Brighton’s gay bars are concentrated in Kemptown, along St James’s Street and the seafront at Marine Parade, about ten minutes’ walk east of the Palace Pier. For a town of its size Brighton has an unusually large scene, and it is entirely walkable. Brighton station is about 20 minutes on foot, or a short bus ride.
- St James’s Street and Marine Parade hold nearly all of it.
- Walkable, and the seafront venues have sea views — rare for a gay scene.
- Brighton Pride in August is one of the largest in Britain.
- Trains back to London run late but not all night.
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Where the scene is
Kemptown is the area immediately east of the Old Steine, and its two axes are St James’s Street running parallel to the sea, and Marine Parade on the seafront itself. The gay venues are spread along both, with a few on the connecting streets.
| Where | What is there | Character |
|---|---|---|
| St James’s Street | Pubs, bars, shops | The everyday heart of Kemptown |
| Marine Parade | Seafront bars and clubs | Sea views, busiest at weekends |
| Old Steine | Club end | Where the night finishes |
| Kemptown village | Cafés and independent shops | Daytime, residential feel |
The bars and clubs
Gay bars, pubs and clubs in Brighton
Bar RevengeBar
Kemptown KlubBar
LegendsBar
The ZoneBar
Charles Street TapPub
The BulldogPub
Club RevengeNightclub
7 venues listed. Details come from public listings and venue websites — ring ahead before travelling, opening times change.
Getting there and getting home
- Brighton station — about 20 minutes’ walk downhill to Kemptown, longer coming back up.
- Buses — frequent along St James’s Street and the seafront, with night services.
- Trains to London take about an hour but stop well before the clubs do — check the last one if you are not staying over.
- Taxis are easy to find on the seafront; ranks near the Old Steine.
- Walking along the seafront is pleasant and well-lit as far as the Palace Pier.
When to go
- Thursday to Sunday for the busiest nights.
- Summer weekends — the seafront and the beach are the point, and the town fills with day-trippers.
- Brighton Pride, usually the first weekend of August, is one of the largest in Britain. Accommodation books out months ahead and prices rise sharply.
- Winter — much quieter, and the seafront is cold, but the pubs are good for it.
Safety and access
- Keep your drink with you.
- The seafront is dark and steep in places below Marine Parade — stick to the pavement level late at night.
- The beach at night is not a good place to end up drunk and alone; the shingle is uneven and the sea is closer than it looks.
- Step-free access varies — several Kemptown venues are in Regency buildings with steps. Where recorded it shows on the card above.
- 999 for emergencies, 101 otherwise. Galop on 0800 999 5428.
More in staying safe when you meet people.
Why Brighton’s scene is so large for its size
Brighton has a bigger gay scene than cities several times its population, and it is not an accident. The town has had a visible LGBT+ population since well before decriminalisation, it is an hour from London by train, and it has long attracted people moving out of the capital. The result is a resident community rather than a nightlife district serving visitors.
That shows in the venues: alongside the seafront bars there are ordinary neighbourhood pubs that happen to be gay, which is unusual outside London.
Shops and other venues
Shops and other venues
ProwlerAdult venue
1 venues listed. Details come from public listings and venue websites — ring ahead before travelling, opening times change.
The town as a whole is covered in our Brighton guide, and other cities in gay bars across the UK.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the gay bars in Brighton?
In Kemptown, along St James’s Street and the seafront at Marine Parade, about ten minutes’ walk east of the Palace Pier.
How far is Kemptown from Brighton station?
About 20 minutes on foot, downhill on the way there and uphill coming back. Buses run frequently along the route.
When is Brighton Pride?
Usually the first weekend of August. It is one of the largest Prides in Britain, and accommodation books out months ahead at considerably higher prices.
Why does Brighton have such a big gay scene?
It has had a visible LGBT+ population for decades, sits an hour from London, and has long drawn people moving out of the capital. The scene serves residents rather than only visitors.
Can I get a train back to London after a night out?
Trains take about an hour but stop well before the clubs close. If you are not staying over, check the last departure before the night starts.
Is Brighton’s scene walkable?
Entirely. St James’s Street and Marine Parade run parallel and everything is within a few minutes of both.
Sources and further reading
- Brighton & Hove City Council
- Venue locations © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)
- Galop — 0800 999 5428