The locals' guide

Brighton, as told by locals

Where to eat, drink and go out, ranked by what people on r/brighton say. We read 7,105 threads where someone asked for a recommendation and scored 361 places on 21,200 comments.

Brighton's best pubs & bars

97 places, best first

  1. Prince AlbertLocal favourite

    Music pubTrafalgar Street

    Cheap pints and grassroots gigs by the station

    Live music · Lively · Pre-show drink

    9.8/10

  2. The Lion & LobsterLocal favourite

    Traditional pubSillwood Street

    Labyrinthine local with a roof terrace and Sunday roast

    Cosy · Pre-show drink · Late one

    9.8/10

  3. Great EasternLocal favourite

    Traditional pubTrafalgar Street

    Trafalgar Street institution with cheap cask ale and chaos

    Proper ale · Pre-show drink · Late one

    9.8/10

  4. Hand in HandLocal favourite

    Traditional pubUpper St James Street

    Tiny Kemptown local that feels like a front room

    Quiet pint · Pre-show drink · Date

    9.7/10

  5. The ActorsLocal favourite

    LGBTQ+ barPrince's Street

    Brighton's beloved queer pub, formerly The Marlborough

    Pre-show drink · Date · By the sea

    9.6/10

  6. The Hope and RuinLocal favourite

    Music pubQueen's Road

    Vegan pub grub and grassroots gigs on Queens Road

    Live music · Lively · Late one

    9.5/10

  7. The Caroline of BrunswickLocal favourite

    Music pubDitchling Road

    Brighton's alternative rock and metal local, with comedy nights

    Live music · Pre-show drink · Lively

    9.3/10

  8. The Hole In The WallLocal favourite

    Real ale pubQueensbury Mews

    Tiny craft pub, cheap cask ale, cult Buckfast Negroni

    Proper ale · Craft beer · Cheap

    9.3/10

  9. The Evening StarLocal favourite

    Real ale pubSurrey Street

    Unbeatable real ale by the station, no frills

    Proper ale · Pre-show drink · Craft beer

    9.3/10

  10. The Bat and Ball

    Traditional pubDitchling Road

    Infamous dive pub - cheap, rough, weirdly loved by locals

    9.2/10

  11. Robin HoodLocal favourite

    Traditional pubNorfolk Place

    Cosy Hove pub stacked with board games

    Date · Quiet pint

    9.2/10

  12. The IndependentLocal favourite

    Craft beer barQueen's Park Road

    Worth the hill climb for serious craft beer

    Craft beer · Proper ale · Cheap

    9.2/10

  13. The Plotting ParlourLocal favourite

    Cocktail barSteine Street

    Brighton's go-to fancy cocktail bar for dates

    Date · Cocktails

    9.0/10

  14. The Urchin

    GastropubBelfast Street

    Relaxed Hove seafood pub, own beer, not overpriced

    Pub food · By the sea · Date

    9.0/10

  15. Haus On The Hill

    Traditional pubSouthover Street

    Hanover local serving Brighton's best Sunday roast

    Craft beer · Pub food · Proper ale

    9.0/10

  16. The Geese

    GastropubSouthover Street

    Legendary sausage & mash and Sunday roasts in Hanover

    Pub food · Big group · Date

    8.8/10

  17. The Mucky Duck

    GastropubManchester Street

    Local pub famous for its Thai kitchen

    Pub food · Proper ale · Pre-show drink

    8.8/10

  18. The Roundhill

    GastropubDitchling Road

    All-vegan pub famous for Sunday roasts and deals

    Pub food · Date

    8.7/10

  19. The Black Dove

    Craft beer barSt. James's Street

    Dark, cosy cocktail den at the top of Kemptown

    Cocktails · Pre-show drink · Craft beer

    8.7/10

  20. The Good Companions

    Traditional pubDyke Road

    Reliable Seven Dials local with a big function room

    Quiet pint · Big group · Beer garden

    8.7/10

  21. Brunswick

    Music pubHolland Road

    Hove local famous for its Tuesday jazz jam

    By the sea · Beer garden · Live music

    8.6/10

  22. The Bee's Mouth

    Music pubWestern Road

    Dark, dingy dive bar with weekly live jazz

    Late one · Live music · Pre-show drink

    8.5/10

  23. The Twisted LemonLocal favourite

    Cocktail barMiddle Street

    Tucked-away Middle Street bar built for cocktail dates

