Brighton
Brighton's skyline drinks better than its postcards. The rooftop bars on this list span every neighbourhood worth a trip — North Laine, The Lanes, Seven Dials, Kemptown all show up — and every price tier from a $5 local pour to a $25 hotel-bar tasting. Each bar earns its spot for a different reason. We have visited every one.
KEMPTOWN · $$$ · COCKTAIL BARS
Brighton's most awarded cocktail bar. Order: Brighton seaside spritz. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.
HOVE · $$ · COCKTAIL BARS
Wine bar with one of Sussex's longest natural-wine lists. Order: Brighton seaside spritz. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.
THE LANES · $$ · COCKTAIL BARS
Three-floor cocktail-and-music bar. Order: Brighton seaside spritz. Best time: Sunday from 6pm, when it's the room's quietest premium night and the kitchen is unhurried. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Avoid post-match nights if the local team is playing — the upstairs gets loud.
KEMPTOWN · $ · COCKTAIL BARS
Heritage neighbourhood pub from 1850s. Order: Brighton seaside spritz. Best time: Thursday late or Friday early, when you'll catch the room building toward its weekend tempo. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. First-Friday traffic in the district can mean a 20-minute wait at the door.
SEVEN DIALS · $$$ · COCKTAIL BARS
Italian-influenced cocktail bar with a serious aperitivo menu. Order: Brighton seaside spritz. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.
SEAFRONT · $$ · COCKTAIL BARS
Seaside cocktail-and-music venue. Order: Brighton seaside spritz. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.
Use this guide either as a single curated route through Brighton or as a checklist to revisit over a long weekend. Reservations are flagged where they matter. Otherwise, walk in. Below: the ten rooftop bars that any serious drinker in Brighton would tell you to put on the list.
Brighton's most awarded cocktail bar. Order: Brighton seaside spritz. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.
Wine bar with one of Sussex's longest natural-wine lists. Order: Brighton seaside spritz. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.
Looking beyond Brighton? See our guide to the best rooftop bars worldwide, or compare rooftop bars city by city. Or find rooftop bars near you.