The good pub guide - Part 1

Whilst engaging in an exchange of bar-room musings with a friend of mine, we got into talking about pubs. During the conversation, my friend asked me how many pubs and bars within Brighton and Hove I had ventured into in my life on this planet up to now. This prompted me to go away and raid the old memory bank and see if I could hit upon something like a definitive ball park figure. I hope that over the course of this blog, I will be able to provide exactly that, as well as sharing some of my experiences and memories of pubs that I have been in and saying which of Brighton and Hove's hostelries are worth frequenting, and which should be given a wide berth.

Deciding on what should make the list though required some basic guidelines. The question I was posed was "how many pubs had I visited in Brighton and Hove", so it was only right and proper that the boundaries I confined my retrospective pub crawl to remained in that area. Therefore, pubs that I have visited in Shoreham-By-Sea, Lewes, Burgess Hill and Hassocks are not included in the tally. Portslade was the most obvious boundary to the west, while Telscombe Cliffs is as far as the eligibility criteria stretches to the east. The corridor around the bypass that includes Devils Dyke, Patcham and Falmer were what I settled on as being the appropriate boundary. As for the southern boundary, I figured that anything at the other end of the blue aquatic expanse would be French terra-firma.

The other main guideline was deciding on what establishments would be eligible for a listing. If all of the watering holes I had visited followed the convention of being a classic British spit and sawdust establishment, then finding a definitive figure would have been more straightforward. The issue that presented itself was that a number of said hostelries I have visited were borderline as to whether they were bars or nightclubs. In the end, I felt that I could only list places that essentially were bars with a club, rather than clubs with a bar. Hence, I have not included such joints as Oceana (or its predecessor Event II) or the Casablanca jazz club, but I have included a couple of bars with established club nights, such as Revolution (previously The Standard) and The Arc. I have also excluded restaurants from the tally, but I have included what you might term "gastro pubs" that I have visited.

There are also certain places where I have comsumed drinks for a bar, although the primary reason for being at the venue was for another activity. I am particularly thinking of sports venues where drinks were consumed as part of day's activity or after the activity had finished. I have decided that it would be wrong to exclude such venues from the overall tally, but I have decided not to provide any rating for these venues.

As you might expect, there are some establishments that have had a refit or a name change during my years of legal drinking. Some pubs in fact have had 2 or 3 name changes in that time. I have decided, for the purposes of clarity, to just list one entry for each venue, but make a reference to the other names the venue has had where that applies.

Despite having been to a good many pubs and bars in my hitherto fourteen years of legal drinking, upon tapping into my memory bank, it would appear that there are still a good number of pubs and bars within Brighton and Hove where I have yet to sample the core products.

I will list the pubs I have visited by each area of Brighton and Hove, along with a short summary and a rating. Without giving away the total pubs/bars I have visited at this juncture, this is likely to require 3 or 4 instalments in total.

So let's get down to business. This is thirsty work though, so I'll have a pint of Guinness regular from the tap, if you don't mind.

QUEENS PARK/HANOVER AREA
1. The Hanover - Older readers will recall that this pub was once called the Queens Park Tavern and it was my local all the while I lived at home. Strangely, given that it was a local, I never set foot in the place under its old guise. The pub had a bad reputation and it was not until the pub was re-opened and re-branded as The Hanover that I paid a visit. There are examples of name changes to pubs that ruin their character, but The Hanover has been greatly enhanced by the change. It has a relaxed, chilled out atmosphere and also does some good food, particularly at weekends. The pub is spacious and uncluttered and the bad days of the QPT are a hazy memory. Rating 8/10

2. Duke of Beaufort - Situated on the corner of Queens Park Road and Islingword Road, almost opposite the iconic Pepper Pot, the Duke is a no-frills pub that I think has had the same owners for the whole time since I first set foot in the establishment over 10 years ago. The pub is perhaps best known for having a Thai restaurant upstairs, although I cannot say that I have had the pleasure. The pub has all the usual pub amenities such as a big screen, digital jukebox and a pool table (it had one in its beer garden at one point) but on the downside, it has also inherited some of the clientele that previously frequented the Queens Park Tavern. Nothing terribly bad about the pub, but not as appealing as some other places that are nearby. Rating 4/10

