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 spots 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 - arguably 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 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 playful pudding-inspired brews, and the space is usually buzzing, with Fatto a Mano pizza you can get delivered from 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 and bottle shop 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.

Where to Drink in St Leonards-on-Sea

We’ve pulled together a list of the best bars in St Leonards-on-Sea right now. The town’s small but full of personality - natural wine, Sussex-brewed beer, and intimate cocktail spots with plenty of character. If you’re heading out in this neighbourhood, these are the places to know.

1. Cactus Hound

A cocktail bar with a laid-back edge. Expect classics done well, a few inventive twists, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to stay put for the night.

Known for | Cocktails done right, easy late-night spot | Western Rd, TN37 6DJ

2. Collected Fictions

Neighbourhood wine and beer bar with an ever-changing list of natural bottles and craft pours. A place to drop in for one glass, or leave with a bottle for later.

Known for | Natural wine and small-batch beer in a relaxed setting | London Road, Hastings, East Sussex TN37 6AE

3. Wermut Bar

Sleeper Store transforms once a week into this tiny cocktail bar, serving seasonal mixes that never repeat. Intimate, fleeting, and all the better for it.

Known for | Thursday - Saturday pop-up with seasonal cocktails | Kings Rd, TN37 6DY

4. Farmyard

Farmyard is celebrated for its natural and biodynamic wine list, poured alongside bold, seasonal plates. A St Leonards essential for anyone serious about good wine.

Known for | Natural bottles that pair with seasonal plates | Kings Rd, TN37 6DY

5. Three Legs Brewing

Three Legs pours its own small-batch beers from the taproom inside Heist Market - from crisp lagers to hoppy IPAs, served with the lively buzz of the market around you.

Known for | Small-batch, experimental brewing | Norman Rd, Saint Leonards-on-sea TN37 6NH