The best bars in Brighton

Voya in the North Laine feels like a pal's very stylish living room that also serves excellent food. The menu is built around small plates made with seasonal ingredients and produce from local suppliers, while the drinks list runs from creative cocktails to thoughtful non-alcoholic options. Music plays a big role here, with resident DJs setting the mood without overpowering conversation. It's small, cosy and ideal for dates, long chats with friends, or anyone who likes their dinner with a good playlist in the background.

Fourth and Church has earned its reputation as one of Hove's favourite spots for small plates and good wine. The menu highlights seasonal produce from local and European producers, paired with a rotating selection of wines, sherries, and cocktails. Counter seating and a small front bar keep things intimate, encouraging slow grazing over charcuterie, cheese and snacks. There's usually something extra going on, too, from chef pop-ups to tastings and masterclasses.

Whether you find yourself in Kemptown or Hove, The Well feels like a little local secret. Part bottle shop, part bar, it's all about natural wine, juicy Perello olives and an effortlessly cool vibe. The spaces are understated and a little tucked away, with records often spinning and the odd guest DJ dropping in. Regulars treat it like an extension of their living room, swinging by for a glass, a bottle to take home, or both. 

Plateau has long been Brighton's go-to for natural wine, but its small plates now deserve just as much attention. The menu changes regularly, spotlighting seasonal Sussex produce through dishes like whipped cod's roe with zhoug, rustic salads and generous terrines, as well as a popular roast chicken sharing feast on Sundays. The space itself is intimate and romantic, tucked away in the Lanes with bare brick, stained glass and a jazz-and-funk soundtrack humming along in the background.

Situated just steps from Brighton station, Patio's bright blue frontage sets the stage for a cool, candlelit bar that instantly feels like part of the neighbourhood. Founders Luke Williams and Nathan Moseby keep things simple but well thought out, with a strong focus on local wines, straightforward cocktails and a rotating kitchen residency that changes monthly. Sussex bottles sit alongside carefully chosen imports, while visiting chefs keep the food offering moving in new directions. It's intimate and bustling in the best way.

Tucked just off Trafalgar Street, Vine Street Tap keeps things simple while quietly offering one of the more interesting drinks selections in Brighton. A dozen ever-changing taps showcase local brews and lesser-seen UK beers, backed up by a fridge full of natural wines, ciders and the odd wild sour. The room itself is small and stylish, with pale wood, soft lighting and the occasional dog snoozing under a table.

Curio Cafe Bar near Preston Circus pulls off the rare trick of feeling equally excellent at breakfast and after dark. Daytime brings top-notch coffee, fully stacked sandwiches, and tasty brunch plates, while evenings shift toward seasonal small dishes, local charcuterie, and veggie plates made for sharing. The music is always on point, with DJs often taking over at weekends. It's relaxed, welcoming and very community-focused.

Clementine and Co on Duke Street is a lovely Brighton bar oozing soft lighting and a warm, low-key vibe. There are bar seats if you fancy watching the drinks come together, or tables for making an evening of it. The cocktail list includes the classics, a few more playful options, and a thoughtful non-alcoholic section. It's made better by the small plates and boards on offer for chowing down. It's very easy to lose track of time here, especially if happy hour is involved.

Bison Beer covers a lot of ground, from its Church Road bottleshop and bar in Hove to the Sea Lanes taproom right on the seafront. Expect house brews alongside rotating guest beers, with terraces, heaters, and blankets depending on the weather. The Sea Lanes spot adds sea views, a beach crowd and rooftop booths that work brilliantly for groups, especially after a swim. Both locations keep the same friendly, unfussy energy, often with food residencies in tow, making Bison a solid bet for relaxed drinking wherever you find it.

L'Atelier has two Brighton homes, but both share the same softly lit, quietly elegant feel. In North Laine, it's a dim, jazz-fuelled escape from the buzz outside, filled with velvet seating and classic cocktails that nod to another era. The Hove outpost is roomier and calmer, with space for groups, private parties and occasional pop-ups. Across both, wine takes centre stage, joined by rare spirits and grazing plates filled with things like burrata, anchovies and baked Camembert.

Cut Your Wolf Loose is a whisky bar and bottle shop that manages to be deeply knowledgeable without feeling intimidating. Shelves are stacked with hundreds of bottles, from Japanese rarities to smoky Islays and bold American rye, all available by the glass. The space is rustic in the best way, with neon signs, vinyl stacks and people spilling onto the street with highballs in hand. Staff are chatty and friendly, always happy to guide you towards something new.

The Plotting Parlour in Hove is a calm, candlelit cocktail bar that suits the pre-dinner crowd perfectly. A follow-up to the Old Steine original, it focuses on proper classics alongside jazzed-up house drinks, from Negroni variations to decadent espresso martinis. There's also natural wine, beer and a short list of small plates if hunger strikes. Table service keeps things relaxed, and the mood is sociable without being too loud.

Bar Valentino keeps things understated, from the doorbell entry to the plush, dimly-lit space upstairs. You'll find it discreetly tucked behind the Royal Pavilion and Theatre Royal, and is a favourite for pre- and post-show drinks, but just as good for hanging around late into the evening. The cocktail list balances classics with changing house specials, built using quality spirits and plenty of homemade elements. The soundtrack of jazz, soul and blues suits the room perfectly.