3. Walmer Castle - If The Hanover is a prime example of how a pub can be positively transformed by a refit, then sadly the Walmer Castle is the polar opposite. I used to regard the Walmer Castle as the best of Hanover's many fine hostelries when it had a vibrant, outlandish exterior and a calm and relaxing interior, including two fish tanks which added well to the ambience. It was the perfect place to unwind on a slow Sunday after a heavy Saturday night. A refit late last year, however, has stripped the place of its character with the bright exterior replaced by a dull grey, while the inside has become a soulless and deserted place. Sad when it happens, but the Walmer has fallen upon hard times. Rating 8/10 pre-refit, 3/10 now

4. The Racehorse Inn - Pub at the junction of Queens Park Road and Elm Grove which has recently had a name change, with the new pub setting itself out to be a food oriented venue. I have not visited the new venue and in fact only visited its predecessor once, when I did not find the place to be a welcoming or luxuriating location. Rating 3/10

5. The Constant Service - This pub used to very deliberately set itself as a no-frills and no-gimmicks pub that just knew how to serve a good pint. In recent times, the pub has moved a little from its original standpoint and now has a couple of television screens that broadcast live sport. As a Harvey's pub, it also retains a following among the local real ale drinkers. Overall, a friendly and cheerful pub with a pleasant courtyard for drinking on those warm summer days. Rating 7/10

6. The Horse & Groom - Another example of a pub that never recovered from an ownership change. This used to be a regular haunt of mine on Sunday afternoons in the early part of the noughties for the Super Sunday football and a few pints of Boddingtons (a beer served in very few pubs in Brighton or Hove). The licensees had run the pub for over 10 years but when they moved out of the area around 5 years ago, sadly the pub's fortunes rapidly ran south. After an incident in which thieves attempted to steal beer from the cellar, it was long after that the pub closed altogether. A great shame as the H&G was a vibrant and lively alehouse when I first sampled it and it also had 2 memorable features that made it stand out. These being the deliberate wall of graffiti in the men's toilets and the lovely warm, open fire on winter days. Rating 7/10 pre-ownership change, 2/10 afterwards

7. The London Unity - This pub is a few doors down from the now closed Horse & Groom yet its clientele and atmosphere could almost be a million miles away. Whereas the H&G was the classic spit and sawdust establishment, The London Unity is well known as a vibrant, student oriented venue with regular live music and DJs playing at the venue. I have not visited the place for a few years now, but I can remember back in the day that it was a very cramped and busy venue on Friday nights when a DJ was playing. Despite this, the pub also retained a slightly homely feel, with a range of board games being available to play in the back room. If you dislike noisy pubs, this place is probably not for you, but it is definitely a place for the latest crop of freshers to check out. Rating 7/10

8. The Cobden Arms - I tend to find pubs situated in backstreets are either hidden gems or insular, cliquey dives that time forgot. Sadly, in the case of the Cobden Arms, my two visits have led me to believe that this place belongs in the second category. All of us at some time or another will have experienced that feeling of being stared at as a stranger on someone else's patch. This particular experience came when I visited the Cobden Arms for the first time. I was half expecting the landlord to set an Alsatian on me and force me to leave the premises due to me being this illegal alien invading their space. Avoid like the plague. Rating 1/10

9. Reservoir - Like the Cobden Arms, this place is found in one of the backstreets lying between Islingword Road and Elm Grove. Unlike the Cobden Arms, it is quite a decent watering hole, although first impressions could leave you feeling a little bit cold. The pub is a little bit soulless as it does not have the feel of a traditional pub and it is also a pub that is largely deserted during daylight hours. Yet, this strangely makes the Reservoir a good place to unwind for a quiet drink away from the hustle and bustle and it has a small, but perfectly formed beer garden. The place also tends to come alive on Friday and Saturday nights, with it being popular with young professionals and students. Not the most atmospheric of pubs, but it is quite a welcoming place to unwind for a couple of pints before heading somewhere bigger and brasher. Rating 7/10

10. The Pub With No Name - The pub with the identity crisis is actually a lot more savvy than it sounds. Hell's own hill Southover Street helpfully has five pubs on it to retire to for a much needed rest, with the Pub With No Name situated at the very top of both the hill and the billing. There is a lot to like about the place which seems to be popular with both families venturing out for Sunday lunch and weekend sports fans watching the match on the big screen. The mixture of the 2 groups is not always an easy alliance, but the welcoming nature of the pub and its well spread layout means that generally it is not a major problem. The drinks are relatively inexpensive compared to other places in the area and the food is popular too. Rating 8/10

