LIFESTYLE

Our beautiful coastal city is famed for its eclectic culture and nightlife, and this extends to an Irish pub scene too. Whether you’re a local, visiting Brighton for the first time or returning for another trip, if you’re partial to a spot of Irish hospitality and some great craic, we’ve got you covered. Read on for where to find the best Irish pubs in Brighton for a true taste of Dublin on the Sussex coast. Fiddler’s Elbow Many locals flock to the lively Fiddler’s Elbow from across the Brighton and Hove area. This dedicated Irish pub is on Boyce’s Street in The Lanes and serves some of the best Guinness in the city. It’s also well known for its live Irish music and, come St Paddy’s Day, this is the biggest party in town. It’s also the place to be to watch the biggest Gaelic football events live. There are heaps of Irish sporting memorabilia and cultural paraphernalia dotted throughout: you’ll find old-school trinkets, lucky horseshoes, four-leaf clovers and even leprechauns on the walls here, with emerald green booths creating a sense of intimacy. This kind of Irish paraphernalia is synonymous with the country’s folklore, with leprechauns part of the so-called ‘faerie folk’ in ancient Celtic times. Irish legend has it that leprechauns hid pots of gold, buried at the end of a rainbow. This tale is as old as time and has inspired all kinds of stories and even online slots like Rainbow Riches, which is centred around rainbows, gold coins, and a cheeky leprechaun.fiddlerselbow.pub Molly Malone’s Molly Malone’s is another popular Irish tavern on Brighton’s busy West Street. Open seven nights a week, this too shows all the biggest Gaelic football matches live, as well as the Euros, and the major rugby union games such as the World Cup and the Six Nations. There’s also live music every night – and they’re open til 4am. So if you’re after a singalong, a boogie or just a fun (and yes, probably pretty messy) night out, Molly’s is worth checking out. And it’s free entry!mollymalones.pub The Bugle Inn According to its website, The Bugle Inn isn’t just the best Irish pub in Brighton, it’s also the best rugby, live music, karaoke, and student pub in the city! You’ll find this lesser-known traditional boozer slightly outside the city centre on St Martin’s Street in the Lewes Road area of town. The friendly local is a bit of a throwback to the 80s and is more subtly Irish than its city centre counterparts, but you’ll still often find live Irish music on Sundays, as well as regular screenings of traditional sporting fixtures. And with a decent-sized garden and patio and a friendly vibe, it’s a bit of a hidden gem!bugleinn.com The Ancient Mariner Located in Hove’s Poets’ Corner, The Ancient Mariner isn’t strictly an Irish pub, but let’s just say it’s got strong Irish pub vibes. It’s very much a community pub, which, let’s face it, is the essence of any decent Irish drinking hole. It’s got a cosy open fire, comfy seating and a vibrant garden to boot. The friendly pub always has something going on, too, whether it’s live folk music on Thursdays, sea shanty sessions, excellent pub quizzes, craft workshops or storytelling afternoons.ancientmariner.pub Give this quartet of Irish-style watering holes a try, and you’re sure to find excellent hospitality straight out of the Emerald Isle. Let us know your favourite!

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Where to find the best Irish pubs in Brighton

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