Alcotraz - The Warden

If you’re looking for a night out that goes beyond just ordering drinks, the experience at Alcotraz - The Warden in Brighton might be exactly what you need. Located at Alcotraz Brighton, this is billed as an immersive theatrical cocktail experience where you don't just watch a show—you become part of it. The core concept is simple: you are a convicted 'inmate' serving time, and the venue, situated at 12-15 Kings Road, is transformed into a functioning prison, complete with talented actors, unique plots, and impressive set design. To fully commit to the role, guests are even given an orange jumpsuit to wear during their 'sentence'.

The key twist that makes this experience unique is how the drinks are handled. There is no fixed cocktail menu, and the venue operates under a strict BYOB policy. As an 'inmate', your mission is to successfully smuggle in liquor, which the 'serving' mixologists then use to prepare personalized cocktails for you. The ticket price of £42.50, plus a £3.80 booking fee, covers the full immersive show and the cocktail preparation service, which typically results in about four customized drinks per person. For planning purposes, they recommend bringing a 35cl bottle of liquor for every two people in your party, or a 70cl bottle if you are a group of four.

This entire theatrical sentence lasts for 1 hour and 45 minutes. Given the nature of the experience and the requirement to bring liquor, it is strictly an adult-only event. If you want to plan a visit, Alcotraz Brighton is open from Tuesday through Sunday, though specific operating hours vary depending on the day. It’s definitely a different way to spend an evening out in the city, focusing heavily on the performance and interaction rather than just the drinks themselves.