Last Updated on 6 July 2026 by Dave King
Gin has been the nation’s comfort drink for a while now, and few cities take it as seriously as this one. The best gin bars in Brighton run from a retro Hove institution built around gin to snug spots pouring little-known small-batch labels, and the city even distils its own. This guide covers where to go for a proper G and T, the local distilleries worth a visit, and the tastings and tours that turn a drink into a day out.
Part of what makes the scene worth seeking out is the range. You can have a classic serve in a characterful pub, an inventive gin cocktail in the Lanes, or a tasting flight of spirits made a few miles from where you are sitting. Below are the dedicated bars, the makers, and the experiences, with a note to check current opening times and gin lists before a special trip, as menus and venues change.
Table of Contents
Quick reference: gin bars in Brighton at a glance
| Venue | Area | Known for | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Gin Tub | Hove | Retro styling, dial-phone ordering, gin tastings | A big night, groups |
| The Colonnade Bar | Central, by Theatre Royal | Pre-theatre drinks | Theatre nights |
| Old Albion | Hove | Gin-friendly local | A relaxed local |
| Grand Central / station-area bars | Near the station | Convenient drinks before or after trains | Easy meet-ups |
| Brighton Gin | Near Portslade | The city’s own distillery | Tours and gin school |
| Madame Jennifer | Hove | Small-batch local spirits | Tastings and gifts |
The best gin bars in Brighton
The clear headline act is The Gin Tub in Hove, which leans into full retro theatre, with a dial telephone on each table for ordering and gin tasting experiences available for groups. It is loud, fun and built for a group rather than a quiet chat, so go when you want the night to have some energy.
For something calmer, the Colonnade Bar sits right beside the Theatre Royal and is a reliable pre-show stop, though I would check its current drinks list before going specifically for gin. Over in Hove, Old Albion is worth checking as a relaxed local option, though I would confirm its current gin list before going specifically for a particular bottle.
Closer to the station, Grand Central and the surrounding station-area bars are handy for meeting people straight off the train, though I would check current listings before treating any one room as a dedicated gin bar. The Mesmerist in the Lanes plays up the old gin-palace look and is better known for its cocktails, so it suits a group that wants gin as part of a wider drinks list. Gin lists rotate, so it is always worth a quick check before heading somewhere specifically for a particular bottle.
If you want to compare the wider scene, our guides to the best cocktail bars in Brighton and the best bars in Brighton for a night out cover the venues where a strong gin menu sits alongside everything else.
Brighton’s own gin: the local distilleries
The thing that sets the city apart is that it makes its own. Brighton Gin began with experiments by the sea and grew into one of the city’s best-known local spirits producers, now making award-winning small-batch gin near Portslade. Founder Kathy Caton was recognised with an MBE for services to trade and the community, which tells you how far a home-distilling hobby has come. You can book a distillery tour of roughly 90 minutes, which includes a welcome G and T, a hands-on look at the process and a miniature to wax-seal and take home, and there is a gin school for anyone who wants to design their own recipe.
Over in Hove, Madame Jennifer has been making small-batch gins, vodka and other spirits since 2018. It lists distillery tours and gin tastings, but its current tours page says new tour bookings are temporarily paused while the schedule is reviewed, so check the latest status before planning around a session. Both makers are a reminder that the best way to understand local gin is to meet the people distilling it, and both work well as a gift or a slightly different afternoon out.
Gin tastings, tours and experiences
Beyond the distillery doors, there are a few good ways to make a proper occasion of it. Brighton Gin’s gin school is the most hands-on option, letting you develop your own recipe, bottle it and take it home. For something roving, keep an eye out for gin-led walking tours and tasting events, but check current availability before building a day around one. These book up, especially around World Gin Day in June, so reserve ahead.
Gin also makes an easy theme for a celebration. A tasting or a gin school slots neatly into a Brighton hen do, and if you would rather build a relaxed evening around a few good serves, our roundup of wine bars in Brighton covers the calmer end of the same night.
Tips for a good gin night
A few small things help. If you are new to it, start with a classic G and T and ask staff to match a gin to the flavours you like, as a good bar will happily steer you rather than push the priciest bottle. Pay attention to the garnish and tonic, which change the drink as much as the gin itself. If you are heading to a distillery near Portslade or in Hove rather than the centre, plan your travel in advance and leave the car, because every tour ends in a tasting.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best gin bar in Brighton?
It depends on the night you want. The Gin Tub in Hove has the liveliest, most theatrical atmosphere, the Colonnade Bar suits a calmer pre-theatre drink, and Old Albion is worth checking as a relaxed local option. Check current gin lists before a special trip, as they change.
Does Brighton make its own gin?
Yes. Brighton Gin distils award-winning small-batch gin near Portslade, having started with experiments by the sea, and Madame Jennifer produces small-batch gins and liqueurs in Hove. Both are widely stocked in local bars and shops.
Can you tour a gin distillery in Brighton?
You can. Brighton Gin runs distillery tours of around 90 minutes with a welcome drink, a tasting and a take-home miniature, plus a gin school for making your own. Madame Jennifer also lists distillery tours and tastings, but new tour bookings are currently paused while its schedule is reviewed, so check the latest status before planning around it.
Where can I do gin tasting in Brighton?
Brighton Gin runs tastings as part of its distillery tour, and Madame Jennifer lists tours and tastings but has temporarily paused new tour bookings while it reviews its schedule. Several bars and event organisers also hold occasional gin-tasting events, so it is worth checking current listings around World Gin Day in June.
What area has the most gin bars in Brighton?
The bars cluster in the central Lanes and North Laine, near the station, and across the border in Hove, which is home to The Gin Tub and Old Albion. The two local distilleries sit slightly out from the centre, near Portslade and in Poets Corner.
Final thoughts
Gin bars in Brighton cover the full range, from a retro Hove institution to quiet spots pouring small-batch labels, and the city backs it up by distilling its own. Start with a classic serve, let the staff guide you, and if you catch the bug, book a distillery tour and see where the good stuff is actually made.
