Last Updated on 21 May 2026 by Dave King
Brighton has a proper wine bar scene that goes well beyond pubs with a Sauvignon Blanc on tap. From natural wine pioneers to Italian aperitivo bars and a wine shop where you can drink what you buy, the city offers a range of places where staff know their bottles, the lists are thoughtfully curated, and you can settle in for a slow evening.
This guide covers the best wine bars in Brighton with honest notes on each: what they pour, what they serve alongside it, and what the atmosphere is actually like.
Table of Contents
Brighton wine bars at a glance
| Venue | Area | Style | Food | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plateau | South Lanes | Natural, organic and biodynamic wines | Seasonal small plates | Wine lovers, natural wine, date night |
| Ten Green Bottles | Jubilee Street, near North Laine | Independent, artisan wines from small producers | Cheese, charcuterie, small plates | Tastings, wine education, relaxed evening |
| Hotel du Vin | The Lanes | Classic, extensive global wine list | Bistro menu | Special occasions, wine connoisseurs |
| Fourth & Church | Church Road, Hove | Carefully sourced wines, sherry, aperitivo and wine shop | Modern bistro dishes, small plates and snacks | Food-and-wine pairing, Hove locals |
| Bar 50ml | St George’s Place | Italian aperitivo, Lambrusco and Italian wines | Focaccia, sharing boards and Italian snacks | Italian wine, pre-dinner drinks |
| The Wine Cellar | Marlborough Place | Traditional wine bar with tastings | Cheese boards, meat boards and snacks | Cosy date night, intimate evening |
| Café Malbec | Church Road, Hove | Argentine and South American wines | Empanadas, tapas, specials and brunch | Malbec fans, something different |
| Curio Café Bar | Clyde Road, Preston Circus | Wine on tap and by the glass | Café food, pastries and small plates | Casual daytime wine, eco-conscious drinkers |
The venues in detail
Plateau
Plateau is one of the standout wine bars in Brighton. It is often credited as one of the early natural wine names outside London, and it still feels like the place to go if you care about what is in your glass and where it came from.
The wine list changes regularly and focuses on natural, organic and biodynamic bottles. There are usually plenty of by-the-glass options, which makes it a good place to try something unfamiliar without committing to a full bottle.
The small plates are seasonal, locally focused and designed to work well with the wines. It is stylish without feeling stiff, and it works just as well for a date night as it does for a slow dinner with friends.
Location: South Lanes
Book ahead? Yes for dinner. Walk-ins may work for drinks at the bar or terrace, but booking is safer.
Ten Green Bottles
Part wine bar, part wine shop, Ten Green Bottles has been running since 2007 and is one of the most respected independent wine spots in Brighton.
The focus is on small, independent, artisan producers, with plenty of organic, biodynamic and natural wines on the shelves. You can drink by the glass, buy bottles to take away, or choose something from the shop to drink in.
They run regular tastings, masterclasses and wine challenges. The tone is relaxed rather than snobby, so it is a good place to learn without feeling like you need to know the language of wine already.
The cheese, charcuterie and small plates are simple but exactly what you want alongside the bottles.
Location: 9 Jubilee Street, just off North Laine
Book ahead? Recommended for evenings, weekends and tastings.
Hotel du Vin
If you want depth of list rather than a curated edit, Hotel du Vin is the place. The wine list is extensive, with hundreds of bottles covering global regions and a particular strength in classic styles.
The building itself is part of the appeal. Hotel du Vin sits in The Lanes and has that slightly grown-up, special occasion feel. It is more formal and more expensive than the independents, but it suits a proper wine evening.
The bistro menu makes it a good option if you want food and wine together, rather than just a few bar snacks. It is also a safe choice for birthdays, anniversaries or any evening where you want the setting to feel a little more polished.
Location: Ship Street, The Lanes
Book ahead? Yes, especially for dinner, tastings and weekends.
Fourth & Church
Fourth & Church is a restaurant, bar, aperitivo spot and wine shop on Church Road in Hove.
The wine side is taken seriously, with an ever-changing list of wines, sherries and cocktails, plus bottles available from the shelves. The food is a big part of the reason to go, with seasonal dishes, small plates, snacks, charcuterie and British artisan cheese all designed to sit comfortably alongside the drinks.
It feels more like a neighbourhood restaurant with a proper wine brain than a pure wine bar. That is not a criticism. It is exactly why it works for Hove locals who want dinner, a glass and somewhere relaxed but interesting.
Location: 84 Church Road, Hove
Book ahead? Recommended.
Bar 50ml
Bar 50ml is a small Italian aperitivo bar on St George’s Place, bringing something different to Brighton’s wine scene.
The focus is Italian, with aperitivo drinks, Italian wines and a particular love of Lambrusco. The space is cosy, warm and intimate, with a proper European pre-dinner feel.
Food is built around the aperitivo idea, so expect focaccia, sharing boards and Italian snacks rather than a full dinner menu. It is ideal before dinner elsewhere, or as a quieter alternative to a louder cocktail bar.
Location: 10 St George’s Place, Brighton
Book ahead? Worth checking, as it is a small venue.
