Cool And Quirky Bars In Brighton

The Exchange is definitely one of Brighton's hidden gems. Although this spot may seem cut-and-dried from the outside, step through the door and you'll find a haven of retro decor, upcycled furniture and old-school posters. Fronting industrial lighting and lots of leafy, potted plants, it's a relaxing spot to get involved in some quality IPAs and guest ales before tucking into proper, hearty grub like battered fish and chips. 

Step inside Apiary, a lively bar where bee-inspired cocktails and whimsical vibes fuse to create the bee's knees of experiences. From the Bee's Knees with gin, fresh lemon and Sussex honey to the Orchard Keeper with calvados and dry vermouth, the drinks here are un-bee-lievably good.

The Bootlegger Brighton is a moonshine-packed, speakeasy-themed bar found just a stone's throw from the city's iconic seafront. Nip behind the unassuming facade to find jazz, swing, blues and rock 'n' roll music, alongside Prohibtion-style drinks. All the glamour of the 1920s is poured into this cosy nook boasting exposed brickwork and a menu that packs a lot of flavour in the form of Italian bites. Chomp on cheese platters and pizzas while sipping a watermelon cosmopolitan or a raspberry mule.

Vintage arcades, delicious fare and weekly entertainment... The World's End is spicing up your evenings out. Trade in bog-standard beers for unconventional sips and take part in a quiz or drag bingo event - that's when you're not sampling their bounty of board games and Scalextric track. After you've finished your activities, tuck into burgers from Marlowe's (think chicken Kiev editions, as well as a vegetarian or vegan pattie aptly named Yeah Lovely), and sink back a couple of fresh pints. 

Inspired by the culture of New York, East Street Tap is a hop heads haven and one of the oldest boozers in Brighton, dating back to at least 1568. It's located slap bang in the middle of town, and right next to the music venue CHALK, so it's a perfect stop-off on your way to catch a gig. Head over for craft beers supplied by the likes of Brooklyn, Trillium, Alchemist, Stillwater and many more, not to mention cracking DJ sets and mouthwatering hot dogs.

Fancy heading to a bar that is as cool as it is quirky? Make your way to Sidewinder for some lip-smacking drinks and unique interiors. Adorned with curated pieces of art and mismatched vintage furniture, this is the perfect place to sip on a margarita with pals. Also, from Monday to Thursday, you can feed four for just £40: gobble down hearty a lasagna, cottage pie, chicken parmigiana and more, then finish with one of the 'big gins' this establishment is famous for. 

Enter a realm of Prohibition-themed fun with an evening at The Mesmerist. Decked out in vintage furniture and retro wares, this wacky joint is an obvious choice for those looking for something a little different, playing host to an array of circus performers, party DJs and live jazz bands. Spread over three floors and boasting four bars as well as a rooftop garden, there's plenty of space to choose from to sip on an espresso martini and tuck into Mexican-inspired fare from the kitchen. 

Grab your friends and head to one of the best secret bars in Brighton, Alcotraz: Cell Block One-Three. Set in an underground location, this immersive cocktail experience will task you with smuggling spirits past the warden while donning bright orange jumpsuits. The reward? Bespoke bootlegged concoctions whipped up by the long-serving inmates. Inspired by Hollywood films and TV shows, it's a theatrical bar perfect for date night or group days out with tickets from £31.50 per person. 

Searching for cool bars in Brighton? They don't get much better than Proud Cabaret. A glamorous 20s-style den of drinking and debauchery in Kemptown, this spot will delight you with burlesque acts, drag shows and decadent brunch bonanzas. Tickets to the drag-run lunch extravaganza start from £29 each and include heaps of entertainment, world-class performances, karaoke and moreish plates like chorizo, onion and cheddar frittatas, plus black cherry Bakewell tarts. 

Part of the iconic brand, BrewDog is dishing up its signature craft beer and industrial-style interiors. Only a short walk from the famous Royal Pavilion and armed with a whopping 30 taps filled with hoppy sips and two fridges of bottled booze, the town centre haunt also cooks burgers, wings and snacks. Swing by on a Wednesday to chomp on bottomless wings or hit the watering hole up on a Monday to enjoy 2-4-1 on vegan mains.

