Sunshine and Cocktails
FIONA MCGARRY visits deluxe restaurant and cinema, The Sussex Exchange
The first time I visited The Sussex Exchange, I was struck by the fact that the clientele were nearly all women. This was perhaps because I was there to see Barbie with my 93-year-old mother and my two daughters – while the males of the family babysat. It was a perfect venue for Barbie: the pink cherry blossom décor imparts a calm, friendly and feminine atmosphere. Even the lighting has a pink hue, while some of the cocktails (and the mayonnaise) are very pink.
It is set in an impressive modern building, slightly unusual in that it seems in the middle of nowhere, the town to the east and the beautiful Sussex countryside to the west. It describes itself as “an eco-friendly restaurant and bar plus conference and event venue … with views over the ancient woodland of the Marline Valley.”
Encouraged by the setting, I went again with my elderly mother, this time for an elegant Sunday afternoon tea. There was a good range of tasty sandwiches and cakes, and the huge scones came with lashings of jam and cream,
We sat on the terrace, which had a Love Island/ Mediterranean vibe and was warm and sunny. Again, the clientele was predominantly female – both young and old (20s to 90+). It’s the sort of place that will appeal to a lot of women, perhaps because it feels safe, luxurious and spotlessly clean (apart from the ‘dirty burgers’). The attentive but low-profile staff had tablets and headsets – more Dubai than Hastings.
My third visit was for drinks at sundown. Customers had described the cocktails and mocktails as “elegant and more-ish”, “unreal”, “insane” and “the best around”, so I had to see for myself, this time with my husband. We chose two of their best sellers, a pink one and a blue one: the Cherry Blossom, with cherry vodka and Sourz, cranberry and lemonade and the Majestic, with blue Raspberry Vodka and blue curacao and served with peacock feathers. Egged on by the cocktails we then ordered a mezze for two – after all, it is Lebanese owned. It’s not our usual kind of afternoon out but it was fun and relaxing.
Most online reviews for the Sussex Exchange are peppered with superlatives and adjectives like “AMAZEBALLS!” although a few customers have complained about their meat being too rare (or is it just the pink LED lighting?) and one or two raised an eyebrow at the titanic amount of ice in their cocktails. The “loud beach music” and occasional entertainers (bongo player, saxophonist, magician) don’t appeal to everyone. But, if you fancy treating yourself to a bougie cocktail or two; a naughty cream tea; a vibrant meal while you watch the vibrant sunset or, of course, an immersive cinema experience … this could be the place to throw caution to the wind and just go for it.
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