January 2026. Hastings.
The end of Dryanuary for me as we hit Day 3 of 2026, but Mrs RM has ambitions to “go low” and seek out all these exciting non-alcoholic alternatives we keep reading about.
Let’s focus on one street, All Saints in Hastings, historic and affluent and a good bet for folk abstaining you might have thought.
It’s also my favourite street discovery of 2025, yet another new layer of a wonderful town hiding in plain sight parallel to the A259.
I failed to do much more than stand and go “Wow” on my birthday, and even under clear blue skies last week I struggled to capture what it’s all about.
Mrs RM will have all the best photos.
What’s really odd, though, is that it took me till now to discover All Saints Street, despite going in The Crown a decade ago during its short stay in the Guide.
Back in 2016 I wrote (to complete disinterest, since I referenced “modern” music) about the Crown,
“This is probably the smartest pub in town, with posh bar snacks, craft keg, snowdrops and designer children. I like it a lot though, and not just because I get called “Dude” “
Well, I wasn’t called “Dude” today, life does that to you, but in all other respects it’s unchanged. Cosy, colourful, and arty.
Just the one local(ish) pump, a decent (NBSS 3) Romney Golden,
and a large bottle of Rothaus Hefeweizen NA in frosted glass for Mrs “that tastes almost beery” RM.
Add in those naice Romney Marsh crisps and it’s “£12.50 please“.
All my purchases are either recommended or commended by the young staff.
You’re paying for really high quality service here, which is why the Crown attracts a certain sort of female patron.
The sort of female who takes the glasses back to the bar 20 minutes later, just to shame me.
retiredmartin 
Applause for Mrs RM’s effort to go low. I can’t offer any help with pubs stocking decent low/no alcohol, but I have been pleased with Wise Bartender’s range, efficiently delivered. Some don’t appeal, but others are outstanding. Worth sampling.
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“effort” doing a lot of heavy lifting there.
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But thanks for the tip !
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And I can’t offer any help with pubs stocking decent low alcohol beer since Courage ceased the Courage Bitter around Bristol and Whitbread stopped brewing their West Country Pale Ale.,
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A lot going on in your photo 3rd from the bottom. When faced with sultry customer, barman appears terrified and picks nose nervously. The Sultry One graciously ignores this.
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I have slightly edited that one now, Bill !
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That’s a pity, I’ve just spent 30 seconds looking for the nervous nose-picker. Time I could have spent more productively. Though as I’m on a Trans Pennine Express to Liverpool, I’m not sure quite how.
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Shame, I liked the original!
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I called in at the Crown yesterday, and it was heaving. My first visit in decades, and it didn’t disappoint 🙌
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The Crown is a London style pub, with a clientele to match.
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I’m sure you are right Morten, but I still liked what I saw.
I also visited the Dolphin, Cinque Ports Arms and the FILO. The latter was as good as ever 👌
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I’m not sure Morten necessarily used “London” in a pejorative sense !
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All great pubs. I think I was in the Cinque Ports almost every night last week. Proper boozer.
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Cinque Ports coming up next. How has it never graced the Beer Guide ?
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Only two ales on at the moment, Pride and Harveys. As much as I love that pub, I’ve always found the Harveys in there a bit too warm, even in winter.
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As you’ll read, I got lucky on the Harvey’s Morten !
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