Although the over-30s do not necessarily need their own bar and pub recommendations, the truth is older customers can have different habits and expectations to younger clientele. Being older doesn’t mean you don’t want to party but rather you’d choose to do this somewhere more sophisticated that offers a mellow chill out area too.
It is also true that older people can have more disposable income to hand, and combined with the fact they go out less, can afford to treat themselves when organising a special night out. So, this is a list for those over-30s looking for somewhere fun, unique and matured – like your fine selves.
The Paris House
The Paris House is definitely somewhere you might go to party! When you walk inside, you’ll instantly be aware you’ve entered a special place. The French-styled café offers up a diverse mix of clientele, fun live music and a welcoming vibe, making it feel more like a house party than a bar.
There are seven live music sessions per week with regular DJ Andy the Dandy a joyous evening fixture on a Saturday evening. If you feel like the need to rebel from the working week and your computer screens, The Paris House even has a Monday Jazz session from 2-5pm. Tuesday evenings there is an open mic night from 7.30 – 10pm, with DJs on Friday and Saturdays from 9pm to 2am.
Whilst younger people are welcome, The Paris House does tend to attract a slightly older crowd and is therefore a great place to meet new people or people watch (if you aren’t feeling brave). Needing to support their lives acts, drinks are not cheap but the entertainment more than provides a bang for your buck. The food menu is limited but delicious with a choice of soup, platters of charcuterie, Boeuf Bourguignon, Coq au Vin with meals all served with crunchy French bread. If you enjoy the Paris House, then why not check out The Camelford Arms in Kemptown and The Three Jolly Butchers in the North Laines, run by the same owners.
Address: 21 Western Road Brighton BN3 1AF
Website: https://www.the-paris-house.co.uk/
The Mesmerist
Located in the heart of Brighton’s bustling Lanes, The Mesmerist is a large three-floored building which caters to those looking for good food, good drink and a good night out. There is also a large outside area to enjoy those blue-skied summer evenings whether supping on a coffee or getting involved in their eclectic cocktail menu. With its chilled and quirky vibe, the Flipside cocktail lounge serves up drinks with a Mesmerist twist – including a Pink Margarita, a Chocolate Rum Hurricane, a Herbal Tea Spritz and a Limoncello Mule – to name but a few.
Like the Paris House, there is also a busy schedule of live music throughout the year that features folk, indie, rock, funk, disco, hip-hop and a whole bunch of other genres. On the first and third Tuesday of every month, there is also an Open Mic Night. When it comes to food, the UmamiNation menu includes burgers, Korean-inspired dishes, Bao Buns and Asian-inspired salads and noodle dishes.
Bottomless brunch is also available at £37.50 per person with bottomless cocktails, bottomless Prosecco and bottomless Mocktails on offer. With it’s hipster vibe and modern decor, The Mesmerist is the sort of place that attracts plenty of older millennials, although all age groups are found here and it is really just a fab place to spend time, regardless of your age!
Address: 1-3 Prince Albert Street, Brighton, BN1 1HE
Website: https://www.mesmerist.pub/
The Bee’s Mouth
If cosiness is what you are looking for from your drinking establishment, then The Bee’s Mouth on Western Road is the place for you. It isn’t just cosy though, with a bohemian madcap atmosphere which wouldn’t be out of a place in an episode of The Mighty Boosh. Therefore, it is not a surprise that celebrities such as comedian Dylan Moran have been spotted here, for it is as quirky and charismatic as the man himself.
The bar sells speciality beers in bottles and draught from Belgium and around the world. A basement gig venue is to be found downstairs which is as equally cute and charming. This venue is used to host Brighton Fringe events, Life Drawing, as well as a bunch of other music gigs and live performances. The Bee’s Mouth Facebook page keeps an updated list of the eclectic mix of events on offer.
