My 7 Favourite Cocktail Bars in Brighton

There are hundreds of bars and pubs in Brighton and Hove, but if you fancy a cocktail you might not be so sure where to go. I have listed below seven venues I often go when I fancy a great tasty cocktail. Personally, I’m a sucker for classic cocktails, and places where they try hard to create exciting new flavour combinations often leave me slightly disappointed. I also tend to enjoy cocktails either before or after dinner, therefore most of my favourite cocktail bars are linked to a great restaurant.

1 The Cocktail Shack

This small venue has a great cocktail menu and they use a nice variety of different spirits. The venue is linked to The Set restaurant. If you are visiting Brighton I’d recommend going for pre-dinner cocktails at The Cocktail Shack before having dinner at The Set; it’s a great experience. Don’t forget to pre-book the restaurant well in advance!

Address: 34 Regency Square, Brighton, BN1 2FJ

2 Drakes of Brighton

The cocktail bar at Drakes is quite small, but it has great views of the sea. They make a tasty Negroni, and I also love their posh Mojito, served with rosemary and champagne!

Address: 43-44 Marine Parade, Brighton BN2 1PE

3 Oki-Nami Bar

Upstairs above the Japanese Oki-Nami restaurant is a small cocktail bar with a terrace, where you can sip beautiful cocktails whilst people-watching on the busy street below. People-watching in Brighton is particularly fun – the city is full of weird and wonderful characters!

Oki-Nami bar recently launched a new cocktail menu with manga art, where each cocktail tells a unique story. It’s a different and fun way of learning more about the flavours and smells of each drink.

And on Monday to Friday from 5pm to 8pm you can drink any classic cocktail for £5! If you are in Brighton for a few days, why not book a sushi-making class at the restaurant followed by cocktails upstairs?

Address: 6 New Road, Brighton, BN1 1UF

4 La Choza

La Choza is a small Mexican street-food restaurant on the North Lanes. The food is very tasty and their Margaritas are to die for! If you love tequila, this is your place. They do not take bookings so be prepares to wait, especially on weekends.

Address: 36 Gloucester Rd, Brighton BN1 4AQ

5 Plateau

This French restaurant never fails! Every time I have visitors outside of Brighton I make sure I take them to Plateau for cocktails and dinner. Their menu changes daily, the wine list is endless and their cocktails are classics with a twist. Pisco Sour is one of my favourite cocktails and Plateau’s take on this classic is excellent.

A must-visit.

Address: 1 Bartholomews, Brighton BN1 1HG

6 Velvet Jacks

You will always have a great time at Velvet Jacks. The staff are friendly, and you can’t avoid talking with strangers here. Not a place for dinner, unless you are happy to share a pizza or vegetarian or meat platter. Cocktails are delicious here! It’s a fun way to spend an evening with friends. They also often have live music on.

Address: 50 Norfolk Square, Hove BN1 2PA

7 Black Dove

Black Dove, situated in Kemptown,  is a proper locals hangout. The bartenders are very knowledgeable, which is why I always like to sit at the bar and chat about drinks as they have a excellent selection of spirits, beers and ciders. Black Dove has the best craft beer selection and I can guarantee you will find something new to try every time you visit.

The bartenders can pretty much make any cocktail you can think of. Oh and they have great bar snacks too! Go visit – you won’t regret it!

Open seven days a week from 4ish till late.

Address: 74 St James’s Street, Brighton, BN2 1PA

Have you been to Brighton? Where do you like to eat and/or drink during your visit? 

 

* As one of my favourite cocktail bars had to close, I have edited this post 23/10/17…