    Date · Cosy · Cocktails

    8.4/10

  24. The Railway Bell

    Traditional pubSurrey Street

    Cheapest pint by the station, big match-day TV

    Cheap · Proper ale · Late one

    8.4/10

  25. The Pond

    GastropubGloucester Road

    North Laine pub famed for bao buns and craft beer

    Craft beer · Pub food · Cheap

    8.3/10

  26. The Shakespeare's Head

    Traditional pubChatham Place

    Seven Dials pub famous for bangers, mash and roasts

    Cosy · Live music · Proper ale

    8.3/10

  27. The Pipeline

    Music pubLittle East Street

    Punk and metal pub with gigs upstairs

    Live music · Late one · Pre-show drink

    8.3/10

  28. The Hop Poles

    Traditional pubMiddle Street

    Cosy Lanes pub with a chill older crowd

    Beer garden · By the sea · Cosy

    8.2/10

  29. The Hare and Hounds

    Traditional pubLondon Road

    Preston Circus pub with a party-friendly upstairs room

    Big group

    8.1/10

  30. The Yellow Book

    Dive barYork Place

    Brighton's proper goth bar with cheap doubles

    Live music · Cheap · Quiet pint

    8.1/10

  31. Bottom's Rest

    Traditional pubLower Market Street

    Queer-owned, friendly pub tucked near the Old Market

    Quiet pint · Date · Craft beer

    8.1/10

  32. The Black Lion

    Late-night barBlack Lion Street

    Late-night DJs, dancing, and a proper Sunday roast

    Lively · Late one · Pre-show drink

    8.0/10

  33. The Setting Sun

    Traditional pubWindmill Street

    Hanover pub with the best sunset view

    Beer garden · Date · By the sea

    8.0/10

  34. Farm Tavern

    GastropubFarm Road

    Hove's alt-rock pub with a standout Sunday roast

    Date · Pub food · Late one

    7.9/10

  35. The Southern Belle

    GastropubWaterloo Street

    Hove favourite for Sunday roast, deals and private parties

    Big group · Date · Pub food

    7.9/10

  36. The Paris House

    Music pubWestern Road

    Cosy Western Road pub for proper live jazz

    Live music · Lively

    7.8/10

  37. The Battle of Trafalgar

    Traditional pubTrafalgar Road2 sites

    Quiet station-side pub with a suntrap garden

    Quiet pint · Beer garden · Late one

    7.8/10

  38. The Golden Pineapple

    Cocktail barShip Street

    Ship Street cocktail bar with a dumpling residency

    Pre-show drink · Cocktails

    7.8/10

  39. French Horn

    GastropubDyke Road

    Seven Dials pub famous for Sunday raclette and burgers

    Quiet pint · Date · Pub food

    7.8/10

  40. Cut Your Wolf Loose

    Cocktail barTrafalgar Street

    Trafalgar Street whisky bar with brilliant staff

    Quiet pint · Date · Pre-show drink

    7.8/10

  41. The World's End

    Seafront barLondon Road

    Arcade games, VR and racing seats, pub attached

    Big group · By the sea

    7.7/10

  42. Fortune of War

    Seafront bar1NB

    Ship-shaped seafront pub with free weekend DJs

    Pre-show drink · Date · Lively

    7.7/10

  43. Seven Stars

    Late-night barShip Street

    Ship Street local loved for fish, chips and roasts

    Late one · By the sea · Lively

    7.7/10

  44. The Gladstone

    Music pubLewes Road

    Punk gigs, queer-friendly regulars, and a heated beer garden

    Live music · Lively · Beer garden

    7.6/10

  45. The Signalman

    Traditional pubDitchling Rise

    Preston Circus local loved for roasts, quiz, garden

    Cosy · Beer garden · Big group

    7.6/10

  46. The Foundry

    Music pubFoundry Street

    Laid-back Laine pub with good tunes and quiz

    Live music · Craft beer · Proper ale

    7.6/10

  47. East Street Tap

    Music pubEast Street

    Dark, loud, alternative pub for the rock crowd

    Late one · Live music · Cheap

    7.5/10

  48. The Windmill

    GastropubUpper North Street

    Alberta's fried chicken and roasts steal the show

    Craft beer · Proper ale · Pub food

    7.4/10

  49. The Rossi Bar

    Music pubQueen's Road

    Basement gigs and cheap cocktails on Queen's Road

