Our Favourite Craft Beer Spots In Brighton
Hug It Out At BLOCK
Probably our favourite beer garden in Brighton…
There’s something about being near the sea that gives you a thirst and with the recent timelines for the lifting of lockdown measures, if you’re down in Brighton for a daytrip, weekend away or even a stag or hen do, these are our top tips for the bars and pubs that will quench your thirst for craft beer and provide some decent outdoor space too.
Shakespeare’s Head (Seven Dials) Before heading straight down to the beach off the train, double back on yourself and head to an old school local up in Seven Dials which also just happens to be (one of) my locals. A bit off the beaten track in Brighton its famed for its selection of local sausage and mash and a decent selection of local cask such as Gun Brewery, Darkstar, 3 tap keg lines and of course, our Juicy Pale.
Unbarred Brewery & Tap Room (London Rd)
Unbarred Brewery & Taproom
Some of the best beers in Brighton and the perfect sun trap
Just down the road from Shakespeares Head and making some of the best beer in East Sussex if not the country, Unbarred’s Tap Room and Brewery makes a great place to start your venture in Brighton Beer before heading towards the sea!. Rather than heading straight towards the beach, double back on yourself coming out of the station and head to Elder Place. Its a sun trap during the day and the doors to the brewery open up to make this a great place day and night to take in some tank fresh beer straight from the source.
The Urchin (Hove) Seafood and the owner Nicks own craft beer (Larrikin) brewed on-site - what’s not to like? The Urchin is off the main street in Hove (Church Street) close to the large Tesco’s and a treat of a place to spend time eating and drinking. These guys care about quality and simplicity and they do it really well with a decent selection on tap including Siren and for take away. Only downside is a limited amount of outdoor space.
Lion & Lobster (Silwood St, Hove) If you find yourself in Brighton and Hove on a rainy day, there is nowhere better to hole up than between the deep red walls of the Lion and Lobster. Spread over 3 floors and with a great hidden terrace, they always have a log fire burning and beer flowing be it local guys such as Good Things Brewing or something from further afield such as Siren or Northern Monk.
Bison Beach Bar @ Sea Lanes (Kemp Town)
Sunset & Beers At Bison
Bison, Bedlam, Guest Beers, Sunsets. Whats not to like
Sea Lanes is THE seafront destination in Kemp Town and Bison Beer have collaborated with them to create the Bison Beach Bar - a place to try new beers from Bison as well as Bedlam and other guest beers. While you’re there you can nip nextdoor to Beach Box for a wild sauna or check out the food offering from Humble Plates cooked over wood and coal.
Mrs Fitzherberts (New Rd, Central Brighton)
Named for Prince Albert’s mistress and every bit as saucy, Mrs Fitzherberts is a must-visit bar in the heart of Brighton and a great place to watch the world go by with their outdoor seating on the pedestrianised road. The beer offering like the bar is compact but if you time it right you’ll find our Juicy Pale on Cask and White IPA on keg along with some world beers.
North Laine Brewhouse (Gloucester Place, Central Brighton)
Just around the corner and a must stop in Brighton which is handy as its on the corner of London Rd (main road in and out of Brighton) and a ten minute walk from the station and the pier, its outdoor space is limited but its beer offering isnt. The venue is large and spacious with a functioning brew kit and probably one of the best selections of beer in Brighton from breweries all over the UK as well as their own on premise brewed Laine beer.
Hug It Out At BLOCK Bar
BLOCK Bar & Kitchen (St James St, Kemp Town) Probably our favourite beer garden in Brighton but you wouldn’t necessarily know it was there from the outside. We’ve known Ben the owner for years since his days running one of Brightons best clubs. Expect great decor, great music, awesome Tacos and you can find 4 or 5 of our beers on tap here including their house lager and our Weiss Beer - Bigger Dinger. Get there early for the early afternoon sun
Fortune of War (Brighton Beach) When locals think of beach beers, we think of the Fortune of War and this place holds a special place in my heart and has always been a go to if the suns out - and even if its not. They describe themselves as, “a proper pub on the pebbles” and that about sums them up. With a large outdoor seating area overlooking the sea and a selection of local beers such as Dark Star and Abyss plus our own Juicy Pale they are well-worth a visit.
Cloak and Dagger (Kemp Town) These guys have 14 beers on tap in their tap room, with a good split between their own and guest beers that are regularly switched up. Love their mad can designs and the place has a great atmosphere when busy though sadly no outdoor space.
Mesmerists ‘Secret’ Rooftop
Get in quick if you want to go here as capacity is limited
The Mesmerist (Prince Albert St, Central Brighton)
Part of the Laine Pub Co and popular with party go-ers in central Brighton, The Mesmerist has 3 stylish floors and a roof terrace to explore. A decent selection on tap including our signature White IPA, they also host the Laine bottle shop. With a great selection from breweries nationwide this is a great spot for those take out beach beers.
The Sidewinder (St James St, Kemp Town)
Another Laine Pub this has not one but 2 beer gardens and no doubt is going to be mobbed come the 12th April. They have a regularly changing selection of beers from brewers around the country as well as local and their own Laine beers. The food offering has always been pretty decent too.
Take Away Beer The much loved Trafalgar Wines is no longer with us but if you find yourself in need of take-out beers, we would recommend Seven Cellars (Seven Dials), Wine Barrel on Western Rd or Higgins of Hove (Hove obviously!) and of course the guys at Bison in Hove
Enjoy.
Matt