Located in The Lanes, Mrs Fitzherbert is a brilliantly bizarre cocktail bar inspired by King George IV's mistress Maria Fitzherbert. Along with vibrant decor - including female busts, eclectic picture frames and wall-hanging mannequin legs, there are also plant pot libations and teapot tipples to choose from. Dabble in two for £13 cocktails and pick from the likes of peach-flavoured Tom Collins and espresso martinis. And if you're hungry? You'll be thrilled to find some delicious Greek food in the form of souvlaki wraps to gobble up.

Tempest is undoubtedly one of Brighton's most interesting seafront bars. Enjoy a frothy pint while taking in unspoiled sea views from the outdoor terrace or snuggle up in your own grotto-style booth at this memorable little cavern. This quirky venue also plays host to an array of live music events, such as Dykes On Decks, plus disco sessions. Alongside fun-filled events, the food menu isn't too shabby either, with grilled delicacies courtesy of Bonito's chef Alistair Munro. Gobble up crispy seaweed or nori and sesame seasoned fries, washed down with a classic G&T.

When you next fancy booking a table for dinner and drinks? Check out our brand-spanking-new search engine. You can choose between thousands of venues across the UK and earn reward points that you can spend on the best events and experiences. 

Up there with Brighton's best bars in The Lanes, Lucky Voice is welcoming Mariah Carey wannabes, Dutch courage crooners and all-out stage performers to its karaoke playground. Grab your mates, get a booth and sip on fruity concoctions named after pop classics 'til classics come rolling out. At £10.70 a pop, enjoy the likes of the Ziggy Stardust, made with raspberry syrup and lychee juice, or the mezcal-based Bitter Sweet Symphony. 

The Wine Cellar Brighton is a charming bar that's home to over 70 stunning vinos from across the globe. Whether you're looking for date night ideas or somewhere to host a birthday, this unique venue is sure to hit the spot. Sit outside at one of the intimate alfresco dining tables or make your way into a cosy room filled with unique bottles lining the walls, before tucking into the ultimate grazing selection (£44.95, think cheeses meats, biscuits and olives), paired with a glass of red, white or pink. 

Pier Nine is a lively gaming venue and bar along Brighton beachfront. Whether you're in the mood for a round of roulette, want to sing along to your favourite ballads or are keen to catch up on the latest matches, this shiny seafront haunt has got your evening down to a tee. You can also bag a burger and a drink here from as little as £8.50, plus you'll uncover a load of classic tipples like pornstar martinis and brambles for under a tenner.

Searching for a rooftop haunt? Then make your way to Oculist on Boyce's Street. This much-loved venue is home to a swoon-worthy rooftop space with fairy lights and a giant eye as a centrepiece; it's perfect for sunny days or cooler nights thanks to its heaters. Pair all this with a mouthwatering food and drinks menu and you've got yourself a corker of a Brighton hangout. Bring your friends to sip on G&Ts and pints alongside towering burgers and fries.

Cute, quirky and a little kitsch, The Breakfast Club is always worth a visit if you're in the area. Adorned with stained glass windows and pretty, royal blue booths, it makes for an aesthetically pleasing background to gobble up loaded sandwiches in. It boasts a mouthwatering selection of Mexican eggs and pancake stacks topped with fresh berries, lemon and vanilla cream. This charming bar and brunch destination also has a hefty choice of quality cocktails, such as mimosas and mai tais. 

A popular choice at any time of day, No 32 is also a fun place for those looking for rooftop bars in Brighton. Whether you're here for a leisurely brunch, a flirty date or some midnight larks, you're guaranteed to find all this and more at the glamorous Duke Street bar. Find two floors of fun, as well as a pretty terrace here. Inside you'll find a dazzling chandelier in the middle of the dancefloor, and cosy, leather sofas filled with punters sipping a flirty pink Flamingo, made with tequila and cranberry juice, or a Flat White Martini, surround. 