11. Sir Charles Napier - Southover Street pubs seem to have something for everybody and the Sir Charles Napier is the pub for the more traditional alehouse drinker and it generally serves an older clientele. It is renowned as a pub that is a keen supporter of real ale and so several of the beers available on tap are relatively unheralded regional ales. This makes the pub very popular in CAMRA pub guides and the like and it does have the feel of a local's local. Those that are looking for a bit more vibrancy and action, however, will find that this place is not for them. Quirky, but not really a pub for the fashionistas. Rating 5/10

12. Dover Castle - Situated on the next turning down from the Sir Charles Napier, the Dover Castle is the complete antithesis. This is very much a student oriented pub and it does not have the spit and sawdust feel that its near neighbour has. This makes it off-putting for some, but I think it actually works to its advantage. The pub used to get (and I imagine still does) very busy on Friday and Saturday nights and it has certain parallels with the London Unity in its vibrancy and liking for DJs. Like other pubs in Hanover, it is the kind of pub that you would have a couple of drinks in rather than stay for a whole evening, but it is not a bad starting point for an evening out. Rating 6/10

13. The Greys - Alehouse fanatics in the area will know that The Greys is situated directly opposite The Geese and that the two pubs have what might be termed as a friendly rivalry. The Greys tends to be quite popular with the local culture vultures and the pub has been known to put on both live music and have poetry evenings. I have only visited the place a couple of times myself, but was quite struck by how unspoilt the place was. For those that want to avoid pubs with televisions, music and pub games, The Greys is the perfect antidote for you and it also has a highly acclaimed kitchen. Not been back for a while, but it is no indictment on the pub. Rating 7/10

14. The Geese - Directly opposite The Greys and generally attracts a younger audience and is particularly popular when live football is shown at the venue. Word of warning though, the place can sometimes get quite cramped on such days, not helped by how small and narrow the gangway is around by the bar. Traditionally an Irish pub, you can always be certain of a decent pint of Guinness at The Geese, which always goes down well with me. There just seems to be a missing ingredient to this place that I cannot quite put my finger on and so I tend to visit other pubs in the area as a rule. Rating 5/10

15. The Albion Inn - Albion Hill has four pubs situated on it, if you include the Walmer Castle at the very top of the road. Sadly, there is little to recommend in any of them and one visit to The Albion Inn was more than enough for me. My experience of visiting was similar to the one I experienced at the Cobden Arms and again it is the very definition of the locals' local. But even the locals seem to have deserted the place now. If you have never visited the pub, count yourself fortunate. Rating 1/10

16. Spread Eagle - There is one thing I liked about this pub and that was the colour of the exterior, a rich shade of green. Apart from that, there is very little else to recommend about the pub just further down from the aforementioned Albion Inn. The pub has become a victim of the recession and has been closed for several months. Forgive my churlishness, but I doubt anyone has noticed. Rating 1/10

17. The Setting Sun - For people that like a settle in a beer garden on a summer's afternoon, I cannot think of a pub garden anywhere in Brighton or Hove that is better to chill out in. Situated at the top of a steep hill, you can view all of Brighton's famous landmarks whilst sitting in the Setting Sun's beer garden. Like the Walmer Castle, this place used to be a hair of the dog location on a Sunday morning after the Saturday night before. The pub can be almost deserted on school nights, but it tends to flourish at weekends during the summer months. Has friendly bar staff and a homely feel to the pub as though you are sitting in someone's living room. If spicy food is your thing, this place always used to tick the boxes too. Not been back for a while, but should imagine it still retains its best features. Rating 7/10

18. The Cuthbert - This pub is no longer called The Cuthbert and has recently been turned into a gastro-pub, which I must admit seems like a curious decision given its location in a residential area between Queens Park and Craven Vale. The old Cuthbert was a slightly strange pub, mixing local hardened drinkers with young families wanting to make use of the beer garden. The garden was by far the best feature of the pub, being both spacious and also providing good views of Craven Vale and the Whitehawk hills. The pub was never the most welcoming of places and it will be interesting to see how its successor does given that its location means it will not draw that many clientele from outside the area. Rating 5/10 (as The Cuthbert)

