15 Best Brighton Rooftop Bars & Terraces (2023)

Summer is a fantastic time to visit Brighton; it’s time to make the most of some of the best Brighton rooftop bars once again.

This coastal city has dozens of great bars to choose from, but a rooftop bar is in our opinion the perfect place to spend a summer afternoon or watch the sunset before a killer night out. Having visited Brighton numerous times over the past decade here are our fifteen favourite rooftop bars to visit while in the city.

Best Brighton Rooftop Bars & Terraces

1. Patterns

📍 Address: 10 Marina Parade, Kemptown, Brighton, BN2 1TL

When we are looking for a rooftop bar in Brighton, we try to find one that has great views overlooking the seafront and Patterns certainly checks that box. This centrally located bar filled with colourful decorations is everything you could imagine when you think of a rooftop bar in Brighton, however, there’s no need to leave once the sunsets as you can also continue your night at their underground club.

This is one of the most popular venues in town during the summer months, so definitely try to get here early to avoid disappointment. If you are feeling a bit peckish during your visit, they have a great food menu with some of the best pizzas in town. We highly recommend Patterns for a fun afternoon in the sun or an early evening drink before you get going for the night.

2. Grand Central

📍 Address: 29-30 Surrey Street, Brighton, BN1 3PA

When you can’t decide between a pub and a rooftop bar, Grand Central is the perfect compromise. Their menu here serves typical pub food and real ale, but it has one of the prettiest rooftop terraces around.

As well as being a relaxing place to spend the afternoon, keep an eye out on their events calendar. They have DJ nights throughout the summer, which are something you won’t want to miss when you are in the area.

The bar is located near the train station, so it’s a great first stop if you’ve just arrived by train. You’ll enjoy the views stretching over the city before heading on towards the beach to continue with your Brighton adventure. However, do keep in mind that Grand Central is a popular spot with locals and visitors in the summer months, so make sure you get here early to avoid disappointment.

3. The Mesmerist

📍 Address: 1-3 Prince Albert Street, Brighton, BN1 1HE

The Mesmerist is one of those venues that offer both relaxing days in the sun and wild daytime parties with a calendar of events to rival anywhere else in the city. There’s something for everyone here including live music, sports events, DJ sets, and cabaret shows with themed nights taking place each week that attract both locals and visitors alike.

The venue is spread over three floors, offering four bars and a roof garden which we’ve found to be the perfect spot to enjoy their incredible bottomless brunch. Located near The Lanes, you’ll find you can then pop out for dinner before heading to one of Brighton’s top clubs for the night.

4. The Lion & Lobster

📍 Address: 24 Sillwood Street, Brighton, BN1 2PS

The Lion & Lobster may be one of the more unsuspecting venues on our list today, but their rooftop bar is well worth a visit this summer. As one of the oldest and most traditional pubs in the area, we were impressed by their two gardens and three bars that offer fantastic value for money on both food and drink.

Speaking of food, one of the things we love about The Lion & Lobster is the extensive pub grub menu which includes pizzas, burgers, pies, and more. Before leaving be sure you take the time to walk around the whole of the pub, as they have a fabulous selection of artwork and knick-knacks on display.

5. No 32

📍 Address: 32 Duke Street, Brighton, BN1 1AG

For a more stylish day or evening out in Brighton be sure to check out No 32. This cocktail bar and restaurant offers a rooftop balcony, which serves a weekend brunch, lunch menu, and evening cocktails.

While it’s quite a stylish venue, we still found it to be a relaxing day out and unpretentious inside. Speaking of the inside, a little-known fact about this venue is that it was previously a theatre, which you can still tell from certain parts of the building.

After spending the early evening on the rooftop, you can enjoy the indoor bar and nightclub to continue your night here – and if you time your visit right, you might even be able to catch one of the live jazz performances.

6. Flint House

📍 Address: 13 Hanningtons Lane, Brighton, BN1 1GS

Another great rooftop bar in The Lanes and a place we’ve spent many date nights while in Brighton recently is Flint House. This newly launched, sophisticated bar is perfect for summer serving a range of lavish drinks and small plates.

You might also want to stop at the first-floor cocktail bar for a drink on the way to the terrace. The bartenders here are excellent, and we loved their menu of inventive cocktails.

While the food may be a little fancier than other restaurants in the area, you certainly won’t go home hungry. They are incredibly well-presented meals, but you’ll find they are also very substantial and will keep you going for the rest of your night.

7. The Setting Sun

📍 Address: 1 Windmill Street, Brighton, BN2 0GN

As their name suggests, The Setting Sun would be one of the best places in Brighton to watch the sun go down after another great day in the city. It has the perfect view over Brighton as the sun sets, but you’ll find that’s when the venue gets busy with both visitors and locals.

The pub itself has been popular with the local crowd for many years now, and the staff are known for their warm and welcoming hospitality. While they do serve your typical pub fare, there are some great light bites on the menu, which you could pair with a glass of wine or beer.

8. Mrs Fitzherberts

📍 Address: 25-26 New Road, Brighton, BN1 1UG

Mrs Fitzherberts is a popular cocktail venue in The Lanes with a hidden upstairs rooftop bar complete with a retractable roof & heaters – perfect for the temperamental British weather. Located just two minutes from the Royal Pavilion and with a breathtaking view over New Road, Mrs Fitzherberts is one of the best people-watching & sipping cocktail spots in the city.

