Raise a Glass: Brighton's Cocktail Festival Brings 52 Bars and £6 Drinks Together

A Celebration of Creativity and Community

Brighton's vibrant bar scene is coming together this month for a city-wide celebration of cocktail culture. The Brighton Cocktail Festival, running from September 18 to 27, invites locals and visitors to explore 52 participating venues, each offering exclusive drinks at the wallet-friendly price of £6.

Organiser and founder Harry Philippson challenged venues back in April to create cocktails that would truly stand out. "The challenge was it had to be a showstopper, it had to look as good as it tasted and it had to be authentic to their venue," he explained.

Making It Easy to Explore

This year's festival introduces a helpful new app that lets participants build their own custom bar crawl. The technology allows you to filter venues by the spirits they specialise in or by features like outdoor seating, making it easier than ever to plan your evening.

With 156 cocktails to choose from across the city, there's something for every palate and preference.

Authentic Flavours from Local Venues

One standout venue is Bar Medusa on Preston Street, where bar manager Boris has inspired the team to create drinks rooted in Ukrainian heritage. The Spirit of Liberty, crafted by bartender Rufus, combines Warner's Harrington Dry Gin with French elderflower liqueur and Yellow Chartreuse—an enigmatic French liqueur made for centuries from a secret recipe of 130 herbs and spices.

Another of their festival offerings, The Golden Fields, celebrates Ukrainian resilience with a tropical blend of DropWorks Clear Drop Rum and Monin Apricot Brandy, combined with pineapple, lime, sugar and pineapple bitters.

A Festival for Everyone

The festival represents the best of Brighton's hospitality scene—diverse, creative, and welcoming. Whether you're a cocktail connoisseur looking to explore new flavour combinations or simply keen to enjoy a quality drink without breaking the bank, the Brighton Cocktail Festival offers something special.

The new app makes planning your crawl simple and enjoyable, allowing you to tailor your experience to your tastes and preferences. It's a brilliant opportunity to discover new bars, meet fellow enthusiasts, and celebrate what makes Brighton's food and drink scene so special.

Mark your calendars for September 18 to 27 and get ready to explore the city's finest cocktail venues.

Source: I tried the cocktail bar crawl around Brighton where every drink is £6