Best Cocktail Bars In Brighton

• Why we recommend: We really like how dining and drinks combine at Burnt Orange, and you can see from their cocktail menu the passion that they have for smart ingredients, and even smarter mixes. This is definitely a date night must in our opinion.

The bar at Burnt Orange is renowned for its creative cocktails, like the Lychee & Basil Margarita or the Bread & Butter Old Fashioned, alongside an extensive drinks list that includes Champagne, orange wines, Mezcal, and Sake. Its wood-fired, Mediterranean-inspired menu offers small plates perfect for sharing, with standout dishes like smoked lamb shoulder cigars and grilled king prawns, and the “Burnt Orange Experience” tasting menu is a favourite for groups. Open late on weekends, it transforms into a buzzing cocktail spot ideal for spontaneous nights out.

• Why we recommend: Some cocktail bar themes can seem to be a bit of a gimmick, but we really don't think this is the case at Apiary. They're incredibly conscious of their ingredients, have a really attentive staff, and we always love the vibe when we pop by.

Shake it up at Brighton's cocktail hotspot Apiary, where the buzz of beekeeping meets the thrill of mixology. This café and cocktail joint is where you can get a taste of the unexpected and a sprinkle of playfulness. When you buzz by, you'll find yourself in a cosy, honey-themed space, where an award-winning bar team whips up concoctions featuring mead and honey-infused spirits.

• Why we recommend: We tried this cocktail bar for a quick drink before NYE recently, and we loved the energy. It's table service, and the lemon drop cocktail that I had was simple, but really charming and adult. It's a nice vibe all around and the small plates available make for a great drinking accompaniment.

A cosy neighbourhood bar in Hove, Tapestry is filled with plush velvet sofas, emerald green furnishings and a marble-topped bar. They've got all the classic cocktails to choose from here, as well as tasty signatures like the lemon drop martini or an elderflower gin spritz. There are tasty small plates and bar snacks to enjoy while you're at it, and they offer bottomless brunches and Sunday roasts here too.

• Why we recommend: We think Alcotraz really promise something different when it comes to cocktails in Brighton and there's a place for it. You can expect a really interesting mix of theatrics and flavour combined, as your smuggled liquor is transformed into a unique drink, and always a surprise.

If you're keen to ditch the bog-standard pina colada and sip on some quirkier concoctions instead, head to Alcotraz Cell Block One Three. Set in a prison, this cool immersive haunt will have guests dressed in orange boiler suits and smuggling in contraband past the guards.

Look forward to creative cocktails and indulgent British classics at this curious little spot in The Lanes. The parched can look forward to a fascinating array of molecular mixes: the 'Brighton Rock Clover' and 'Smoked Coffee Old Fashioned' come adorned in pieces of real Brighton rock and dry ice.

These can be enjoyed in the quirky bar or up on the Veuve Clicquot roof terrace, and they often host live music here as well. If you fancy some food with your cocktails, try out everything from baked camembert to grilled sea bass and crispy baby squid.

• Why we recommend: I know that not everyone likes a themed cocktail bar, but with Bootlegger, they're giving you atmosphere and creativity. The cocktail menu is old newspaper style, inspired by the roaring days of moonshine and dancing, and there's plenty of both signature and creative drinks. There's regularly live music on, so expect this place to get vibrant after dark.

For Prohibition-inspired cocktails in Brighton, look no further than The Bootlegger. Oozing 1920s vibes with its lineup of live music and graffiti wall murals, this fun spot is everything you need from a night out.

Head to No 32, one of the best cocktail bars in Brighton for a few drinks. This ambient hangout is a great place to enjoy delicious eats during the day, and a perfect location to sip on bespoke drinks and dance the night away to their resident DJ in the evening.

• Why we recommend: Things can get rowdy on many an evening at The Mesmerist thanks to their regular DJ rotation, but we really like that they're still committed to a top selection of cocktails on the menu, including both classic mixes and some fun signatures such as their Chocolate Orange espresso martini.

