The drinks are not on me , but the recommendations are!

Black Cat Treasure Hunts are often asked for pub recommendations for places to finish a treasure hunt. In fact, choosing a pub/bar is always a crucial part of working out a route in relation to the starting point.

Brighton has featured in the largest number of treasure hunts to date and so here is the (un)definitive list of pubs/bars that Black Cat recommends on some of our regular or popular treasure hunt route.

*Grand Central..Close to the train station and a good choice for awayday or teambuilding type treasure hunts whose participants want to hop on the train back to London maybe afterwards. Grand Central has a nice sun trap and hidden `treasure` of a roof terrace and a table downstairs which is supported by books..good for a last question. Spacious too..I like it!

*The Basketmakers..Walking through the North Laine area  has plenty of attraction for those who like quirky. It seems reasonable therefore to suggest The Basketmakers. It has a comforting, retro 1970`s feel inside and selection of real ales. Tobacco tins with secret messages adorn the walls. Ideally placed..good clue material and a pub of the type that you don`t find in a City too much.

*The Collonade..Often a half way point for me between a hunt starting at the station and finishing on the beach. Right next door to the Theatre Royal, it pushes its Gin. Interesting `male model` in the front window. Wide selection of framed photos of actors/actresses inside. If a personalised treasure hunt mentions they like the theatre or a hen party wants a half way Gin then this is the place.

*The Market Inn.. The gateway to The Lanes and although not spectacular in terms of looks or interesting features inside ,it has a strong connection with The Prince Regent. He used a secret tunnel to get there and used it as a brothel when he arrived. I have always had a warm welcome there too!

*The Bath Arms/The Font..Although there is a choice of pubs centrally in The Lanes, as you come out The Bath Arms rivals The Font in Union St. The Font attracts a younger crowd, but looks like a Church (ah the name is making sense) whilst The Bath Arms has an interesting history and is popular  too and part of a good treasure hunt route.

*The Black Lion/The Cricketers/The Hop Poles..Depending on where the treasure hunt started I have often used these three to finish at. The Cricketers just shades it for me as an all round place. Good clues about Brighton Rock and Jack the Ripper and contrasting places to eat or drink inside. The Black Lion is next door and has a neat beer garden outside. The Hop Poles is on Middle St and should not be forgotten. I like the range of music played in there and the pioneer of cinematography has a plaque close by...what`s not to like.

*OHSO Social/Lucky Beach/Brighton Music Hall..The fight is on for preferred finishing point on the seafront. A number of others to mention, but OHSO is well situated next to The Pier, looks more modern and has disco balls! Lucky Beach combines a central position with a good rep for food whilst a little further on the large outside space and  regular free live music of Brighton Music Hall make it a tempting choice for me to finish a hunt at.

*The Lion and Lobster..Finally..there is a stronghold of hen party accommodation out this way and The Lion and Lobster makes a convenient place to finish and have a drink.

As you can see I have taken a kind of centrally focussed treasure hunt route which would cover a good cross section of attractions and interesting things to see. In a future Blog I would cover routes away from here inc pubs such as The King and Queen and The North Laine Brewery. I often get hunts starting and finishing at The Metrodeco tea room in Kemptown, whilst other bars that have featured in that part of the City so far include Brighton Rocks and Sidewinder.

If you have a preferred pub/bar not featured on this list or in a different town/City in Sussex and would like a treasure hunt personalised and written especially for you or a friend then get in contact today on info@blackcattreasurehunts.co.uk