Cocktail barSteine Street

The Plotting Parlour

Brighton's go-to fancy cocktail bar for dates

9.0/10

Local score · A local favourite

No. 13 of 212 pubs & bars on r/brighton, from 91 locals across 80 threads.

97% would send a mate. Still recommended in 2026.

Consistently the top answer for a smart, romantic drink - table service, dimmed lighting, comfy seating and a strong cocktail menu, with good alcohol-free options including an AF pina colada and AF prosecco. Now has sites in both Brighton (near the Steine) and Hove (Church Road); several people warn it's not always easy to get a table without booking ahead.

Go for
A smart, romantic date night
Heads up
Book ahead - queues form without a reservation

What locals say

The Plotting Parlour has one in Brighton and one in Hove. I've been to the Brighton branch and it's the only bar in town I've been to I'd note for fanciness. You're served at your seat restaurant…
u/Spectacular-Monobrow, 202541 upvotes“Brighton/Hove Fanciest Bars or Pubs”
…great value and service/atmosphere - Archipelagos - Family run Greek restaurant - Bincho Yakitori - Brighton locals favourite restaurant. Hard to get a table though - other restuarnats in the same group as Salt Room - Coal Shed, Burnt Orange and now Tutto In terms of drinks - plotting parlour - valentinos - twisted lemon/lime - a million pubs too many to…
u/FryingFrenzy, 202219 upvotes“Restaurant recommendations?”
Black dove - does amazing cocktails and is a very cool pub/ bar in kemptown. Plotting Parlour - someone else has said, great drinks but not always easy to get in unless you book Plateau - again someone has said. Yummy little plates and great food and drinks Cut your Wolf Loose - this is mainly whisky but do amazing cocktails and just general a cool place to be in Enjoy!
u/glutardk, 202412 upvotes“Looking for a fancy bar to bring my girlfriend to.”
…are Chilli Pickle, Curry Leaf, 64 degrees, The Set, La Choza, Giggling Squid, Gingerman, Coal Shed, Salt Room, Riddle and Finns, Bus Stop, Silo, Market Restaurant. Brighton is fairly casual so you don't need to be dressed up. There are some good cocktail bars as well like the Plotting Parlour and Hotel Du Vin. There are also lots of good pubs serving nice craft beer if that's of interest. Bison Beer, Craft Beer Co., Brighton Beer Dispensary, The Pond, Black Dove, Fountain Head, Brew Dog, Prince Albert. I would steer away from West Street and the obvious chain restaurants and the fish…
u/Motchan13, 201910 upvotes“Recommended spots for a trip to Brighton”

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