As well as the rooftop bar, consider spending some time on the first floor. Here you’ll find the ‘Lost Gardens of Fitzherbert’ cocktail bar, where the bartenders will whip you up a drink that’s nothing like you’ve ever tried before.

9. Rockwater Hove

📍 Address: Western Esplanade, Hove, BN3 4FA

If you’re looking to splash out during your visit to Brighton, we highly recommend you head over to Rockwater Hove. This rooftop bar will make you feel like you’ve traveled to Ibiza for the day, offering a large terrace and a modern menu of light bites and fresh seafood all beautifully presented, with an emphasis on local ingredients.

Rockwater Hove caters to locals and tourists throughout the year. In the winter, you can enjoy one of their winter warmers, but in the summer, you can cool off with an ice cream or refreshing cocktail.

One of the things we love about this rooftop bar is that it has some of the longest operating hours in the area. You could come here for your morning coffee to do a little work or stay around until long after the sun goes down. Try and book a table on their website before your visit if you are looking to visit during the peak summer months, as it quickly gets booked up.

10. Club Revenge

📍 Address: 32-34 Old Steine, Brighton, BN1 1EL

While all bars and clubs in Brighton are LGBTQ+ friendly, Club Revenge is the only dedicated LGBTQ+ venue complete with an outside bar aptly named The Rooftop. With such a central location this bar is able to provide some of the most amazing views of the seafront making it the ideal spot to watch the sun go down.

Once the sun has set, however, that’s when the night here truly begins in the venue’s exclusive nightclub and provided you’re inside The Rooftop prior to 9.30pm you’ll actually be able to enter the club for free.

11. Bohemia

📍 Address: 4-55, Meeting House Lane, Brighton, BN1 1HB

Another of the more swanky rooftop bars in Brighton can be found at Bohemia. This venue acts as a European-style grand café, which offers live jazz music, a late-night lounge, and a beautiful roof terrace complete with heaters and a giant parasol.

During the day, you’ll find an extensive range of food complete with a children’s menu with families welcome in the venue until 9pm. At night, however, it’s time to transform this place into a party venue with local DJs, who keep the dancing going late into the night.

12. Ollie’s Jerk Shack & Cocktails

📍 Address: 5 Brighton Square, Brighton, BN1 1HD

Located in the middle of South Laines near Brighton Square, you’ll find Ollie’s Jerk Shack & Cocktails. If you’ve never been here before, it can seem a little tucked away, but it’s well worth hunting out as it’s one of the coziest rooftop bars in the area, offering fire pits and comfortable seating.

We absolutely love the extensive cocktail menu here which goes perfectly with the Caribbean-inspired food menu complete with popular dishes like jerk chicken. It’s a very chilled space to spend the day, and they usually are able to accommodate walk-ups throughout the year.

13. The Salt Room

📍 Address: 106 Kings Road, Brighton, BN1 2FU

The Salt Room’s incredible rooftop bar allows you to enjoy uninterrupted views over the seafront and the West Pier ruins. This modern restaurant offers a menu of classic British dishes and fresh seafood and while they don’t have a traditional rooftop bar, they have a fantastic raised terrace with some of the best views in the city.

The Salt Room prides itself on sourcing local ingredients, with a focus on sustainability. Better yet, the drinks and food menus change throughout the year which allows the venue to keep up with the seasons and use the freshest ingredients possible.

14. L’Atelier Du Vin

📍 Address: 10 St George’s Place, Brighton, BN1 4GB

Situated across from the famous St. Peter Church is L’Atelier Du Vin. This 1920s prohibition-inspired cocktail and wine bar has one of the most picturesque outdoor spaces in the city and is the perfect location to spend a sunny day in Brighton.

This establishment boasts over 400 wines for you to choose from, while the Hove L’Atelier Du Vin also offers an incredible food menu that’s well worth checking out.

15. Donatello

📍 Address: 1-3 Brighton Place, Brighton, BN1 1HJ

Donatello is a family-run restaurant that has multiple dining areas, including a conservatory and rooftop bar making it the perfect place to dine on traditional Italian food in the British sunshine. Located in the middle of the Lanes, this restaurant has been frequently visited by celebrities over the years and is one of the most popular options for Italian food in the city.

This restaurant provides some of the most authentic cuisines and can be paired with an extensive number of award-winning wines.

While you might think somewhere with such delicious food would be a more pricey option, you’ll be surprised by how affordable the menu is here. Most of the visitors to Donatello opt for their famous fixed-price menu. This starts at just £12.50 for two courses, with a children’s menu available for younger diners. Make sure you save room for one of their famous Italian desserts and coffees.

Best places to visit in England

Brighton is an awesome seaside destination in the South of England and there are plenty of great cities and towns to explore in our home country:

Those are just 15 of the best bars in Brighton and there are many more options depending on what you are looking for; from sports bars to high-end luxury hotel options. Either way, you will find a place that suits your vibe and enjoy the sunshine in this beautiful seaside town.

We hope you have a great time in Brighton, drop any questions you have in the comments below and

STAY CREATIVE!