Secret Bars In Brighton

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

Enter The Mesmerist's doors and head upstairs to The Flipside: an illicit retro-themed haunt where you'll find kitsch interiors along with 70s-inspired decor. But it's not just looks that'll win you over, as mixologists are also offering Star Wars-inspired sips.

If you can manage to find the secret door, you'll be rewarded with a den of cool vintage photos, Champagne-laced cocktails and French charm. Whether you're popping in for a sultry date night or a catch-up with pals, North Laine's L'Atelier Du Vin is bound to impress.

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

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 Insta-worthy installations aplenty, it's the place to get those snaps in, all while you sink juniper-fuelled drinks or rum-laced concoctions. 

On first encounter, The Wick looks like your standard Hove boozer. However, take a trip upstairs to find a 20s-themed speakeasy. Thanks to Prohibition-style decor and intimate vibes, this date night den is up there with the best bars in Brighton.

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.