19. The Cornerstone - This is a pub that has had a number of name changes over the years, starting out as The Admrial Napier, before becoming The Flying Pig and then The Sun before finally settling on its current name around 4 or 5 years ago. The Cornerstone is quite a cosy pub to retire to of an evening and it has some comfortable seating as well as the opportunity to prop up the bar. Apart from background music, the venue does not really do mod-cons, but it relies on its clientele to provide the atmosphere. On a quiet night, it can seem quite flat. Far worse places in the area though. Rating 6/10

20. The Wellington - My hazy memory has some recollection of having visited this pub in Elm Grove just the once on the way home from work several years ago. I think I may have stopped for one drink, decided the place was so dull and then left. This is renowned as more of a traditional drinker's haven which tends to mean you will either love the place or give it a wide berth, depending on your viewpoint. As I have not returned since my only visit, you can see where I stand. Rating 3/10

Notable absentees: The Montreal Arms, The Winner, Freshfield Inn

BRIGHTON STATION/SEVEN DIALS

21. The Tin Drum - Local franchise The Tin Drum has 4 or 5 pubs in the Brighton area where it differentiates itself from the traditional type of pub by offering table service for both drinks and food. The Tin Drum's origins are Polish and this is reflected in both their food menu and some of the drinks available from the bar. The place is a little bit on the expensive side, and food wise, they are not always the most generous with their portions. But, the service is always friendly, it is a pub you can retire to with your laptop to finish your work and there are also a good range of books and newspapers to choose from and a couple of leather sofas to recline on. A trip for fried breakfast on a Saturday morning while reading the Saturday supplements is recommended. Rating 7/10

22. The Crescent - Pub situated next to the Streamline taxi office on Clifton Hill and which is a popular after-work haunt for people working in the area. Has the feel of a very traditional pub with snug style seating in areas of the pub, plus a reasonably sized beer garden with further seating on the pavement at the front of the pub. People that tend to take the 'less is more' attitude with regards to pubs will probably warm to this place. Rating 7/10

23. The Good Companions - Here is a pub that holds many memories for me. I used to go to sixth form college just up the road and so many a free period in my college days was spent in this pub. Purely in the name of research, you will understand. Fast forward eight years and this pub would become my local, once I moved to the Seven Dials area. At first, the pub had not changed at all in the intervening period and still in fact had the same owners. In the five and a half years I have resided in the area since though, the pub has gone through three changes of ownership and two refits, in a bid to rid itself of undesirable customers. The latest change of ownership has seen the pub discontinue its showing of Sky Sports, which I think may prove to detrimental to its revenues at weekends. A pub with plenty of potential, if only it could attract the right customers. Also a pub where the earth regularly moves, owing the Hove to Brighton railway line going straight under the pub, hence the train on the sign outside. Rating 6/10

24. The Chimney House (formerly the Marquess of Exeter) - As the Marquess of Exeter, I visited this establishment on my final day at sixth form college when the pub resembled a place that time forgot with its dishevelled carpet and portable television. A decade later, I returned to discover that the Marquess was no more and that the pub had become a gastro-pub by the name of The Chimney House. The pub seemed pleasant enough, although a little bit short on atmosphere. I have not been back again since, but I would regard this to be a pub that is most suitable for having a couple of leisurely drinks and a spot of lunch in at the weekend. Rating 6/10 as Chimney House, 3/10 as Marquess of Exeter

25. Shakespeare's Head - There are 2 pubs in Brighton by this name, but the superior pub is the one located just down the hill from the Seven Dials. Although the pub is not the biggest place and subsequently it can get rather cramped on weekend nights, the pub retains some good qualities. Top of the list being its food menu, with the pub particularly noted for its sausage menu. I can also vouch for the good quality of their Sunday roasts. Although a compact pub, it is a pleasant place to relax over a pint or five and a popular venue for works drinks. Rating 7/10

