The Restaurants Brighton guide to the best wine bars in Brighton. Ever gone to a pub, asked for the wine list and felt your heart sink a little? Perhaps this sounds a little dramatic, but in our opinion, there are some venues in Brighton and Hove that just get wine, and we want to shout about it!
Hurrah for a beautiful wine glass, a red served at just the right temperature, and staff who not only know their Pinotage from their Syrah but who love to share that knowledge and recommend something that could may well knock your socks off. Here's a round up of our favourite wine bars and venues serving great grapes in Brighton… salute!
L'Atelier Du Vin is an eclectic and salvaged space, with mismatched furnishings, exposed brickwork, and a bar built by hand by co-owners Steve and Dimitri. With over 500 wines L'Atelier Du Vin boasts the most extensive drinks menu in Brighton, with wines available by the glass from just £4, through to distinct vintage bottles in their hundreds. If you prefer something a little stronger, there are also over 300 spirits available which make up a classically inspired cocktail list for everyone's taste.
Whilst you are enjoying your tipple of choice at L'Atelier Du Vin, you can also relish a perfectly paired bite to eat. Options range from locally sourced steak from Trenchmore Farm in West Sussex, to speciality cheeses and charcuterie. The relaxed and atmospheric feel of L'Atelier Du Vin makes it the perfect spot for any occasion, even if that is a midweek Negroni because hey, why ever not!
Ask any wine aficionado in Brighton where they like to drink, and we're 94% sure that Ten Green Bottles will get a mention. True, they are smack bang in the centre of town (Jubilee Street) making it the perfect spot for an post-work vino or aperitif before dinner, but we've got a sneaking suspicion it may also be because they are so bloomin' knowledgeable about wine!
The staff run regular wine tastings, from private to big groups and all the wines sold in the shop are available to drink off the shelf with a small corkage fee. This allows you to go off piste from the wine list (which is however excellent) and try something completely out of your normal drinking comfort zone. Bar snacks range from Spanish charcuterie to British cheese boards, with a smattering of fresh bread and olives to line your stomach.
Plateau is a lively bar and french restaurant in the heart of Brighton's Lanes. Owners Vincent and Thierry have created a relaxing ambience with an unusual list of naturally produced wines and modern European sharing plates.
Their background is heavily steeped in wine, both having worked in plenty of high-end establishments both in London and Brighton and they are fastidious about what goes on their wine list, favouring organic, biodynamic & above all natural wines. Sit at the bar and work your way through a selection of their (twenty) wines by the glass soaked up with a few of the small plates – perfect for a chilled night out!
Although you have to head out of Brighton for this one, it is totally worth the journey. The Tasting Room isn't just a restaurant. Between 11am and 6pm Wednesday to Sunday visitors are invited to partake in ad hoc tasting sessions at the centrally positioned copper bar, where an expert from the Rathfinny estate is always on hand. The Tasting Room also offers a delicious snack menu between 3pm-6pm where guests are welcome to relax, enjoy a glass of delicious Sussex Sparkling, Cradle Valley still wine, a Seven Sister's and Tonic or a cocktail or two. If you are lucky enough to visit in the summer head to their terrace. We can think of no better place to enjoy an afternoon drink with a loved one.
The Una Bar, part of award winning boutique Hotel Una, is situated in the Regency Square just behind the shopping metropolis of Churchill Square near to the i360. The décor at Una Bar is relaxed and welcoming, with deep toffee-coloured leather seats and stripped back wooden floor and tables. Cocktails here are usually first choice however the bar also has a simple selection of quality wines available by the glass, with more available by the bottle and a careful selection of beers and ales from carefully selected brewers.
Located on the busy Church Street, Fourth and Church contribute greatly to the growing number of fantastic venues in Hove. No longer do you have to trek into town to relax with a fine wine, Fourth and Church will provide this and more, all for a very reasonable price tag.
Owned by two restaurant veterans, Paul and Sam, the idea behind the wine bar is to recreate some of their favourite places, whether a memorable tapas bar in Seville, or wine deli in New York. Pop by after work for a wine to take away and enjoy at home, or sit down and indulge in carefully selected artisan cheeses and small plates of food with Paul and Sam's wines recommendations to match. They also offer regular wine tasting evenings so keep an eye on their website.
As you can guess from the name, this hotel is all about fine wine. Not only do they have a dedicated wine tasting room, but snoop a little downstairs and you'll stumble across a basement wine snug so atmospheric that you'll immediately start hatching plans to recreate one in your own home. The extensive wine cellar is also on show and staff will be happy to show you around on request.
Situated on Brighton's Marina and priding itself on serving the best of British produce including wine, beer, cider and plenty of artisan foods. The GB Charcuterie is the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of wine accompanied by a tasty charcuterie platter. There's a great selection of British wines & drinks to choose from, so either take a seat at their bar, outside in the sun or buy a bottle to enjoy at home!
GungHo is a welcoming and unique bar on Preston Street severing cocktails, wine, beer and a variety of home-brew drinks made from scratch by the team at GungHo. Julien's runs his business on a zero waste policy which is reflected in the drinks that are served here. Wine is all natural and sourced from independent vineyards across the world which all work organically and beer from some of the best breweries in the UK. Cocktails are made from seasonal produce so head down for a vibrant and fresh drinks selection that has something for everyone.
The newest addition to King's Road, Brighton, HarBAR is part of the stylish Jetty Hotel and boasts sweeping seafront views as well as a very well-stocked wine cellar. The bar is headed by the very talented Sasha Lewis, a fantastic mixologist that can mix up anything to suit your taste!
Pop in for a pre dinner drink before heading to dine at the adjoining seafood restaurant 'The Jetty' , or simply head for the wine itself – there's plenty of space to enjoy a quiet drink or to host a gathering. If champagne is your tipple of choice then you're in for a treat as HarBAR offers eleven different types of fizz, ranging from prosecco to Dom Perignon Rose' Vintage 2003. Bottoms up!
Not only is Drakes an award-winning hotel and restaurant, they also have a cosy bar snuggled into the front of the building with sweeping seaside views. The perfect spot you might say to enjoy a delicious glass of wine, either before you eat downstairs or just to relax with friends.
Eddie is their resident sommelier, and your go to guy for matching your wine to your meal or simply recommending a bottle to suit your taste. Keep an eye out for their Sussex wines – we're pleased to see the Bluebell 'Hindleap' Sussex Rose gets a mention on their wine list – the perfect fizz to start your evening!
We're heading back to Hove with this entry, and with good reason as MARKET is quickly making a name for themselves with their bar dining concept and fantastic wines to match. What we enjoy about this venue is that they serve many of their wines by the carafe, perfect if you and your dining partner can't agree on a bottle to share.
They also stock some fine fizzes and Ports from some of Sussex's best vineyards, including Ridgeview and Blackdown. We've also got to give a big thumbs up to their commitment to sherry, a tipple that owner, Kate is extremely passionate about. So passionate in fact, she's even made an introductory video all about the sweet stuff.