Brighton's Best Self-Service and Interactive Drink Spots

It has been exactly one year since Tipsy Mares opened its doors at 34 Church Road in Hove, taking over the spot where The Plotting Parlour used to be. Since that Friday in April 2025, the venue has become a focal point for those who prefer a more hands-on approach to their wine. The setup uses self-service dispensers where you load a card with up to £50 and choose between a 25ml taster, a 125ml glass, or a full 175ml pour. The technology behind it uses nitrogen to keep the bottles fresh for up to 30 days, which helps reduce waste while keeping the wine at its best. Owner Debbie Aquilina spent years visiting vineyards to curate a selection that leans heavily on Sussex produce, and the staff are trained to explain the process from vine to bottle. Beyond the dispensers, they serve local ales and spirits, alongside cheese and charcuterie platters and desserts.

While the self-pour wine scene is growing, Brighton and Hove have long embraced interactive and independent beer culture through various taprooms and microbreweries. UnBarred Brewery and Tap Room in central Brighton is a prime example, offering a rotating selection that includes their Joosy hazy pale ale and the more intense Stoutzilla. They even run a beer club for those who want regular deliveries. Over in Hove, The Urchin operates a microbrewery in its basement, housing The Larrikin Brewery and stocking over 100 different bottles and cans. For a more traditional atmosphere, The Watchmakers Arms remains a notable spot as East Sussex’s only micropub, serving five ales directly from the barrel and maintaining a strict no-electronics policy to keep the focus on the drinks and conversation.

Kemptown and the North Laine area also hold several spots where the brewing process is part of the experience. The Hand in Hand has been home to a microbrewery since 1989, now operating as Hand Brew Co, while Brighton Bierhaus serves as the dedicated tasting room for Brighton Bier’s local output. If you are wandering through the Lanes, The Black Lion maintains a large selection of local ales, and The Pond serves its own 'Pond Water' alongside street food. For those who prefer a neighborhood vibe, Hanover’s The Independent and The Haus on The Hill offer rotating taps of national and local craft beers. Even newer spots like Dishoom Permit Room have joined in by collaborating with local brewers like UnBarred on specific projects like their pineapple and pepper crumble sour.

Further out towards Ditchling Road and the surrounding areas, the options for local pours continue. The Roundhill features weekly rotations of local beers, including selections from Gun Brewery and their own lager. In Hove, The Old Albion has recently been remodeled and continues to serve a changing selection of guest beers. For those willing to head slightly further afield, The Sussex Ox near Polegate and The Eight Bells in Jevington provide a range of craft ale kegs and barrel bombs. These venues collectively offer a way to explore the local drinks scene at your own pace, whether you are pouring a glass of Sussex sparkling from an automated dispenser or trying a fresh pint from a basement microbrewery.