Queens Arms

The Birdcage brings cabaret firmly back to this seafront corner of Kemptown, with drag, bingo, queer socials and live entertainment running throughout the week. Cocktails are a big part of the experience, while the terrace and sea-facing location make it just as appealing for an earlier drink when Brighton’s weather cooperates. You’re right among the Gay Village here: Legends, The Zone, Marine Tavern and Queens Arms are all only a short walk away. The crowd is broadly LGBTQ+ and mixed across ages, with regulars joining weekend visitors for drag and cabaret rather than a full-on nightclub experience.

Madam Lola’s combines proper theatrical cabaret with a late-night party in one of Kemptown’s most characterful spaces. Shows mix drag, burlesque, live vocals, circus and aerial performance, with cocktails served to the table. On Friday and Saturday nights the room then transforms into Mistress, with DJs and dancing continuing until 2am. The venue sits on St George’s Road, close to The Kemptown Klub and an easy walk from the denser gay-bar cluster around St James’s Street. Expect an energetic, very mixed crowd of LGBTQ+ guests, cabaret fans and groups celebrating something special, with the atmosphere much more glamorous spectacle than traditional neighbourhood gay bar.

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.

Ironworks Studios is less a conventional gay bar and more one of Brighton’s most useful LGBTQ+ entertainment venues. Home to Brighton Pride CIC, its programme regularly features drag, cabaret, burlesque, comedy and queer cultural events alongside the broader Forge Comedy Club schedule. A licensed café/bar serves events in the flexible performance space. The location beside Brighton Station and North Laine puts it away from Kemptown’s traditional gay-bar cluster, but makes it exceptionally easy to reach from almost anywhere in the city. The audience depends on the show, with Pride at Ironworks events drawing a particularly broad LGBTQ+ crowd across ages and identities.

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.

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.