- Brighton
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- drinking
- (10)
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United Kingdom
Cosmopolitan? Yes. Funky? Yes. Atmospheric? Definitely.
Tucked under the Victorian Arches, on Brighton beach, the ‘Fortune of War’ bar is the place to go.
Hip at any time – but give it a whirl on the longest night of the year, the winter solstice, and you will not regret it.
Buy a good hot mulled wine or two to get into the festive spirit and then walk down to Madeira Drive to watch Brighton’s annual ‘Burning the Clocks’. Amazing and unique, paper and willow lanterns, in all shapes and sizes, are carried in a parade through the city, illuminating the spectators, and then burnt on the beach. Tradition has it that all the hopes and dreams of the lantern makers are passed into the fire.
Followed by a great firework display over the sea, the festive mood has been set, so back inside for another mulled wine or two. Happy Christmas!
157 Kings Road Arches
Brighton and Hove BN1 1NB
+44(0)1273 205065
Google map: bit.ly/vEzlSw
Burning the Clocks
www.visitbrighton.com/whats-on/burning-the-clocks-p372371
The Robin Hood is my favourite pub in Brighton. It's cosy, friendly and they've got a great wine list. The beers are always good too. They do basic food like pizzas, have a Wii, loads of boardgames and a free computer. It's always been one of my favourites, but I've just found out that they give all their proffits to charity. Sounds like a perfect excuse for another glass of wine! It is a bit out of the way, but well worth checking out.
1-3 Norfolk Place
Brighton
Just off western road, near norfolk square
Boutique hotel with cocktail bar, private karaoke rooms, restuarant and plenty of history.
Just off the seafront.
Old Steine, Brighton
www.royalyorkbrighton.co.uk/
This cocktail bar takes some hunting out (up some narrow stairs from an inconspicuous door on the street) but when you get up there it's a real find. Delicious cocktails served by really friendly, unpretentious staff. It gets quite busy at the weekends but there's usually more space (and often a DJ) in the two bars at the back - they're for members only but you can call in advance for free entry or sign up online for free membership. Try the Marylebone mojito - it's out of this world.
135 Western Road (beside Waitrose)
www.kobauk.com
Tel: 01273 720059
Nearest station: Brighton
Massive selection of Belgian beer in bottles and on tap. The food here is excellent, restaurant quality but in a pub, a 'proper' pub at that. This is NOT a bar. Oh, and it has bands/musicians!
www.greyspub.com
105 Southover Street, Brighton
Probably the best kept Harveys in Brighton. Classic unspoilt pub. Friendly staff.
www.thelordnelsoninn.co.uk
36 Trafalgar St, Brighton
2 mins from station.
This is the kind of bar you find on holiday. It's friendly, plays great music, and is refreshingly un-designer-y. Hector the owner is a genuine Cuban and is always happy to have a chat. It's Hector, and the cool vibe, and the rum-based cocktails that really make it a great place to start or end an evening. The best mojito this side of Habana!
36 Preston Street, Brighton (between Western Road and the sea front)
Small pub just at the back of Western Road, with the perfect sun-trap outside (catch the last rays of the day). Good, inexpensive pub grub and a really nice feel.
Upper North Street
01273 202475
Great place to visit on a sunny day as you can look over the harbour and there is a great selection of bars & restaurants (tends to be the chains).
Brighton
A ridiculously tiny pub that's the home of the Kemptown Brewery. The walls are covered with old newspapers and the beer's terrific. Not only their own beers but other great stuff too; this is where I first sampled Tanglefoot, and I'll never forget it.
33 Upper St James's Street, Kemptown, Brighton Tel: (01273) 693070
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