Dead Wax Social is a must for lovers of all things vinyl as its entire soundtrack is dedicated to the beautiful form. The Bond Street boozer is jam-packed with old-school records and individual players if you fancy a private listening session, as well as a slice of Dee Dee's New York-style pizzas and locally brewed craft beers on tap to keep you fuelled up. Spot the neon signage from afar then wander on through to catch some DJ sets and games nights. 

With an on-site brewery creating uber-fresh craft pints, a knockout food menu, raucous bottomless brunch parties and weekly DJ sets, North Laine Brewhouse is definitely a must-try in the city. Every Wednesday, you'll be able to test your general knowledge thanks to Quizzy With Lizzy, and there's even a chance to get stuck in with a guided tour around the brewery. You won't get thirsty at this lively haunt, especially with beers like Professor Citra and High Maintenance on tap.

One of Brighton's best places for a night out, Patterns is a cool beachfront bar, club and restaurant providing you with tasty drinks and party tunes. Its regular roster of live music events and top-notch DJ sets makes this beauty a go-to come Friday evening. You'll find a gorgeous south-facing terrace perfect for soaking up the sun with a tequila-based Devil's Kiss in hand during the warmer months. Then, check out the low-lit basement downstairs where the party truly gets started on the weekend. 

Loaded with bags of character, quirky interiors (think marble table tops and custom-built 'Express booths'), plus a selection of hot DJs, The Joker is your one-stop shop for fun nights out in Brighton. Come for a feast of comfort food from Lost Boys Chicken, play some pool in their upstairs games room or sip on some knockout concoctions in their cocktail lounge. Better yet, it fronts a gorgeous rooftop bar where you can get your lips around pomegranate sours and mandarin mezcal margaritas with your mates under twinkly fairy lights.

Part of the iconic Brighton i360, Seascape is a stunning bar that looks out over the beachfront, raised 450 feet above the ground. This pod ascends every half an hour, giving ticket holders the chance to come and go as they please, while enjoying the views.

There's a cracking selection of classic and signature cocktails on offer, as well as plenty of booze-free options. Sip on a tequila-based Seawater Elixir, or opt for the tart, fruity Cherry Reef instead.

Renowned across the country for its buzzy atmosphere and potent drinks, Be At One is an obvious choice for those of you looking to let loose and enjoy some fruity cocktails. It fronts exposed brick walls, low-hanging lights and lots of leather bool stools to perch upon where you can enjoy some cracking deals. Hit up the Castle Square party bar for its daily happy hours and top-notch sips: look forward to the Paradise Punch, made with Disaronno and Southern Comfort, plus the gin-based Singapore Sling. 

The Spirit Level is the pop-up bar that has cool and quirky covered with its signature concoctions, like the celery margarita, served alongside sharing platters to boot. It's a female-led organisation that runs regular nights at Tilt Kitchen, as well as specialises in private events and parties (so you can bring a bar to your very own home). Drinks change monthly too, so every time you return there'll be something new to try.

A stylish Prohibition-inspired watering hole in the heart of Hove, Speakeasy at The Wick is hidden above an unassuming pub. Filled with deep mahogany booths, decadent liquor cabinets and a classic cocktail menu, this intimate hangout is perfect for a date night drink or two. Listen to the low hum of 20s jazz buzzing through the speakers as you ponder over a Side Car, made with brandy Cointreau or a Mary Pickford, dedicated to the film star in Cuba and concocted with rum, pineapple and cherry liqueur.

A must for fans of theatrical drinks, Bohemia is bringing you smoky sips and medieval gothic interiors, as well as a stylish roof terrace in partnership with Veuve Clicquot Champagne. Set over three floors, this liquor emporium is a sure-fire win for fancy date nights and meet-ups with mates. Here you can sip on the likes of a Smoked Coffee Old Fashioned (£14) with Havana 7yo and homemade spiced syrup, or the gin-based Brighton Up My Rock (£13). Fancy something a little more daring? How about the Jekyll & Hyde (£14), laced with absinthe?