Bar 42, Haywards Heath

Visited 04/02/26. Visited previously 27/07/23. No cask options here. Keg options of Hofmeister Helles, Shimmer a hazy session pale ale and oft seen Bongo both from Only With Love, the Rustic Table Beer from Burning Sky, Sharps Cold River cider, Alpacalypse, See Side hazy APA from Bison Beer and Pravha. Shop fronted venue with bench seating out the front redundant on this mid evening visit. Bare boarded with bar counter along rear wall. There are some ledges either side of the entrance and down the rear part of the left-hand wall with tall stool seating. Other seating via smaller tables down the right-hand wall with regular chairs and some communal benches down the middle. Left-hand wall adorned with movie related framed prints and drinks boards on right-hand wall. No screens here and low volume music with a well- stocked beer fridge to the left of the bar counter in the rear corner.

This is a new bar associated with whatever remains of Bedlam Brewery. 3 handpumps were offering no cask at all when I visited, so I had to choose from the 9 keg taps, in the £6.30 - £7.45 price range, many not surprisingly from Bedlam. As is often the case, over-priced cans can also be had. Music of the Indie-rock style was playing over the speakers. I stayed inside, deciding against the outside seating on a rainy afternoon. I found myself somewhat underwhelmed by the experience and, as both The Tap and the Lockhart nearby seem to offer a better choice, I suspect I won't be returning.