For those of you with a hankering for a drink with some live entertainment, The Mesmerist is a firm choice. Boasting a fabulous cocktail bar and burlesque space with a circus showroom, this 1930s inspired haunt in The Lanes will definitely not disappoint.

Offering 2-4-1 cocktails in Brighton, it's no wonder why Be At One is a huge hit with the after work crowd. Enjoy their white mocha-tini with Cazcabel coffee, white chocolate cream liqueur and Solo coffee, or opt for a chilli mango margarita for something a little spicy instead.

• Why we recommend: You'll find plenty of people make a beeline for The Joker because they want to try the award-winning fried chicken, but this moody pub is great for a cocktail by the fire too. From long drinks to short, independent liquor brands to known favourites, the team behind the bar at The Joker know how to mix a drink well.

Whether you're in the mood for post-work drinks, a date night or a fun time with friends, Brighton cocktail bar The Joker has your back. Think vintage decor, plush velvet seating and a grand piano, giving you all the sexy and suave vibes you need. 

• Why we recommend: The Golden Pineapple is always somewhere I consider taking people to first if they're after cocktails in Brighton. It's moody and romantic, but still a great place for friends and the staff really do know their stuff. Expect chilled glasses and proper adult drinks.

The Golden Pineapple in Brighton is considered one of Brighton best cocktail bars thanks to its intimate, relaxed vibe, expert mixology, and standout agave spirit selection. Tucked away in the South Lanes, it boasts Brighton's most extensive range of tequila and mezcal, paired with a creative cocktail menu that blends house originals with off-menu classics. The bar's warm lighting, eclectic décor, and friendly, knowledgeable staff create a welcoming atmosphere perfect for both casual drinks and special occasions. Add in its unique food offering, like the much-loved Papa Dumplings, and you've got a hidden gem.

• Why we recommend: We think this has been a great addition to the Lanes, as it is popular all weekend long. We like that it's a lot more laid back than some of its dining counterparts, and the cocktail menu is a really nice nod to the classics combined with Bombay ingredients. I'd recommend trying the 'Feni Martini', hailed as a nod to Indian moonshine.

Dishoom's Permit Room in Brighton is one of the city's best cocktail bars thanks to its vibrant Bombay-inspired atmosphere, inventive drinks menu, and all-day dining concept. It blends Dishoom's signature hospitality with a lively bar scene, offering creative cocktails like HighBalls and Frozen Lipsters alongside Indian street food-style snacks and curries. 

• Why we recommend: I feel like every visit to The Plotting Parlour feels different, but they always feel good. I've gone for afternoon cocktails with my husband and enjoyed the buzz, to private parties with girl friends for diverse cocktails and atmosphere. They know their drinks, and they're invested in you having a good time.

Known for its use of seasonal, sustainable ingredients and in-house infusions, The Plotting Parlour offers a unique cocktail experience with creations like the Peanut Butter & Maple Old Fashioned and Ginger & Chilli Margarita. With table service, a relaxed ambiance, and a reputation for quality, it's a go-to spot for cocktail lovers seeking something special in the heart of the city.

One of the best cocktail bars in Hove, Speakeasy at The Wick is the perfect place for class and roaring twenties flair. Escape to this prohibition retreat and enjoy their classic selection of boozy concoctions along with some well-loved spirits and nibbles.

Never mind about following the yellow brick road, it's time to follow the brick alleyway to the Twisted Lemon for some of the best cheap cocktails in Brighton. This well-loved spot is churning out a fun selection of concoctions and a happy hour between 12-9pm every Monday to Friday where you can nab £7.95 drinks.

If you're on the lookout for cocktail bars on Brighton's seafront, Drake's Bar is a great option. This dimly lit den boasts a wide range of concoctions, incorporating a number of different spirits and ingredients, with the style and opulence of metropolitan life. 