    Cheap · Pre-show drink · Live music

    7.4/10

  50. The Heart & Hand

    Traditional pubNorth Road

    North Laine local famous for its resident pub cats

    Quiet pint · Pre-show drink

    7.4/10

  51. L'Atelier du Vin

    Cocktail barSt. George's Place2 sites

    Intimate prohibition-style cocktails near Seven Dials

    Cocktails · Date · Late one

    7.4/10

  52. The Earth and Stars

    Traditional pubWindsor Street

    Cosy Windsor Street local with Tuesday chess and vegan food

    Cosy · Date · Pub food

    7.2/10

  53. The Mesmerist

    Music pubPrince Albert Street

    Multi-room Lanes bar for cocktails, dancing, live jazz

    Cocktails · Live music · Lively

    7.2/10

  54. The Joker

    GastropubPreston Road

    Home of Lost Boys wings, Brighton's favourite chicken pub

    Pub food · Late one · Lively

    7.1/10

  55. Preston Park Tavern

    GastropubHavelock Road

    Brighton's best Sunday roast, worth the hill

    Date · Pub food · Beer garden

    7.1/10

  56. Dead Wax Social

    Late-night barBond Street

    Punky late-night bar, though recent revamp split opinion

    Late one · Lively · Pub food

    7.0/10

  57. The Constant Service

    GastropubIslingword Road

    Hanover's cherished Harveys pub, epic Sunday roasts

    Pub food · Big group · Late one

    7.0/10

  58. Mash Tun

    Student pubChurch Street

    Scruffy-cool North Laine local, loud and always busy

    Lively · Late one · Pre-show drink

    6.9/10

  59. The Basketmakers Arms

    GastropubGloucester Road

    North Laine local covered in decades of tins on the walls

    Proper ale · Big group · Cosy

    6.9/10

  60. Prince George

    GastropubTrafalgar Street

    Vegetarian pub grub and a legendary Sunday roast

    Quiet pint · Cosy · Pre-show drink

    6.9/10

  61. Barley Mow

    Traditional pubSt. Georges Road

    Kemptown's cosy, quintessential local since the 60s

    Cosy · Proper ale · Pre-show drink

    6.9/10

  62. The Juggs

    Traditional pubStreet

    600-year-old downland pub on the Lewes walk

    6.8/10

  63. The Westbourne

    GastropubPortland Road

    Hove local nailing Sunday roasts and Tuesday quiz

    By the sea · Pub food

    6.7/10

  64. Jolly Brewer

    Traditional pubDitchling Road

    Ditchling Road local famous for its Tuesday quiz

    Date

    6.7/10

  65. The Well

    Craft beer barSt Georges Road

    Kemptown bottle-shop bar with natural wine and pizza

    Quiet pint · Proper ale · Craft beer

    6.6/10

  66. The Poets Ale and Smokehouse

    GastropubMontgomery Street

    Hove local famous for wings, burgers and BBQ

    Big group · Pub food · Cheap

    6.6/10

  67. Lucky Voice

    Cocktail barBlack Lion Street

    Private-booth karaoke in the Lanes, book weeks ahead

    Big group · Date · Late one

    6.5/10

  68. The Cow

    Craft beer barDyke Road

    Seven Dials craft pub, pints can bite your wallet

    6.4/10

  69. The Eddy

    Sports pubUpper Gloucester Road

    Seven Dials sports pub with big screens, friendly owners

    6.3/10

  70. The Duke of Wellington

    Sports pubUpper Gloucester Road

    Old-school football pub by the station

    Live music · Craft beer · Proper ale

    6.1/10

  71. The White Rabbit

    GastropubKensington Gardens

    North Laine local famous for roasts and refurb rows

    Pre-show drink · Beer garden · Lively

    6.1/10

  72. Martha Gunn

    GastropubUpper Lewes Road

    Pool table, quiz nights, and Brighton's best roast

    Pub food · Quiet pint · Date

    6.1/10

  73. Plateau

    Spanish & tapasBartholomews

    Reasonably priced small plates and quality organic wine

    6.1/10

  74. The Dorset

    Traditional pubNorth Road

    North Laine pub for coffee, backgammon and people-watching

    Beer garden · Pre-show drink · Lively

    6.0/10

  75. The Eagle

    Traditional pubGloucester Road

    Home to Namo's excellent Thai, but pricey pints

    Pub food

    5.9/10

  76. The Islingword Inn