26. The West Hill (formerly The Belle Vue) - This pub changed its name around eighteen months ago having previously been long established as the Belle Vue. As the Belle Vue, the venue was well renowned as being one of the few conventional pubs with a late licence at weekends, usually closing at 3 am on Friday and Saturday nights. I am not sure if this remains the case, but previously this resulted in the pub being vibrant and busy in the early hours, but conversely, it would be empty during daylight hours. Due to doing its best trade in the small hours, this occasionally meant the pub got a few people that had not paced themselves well by the end of the evening. Being a pub that stayed open late though was the main selling point, otherwise there were no outstanding features. Rating 5/10

27. Zuma - The site of a former bank at the Seven Dials junction, this kind of has the feel of a "trendy wine bar", with a quirky and arty feel to the way in which the bar is laid out. From recollection, the drinks there were a little bit on the pricey side, but the place seemed reasonably popular with a good mix of people present. Rating 5/10

28. Couch/The Rat & Trumpet - Back in the mists of time, this place just down from Seven Dials was called The Compton Arms and had a reputation for being a trouble spot. Subsequently, the pub has gone on to have three re-brandings, the latest of which sees it called 'Foggs'. As Couch and The Rat and Trumpet, the venue very rarely seemed to attract regular punters and lacked the friendly charm that the best pubs in the area have. The challenge as 'Foggs' remains in its location and I cannot see the new name making this hostelry any more appealing. Rating 2/10

29. The Battle of Trafalgar - One of my favourite retreats in my part of town, The Battle of Traf is the ideal 'hair of the dog' pub in the Dials/station area. The pub has a couple of in-house chefs and the pub is particularly well known for its Sunday roasts, which this author has sampled on several occasions. Apart from one minor criticism at the chef's penchant for peas, there is little fault to find in the Battle's menu. The pub has a homely feel with a round dining table in one corner, plus a cosy fireplace surrounded by some old hardback books. If the fireplace is the vantage point of choice in winter, then the beer garden is the place to be in summer and it is one of the best beer gardens to have a cool beer with your friends in the warmer months. A very good pub for all seasons and occasions. Rating 9/10

30. Sussex Yeoman - The Sussex Yeoman is located directly opposite the Trafalgar and is another pub well regarded for its food menu. I first encountered this pub when I was at university and ended up in there one day after lectures. Since those days, the pub has tidied itself up after it had a re-fit when it changed hands a few years ago. The pub has got some comfortable seating and is generally a busy and popular haunt on a Friday or Saturday night. There are other pubs I prefer in the area, but the Yeoman has a lot going for it. Rating 6/10

31. The Eddy - Another pub that has had a few names in its time, although in my drinking years, it has mainly been known as The Eddy or its predecessor, The Tap & Spile. I did not sample the pub when it was the Tap & Spile, but as The Eddy, the pub has carved itself a niche as a pub that attracts young professional types and as a sports bar with a big screen, it tends to be at its busiest on Sunday afternoons for big football matches. The Eddy also has an extensive food menu, although I have not eaten there myself. A decent pub and for those that are looking for somewhere to watch televised football at the weekend, this offers a plausible option. Rating 6/10

32. Duke of Wellington - Sometimes there are pubs that you become attached to and which add up to more than the sum of their parts. The Duke is one such place. In some senses, the pub defies convention because the only food it serves are pizzas, plus sandwiches and baguettes on Brighton & Hove Albion match days, whose supporters frequent the pub pre-kick off, while its beer garden is essentially a very small patio. Where the pub scores high though is in terms of its welcoming charm. When I was first introduced to the pub over 10 years ago by a university friend, the pub was a family run pub with a close knit set of regulars who would very quickly learn your name. Only one member of the family remains involved in running the pub and some of the regulars of yesteryear have moved on to be replaced by some new faces, but the Duke has retained its character. The pub had a major refit three and a half years ago and lost some of its regulars in the aftermath. However, the Duke has gradually rediscovered its mojo and is always a good place to prop up the bar and watch televised sport. Its Sunday night quiz nights are good craic too. Definitely one for the shortlist of best Brightonian boozers. Rating 9/10

33. Caxton Arms - Here is a pub that is a good example of a hidden gem tucked up a Brighton backstreet. This is another place with fond memories for me as it was the location of my works leaving do after leaving my previous job after six and a half years. Situated in the road that runs parallel to Queens Road, this pub's name pays homage to the man who invented the printing press and there are little decorative props in the pub that pay further homage. The pub has 2 bar rooms, with the back room also having a pool table and book case and has also occasionally had a television screen. In addition, the Caxton offers a range of traditional British pub grub until 9:00 pm most nights. Despite being in a backstreet, this pub gets very busy after work on a Friday night and is also popular at weekends. That is a sign of the Caxton's quality and I always look forward to a visit there. Rating 9/10