Named for an 18th Century Brightonian who captured the heart of a king, Mrs Fitzherberts is a little slice of historical glamour in Brighton. With a gorgeous space on the roof for sunning yourself and a glorious bar serving cocktails and delicious plates, they've really got it all.

Known for their eye-wateringly beautiful interiors and stunningly good drinks, The Ivy is one of the best bars in Brighton Lanes. Head over for the chance to sample blood orange margaritas, salted caramel espresso martinis and a peach liqueur-laced negroni.

Blossoms Brighton is a bold and beautiful cocktail bar and restaurant tucked in the heart of Brighton Square, serving up a sensory feast of Japanese-inspired small plates and eclectic drinks. With award-winning cocktails (including a BRAVO 2025 win for Best Cocktails), immersive events like Ghibli-themed dining nights, and a vibrant, high-energy atmosphere, Blossoms is anything but ordinary.

Right on Brighton's seafront, Pearly Cow blurs the line between restaurant and destination drinking spot. This bold grill and seafood joint champions British produce, from flame-grilled Sussex beef to ice-cold Whitstable oysters, but it's just as appealing for a polished cocktail and a few plates as it is for a meal.

The space is slick yet lively, with an open kitchen and a soundtrack of clinking glasses and sizzling grills. On the menu, you can expect to drink the signature  Boozy Cow, made using beef-fat-washed Elijah Craig, house-made Amaro, and Cointreau.

Bringing a slick slice of Emilia Romagna to Brighton, Bar 50ml is a polished Italian aperitivo bar where cocktails take centre stage. Set in a warm, burnt-orange space, it's all low lighting, relaxed glamour and drinks done properly, from perfectly balanced negronis and silky espresso martinis to house signatures like the 50ml Martini and the indulgent Tiramisu Della Mara.

The drinks list is confident and playful, backed by a tightly curated wine selection with Lambrusco firmly in the spotlight. 

Curio Café and Bar blends European café charm with a bar that knows its way around a shaker. Late evenings bring out the cocktails, each one thoughtfully made, alongside wine on tap and craft beers, while seasonal small plates keep you snacking in style.

The interiors are relaxed yet stylish, with a friendly, communal atmosphere that makes sipping negronis, spritzes, or signature cocktails feel effortless. 

For cocktails done right, VOYA is a North Laine gem. The bar serves carefully balanced, elegant drinks alongside a selection of wines and spirits, all in a cosy, intimate space with brasserie-inspired charm. House party vibes meet precision mixology here, making it ideal for pre-dinner drinks and small plates.

The seasonal menu of small plates and locally sourced dishes complements every sip, while resident DJs provide a soundtrack from 7pm to 11 pm, keeping the energy lively.

A super trendy whisky shop and bar on Trafalgar Street, Cut Your Wolf Loose is a must visit for lovers of big, bold cocktails. On a mission to prove that whisky need not be "red trousery", this cult-favourite serves up all kinds of curious concoctions alongside the old classics. 

Whether you pay a casual visit or stop by for a tasting or masterclass, you can enjoy over 300 tipples from from around the world, including rare single cask releases. The only only challenge is finding your favourite.

With warm wood interiors, inviting statement lighting and all kinds of classic cocktails, Clementine & Co serves up chic sophistication by the bucketload. Just steps from the seafront, it's perfect for a lunchtime tipple, a shopping trip pit stop or a long and leisurely night out. 

The menu packs in sensational signature serves alongside old faithfuls, from the martini to the mojito. Need something to nibble on? Locally-sourced small plates and sharing platters will see to that.

Medusa gives off the perfect blend of cosy and cool from the minute you step through the door. Think moody lighting, fairly lights, foliage and laidback tunes. Nestled on Preston Street, it's perfect for shopping trip pit stops, intimate dates or nights on the town.

Whatever brings you here, the menu gives you plenty of reasons to stick around. Expect classic martinis, fiery mezcal creations and tipples with a twist, like the Choconut Milkshake.