    Traditional pubQueen's Park Road

    Hanover local with roaring fire, board games, great burgers

    Cosy · Proper ale · Big group

    5.9/10

  77. William the Fourth

    Craft beer barChurch Street

    North Laine craft beer pub, dimly lit and bustling

    Date · Craft beer · Lively

    5.9/10

  78. Mrs Fitzherberts

    Cocktail barNew Road

    Cheap cocktails and free upstairs room for hire

    Cocktails · Cheap · Pre-show drink

    5.8/10

  79. Caxton Arms

    Music pubNorth Gardens

    Darts, board games and free comedy every Wednesday

    Pre-show drink · Big group · Lively

    5.7/10

  80. Fallen Angel

    LGBTQ+ barGrafton Street

    Tiny cocktail bar with a cosy fireplace, Kemptown

    Cosy

    5.7/10

  81. Open House

    Sports pubSpringfield Road

    London Road pub famous for its beer garden

    Big group

    5.5/10

  82. The Quadrant

    Music pubNorth Street Quadrant

    Calm clock-tower boozer with comedy nights upstairs

    Pre-show drink · Quiet pint · Big group

    5.5/10

  83. Camelford Arms

    GastropubCamelford Street

    Kemptown pub famous for enormous portions and quiz

    Pub food

    5.5/10

  84. The Green Dragon

    Traditional pub- 9 Sydney Street

    North Laine pub, famous pie-and-pint deal, Monday quiz

    Cheap

    5.5/10

  85. The Brick

    Craft beer barPreston Street

    Preston Street craft beer with Czech taps and sea-view benches

    Craft beer · Proper ale

    5.4/10

  86. The Victory

    Music pubDuke Street

    Cosy Laines pub with regular blues nights

    Pre-show drink · Live music · Quiet pint

    5.4/10

  87. The Connaught

    GastropubHove Street

    Hove Street favourite for roasts, garden and schnitzel

    Beer garden · Pub food · Date

    5.3/10

  88. Hove Place

    GastropubFirst Avenue

    Secluded beer garden, seriously good roasts

    Date · Quiet pint · Pub food

    5.3/10

  89. Brighton Rocks

    Dive barRock Place

    New Orleans-style cocktail den down a Kemptown alley

    Lively · Big group · Pre-show drink

    5.3/10

  90. The Kemp

    GastropubSt Georges Road

    Solid Sunday roast and nachos, Kemptown local

    Date · Beer garden · Pub food

    5.2/10

  91. The Fountain Head

    GastropubNorth Road

    North Road pub famous for vegan burgers

    Lively · Pub food

    5.2/10

  92. The Wick Inn

    Late-night barWestern Road

    Cheap Thai food, jazz and poker, divisive reputation

    Lively · Late one · Big group

    5.1/10

  93. The Star & Garter

    Traditional pub- 17 Kings Road

    Kings Road pub famed for Cutie Pies Detroit pizza

    By the sea

    5.1/10

  94. The Railway Inn

    Traditional pubStation Road

    Portslade local: cheap pints, heated garden booths

    Quiet pint · Big group · Cheap

    5.1/10

  95. Molly Malone's

    Music pubWest Street

    West Street Irish pub, dancing till 4am, pricey drinks

    Late one · Lively · Live music

    5.0/10

  96. Lord Nelson

    Traditional pubTrafalgar Street

    Traditional Harveys boozer near the station, proper quiz

    Proper ale · Cheap · Beer garden

    5.0/10

  97. The Argyle Arms

    GastropubArgyle Road

    Under-the-radar pub serving Brighton's best smokehouse BBQ

    Pub food

    5.0/10

How the guide works

We read every r/brighton post since 2017, kept the threads where someone asked for a recommendation, and matched the replies to real places on OpenStreetMap and the Food Standards Agency register.

An AI model read each mention: is it about this place, is it a joke, is it praise or a warning? The score out of 10 comes from head-to-heads. It is a place's chance of beating an average place of its kind on what locals say. A pale score means fewer than 5 locals have weighed in.

Summaries are written by AI from those comments; quotes are word for word and link back to Reddit. No paid places, no Google reviews. Not affiliated with Reddit. If a quote is yours and you want it gone, use the link under it. Updated October 2026.