The Kemptown Klub

Sink into a Chesterfield sofa and Nautilus Lounge feels more like an eccentric private drawing room than a typical Brighton bar. The undersea-themed basement specialises in handcrafted cocktails, with regular pianists, singers, open-mic nights and quizzes giving the venue a relaxed live-music character through much of the week. It’s right on St James’s Street in the heart of Kemptown, within minutes of The Zone, Legends and several other LGBTQ+ venues. The regular crowd is mixed and queer-friendly, while selected nights become much more specifically gay: Subline turns the venue into a kink-positive men’s cruising party with DJs, darkroom and play spaces. Check the calendar because the atmosphere changes dramatically depending on the night.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.