Cocktail barMiddle Street
The Twisted Lemon
Tucked-away Middle Street bar built for cocktail dates
8.4/10
Local score · A local favourite
No. 23 of 212 pubs & bars on r/brighton, from 46 locals across 38 threads.
91% would send a mate. Still recommended in 2026.
Consistently the most-recommended cocktail bar in Brighton for first dates, described as small, tucked-away and cosy with knowledgeable staff and a good happy hour (not running Saturdays). No genuine complaints turned up — it's a near-unanimous favourite for date night in the Lanes.
- Go for
- Cocktails on a first date
- Heads up
- Happy hour deals don't apply on Saturdays
What locals say
I like Twisted Lemon on Middle Street for a more day to day type cocktail bar and Bar Valentino on New Road for more dressy type cocktails (their espresso martinis are everything.)
Twisted Lemon do a great happy hour promo till 7pm(?) I believe - really cosy, tucked away place fairly close to the pier/seafront For foooods I love Preston Street - really solid Asian food!
Twisted Lemon is a great bar, staff are very knowledgeable and great with their drinks so they'll be able to whizz something up. If you're out late-late try The Lounge (after 1am) - my housemate works there so I'll get her to think of something today just in case!
Yes, Twisted Lime, Twisted Lemon and Twisted Brisket. All very close to each other and all do an industry discount for hospitality workers. I’d recommend Lime or Brisket over Lemon though. Lemon is very cramped and service is quite slow because it’s always busy.
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