The interesting art on the walls, and general attention to detail, makes you aware of how much time and effort has been put into creating a bar with such a strong sense of its own unique identity. Being a smaller venue works in the bars favour, creating a small, hideaway vibe – but there is a sense of space with large doors that open onto the road and a small area of outdoor space. It is the type of bar where you will be desperate to return, due to its escapist charm and chilled, laidback vibe. Trust us, it’s a little gem.
Address: 10 Western Road, Hove
Website: http://thebeesmouth.com
The Brighton Cocktail Company
Founded by Shannon Severy, this cocktail bar is dedicated to the 2 c’s – cocktails and company. Using her passion for cocktails and experience as an events organiser, Severy has created a great space in Seven Dials that welcomes all. The bar is particularly inclusive of women and members of the LGBTQ+ community and is built on the idea of people connecting in a safe space.
A unique cocktail and food menu uses locally sourced spirits and ingredients, and the cocktails are inspired by the creativity and quirkiness that Brighton and Hove are known for. There are 2-for-1 cocktails during a happy hour from 4pm to 7pm on drinks including Brighton Bramble (gin, lemon, sugar, crème de mur), the cheekily named Sex on Dyke Road (vodka, gin, aperol, lemoncello, lime, orange, cranberry) and Blackberry Smash (whiskey, lime, fresh blackberries, mint, soda).
For those plus 30s who fancy a night off the source (it’s harder to handle when you are older, right?), there is also a brilliant low and no alcohol drinks menu. This includes eight delicious and creative mocktails, two non-alcoholic beers, two non-alcoholic wines and a list of whiskey and gin alternatives. If you are unable to make it down to the bar, the company even offer cocktail and date night experiences for you to enjoy in the comfort of your own home.
Address: 87-93 Dyke Rd, Brighton, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 3JE
Website: https://www.brightoncocktail.com/
Torstigbar
Talking about struggling with a hangover, Brighton’s very own low-alcohol bar and bottle shop is especially for those who are teetotal, cutting down or designated driver. The Danish name means thirsty, and once you have a look at the wide-range of tasty and alternative ingredients on the menu, that’s exactly what you will be. This isn’t just about a whole load of non-alcoholic beers, it is so much more than that, with cocktails infused with mood and health enhancing substances such as ashwaganda, lion’s mane and CBD.
Six months old, Torstigbar has already built a reputation for its carefully curated drinks and inclusive atmosphere, despite its infancy. This is largely down to owners Luke and Emmi Cousins who after living and partying hard in London were motivated to set up a bar with a strong selection of low alcoholic beverages made by British suppliers.
As well as cocktails, there’s an insanely large collection of canned beers and ciders, the only non-alcoholic Guinness on draught in the country and a varied list of spirit alternatives. Another potential advantage for older customers, is that the bar is located on a quiet residential road so it’s perfect if you want to avoid the partygoers and revellers of Brighton town on a weekend.
Address: 45 George St, Kemptown, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 1RJ
Website: www.torstigbar.com
Rockwater
Looking for the best ocean views in Brighton? Up for spotting some of the rich and famous of the seaside city? Have a little extra cash to splash? Then Rockwater is the place for you and due to its price tags is more likely to attract older clientele. Although not extortionate, Rockwater feels like the kind of bar you visit when you want to treat yourself or fancy something a little bit special.
With three bars and a number of shacks on the shore, you can even pick and choose your drink to match the view – with the bars spread over multiple floors. The top floor is more your oysters and champagne kind of bar, whereas the ground floor bar is a little more affordable and has a wider range of food.
There are also a number of events held at Rockwater, including gigs from international recording artists and djs, comedy nights, film screenings and regular networking events, talks and workshops. In fact, if you are feeling flush you can even sign up to become an Open Water member, which includes a host of bonuses and perks throughout the year. But before you commit to that, why not drop by for a coffee or Rose on the terrace, and see if it is your kind of vibe.
Address: Western Esplanade, Hove, Brighton and Hove, Hove BN3 4FA
Website: http://www.rockwater.uk
