Why I Love My Pub: An interview with Daniel MacMunn from The White Horse at Rogate

In March 2026, Daniel’s family purchased The White Horse at Rogate, a 16th century village pub in West Sussex. A few months on, we caught up with him about reopening the pub and his ambitions for the future.

Q. What’s your background, and what were you doing before your family bought The White Horse at Rogate?

I was born in England, but grew up in Massachusetts, in the US. I started bartending in my early 20s, which was where I found my love for making and drinking cocktails. My mother and I always had the dream of opening a pub, and after years of working in the bar and restaurant industry in America, and getting stuck in England during the pandemic, we decided to purchase The White Horse in Rogate.

With my mother’s business skills and my knowledge of mixology and the restaurant industry, we decided to team up and give it a try. So far, it’s been amazing, and the village has been so welcoming and supportive.

Q. Tell us a little bit more about The White Horse – when did your family take on the pub, what attracted you to it, and how long have you been open?

My mother and I came to The White Horse in early October 2025 - it had such a good feeling! We instantly fell in love with its history and style. But what sealed the deal was when my girlfriend Lily and I were heading home from a Halloween party - it was a very dark and rainy night, and we almost hit a little hedgehog crossing the road. I immediately turned around and Lily got out to move the hedgehog, so he didn’t get hit by a car. While we were admiring our little friend, we suddenly realised we had pulled over in front of The White Horse. Right there and then, I knew this pub was meant to be, and we purchased it in late March 2026.

Q. Since the reopening of The White Horse, how have you found the response from the local community under the new ownership?”

It’s been amazing. The village has been so supportive, and helped us in so many ways. Everyone loves the food made by our amazing chef, Aaron - especially my sister, who has an order in for him every night. Our team are hard workers and bring so much more to our pub. Honestly, I can’t be anymore grateful.

Though it has been tough, I see The White Horse at Rogate grow every day. It’s great to see the pub transform as it builds character and becomes its own personality in this lovely village.

Q. Over the last few months, which area has proven to be your biggest seller - beer, cider, food, or soft drinks?

It’s funny because everything seems to be selling here. We wanted to open a pub for everyone in the village and travellers passing though. So, we have tried to create a menu that has something for even the pickiest of customers, including my mother and sister. Not only do we have an amazing pub menu with mostly fresh made dishes, but we also serve pizzas where the dough is made fresh every two to three days. The food has been selling like crazy, and most items on the menu have been popular. But even if there’s nothing that you fancy on the menu, Chef Aaron has new specials every night, including scallops, barbecue ribs and homemade Scotch eggs. And, even if you’re not that hungry, we have freshly made cocktails and a great beer selection at reasonable prices, as well as an extensive wine list and a variety of non-alcoholic options available.

But, if I had to pick our top sellers, it would definitely be the homemade pizzas, the pub menu, beer, and the specials. But the cocktails aren’t far behind – the word is getting out!

Q. What do you enjoy most about running The White Horse?

The people. I love working with our team and meeting all the villagers. The White Horse is quickly becoming my second home. I can’t wait to add things like cocktail classes, trivia, and much more. Already, The White Horse is shaping into something amazing. It’s like watching your child grow up, and I can’t wait to see where we are in a year, as we continue to build a strong relationship with this village. It’s an experience like no other.

Q. What are your hopes and ambitions for the business, over the coming months and years?

To create a pub for all, “where everyone knows your name” and special memories are created. When people decide to get together and go out, I want The White Horse at Rogate to be their first choice. That’s why we listen to suggestions and try our best to implement the valuable advice we get from our locals. We want to be much more than just a place to drink and eat.

Q. What advice would you give to those considering becoming a publican?

Do everything with passion. Also, look and listen to everything and everyone around you. People will let you know what they want if you just listen. It’s about dedication, the atmosphere and the vibe created. Build a safe place for everyone to come have a chat, a drink and a bite to eat - the rest will fall into place.

And most importantly, you are creating lovely memories. You want people to think back to the day or night they came to your pub. At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about.

For more information about The White Horse at Rogate, visit their website here.