From underground dive jaunts and booming bass sounds to cracking seaside whips for live wonderment, Brighton is a cauldron of sound on any given day thanks to our penchant for live music and bands alike. If you have a hankering for the strum of an acoustic guitar while you sip on a cocktail, then check out our recommendations for some of the best live music venues in Brighton and discover a wealth of lavish live sounds and sweet underground bands on our seaside shores.
Freemasons Tavern is a go-to for live music lovers in Brighton and Hove. This Grade II-listed spot has maintained its original name for good reason - there's real heritage here. Inside, it's all about bold interiors, exposed brickwork, and eye-catching modern art, offering the perfect backdrop for regular live music nights.
Whether you're grabbing a drink or staying for the evening, you'll find craft beer, seasonal cocktails, and South African street food to keep things lively.
Located on London Road, New Unity is a vibrant watering hole with a love of all things sport and all things music. With live DJ sets every Friday and Saturday night, along with loads of pop up entertainment events, this place is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser when it comes to casual nights out in Brighton.
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You'll find The Secret Comedy Club at Artista on Brighton Square, voted the Best Venue in the Brighton Fringe Awards for 2021. And while they may be best known for their hilarious stand-up shows, you'll also find live music here on a regular basis.
Check out their lineup of brilliant performers, in an intimate space that really lets you connect with the music. Tickets start from as little as £5 per person, and there's a fully stocked bar on site.
If you're into catching some live music in Brighton, then The Bootlegger Brighton is one cool spot for jazz, swing, blues and rock 'n' roll. Inspired by the Prohibition era, this bar is really pulling out all the stops when it comes to a feel-good night out.
While this may be one of Brighton's most unique drinking plots, The Mesmerist is also one the town's most favoured spots for a little live music. From swing bands and jazz nights to a jostle with the samba and 1930s style crooning, expect an ever-changing roster of vintage acts and live music.
@ Platf9rm on Sat, 28th Nov 2026 @ multiple start times (see ticket info)
Nothing pairs with an artisanal cocktail quite like a killer soundtrack, and the Sussex Distiller's Festival on Saturday, 28th November ensures your ears are just as entertained as your taste buds.
While you are busy navigating over ten independent bars packed with small-batch gins, rums, and local craft beers at Platf9rm, a stellar lineup of live musicians will be soundtracking the venue all day long.
Taking more to intimacy in a pub environment rather than hoards of screaming so and so's, The Black Lion boasts a chilled out evening of local live music, gypsy Jazz Sundays and the occasional open mic night for those of you that might just fancy taking to the mic yourselves.
An Irish pub with boatloads of character, The Fiddler's Elbow is favourite among folk fans for its steady programme of live music and open mic nights. Alongside acts taking to the stage throughout the week, the venue also puts together a whole line up of talent for their iconic street parties.
Dead Wax Social brings an easygoing kind of cool to Brighton's Bond Street. With a vibe that nods to record store culture and a soundtrack made entirely from vinyl, this laid-back bar keeps things refreshingly unpolished. The playlist avoids mainstream charts in favour of deep cuts and classics, creating a low-key atmosphere that feels authentic and unforced.
Add in solid craft beer from local breweries and a lineup of mouth-watering pizzas, and you've got the ideal spot to post up with mates, sip something good, and let the afternoon run into the night.
Home to regular gigs and club nights, Patterns is one of the best live music venues in the Brighton. It also hosts a weekly night, Foundations, which showcases the best up-and-coming Brighton talent, from live acts to the hottest new producers, alongside taking part in local music festivals such as The Great Escape and Washed Out.
If you fancy heading over to some live music every Friday and Saturday night, The Fitz Regent is a great shout. After the show, they stay open 'til the early hours, so you can carry on having a boogie to your heart's content.
The Brunswick in Hove is a hidden gem for live music enthusiasts. With up to 14 live shows a week, this venue offers an eclectic mix of genres, ranging from jazz to heavy metal. The Main Venue, with its 130-capacity space, and the intimate Cellar Bar (60-capacity) make it the perfect spot for everything from intimate gigs to vibrant late-night shows.
Whether you're catching a local act or a touring band, the atmosphere here is always electric. Plus, during Brighton Fringe and The Great Escape, The Brunswick really comes alive with comedy acts and all-day music events.
Ah, something for the more sumptuous of music lovers. You may not have a penchant for rowdy basement bars and guitars strewn across the stage, but how about some of the finest cocktails in Brighton and a smattering of sultry jazz?
Host to a selection of live jazz and music every Thursday night, as well as weekend DJ sets, Bohemia slow things down a little for a night of mixology mastery and smooth sounds. On the drinks front, we recommend the fruity Strawberry Fields or a Brighton Up My Rock.
Perfect for those heading on a casual night out in town, Inn On The Square has a few tricks up its sleeve to keep punters coming back for more. Not only are there pints and burgers aplenty, stick around for long enough and you'll catch a selection of live sessions in Brighton.
Big names, big noise and big shows. If they're set to make it on the circuit, they're probably played a gig at this gem. Infamous for their converted Victorian interiors, globally renowned acts and some of the best bands in the business, Concorde 2 is a must for any live music fan.
Bringing the party every weekend, Brighton's Idle Hands puts on a great selection of live music nights, from local upstarts to their house band, The Jones Street Boys, who play every Thursday. Head down to the Queens Road pub for the chance to sample some excellent beers and some great tunes.
Simply whisper the name of Green Door Store in Brighton to any live music lover, and you will impress them. This cavernous club is a stalwart on the music scene with acts on pretty much every night; add to that a jumping crowd and you're in for one cracking night.
Party hearty schmoozing and jazz nights reign supreme in Brighton's Casablanca Jazz Club where glitzy lights and high heels are replaced with basement shindigs and dusty ceilings. Authentic in their nights and local in their musical names, Casablanca keeps music in a traditional light, boasting intimate atmospheres and a barrage of sound come sun down.
From live music to epic club nights, CHALK is standing out as one of Brighton's biggest and best venues. Head on over and soak up the vibe with a banging sound system and impressive roster of ever-changing musical performers.
Music and cocktails go hand in hand at VOYA, a North Laine hotspot where resident DJs and guest selectors spin live sets from 7pm to 11 pm Thursday to Saturday. Each session is recorded, forming a 'Live at VOYA' archive that celebrates the venue's love of sound and atmosphere.
Alongside the tunes, enjoy a menu of seasonal small plates, locally sourced dishes, and a carefully curated drinks list, from elegant cocktails to wines and spirits.
