The Best Bars In North Laine, Brighton

The White Rabbit is exactly the type of pub you’d expect to find in North Laine. This whacky Alice in Wonderland themed pub enjoys strong support from Brighton regulars, and is a great place to meet friends for drinks in a different setting. The food at the White Rabbit is excellent too, with meals such as the ‘Jabberwocky beef burger’, and the ‘March Hare Mac n Cheese’ consistently popular. The interior is cosy with a small bar, and wooden tables and chairs in every corner. Look out for the retro paintings on the wall, and the Alice in Wonderland drawings dotted around.

You’ll find Bar Valentino above El Mexicano restaurant, up a nondescript staircase that is easy to miss. Described as a ‘sanctuary of distinction’, Bar Valentino is one of the oldest cocktail bars in the city. This is a small, but very popular bar, with an appealing design incorporating leather sofas and wooden floors. The cocktails here are all reasonable priced and made by experienced staff, who are often adding new creations to the menu. Go for happy hour if you want some great cocktails at ridiculously cheap prices.

Ten Green Bottles is a shop-bar, specialising in wine. Here you can shop for wine, take part in a wine tasting, or just sit back and relax over a glass of your favourite red or white. With only £5 corkage it’s cheap enough to buy a bottle between friends and enjoy the best wine Brighton has to offer. Other drinks are on offer too, such as spirits and beer, and there is a small food menu with pate and cheeses to compliment your wine selection. The wine selection is constantly changing, but staff are highly knowledgeable and friendly, and will happily help you pick the perfect choice for you.

The Heart and Hand is a friendly pub located on North Street, transporting you back to a simpler time. It stands out from the hustle and bustle of North Laine with its art deco stained glass windows and green tiles. Inside you’ll find friendly staff and a strong circle of regulars. The popular vinyl jukebox will remind you of the pub’s popularity with Brighton’s mods back in the day, with the best of the 60s blasting out. Rumour has it the pub was a popular hangout for Fat Boy Slim and Primal Scream in the 90s.

Attached to myhotel in Brighton, the Merkaba is a stylish cocktail bar with a slick layout and cocktails for every occasion. The bar itself features plush sofas and spacious areas for groups, and don’t forget the photo booth at the back to document your evening. The cocktail menu is divided into drinks to suit different moods; whether you’re celebrating something and want to indulge with a ‘Sparkling Libation’, or choose something ‘Old School’ by having a Vesper Martini. Whatever your mood and company, you’re sure to find a beautifully crafted cocktail in a fun, sophisticated atmosphere.

The Hobgoblin is a cheap and cheerful pub just outside North Laine, which is very popular with Brighton’s students. The inside has a strong pub vibe with a dark green bar, exposed brick walls and vintage pictures. Relax in some of the old battered leather chairs and enjoy a pint. The Troll’s Pantry their in-house kitchen, also serves up great pub grub, with a range of gourmet burgers. The legendary burgers change week from week, but they’re all more decadent than the next. Past legends have included the Trollkano, an aged beef patty topped with their rum and chilli BBQ sauce, a slice of melted chilli marbled St Giles cheese, fresh jalapeños, their chilli-chocolate bacon jam, crispy lettuce, chilli and garlic mayonnaise and spicy, fresh salsa.

La Choza is a popular Mexican restaurant in North Laine. Whilst serving up fantastic Mexican cuisine in their day of the dead themed restaurant, La Choza is also a great place to get a mean cocktail or enjoy a beer. All drinks are very reasonably priced, with many only around £4. But for a treat, try the Passionfruit Margarita, or for something a bit different, the Bloody Maria, made with El Jimador tequila, hot sauce, Worcester sauce, and tomato juice. For more info on their fantastic food, check out our list of the Best Restaurants in North Laine.

The Earth and Stars is a haven for Brighton’s eco-warriors. Powered by a solar panel on the roof, and serving up a range of organic beers, ciders, spirits and more, it is the perfect place to grab a pint with a clean conscience. Inside the Earth and Stars is well decorated with hops hanging from the ceiling, twinkling lights, and old wooden floorboards and exposed brick walls. The Earth and Stars is a great place to meet friends for a quiet and mellow drink in the week, or if you’re looking for something busier and more upbeat, pop in at the weekend to meet some of Brighton’s interesting locals. They have a constantly changing menu, with a great mixture of meaty and vegan dishes, all lovingly prepared in their in-house kitchen.

The North Laine Brewhouse is a great place to find your perfect beer. The Brewhouse believes you should drink beer brewed only a few feet away, not flown thousands of miles to get to you, so you’ll find a huge selection of beers with many being brewed on-site. From beers perfect for novices, to those for the experienced enthusiast, you’re sure to find something you like. Try the IPA for a strong, individual flavour, made from 4 different types of hops. Check out the great food on offer too, perfect to compliment your frothy pint.

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