Caroline of Brunswick celebrates two decades as Brighton's beloved community pub

A Brighton institution turns twenty

A cherished city pub is celebrating two decades of bringing the community together. The Caroline of Brunswick, located on Ditchling Road, opened its doors in July 2006 when owner Cliff Barnes and his partner Debora Parr took over what was then called the Leek and Winkle. Within four months, they had renamed it and begun building the welcoming venue it is today.

"It wasn't meant to turn out to be in the same week, but it's just how it fell," Mr Barnes recalled of buying the pub just four days before his wedding. "By November, we had changed the name to the Caroline of Brunswick, and we have been going all this time."

Comedy, community, and connection

The pub has become far more than just a place for a drink. Upstairs, an 80-seat comedy club has hosted an impressive roster of well-known performers over the years, including Josh Widdicombe, Romesh Ranganathan and Joe Wilkinson. The venue prides itself on keeping entertainment affordable with low-priced drinks and free events throughout the year.

Bar manager Tami Lawn, who has worked at the pub for 14 years and managed the bar for the past decade, believes the heart of the venue lies in its people. "It's the sense of community," she explained. "The things that have happened here, the fact that we know these people sometimes better than they know themselves. The regulars, we see them every day and we get to know their lives and it's nice that people have somewhere that they're comfortable."

A safe space for everyone

The Caroline of Brunswick has carved out a special place in Brighton's cultural landscape, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. The pub hosts celebrated Pride parties and Halloween events that draw crowds from across the city. It has also established itself as a haven for rock music enthusiasts.

What makes the venue truly special is how it combines these different communities. "The idea of having a rock pub that is also a gay friendly pub, they actually absolutely sit side by side," Ms Lawn noted. "Especially when you think about certain marginalised people who might not feel at home or comfortable in mainstream pubs or even feel safe or included sometimes. So, it's very important to us that they have somewhere to go."

Ms Lawn added that feedback from regulars reinforces why the pub's mission matters: "I can't count how many times people have actually said those words, which really makes us feel we are doing something important here."

The secret to success

When asked about the pub's longevity, Mr Barnes attributed it to a working business model that has remained consistent over the years. "It's not the slickest place you'll ever see, compared to big chains or even the multi-operator run pubs around town," he said honestly. "But financially it just works and it just always has."

Beyond the numbers, however, the real success comes from the relationships built and the inclusive atmosphere fostered by Tami and the team. As Brighton continues to evolve, the Caroline of Brunswick remains a steadfast community hub where everyone is welcome.

Source: 'Unique' city pub that has played host to famous faces celebrates 20 years