Brighton Nightlife

Brighton Rocks is a long-established pillar of the Kemp Town nightlife landscape. Take a pew on the terrace on a sunny evening or for a cosier ambience, bag a Chesterfields near the inviting open fire. Bar staff mix a mean Moscow Mule, amongst many other cocktails, and food is a mix of classic pub and interesting bistro fare.

The Bee’s Mouth is one of the true gems of the city’s nightlife. Situated towards Hove, but still only a 10-minute walk from the centre of Brighton, it is a multi-floor, gothic furnished haven for those who would rather take a midwinter dip in the Channel than splash their cash in a shiny chain bar. There’s a good selection of beers on pump, just don’t stare too long at the spinning mannequin head under the bar.

This timeless Brighton drinking institution balances a cosy and charming pub atmosphere with a cool pre-club hangout. This is a place for relaxed daytime pints, extended after-work tipples, and lively late-night soirées. The lights dim after dark, DJs take to the decks, and the tables spilling out into vibrant North Road stay chattering well into the small hours.

One of Brighton’s most established music and club night venues, Concorde 2 has been keeping it righteously real for a couple of decades now. A beachfront showcase for everything from hip-hop and drum and bass to indie and dub, it’s got a late license and a license to thrill.

Since opening in 2011, Green Door Store has quickly solidified its reputation as the premier alternative music venue in the city. With its industrial design and exposed brickwork, it’s taken a big leaf out of the Williamsburg handbook. Depending on the night you pick, you could be dancing to Blondie, Pavement or the cream of Trojan Records.

The Haunt masters the trick of being close to the West Street action without pulling the stag do crowd. Of all the clubs at the commercial end of the scale, it is far and away the best, and if you are out on a Saturday, its I Love 1985 night is an institution for those who aren't too hip to get down to INXS.

As well as being the region's foremost classical music venue, the Brighton Dome puts on a steady stream of comedy, theatre and jazz, pop and folk concerts. The roofs of the Concert Hall and Corn Exchange are regularly lifted by current indie heroes and heroines, while the Pavilion Theatre is an ornate theatrical space which hosts an assortment of workshops for kids and adults alike.

The red neon glow of the Komedia sign is a Brighton icon. This alternative and intimate performance space caters for bands of all shapes, sizes and followings – with regular DJ nights and a steady stream of international-standard comedians to boot. During the day, the lively downstairs café is a top spot to drink coffee and eat sweet things.

The country’s premier names in music and entertainment are the mainstay of Brighton’s largest venue, which carries that electric arena buzz very well indeed. However, while it might be a large venue compared with others in town, it’s no O2 Arena: even from the very back the view is decent and you can leave your binoculars at home.