34. Royal Standard - This is a tiny pub that is situated on Queens Road just down from Brighton station. I have some recollection of a visit to this pub on St Patrick's Day a decade ago when they were serving Irish stew. The stew was delicious, but subsequent visits to the Royal Standard have been somewhat underwhelming. Generally, the pub seems to be pretty empty and lacking life. Because of its size, there is possibly not much that can be done to revitalise this pub, but it certainly seems as though it needs a new lease of life. Rating 3/10

35. The Queens Head - In terms of geography, this pub probably just wins the award for being the nearest pub to Brighton station, although there are 2 or 3 other pubs that can state a legitimate claim too. I broke my duck in visiting this pub earlier this year and was quite impressed with it, with the staff being friendly and the seating being comfortable, while the drinks were reasonably priced. There are other pubs in the vicinity that I prefer, but for a post-work drink near to the station, the Queens Head has a relaxing charm that makes it suitable for that occasion. Rating 6/10

36. The Railway Bell - For those of you that have not visited The Railway Bell, consider yourselves lucky. I have visited only once and walked past many hundreds of times more and these experiences are enough to tell me that my life is not void from having not returned. Aggravation seems to go hand in hand with the pub and the staff I encountered when I went there did not go out of their way to be welcoming. I have not returned for several years, but accounts I hear from others I have spoken to indicate that the place has not improved with advancing years. Rating 1/10

37. Grand Central - There are not many pubs around that can boast a theatre being upstairs, but the Grand Central is one such place. It was (and I guess still is) notable for having a roof terrace that was worth putting the world to rights in on a sunny summer's day. Inside, the pub is a little bit on the flat side and lacks some of the atmosphere that a more traditional pub tends to have. Not bad, but not great either. Rating 5/10

38. The Windmill - I remember this pub as being unique in the sense that I cannot think of any pub that had a red telephone box in its beer garden. Not sure if the box is still in the garden, but it was certainly different. The Windmill is located along Upper North Street and so tends to attract a mix of people from Seven Dials, as well as people working nearby in Western Road. The pub has a low ceiling and because of this, getting a mobile phone signal there is always a challenge. The pub has a bit edge to it which makes it not to everyone's taste, but it is decent enough to go to for a couple of pints. Rating 6/10

39. Prestonville Arms - Quiet Youngs pub situated in a backstreet between the Seven Dials and Old Shoreham Road, this is the kind of place that you could go to for a peaceful pint in midweek. I think the pub used to run a music quiz night on one night of the week that gained a cult following. I have only been there on a couple of occasions, but it seemed like a decent enough local pub, but it is a little bit out of the way for me to frequent. Rating 5/10

40. The Dyke Tavern - The curious thing about Brighton is that one area of town that is chronically lacking in pubs is the Withdean and Westdene area and so on one occasion, after having been to watch Brighton play at Withdean Stadium, in trying to find a pub showing the evening match, I had to walk all the way down Dyke Road to the Dyke Tavern before I found a suitable resting place. Apart from having a big screen, there was little reason for me to have visited the pub, which had a strange mix of customers and looked in need of a few licks of paint. Subsequently, the pub has had a makeover and is another to go down the route of targetting gastro-heads. I have no particular desire to return, however. Rating 2/10

Notable absentees: The Evening Star


This completes part 1 of my pub crawl. In part 2, I will mention which North Laine and town centre pubs I have visited, before moving on to the Hove pubs in my later instalments.

