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Brighton Gay Bars
Brighton has a vibrant gay scene that draws members of the community from across the country. Its gay cafes and bars are thriving, and luckily for you they're all in one place! in Kemp Town is home to almost all the gay bars, clubs, and everything social, from traditional pubs to a host of gay saunas. The bars in this area tend to attract a diverse crowd, but some attract larger proportions of specific groups so you can be sure you find your new favourite place to hang out and have fun on any night of the week.
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Bar and Club Suggestions
Affinity Bar
Cosy, Drag, Karaoke
Affinity bar has a bright and stylish interior, bringing a sense of class and indulgence to your night out. It's a gay run business that is proud to support and welcome all members of the queer community. It's intimate but modern space makes everyone feel at home, while friendly staff at live music keep your night lively.
Green Door Store
Gay Friendly
Brighton's only late-night music venue isn't exclusively a gay club but it does host a LOT of gay events including drag themed shows and parties. The bar has free entry, and so does the whole venue until 11pm. With up to 10 events every single week and a reputation for amazing and diverse live music, this is the place for everyone to enjoy themselves.
Camelford Arms
Bear, Older Crowd, Cosy, Gay Friendly
A community pub in the heart of Kemptown, Brighton's gay hub. It's a pub with no attitude, just friendly folk, great food, and a nice atmosphere. The kitchen serves local and classic food including vegetarian and vegan meals and a legendary Sunday roast, so there's something for everyone. To go with your meal, the pub offers a range of fine ales and wines for you to choose from.
Legends
Dancing
Legends is an award-winning hotel on the seafront with a unique subterranean club space. With great food and music, this basement club and bar is a hidden underground gem. During the day, the pub space serves coffee and light meals on a beautiful terrace, while at night the basement club opens and the party spreads across both floors of the venue. The party starts late and lasts into the early hours, with great music and people.
Club Revenge
Dancing
With two floors of music and a rooftop terrace overlooking Brighton's Palace Pier, Club Revenge is renowned as the best gay nightclub in the south. It's the ultimate party destination, with Bar Revenge round the corner offering cheap drinks and entertainment all week. Over the years it's welcomed international pop stars, DJs & drag queens onto its infamous stage so it's definitely the place to be.
The Actors
Lesbian, Cosy, Pub Vibes
The Actors (formerly known as The Marlborough) is a pub and theatre that's been around since 1794, and now showcases queer art. The pub is situated below the theatre and welcomes everyone, but its focus is on the LGBTQ community. With a laid back and friendly vibe, The Actors is especially popular with the trans and lesbian communities. You're bound to feel at home here in one of the gayest spaces in Brighton.
The Marine Tavern
Cosy
This is a small and friendly gay pub in the heart of Brighton's Gay Village. It's a fairly traditional place whose small bar space is packed with regulars every Saturday night and still busy throughout the week. The owners host a quiz and curry night every Tuesday arrange other themed events as well. For many regulars, the highlight of the week if the great value Sunday roast served at The Marine Tavern every week.
Centre Stage Brighton
Outdoor Seating, Drag
Located right on the seafront, minutes from the pier & with an outside terrace and a large, airy inside which is cool in the summer and cosy and warm in the winter. Popular with a mixed crowd of all ages, Centre Stage Brighton is part of The Amsterdam hotel. Check out to see if there are any special events happening.
Proud Cabaret Brighton
Drag
Proud Cabaret presents the very best burlesque, cabaret, and variety dinner shows in multiple cities across the UK, including Brighton. The Brighton venue offers a raucous night of drag and burlesque, so you can sit back and enjoy yourself with drinks from the bar or a three course meal from the fine dining restaurant! Make the most of a night full of talented acts in a glamorous and nostalgic space modelled on a classic speakeasy club.
The Zone Bar
Dancing, Drag
This lively and totally attitude free bar offers entertainment every night of the week. The Zone is known for its regular and varied cabaret shows, live music, games, and karaoke. Its clean and contemporary feel is complete with signature cocktails and a VIP area available for private parties. This a bar where groups can hang out and make the night their own.
Charles Street Tap
Cocktails, Drag
Home to award winning cabaret, gourmet pub food and a range of drinks, there's always something happening at the Charles Street Tap. The bar stocks an impressive variety of gins, beers, and cocktails so there's definitely something to your taste. The great food on offer here includes Pizza Tuesdays, Meat free Mondays, and on Sunday's there's a delicious roast to go with first class cabaret acts. It's the perfect place for a very gay foodie who loves the odd cocktail.
Bulldog
Bear, Older Crowd, Cruising
Brighton's oldest gay bar offers a whole host of entertainment including karaoke and regular house DJs. Weekly cabaret and great deals on drinks attract a mixture of gay men who are looking for a good time. The Bulldog is a well-loved local hangout with friendly staff to welcome everyone in. If you want to get involved in the local crowd then definitely try the karaoke.
Queens Arms
Drag
The Queens Arms is one of Britain's top cabaret bars, bringing you a staggering 10 shows every week. Regulars describe it as a cosy and old school bar with an eccentric twist in the form of camp and talented acts. As well as cabaret acts, the main stage with its glitter ceiling is home to stunning drag acts and karaoke. This flamboyant bar is open to everyone for some good old fashion camp entertainment.
Bar Broadway
Drag
Situated in the heart of Brighton's Gay Village, Bar Broadway is a musical theatre bar best known for its cabaret. It has other live shows and music as well, and great offers on drinks every night of the week. Regulars and tourists alike praise the variety and talent of the performers, as well as the safe and friendly atmosphere created by the staff. Lots of show tunes couple with affordable drinks make for a great night.
Gay friendly hotels in Brighton
If you want Brighton’s gay scene on your doorstep, Kemptown is the natural choice. This colourful neighbourhood just east of the centre is packed with LGBTQ+ bars and venues and runs right down to the seafront. Staying closer to the Lanes gives you more of central Brighton while keeping Kemptown an easy walk away. GayMapper’s recommendations include gay hotels, great-value stays and smarter seafront options – ideal whether you’re coming for the nightlife, the beach, Pride or just a reliably entertaining weekend beside the sea.
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