A new addition to Brighton’s North Laine, The Archives is a café-bar offering a UK-first cocktail menu with every drink available in classic, low-alcohol, or alcohol-free versions. Blending the feel of a library and neighbourhood bar, it’s a calm, inclusive space designed for reading, working, and socialising, with a strong focus on accessibility and community connection. Locally sourced drinks, sensory-friendly design, and regular creative events make The Archives a standout spot for Brighton’s sober-curious, neurodivergent, and LGBTQ+ communities. Katy Adams went along to try some of the cocktails…
When we first walked in to The Archives, a cosy bar nestled deep in the North Laine, we were warmly greeted by our charming bartender for the evening. This intimate and classy new venue has an emerald bar full of beautiful books and fairy lights. We were sat us by the window and talked through the drinks menu and The Archives’ ethos.
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The business offers three varied options of the same drink: no, low and full-strength alcohol.
A brilliant concept meaning customers that choose not to drink can try a classic or signature
cocktail instead of settling on a mocktail or a soft drink.
We started our evening with the ‘full’ Mescal Paloma, an interestingly dry cocktail with a
smoky twist pairing this with a sharp, minty Brighton Rocks; a gin or non-alcoholic gin-
based drink with a foam topping. Both hit the spot perfectly, presented with flare and
elegance, having a perfect kick.
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We later tried the Sussex 75, The Archives take on the classic French 75, White Tuscan, a
caffeinated vodka signature drink and finally a personal favourite: Strawberry Fields, a fresh
and fruity rum cocktail made with homemade strawberry purée (it used to be raspberry, but
the strawberry apparently stole the show!). All these thought-out cocktails available with
little or no alcohol at all; or full strength if that’s your poison!
Next followed the classic margarita. Our helpful bartender let us do a blind taste test of a full-
strength margarita against their non-alcohol version of the drink; we both could swear there
was little to no difference between the two takes; both delicious with sweet notes and a limey
kick.
The Archives’ alcoholic alternatives and varied selection of alcohol-free liqueurs is extensive.
It truly stood out to me as the unique selling point of this bar, contrasting many surrounding
pubs in the Brighton area, the perfect spot for everyone no matter your alcoholic tolerance,
preference or lifestyle choice.
The Archives is the ideal haunt for a relaxed evening drink, a reward after sitting in to work,
drinking tea or finishing the book you were putting off reading, sat at the bar.
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There is clear attention to detail towards the quality of ingredients put into their drinks and the day-to-day curation of the spot. With a relaxed energy, it presents as the perfect place for
dates or solo dates, with a comedy club and second bar for events hidden downstairs that we
only discovered later into our evening.
A peaceful energy surrounds this venue; if you’re looking for club classics or theatrics: then
maybe try The Archives on a slower weekend; but that is not to say the atmosphere isn’t
excellent – classy and balanced: the perfect spot for many. We will definitely be overstaying
our welcome around the bar in the next few weeks to come; it’s ideal to sit there all day and night as it offers the perfect transitional from a café and coffee throughout the day to drinks and comedy clubs in the evening.
Key Features of The Archives
- Every cocktail available in three versions: classic, low-alcohol, and alcohol-free (UK-first)
- Locally sourced coffee, tea, wine, beer, and pastries
- Fully accessible and inclusive space with wheelchair access, gender-neutral toilets, and sensory-friendly lighting and sound
- Free Wi-Fi and power sockets at every table for remote work or study
- Regular community events including book launches, creative workshops, and socials
- Happy Hour with discounted prices on all cocktail strengths and local beers
Address: 103 North Road, Brighton, BN1 1YW
