The best beer gardens in Brighton & Hove
With around 15 pubs per square mile, Brighton has no shortage of choice when it comes to where to spend your time sinking a pint of your choice. What’s so refreshing about the choice that Brighton has is that all the owners of the pubs down here are unbelievably dedicated to their establishment, and it shows. It’s clear in the drink selection across the board; no two pubs are the same, with a different interior everywhere you go, and, most importantly, the majority of the toilets are clean and well kept. How often can you say that these days?
There’s a pub for every occasion in Brighton. You’ve planned to go to a music event, but you need somewhere close to the venue with food and a selection of craft beers? No problem. You’re looking for the 4th instalment to your pub crawl with all your mates, and you need a dance floor to throw some shapes? You’re in luck.
This is your go-to list of the best beer gardens in Brighton & Hove and contains a few of my favourites from night-outs gone by. That said, if you find a public house that takes your fancy, 9/10 you’ve stumbled across something special.
White Rabbit
(North Laine)
This is one of the best pubs in Brighton to decompress after a hard day’s work.
Found slap bang in the middle of The Lanes, White Rabbit is instantly recognisable by their Neo Alice in Wonderland interior, custom murals, and vegan-friendly menu.
If you can’t find a seat on the outdoor benches or in their cosy, heated beer garden, there are plenty of seats indoors for you and yours to commandeer.
Dare I say it, White Rabbit is also the perfect place to twist your mate’s arm about turning your quiet drink into a night on the town. They host some killer live DJ’s and open mics, too.
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Sidewinder
(Kemptown)
Beer “garden” doesn’t seem fair when it comes to Kemptown’s Sidewinder. Beer Park? Estate? It’s pretty big!
If you’re visiting during the summer, the likelihood is they’ve fired up the BBQ for your eating pleasure.
Clear your calendar; Sidewinder always has something on. It could be live music, it could be a quiz night, but it’s always class. Dogs are more than welcome, which always makes things better. Find yourself a seat (it won’t be difficult; the place is enormous), grab one of their rotating craft beers or guest brews, and settle in for the evening.
Hobgoblin
(London Road)
Hobgoblin is the “jack of all trades” pub in Brighton. You could come here for pre-drinks with your friends to plan where to go for the rest of the night, or you could come here for their spacious heated beer garden to wind down after cutting loose at all the clubs in the city. Equally, you could start at Hobgoblin, start on their selection of craft beers, and not leave all night. This is a student hotspot, so if you’re looking for something more mellow, this might not be your cup of tea. Tailor-made for large groups of people, I’d suggest factoring in Hobgoblin to your pub crawl on your next visit.
The Hop Poles
(The Lanes)
The Hop Poles is one of the more famous pubs that the Lanes and Brighton have to offer. If you’re going for a drink here, you’re probably going for their heated and covered beer garden that stays open all night long.
The Hop Poles is the perfect place to team up before heading out on the town or to take turns getting the rounds in whilst their weekend DJ sets see you into the wee hours of the morning. Solid pub with a great range of drinks. Also, a stone’s throw away from some of the bigger clubs in Brighton if that’s what does it for you.
Lion & Lobster
(Brighton)
If you didn’t know where to look for this absolute beauty of a pub, you’d miss it. The Lion & Lobster truly is one of the best pubs in Brighton for food; their menu is ridiculously good.
We’re talking flat iron steaks, smash burgers, pork belly, chunky chips. Their sweet treats aren’t to be missed either; their hot cinnamon doughnuts will bring a tear to your eye. Unreal.
We usually head here midway through the working week to break things up; their rooftop beer garden. Quirky, cosy, and the perfect location to meet up with your mates over an award-winning meal. Pub food never tasted so good.
Black Lion
(The Lanes)
People visiting Brighton for the weekend seem to gravitate to the Black Lion. Maybe it’s the perfect distance from the beach and the city centre? Maybe it’s the garden that’s heated in the winter and sunny in the summer? It could be the themed club nights they host at the weekend. Either way, get yourself down here and choose from their extensive drinks choice, bring as many friends as you can and enjoy a seat out front or back and watch the world go by and the sun go down.
The Walrus
(The Lanes)
This might be one of my favourite pubs in Brighton. Found planted neatly in the Lanes, The Walrus is a bit of a TARDIS., what with it feeling bigger on the inside.
Once you’ve worked your way past the countless booths and seating areas, multiple function rooms, and 5-star restrooms (always a bonus), you’ll find the rooftop beer garden that just keeps on giving.
It has a canopy overhead so you can enjoy your beverage rain or shine, plenty of benches to choose from, and a couple of large TVs to watch the big match.
Local verdict:
Head to The Walrus post-beach day or pre-night out. It’s just a great vibe. Also, their Sunday roasts are biblical.
The Setting Sun
(Hanover)
Easily Brighton’s best-kept secret, and selfishly, I hope it stays that way. The Setting Sun has a cosy beer garden that has one of the best views in the entire city, especially when the sun goes down.
If you’ve had a day out in Kemptown, maybe you’ve walked the dog around Queen’s Park; this is the perfect way to bring it to a close, pint in hand.
Explore Brighton's best pub gardens
A quiet drink with a loved one or a quick one before you make tracks on your long-awaited night out, Brighton pubs have exactly what you’re after. I guess the best takeaway here is: Judge a book by its cover! In Brighton, it’s every bit as good as what’s inside.
