Marlborough Hotel

The Marlborough theatre is one of Brighton’s little-​known jewels. It’s a quaintly decorated establishment with two bars and a small 50-​seat theatre, which hosts an eclectic variety of performances from cabaret to Shakespeare. Despite numerous management changes it’s maintained an essential underground status that makes it an alternative spot for those wishing something out of the ordinary. Located at the foot of Edwards Street it’s slightly out of the way but this only contributes to its mystique. It’s the type of place I’d go for entertainment rather than for pints in a pub atmosphere. Nonetheless it’s very cool and worth visiting at least once.

I have been a part of Brighton’s gay scene for over 20 years and I’ve seen The Marlborough go through many changes. It has always held a dear place in my heart. Like pinkbrighton says it has had times when it has been a great meeting place for girls. Have to say though, for my tastes, the past couple of years have not been part of those times. During this period the pub got taken over by a particular clique of lesbians who, to all appearances, wanted to have somewhere they could treat as their own front room and if anyone dared to go in who wasn’t a part of their crowd they were greeted by hard and hostile stares and cutting rudeness at the bar. My girlfriends and I felt so uncomfortable here we hardly ever went in and each time we did was the same uncomfortable feeling.
After hearing that The Marlborough had changed hands I thought I’d check out its new incarnation and yes, while I agree I have seen it quiet (it’s a new business, after all, and will take time to build a loyal following) I have also been a part of fantastic busy nights, such as the time the whole busy bar was dressed in silly hats, with false balloon boobs hanging round our necks singing along to Dolly Parton songs. And not a dreadlocked hippy caterwauling to their self-​indulgent guitar in sight!
Yes, it’s a different place and I say a bloody big ‘Hooray’ for that! Not all gay women want cheap. Not all gay women want pool. Not all gay women want someone else’s bloody great dog running around causing a nuisance. Some of us prefer somewhere that is clean. Somewhere where the bar staff smile at, and chat to, everyone (not just their friends). Somewhere where the lightbulbs work in the clean toilets and someone has been considerate enough to check that the toilet paper holder is not broken and is stocked with paper. Somewhere we can hold hands with our loved ones and have a decent conversation without having to battle pounding club music. And I’ve tried their menu bloody brilliant! Much better quality of food, fantastically presented and not at rip-​off Brighton restaurant prices. And I hear they’re starting their own Sunday Roasts soon so I can’t wait!
I also don’t agree that they’re trying to be the same as any other venue. The fact is The Marlborough does have a theatre a really pretty one none of the others do. Wouldn’t the management be silly not to try and capitalise on such an asset? It is a business, after all. Which brings me to another point. As a gay woman I do feel sad that ‘women only’ venues are getting thin on the ground — not only has The Marlborough become much more inclusive, but the old ‘Candy Bar’ has changed hands recently too and will be much more mixed. But as a business woman myself I can see the sense of it. I’m sad to say that Kim, the recent owner of the CB, hit the nail on the head in an article she wrote recently where she pointed out that the reason businesses aimed at lesbians do badly is that lesbians are not good at supporting them. If we did they wouldn’t close, would they? So if ‘mixed’ is the way a business has to go in order to stay in business then maybe we should just get over it. There has to be a reason the last Marlborough management decided to abandon their friends and give up their business. And I’m guessing that reason was financial. Lesbian. Businesses. Don’t. Make. Money. Because. Lesbians. Don’t. Support. Them. Enough.
And if you don’t like it? Well, why don’t you do the study, get the qualifications, invest the money, put in the hard graft and open your own Women Only Pub? Then you can invite your friends over to play pool, drink cheap beer and let your dogs run riot in your place. Why don’t you? Because you’re all moan moan moan and nothing positive and supportive.
I say give The Marlborough a chance. Maybe the faces behind the bar are not familiar but, from what I’ve seen, they have their hearts in the right place and care about their customers. all of their customers.
Update. Since I wrote this review (August 2008) the place has changed hands again! Only this time it’s not good news. We’re back to the old cheap, nasty, aggressive crowd. And it’s filty yet again. So that’s one less decent place to go in Brighton.

Glad to hear about the change of management, as when I last went there about 9 months ago I found a cosy, central bar spoiled by surly and unfriendly staff.
If that’s changed, I give the Marlborough 5 for having a delightful theatre upstairs and being a charming venue. Otherwise my rating stands at 3.