The Wine Cellar
The Wine Cellar is a cosy, traditional wine bar on Marlborough Place with a relaxed, low-lit feel.
This is the kind of place where you settle into a corner with a glass and good conversation. The wine list covers a solid range of styles, and they also run tasting experiences, including themed and giftable sessions.
The food is simple and wine-friendly, with cheese boards, meat boards and snacks rather than a full restaurant menu. It is a good pick for a quieter date night or an intimate evening out.
Location: 17 Marlborough Place, central Brighton
Book ahead? Advisable at weekends and for tastings.
Café Malbec
Café Malbec is an Argentine wine and tapas bar on Church Road in Hove, next door to LatinoAmerica.
The focus is South American wine, especially Malbec, but there is a broader Argentine and South American feel to the list. You can drink in or buy bottles to enjoy at home.
The food is part of the appeal, with handmade Argentine empanadas, tapas, specials and brunch dishes. It is a niche offering, but a good one, and it brings something different from the European-focused bars elsewhere on this list.
Location: Church Road, Hove
Book ahead? Usually a good idea for evenings.
Curio Café Bar
Curio Café Bar is a neighbourhood café-bar on Clyde Road near Preston Circus, with wine on tap and by the glass.
It is more casual and daytime-friendly than the evening-focused bars above. You can go for coffee and pastries earlier in the day, then move into wine, cocktails, vermouth, beer and small plates later on.
The wine-on-tap format keeps things interesting. It can mean fresher pours, less bottle waste and a more flexible way to try different wines by the glass or carafe.
Location: Clyde Road, Preston Circus
Book ahead? Not usually necessary for a casual visit, but booking is sensible for evenings.
Wine tastings and events
Several of the best wine bars in Brighton run regular tasting events.
Ten Green Bottles offers weekend masterclasses, private tastings for couples or groups, and wine challenges. Their sessions are specifically designed to be relaxed and educational without being pretentious.
Plateau hosts wine events in its upstairs space, often themed around regions, styles or producers. Check their social media or website for upcoming dates.
The Wine Cellar runs tasting experiences and themed events, including giftable tasting sessions for two.
Hotel du Vin runs wine-led experiences and tastings across the brand, with the Brighton venue suited to more formal food-and-wine occasions.
If you want to learn as well as drink, Ten Green Bottles is the best starting point. The team is knowledgeable, enthusiastic and good at making people feel welcome regardless of how much they already know about wine.
Typical prices
A glass of wine at Brighton’s wine bars typically costs between around £5 and £12 depending on the venue and the wine. Bottles range from everyday prices to special occasion territory, especially at Hotel du Vin.
Ten Green Bottles can be good value because it works as both a wine shop and bar, so you can buy bottles to take home or drink in, as well as ordering by the glass.
Wine tasting prices vary. As a rough guide, Ten Green Bottles’ weekend masterclasses start from around £27.50 per person, while private tastings and cheese-and-wine tastings cost more. The Wine Cellar’s tasting gifts are usually priced for two people, so check the details before booking.
FAQs
Which is the best wine bar in Brighton for a date?
The Wine Cellar is the most intimate, with a cosy, low-lit feel. Plateau has the strongest natural wine focus and a stylish atmosphere. Ten Green Bottles is a strong middle ground because it is relaxed, knowledgeable and easy to settle into.
Are there any wine bars in Brighton that do natural wine?
Yes. Plateau is the specialist, with a strong focus on natural, organic and biodynamic wines. Ten Green Bottles also stocks plenty of organic, biodynamic and natural wines from small producers.
Can I buy wine to take home from Brighton wine bars?
Yes. Ten Green Bottles is a wine shop as well as a bar, so bottles are available to take home. Café Malbec also sells bottles to enjoy at home. Fourth & Church also operates as a wine shop.
Where can I do a wine tasting in Brighton?
Ten Green Bottles is one of the best options for accessible, relaxed tastings. The Wine Cellar also runs tasting experiences. Hotel du Vin offers more formal wine-led experiences, and Plateau hosts themed events.
Are there wine bars in Brighton that serve food?
Yes. Every venue on this list serves food of some kind. Fourth & Church has one of the strongest full food offerings. Plateau is excellent for seasonal small plates. Ten Green Bottles does cheese, charcuterie and small plates. Bar 50ml serves Italian aperitivo snacks.
Is there a wine bar in Hove?
Yes. Fourth & Church and Café Malbec are both on Church Road in Hove. Fourth & Church is the stronger all-round option if you want food and wine together, while Café Malbec is the better choice if you specifically want Argentine and South American wine.
Final thoughts
The wine bars in Brighton cover enough ground that you can find something for every mood: a natural wine discovery at Plateau, a quiet glass in a candlelit corner at The Wine Cellar, an Argentine Malbec with empanadas at Café Malbec, or a proper tasting education at Ten Green Bottles.
The quality across the city is high and the pretension is low, which is exactly how wine should be.
If you want something livelier afterwards, our best cocktail bars in Brighton guide is useful. For dinner first, our best restaurants in Brighton guide is a better starting point. For a slower evening, our date ideas in Brighton guide has more gentle options.
