Secret Bars in Brighton

Grand Central may be something of a drinking landmark, but did you also know that it houses a hidden bar? Sitting pretty above the pub, The Nightingale Room is an illicit space offering lashings of gin and slinky live cabaret.

Head above The Mesmerist to a retro-themed cocktail bar where you'll find kitsch interiors and 70s-inspired partying. But it's not just The Flipside's looks that'll win you over. Mixologists are also shaking up everything from piña coladas with a twist to Star Wars-inspired sips.

Searching for Brighton's best secret bars? Head below street level where you'll find Alcotraz: Cell Block One Three, an immersive cocktail experience. Smuggle in spirits past a hawk-eyed warden and you'll be treated to an evening of delicious bootleg-style sips.

It might be a bit of an effort to find Twisted Lemon in The Lanes but the work is all completely worth it. Sandwiched between two buildings, this clandestine gem whips up a storm behind the counter; from banoffee pie martinis to classic caipirinhas.

Open only on Friday and Saturday nights, The Gin Tub is a glamorous haunt with a hidden downstairs bar. Home to cocktail pop-ups and Instagram-worthy installations aplenty, it's the place to get those snaps in while you sink juniper-fuelled drinks and rum-laced concoctions. 

On first encounters, The Wick looks like your standard Hove pub. However, take a trip upstairs where you'll find a 20s-themed speakeasy. Complete with Prohibition-style decor and intimate vibes, this date night den is up there with the best hidden bars in Brighton.