The Tin Drum - Kemptown

Real mixed feelings about this place. I love its location in the summer with the windows open on a Sunday afternoon. There is always something interesting to look out on in St James Street. Lots of laptop users at most time of the day.

The food is generally ok - I have had great steak here and the roasts are the genuine article. They have started producing their own food from a small holding. There are generally some decent wines on. The deserts are not worth bothering with - the clotted cream is actually whipped squirty cream. Not badly priced, 2 people 3 courses with wine/beer about £50.00 including service.

But and it is a big but - the service is sometimes dreadful, and quite honestly you can pay to be ignored in many Brighton eateries so why bother coming here. However, some of their team are really great, but sometimes they are more interested in talking to each other.

Maybe removing the automatic addition of service would help...

Give it a try though.........
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richard w - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Monday, August 10, 2009

Really disappointed by this place. The service was terrible although they weren't all that full. They mixed up half of our appetizer order with another table and we waited for drinks, menus, food for far too long. When the dinner was served, the salmon was overcooked and when we sent it back the waiter brought it back to the table and argued that it was fine although it was clearly incinerated. Very frustrating.
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Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 5
Monday, March 16, 2009

I loved this bar/restuarant

Great food, great service, great wines... one of the best places I have eaten in Brighton in AGES
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Tom
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Unfortunately, I have to agree with the last comment to a certain extent.

Myself and my partner visited here on Friday night after not having being in Brighton for a couple of months.

Where previously the service had always been personable and attentive, it appears since our last visit in October, nobody cared about our custom.

The place looked shabby and dirty, and the staff seemed more entertained with each other.

Compared to our last experience, this was hugely disappointing.

I shall definitely think twice before spending my money here again.
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Linzi Parry
Thursday, January 31, 2008

This place is warm and cosy and inviting. The staff are friendly and attentive. We had a lovely meal here, the kids really enjoyed it and were kept amused with the colouring books supplied. Perfect place to take kids or sit and have a glass (or 2) of wine with the girls.
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Michaela, Brighton
Saturday, December 29, 2007

I've visited The Tin Drum, Kemp Town several times now recently, i've been in during Pride weekend and the place was rammed and of course service was not as attentive as normal but all the other times it's been great, the food is good, the atmosphere non pretentious and given the location there's always good people watching to be had, it's a bit grubby but it's Kemp Town! Pay them a visit and decide for yourself!
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James Robertson
Saturday, December 29, 2007

Food was good, but as we were eating at the last sitting, by the time we had finished the main course all of the staff are just interested in getting the restaurant ready for the following day. Service was therefore non-existent!! We had to ask for a dessert menu, and then by the time they actually came to serve us, we just decided to give up and go home. Good food, rubbish service.
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Jim
Friday, August 17, 2007