historic details.
It is a classic community pub at heart. It is popular with locals and regular visitors rather than being a formal dining destination.
Alongside ales and spirits, it offers home-cooked pub food. It is well known for themed nights such as curry and tapas evenings.
The pub has a relaxed, lived-in atmosphere. It is a good choice for those seeking a traditional Old Town pub experience.
👉 Best for: traditional pub atmosphere, themed nights, relaxed George Street drinks
🐟 The Dolphin Inn
⭐ 4.6 – Traditional Old Town pub in the fishing quarter with strong local character
The Dolphin Inn sits on Rock-a-Nore Road beside Hastings fishing beach and the historic net huts.
It is a long-established family-run pub with strong links to the local fishing community. The pub is known for its traditional atmosphere, rotating real ales and friendly welcome.
Alongside drinks, it serves a full pub menu and regularly hosts fish and chip nights. Live music, quiz nights and community events help create a loyal local following throughout the week.
👉 Best for: traditional Old Town atmosphere, fishing quarter location, live events, relaxed drinks after coastal walks
🍻 Lord Nelson
⭐ 4.4 – Small traditional Old Town pub with live music and local atmosphere
The Lord Nelson is a compact, traditional pub located on East Bourne Street in Hastings Old Town.
Dating back to 1830, it is a small, characterful pub with a simple, old-style interior and a strong focus on real ales, social drinking and community atmosphere rather than food. It is well known locally for its live music sessions, particularly on Sundays, which give it a lively and informal feel.
It attracts a loyal local crowd and is one of the more intimate traditional pubs in the Old Town.
👉 Best for: live music, real ales, traditional pub atmosphere, local crowd
🎵 Jenny Lind Inn
⭐ 4.4 – Lively High Street pub with live music and real ale focus
The Jenny Lind Inn is located on High Street in the centre of Hastings Old Town, surrounded by shops and historic streets.
It is a lively, characterful pub known for its strong real ale and craft beer selection, alongside regular live music and entertainment. The venue has a traditional interior with multiple bar areas and a beer garden, creating a mix of cosy indoor drinking space and a busier social atmosphere.
It is one of the more energetic pubs in the Old Town, popular with both locals and visitors, particularly in the evenings and at weekends.
👉 Best for: live music, real ales, social evenings, central Old Town location
🦌 The Stag Inn
⭐ 4.7 – Historic Old Town pub with fires, beams, and live folk music
The Stag Inn is a 16th-century pub located on All Saints Street in Hastings Old Town, known for its exceptionally historic interior with exposed beams, low ceilings, and open fires.
It is one of the most atmospheric pubs in the town, combining traditional surroundings with a strong live music culture. The pub is particularly well known for its long-running folk nights, alongside regular Americana, bluegrass and acoustic sessions throughout the week.
The Stag has a strong connection to Hastings folklore and smuggling history, which adds to its character and makes it a popular stop for those looking for a traditional Old Town drinking experience with atmosphere.
👉 Best for: atmosphere, live folk music, historic pub experience, traditional drinks
🍺 Cinque Ports Arms
⭐ 4.6 – Traditional Old Town pub with a strong real ale following
The Cinque Ports Arms is a long-established pub on All Saints Street in Hastings Old Town, known for its traditional atmosphere and loyal local clientele.
Originally known as The Chequers, the pub has a long history within the Old Town and retains a classic, no-frills character. It is particularly popular with real ale drinkers and has built a reputation as a proper locals’ pub rather than a tourist-focused venue.
With its relaxed pace and traditional interior, it offers a quieter drinking experience than some of the busier pubs elsewhere in the Old Town, making it a good choice for those seeking an authentic local atmosphere.
👉 Best for: real ales, traditional pub atmosphere, local character, relaxed drinks
⚓ The Cutter
⭐ 4.3 – Traditional seafront pub with sports and casual dining
Situated on East Parade, The Cutter is a relaxed seafront pub popular with both locals and visitors. With live sport shown throughout the week, a spacious interior and a straightforward pub menu, it offers a more casual alternative to some of the older historic pubs in the Old Town.
Its location close to the beach makes it a convenient stop for a drink or meal after a walk along the seafront.
👉 Best for: live sport, casual drinks, seafront location
🍺 The Jolly Fisherman
⭐ 4.6 – Historic micropub, excellent real ales and craft beer selection.
The Jolly Fisherman stands out from many Hastings Old Town pubs thanks to its focus on independent breweries, craft beer and traditional cider.
Although compact inside, it attracts ale enthusiasts looking for something different from the usual pub selection.
Housed in a characterful Old Town building, it remains one of the most distinctive drinking spots in the area.
👉 Best for: craft beer, cider, beer enthusiasts
🍷 Tips for Pub‑Hopping
Try local ales: Many of the best pubs in Hastings Old Town serve Sussex beers and rotating cask selections.
Check the events: Gigs, quizzes, open mic nights and special food nights are common — especially at the FILO and Royal Standard.
Book ahead on weekends: Popular pubs like the Anchor and Albion can fill up fast, especially for Sunday roasts.
Map of Hastings Old Town Pubs – Top Pubs to Visit
Choose Apollo Guest House For Accommodation
At the Apollo Guest House, you’ll have easy access to all the best that Hastings has to offer, thanks to its prime location. So if you’re looking for comfortable accommodation in the heart of this beautiful coastal town, look no further than the Apollo Guest House.
