Weird & Wonderful Bars in Brighton
Ever contrary, Brighton has always been one to champion the unique, the weird and the wonderful. It's friendly and non-judgmental approach to life extends across its bar and pub offering, serving up all sorts of unusual cocktail concoctions in wonderfully creative spaces. Check out our top picks for weird and wonderful drinking dens in Brighton; you won't be disappointed - promise.
Set in a series of caves along the seafront, The Tempest is one of Brighton's more unusual watering holes. The venue is a great place for pints or if you want to check out the quirky space some more, get dinner or one of their legendary Sunday roasts.
Inspired by all things unconventional, The Mesmerist is a damn quirky hangout in The Lanes, and undoubtedly one of our top choices for weird and wonderful bars in Brighton. Paying sweet homage to both the gin palaces of the 1930s and the steampunk movement, The Mesmerist is wonderfully unique and a stellar spot for a night of jazz tunes or burlesque moves.
Delightfully dusty and unquestionably unique, The Black Dove is something of an emporium of knick-knacks, vintage wares and age old paraphernalia. The creative approach to interior design is charmingly matched by their liquid offering: boasting a 'Cocktail Bible' of creative concoctions, and an impressive selection of international craft beers and locally brewed ales, you're sure to find something to quench that damn thirst.
Something of a party institution in Brighton, FunFair delivers night after night of party hearty dance floors, eclectic furnishings and circus inspired revelry. A diverse mix of mystifying performers regularly take to the stage to showcase the best that Brighton has to offer in burlesque, live snake charmers, magicians and firebreathers - not for the faint hearted, FunFair is one of the most wickedly weird and wonderful bars in Brighton.
Rough, ready and downright rock and roll, Hotel Pelirocco is a hotel bar unlike anything else. A fun and brazen retreat in the city, guests can expect misshapen oddities, bespoke wallpapers, red velvet boudoirs and a personal disco ball. Known for intimate gig nights, book readings and cocktail parties alike, this is your one stop shop for the off-kilter in Brighton.
Raggedy books, vintage fare and a deli-style selection of hot dogs. That's JW Lennon's for ya. A homage to the traditional Irish and American style bars that came to prominence at the end of the 19th century, this Kemp Town bar is something of a love letter to back street bars of a bygone era; overflowing with charm, JW Lennon's is one of our favourite weird and wonderful bars in Brighton.
Holding no alcohol on the premises, BYOC is a drinking establishment unlike all others in Brighton. Reminiscent of 1920s prohibition lounges, BYOC is glorious and brooding, boasting an expanse of exposed brick and masterful mixologists that will happily concoct anything and everything required of them by their clientele. The essence is simple: bring a bottle of your favourite spirit and watch as these champion cocktail craftsmen mix up one helluva storm.
Drawing in a cool crowd of messy haired creative types, Sticky Mike's is a small but perfectly formed art space that serves slush puppy cocktails, organic beers and craft ales. Famed for their raucous party shindigs, live shows and regular DJ nights, Sticky Mike's are masters of the local independent scene. Expect all sorts of weird and alternative madness at Sticky Mike's.
Whaddya get when you combine dark black chesterfield sofas, mirrored walls, glowing red lights and some of the most spectacular cocktails imaginable? Bohemia on The Lanes. Expect all sorts of molecular madness at this extensive and versatile drinking spot: the 'Brighton Rock Clover' and 'Smoked Coffee Old Fashion' come adorned in pieces of real Brighton rock and dry ice; trust us, you gotta see 'em to believe 'em.
Everyone's favourite junkyard, The Bee's Mouth offers a plethora of unique events, a treasure chest of bottled beers and a bizarre collection of oddities. Manoeuvre your way through the multitude of cosy nooks that make up this undersized watering hole and locate the live music room or the mirorred basement den; a charming and unexpected addition to this weird and wonderful bar in Brighton.
