Brighton Cocktail Festival

Brighton is gearing up for the second edition of the Brighton Cocktail Festival, which runs from 18 to 27 September 2026. It is a ten-day event that spans over 50 bars across the city, aiming to showcase the local mixology scene. If you are planning to head out, the entry fee is £15, and tickets need to be purchased online. Once you have your ticket, you will need to activate it through the festival's official app, which is the central hub for managing your experience.

The festival is designed to encourage people to explore different parts of the city. Through the app, you can build your own route, discover participating venues, and keep track of the offers available. The pricing structure is straightforward: once you are inside a participating bar, you can order exclusive cocktails for £6 each, or non-alcoholic options for £4. To keep things moving and ensure everyone gets a chance to visit, there is a limit of one cocktail per customer at each venue. It is also worth noting that the organisers recommend visiting in groups of six people or fewer, which makes sense given the capacity of some of the smaller spots involved.

There is a wide variety of venues on the list this year, ranging from the whisky-focused 'Cut Your Wolf Loose' to the 1920s-style speakeasy 'Bar Valentino'. You will also find 'Apiary', which takes inspiration from bees, 'Helm', which functions as an art gallery bar, and the 'Victoria Bar' at The Grand. Since this is an event focused on alcohol, it is strictly for those aged 18 and over, so make sure you have your ID with you when you arrive at any of the locations. It is a practical way to spend a few days in September if you are interested in seeing what the local bar scene has to offer.