Dive barRock Place

Brighton Rocks

New Orleans-style cocktail den down a Kemptown alley

5.3/10

Local score

No. 89 of 212 pubs & bars on r/brighton, from 24 locals across 27 threads.

100% would send a mate. Still recommended in 2026.

A dive-bar-style cocktail and whisky spot tucked down an alleyway in Kemptown, praised for friendly staff, a big bourbon and whisky selection, and a laid-back vibe good for first dates or board games. It also hosts DJ nights and offers local artists free gallery space for a week with no commission.

Go for
Cocktails, whisky and a relaxed first date

What locals say

…tickets for the street party they can get in but be aware it's insanely crowded and can be quite overwhelming. In terms of activities it's really just drinking and drug taking. There are a few places playing music in the street and if you can fight your way all the way up to Brighton Rocks they have a DJ and a whole closed off street to dance in. Being underage she's probably not going to get served in the bars but can still enjoy the music and general vibe. If she does drink then presumably her 18+ friends will probably just buy drinks for her. But I can't stress enough just how…
u/Krizzlin, 202312 upvotes“How accessible is the Pride weekend if you are only 17, with a bunch of 18+ friends?”
For pubs The Black Dove, Hand in Hand and Brighton Rocks are my faves. All really nice. The Open Bakery is great. I feel like we don't have as many great restaurants as we should, but the Peruvian place (Kusikuy or similar) is good if that's still open.
u/TeamPangloss, 20267 upvotes“The best of Kemptown - your favourite shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants?”
…as I'm a sober loser whos worked too long in hospitality to enjoy it, but commenting to boost your post- Queens Arms I believe has drag every night, lively atmosphere Legends is apparently pretty lively (and open til 4) but I know a lot of people who love it and recommend it Brighton Rocks and Black Dove in the other direction are both really nice pubs with great staff and general…
u/CatMacLennan, 20245 upvotes“Midweek gay/str8 bar crawl in June - help plan my route?”
Not really a great selection in Brighton anymore. East Street Tap is the best by far now that Dead Wax is dead, but the Prince Albert is also good, and if you’re after live music Pipeline is also banging - but more of a venue than a boozer. Brighton Rocks and the Oak in Kemptown also have good tunes most days, but are less rock bars.
u/jeffe_el_jefe, 20255 upvotes“Indie rock bars”

Ranked from 21,200 r/brighton comments. Summaries are written by AI from what locals said; quotes are word for word. Not affiliated with Reddit. Back to the guide