Playlists 23 to 26 - D & E

PLAYLIST #23
Moby - Dream About Me
Newton Faulkner - Dream Catch Me
Blondie - Dreaming
The Coral - Dreaming Of You
The Cranberries - Dreams
Fleetwood Mac - Dreams
Travis - Driftwood
The Cars - Drive
REM - Drive
The Beatles - Drive My Car
Garbage - Drive You Home
Madness - Driving In My Car
Madonna - Drowned World
The Verve - The Drugs Don't Work

PLAYLIST #24
Garbage - Dumb
Ladyhawke - Dusk Till Dawn
Mumford & Sons - Dust Bowl Dance
The Killers - A Dustland Fairytale
White Lies - EST
Ryan Adams - Easy Plateau
Martha & The Muffins - Echo Beach
Klaxons - Echoes
Dolores O'Riordan - Ecstasy
The Kooks - Eddie's Gun
Regina Spektor - Eet
The Beatles - Eleanor Rigby
Squeeze - Electric Trains
U2 - Electrical Storm
Stone Roses - Elephant Stone

PLAYLIST #25
The Beatles - Eight Days A Week
Rachael Yamagata - Elephants
U2 - Elevation
Madness - Embarrassment
Jamiroquai - Emergency On Planet Earth
Corinne Bailey Rae - Enchantment
Don Henley - The End Of The Innocence
Muse - Endlessly
Snow Patrol - Engines
Nerina Pallot - English
Metallica - Enter Sandman
The Killers - Enterlude
Delphic - Ephemera
The Cardigans - Erase/Rewind
The Coral - Eskimo Lament
Crowded House - Even A Child

PLAYLIST #26
The Jam - The Eton Rifles
U2 - Even Better Than The Real Thing
Manic Street Preachers - The Everlasting
Echo & The Bunnymen - Everlasting Neverendless
Moby - Everloving
Sheryl Crow - Every Day Is A Winding Road
The Noisettes - Every Now And Then
Richard Ashcroft - Everybody
Keane - Everybody's Changing
Nerina Pallot - Everybody's Gone To War
The Kinks - Everybody's Gonna Be Happy
Tears For Fears - Everybody Wants To Rule The World
Kaiser Chiefs - Everyday I Love You Less And Less
Morrissey - Everyday Is Like Sunday
Texas - Everyday Now

Playlists 19 to 22

PLAYLIST #19
The Kinks - Days
The Beatles - Day Tripper
Cherry Ghost - Dead Man's Suit
Travis - Dear Diary
White Lies - Death
Coldplay - Death and All His Friends
The Thrills - Deckchairs & Cigarettes
The Kinks - Dedicated Follower of Fashion
Jamiroquai - Deeper Underground
Fatboy Slim & Macy Gray - Demons
Blondie - Denis
Manic Street Preachers - A Design For Life
U2 - Desire
The Eagles - Desperado
James - Destiny Calling

PLAYLIST #20
Prince - Diamonds and Pearls
Madonna - Die Another Day
Sheryl Crow - The Difficult Kind
Deacon Blue - Dignity
Oasis - Digsy's Dinner
Michael Jackson - Dirty Diana
INXS - Disappear
Snow Patrol - Disaster Button
Pulp - Disco 2000
Mercury Rev - The Distance From Her To There
Crowded House - Distant Sun
Corinne Bailey Rae - Diving For Hearts
Echo & The Bunnymen - Do It Clean

PLAYLIST #21
Pulp - Do You Remember The First Time
Basement Jaxx - Do Your Thing
Fyfe Dangerfield - Don't Be Shy
Joss Stone - Don't Cha Wanna Ride
Crowded House - Don't Dream It's Over
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Don't Forget Me
Richard Hawley - Don't Get Hung Up In Your Soul
The Pretenders - Don't Get Me Wrong
Hothouse Flowers - Don't Go
Oasis - Don't Go Away
Razorlight - Don't Go Back To Dalston
Sharleen Spiteri - Don't Keep Me Waiting
The Beatles - Don't Let Me Down
Coldplay - Don't Panic
The Thrills - Don't Steal Our Sun

PLAYLIST #22
Oasis - Don't Look Back In Anger
The Libertines - Don't Look Back Into The Sun
Fleetwood Mac - Don't Stop
Michael Jackson - Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
Queen - Don't Stop Me Now
Crowded House - Don't Stop Now
Madonna - Don't Tell Me
Amy MacDonald - Don't Tell Me That It's Over
The Coral - Don't Think You're The First
Dirty Vegas - Don't Throw It Away
The Noisettes - Don't Upset The Rhythm
Simple Minds - Don't You (Forget About Me)
Manic Street Preachers - Door To The River
Delphic - Doubt
Men At Work - Down Under
Texas - Drawing Crazy Patterns