If you thought Brighton was just about seagulls stealing your chips and the pier, think again. From 19th to 28th September, the Brighton Cocktail Festival is crashing into town with a line-up of over 40 of Brighton’s best bars ready to serve up bespoke cocktails that’ll have you rethinking your life choices (in the best way).
Founder Harry Philippson reckons Brighton’s cocktail game deserves the spotlight – and we couldn’t agree more.
“I moved down to Brighton and Hove after lockdown, and was absolutely blown away by the incredible cocktail culture here. People already know about Brighton’s amazing food scene, but I think it’s about time we also celebrated the exceptional bars, mixologists and cocktails throughout the city,” he said.
The festival features a whole load of local legends (39 at last count), including plenty of BOTI favourites like The Plotting Parlour, Bar Medusa, Bar Valentino, Cut Your Wolf Loose, Gung Ho! (feature pic), Permit Room and Voya, as well as newer spots, such as The Archive and The Coconut Island. Basically, there’s something for every cocktail craving.
So how does it work? Tickets (£20) get you exclusive access to two secret off-menu boozy cocktails plus a non-alcoholic option at each spot – all for £6 a pop (£4 if you’re keeping it dry).
Plus, you’ll be able to plan your own booze cruise through the city with filters by spirit and neighbourhood because, let’s face it, who wants to wander aimlessly?
And there’s more! New Mediterranean cocktail and aperitivo bar Bar 50ml is opening on the festival launch night (taking over the old Atelier du Vin site on St George’s Road), plus there are heaps of free cocktail experiences included in your ticket price. From much-missed innovative cocktail bar Gungho’s takeover at Bohemia on the opening evening (5pm – 1am) to a syrups workshop at Apiary (25th September; 3pm – 4.30pm).
Our favourites
We got a sneak peek recently and, let us tell you, you are in for a treat. We tried the cocktails at three of Brighton’s coolest spots – art gallery-cum-bar Helm, Brighton’s best whisky bar Cut Your Wolf Loose and stylish Prohibition-style spot Bar Valentino – and were seriously impressed by all nine. Never let it be said we don’t sacrifice ourselves in the name of journalism.
It’s difficult to pick favourites as we’d happily drink every one of them again, but if pushed (or bribed with another one), we’ll be ordering these first on our return (and, much like Arnie, we WILL be back).
Bar Valentino: the Cereal Killer for its triple whammy win of sheer ingenuity, science and flavour (whisky, gin, parmesan syrup, lactic acid, Coco Pops-infused milk, crushed Coco Pops). Yes, Coco Pops in a cocktail. And yes, it’s excellent.
Cut Your Wolf Loose: the Kung Fu Monkey for delectably creamy After-Eight-with-a-kick vibes (whisky, peppermint digestive, chocolate liqueur, oat cream, almond bitters, grated chocolate). One to end the night on, also proving that you don’t have to be a whisky lover to love a whisky cocktail.
Helm: The Blood Orange Hot Honey Daiquiri for being so seriously tasty we didn’t initially realise it was booze-free (Everleaf Forest, jalapeño-infused honey, blood orange, lime, jalapeño).
And if we’re allowed a fourth option (we are, we wrote this):
We’d go for Bar Valentino’s booze-free special (extra points for the name – Hangover? Hardly know her! – Everleaf Mountain, Pineapple, Basil and Lime Leaf Puree, Double Dutch Pomegranate and Basil soda, fruit salad). What nailed it for us was the mini fruit salad on top. Because who doesn’t want a cute garnish that also contributes to their five a day?
So grab a ticket, plan your trail, and prepare for a ten-day liquid love-in. And if you can’t wait that long, check out Harry’s Brighton Cocktail Tours for some guided bar-hopping fun all year-round.
Bottoms up, Brighton.
Friday 19th to Sunday 28th September; £20; various locations
brightoncocktailfestival.com
