10 Brighton pubs & taprooms we rate for a proper pint

Brighton boozers are up there with some of the best in the UK. Pub culture runs deep here, neighbourhood locals people have been loyal to for years, craft taprooms pushing the beer scene forward, and plenty of places where the music, the crowd and the atmosphere matter just as much as the pint itself. Whether you’re sticking with your regular or trying somewhere new, these are ten Brighton pubs we rate when the call for a pint hits.

Tucked into the hills of Hanover, The Geese is one of those neighbourhood pubs people talk about with real affection. The beer list is excellent, with a rotating lineup of craft and local brews, and the atmosphere always feels relaxed and welcoming.

It’s also known for its food - particularly the cheese toasties and a legendary plate of bangers and mash that keeps locals coming back.

At the top London Road, The Joker has built a reputation for good drinks and big flavours. It’s home to Lost Boys Chicken - some of Brighton’s best fried chicken and the pub itself balances lively energy with a strong drinks offering, from cold pints to cocktails.

On a corner in Kemptown, The Hand in Hand is one of Brighton’s most distinctive pubs. Beer is brewed on site and the brass coin game Toads behind the bar has been played here for years - a long-standing Sussex pub tradition. It’s tiny inside, which means you’ll almost certainly end up chatting to a few locals by the end of the night.

A few minutes from the seafront, The West Tap is a relaxed taproom pouring a strong lineup of craft beers in a laid-back space. It’s an easy stop after a walk along the beach and a great place to explore Brighton’s craft beer scene without the crowds of the city centre.

On Preston Street, The Brick is a modern tavern with a serious beer offering. Around twenty taps sit behind the bar alongside a fridge full of cans and bottles, with a focus on local beers and European classics.

UnBarred’s taproom has become a staple of the city’s craft beer scene. The brewery is known for bold, juicy beers and the space is usually buzzing, with Fatto a Mano pizza next door if you need something to soak it up.

Right by Brighton station, The Prince Albert is one of the city’s best-known music pubs. The mural on the outside wall has become a Brighton landmark, and inside you’ll find regular gigs and a lively crowd.

Bison Beer’s Hove taproom pours the brewery’s own Brighton-brewed beers alongside a strong lineup from the Sussex craft scene. There’s a sunny terrace out front, which fills up quickly on warm days, and the whole place has an easy, relaxed feel that makes it a good stop for a pint if you’re in this part of town.

The Great Eastern has long been a favourite among Brighton drinkers. Best known for its huge whisky selection, the pub also pours a strong lineup of beers, with a proper trad feel and people spilling out onto the street on summer evenings. DJs run on weekends.

Just off Western Road, The Rook has become a favourite with Brighton’s craft beer crowd. There are more than twenty two taps behind the bar and fridges packed with cans, so there’s always something new pouring worth trying.