Music Venues in Brighton
There's no shortage of live music venues in Brighton, making the city home to one of the best gig scenes in the country
By Charlie Walker | Updated Jul 3 2025
Brighton is a thriving hotspot for live music, offering an exciting mix of intimate gig spaces, iconic concert halls and underground clubs that cater to all tastes. Whether you're into indie rock, electronic beats, jazz, or grassroots performances there's no shortage of live music venues in Brighton to choose from.
From historic theatre-style venues hosting international acts to gritty basement clubs where emerging artists cut their teeth, Brighton’s stages pulse with energy. Many spots double as cultural hubs, featuring DJ sets, open mic nights, and album launches, making them essential to the city’s bohemian vibe.
For fans of live bands, there are legendary stages where you can catch everything from local talent to global stars. Electronic music lovers will find bass-heavy club nights and immersive audiovisual shows, while jazz and acoustic sessions provide a more laid-back atmosphere. The best venues prioritise great sound systems, unique atmospheres, and diverse lineups, ensuring every night out is special.
Brighton’s music venues also play a key role in the community, supporting grassroots artists and fostering creativity. Many host independent label showcases, charity gigs, and artist residencies, keeping the city’s music culture fresh and inclusive.
Whether you're after a sweaty mosh pit, a chilled jazz evening, or a late-night dance party, Brighton’s venues deliver. Explore the city’s legendary nightlife and discover why it’s a must-visit destination for music lovers.
Top Live Music Venues in Brighton
Concorde 2
Madeira Drive, BN2 1EN
A little way down Brighton Marina lies Concorde 2, a legendary Brighton music venue. Hosting everything from all-day reggae festivals to all-night drum and bass raves, the hottest new jazz to legends of rock, Concorde 2 is an institution.
This is really one of the most talked about Brighton venues. One of the most popular amongst uni students and visiting ravers, Concorde 2 has hosted many famous artists for many infamous nights. It’s also notable for being on the beachfront, providing an extra challenge for security as they try to reign in the excitable rabble desperate for a post-rave dip in the icy English Channel.
The sound is second to none, the atmosphere is always lively, the programming is on point and there are so many memories wrapped up in this phenomenal venue that the buzz is palpable as soon as you approach along the seafront. It’s the reigning monarch of music in Brighton.
Patterns
10 Marine Parade, Brighton BN2 1TL
Where many Brighton venues have to choose between being either ‘chic' or ‘underground’, Patterns does both, offering both a sunny drinking terrace and a dark, sweaty basement.
Since launching in 2015, Patterns Brighton has cemented itself as one of the city’s premier venues for underground electronic music and intimate live performances. Housed in a historic art deco building with deep musical roots—once home to legendary spots like Ted Potters Music Bar and the Escape Club—this multi-level space seamlessly blends heritage with cutting-edge nightlife.
The ground floor boasts a handcrafted DJ booth powered by a bespoke Ohm sound system, delivering crystal-clear audio for discerning music lovers. Industrial-chic decor—think exposed concrete, monolithic mirrors, and glowing neon accents—creates an immersive backdrop for club nights and private events.
Downstairs, the basement venue is a sonic paradise, equipped with a top-tier L’Acoustics sound system for unparalleled bass depth and clarity. Designed purely for dancing, this intimate space hosts everything from techno and house DJs to boundary-pushing live electronic acts.
By day, the south-facing terrace transforms into a sun-drenched oasis, complete with palm trees and panoramic sea views. During summer, it buzzes with free open-air parties soundtracked by resident DJs—voted one of Brighton’s coolest outdoor spots by critics.
More than just a club, Patterns is a cultural hub where music, design, and community collide. Whether you're after a sweaty basement rave, a sunset cocktail with pier views, or an immersive audiovisual experience, this venue delivers.
CHALK
13 Pool Valley, Brighton BN1 1NJ
Located opposite the iconic Brighton Pier, CHALK is a highly versatile, independent venue renowned for its variety of events, and enthusiastic organisers who try to recreate every type of club experience in their four walls. Replacing The Haunt that previously stood on its spot, it offers a large, adaptable main room with variable capacity, alongside a mezzanine-level bar offering panoramic views of the action. As such, CHALK has become Brighton's new spot to see and be seen.
The venue’s live roster spans iconic acts and breakthrough talent, with past performers like Tom Jones, Snow Patrol, Little Simz, YUNGBLUD, and Arlo Parks. Local favourites such as The Big Push also grace the stage, showcasing Brighton’s vibrant music scene. They also have a few infamous regular nights, but judging by the club photographers and the amount of neon, these recommendations are best kept for a publication like The Tab, not Culture Calling, a publication for adults.
Equipped with a state-of-the-art Martin Audio sound system, bespoke lighting, and immersive visual effects, CHALK delivers an unparalleled audiovisual experience. Whether for a sweaty club night or an intimate gig, the venue guarantees an unforgettable night out on the South Coast’s premier club circuit.
The Mesmerist
1-3 Prince Albert Street, BN1 1HE
The Mesmerist, tucked away in the South Lanes among Brighton’s many music shops, occasionally features jazz trios or acoustic concerts, but really they’re all about the club nights.
With a BBQ provided by Red Dog Saloon, and four bars scattered across the venue, The Mesmerist is a banger spot to go to even when there’s no music on, however rare that may be.
Consistently excellent DJs are a regular feature of this venue and if you’re in need of a good dance to some soul or swing – and who doesn’t every now and again? – The Mesmerist will cater for you.
The Prince Albert
48 Trafalgar Street, BN1 4ED
The Prince Albert is a proper, poky pub tucked underneath Brighton station, and often the first stop for anyone hungry for live music in Brighton with a stage upstairs that’s as sweaty a room as you’ll ever find.
The spot is famous for its ever-changing exterior, with its murals and paint jobs morphing over the years, but what remains consistent is its colour, it’s in-your-face counter-cultural attitude that defines the spirit of Brighton.
Sounds brilliant, doesn’t it? The list of acts to have performed here is as long as the queue for the bar and The Kooks, Maccabees and Royal Blood are just a few of the acts to have squeezed into the venue and sent crowds wild and floorboards sagging at their concerts. There’s even a giant original Banksy on the wall outside – that’s how special this place is.
Green Door Store
2-4 Trafalgar Arches, BN1 4FQ
Celebrated as one of the UK’s most iconic grassroots venues by the Music Venue Trust and nominated for a 2024 Music Week Award, The Green Door Store has been a cornerstone of Brighton’s live music scene for over 14 years. This fiercely independent venue operates seven nights a week, hosting an eclectic mix of emerging artists, underground acts, and international talent across genres, from punk and indie to experimental electronica.
With a 170-capacity live room (300 total), the railway-arch space delivers an intimate yet electric atmosphere, praised by Fred Perry Subculture for its bold programming and community-driven ethos. The venue collaborates with local promoters and independent collectives, ensuring a platform for DIY artists while attracting names like The Great Escape Festival’s buzziest acts.
Renowned for its raw, unpretentious vibe, The Green Door Store champions artist development and accessible gig culture, whether through pay-what-you-can shows, all-ages events, or charity fundraisers. Its stripped-back interior and top-tier sound system are adored by performers and audiences alike. It's always a loud yet intimate one at the Green Door.
A must-visit for music lovers, the venue embodies Brighton’s alternative spirit, where undiscovered gems share bills with cult heroes. From sweaty punk nights to leftfield DJ sets, every night promises something unforgettable.
Resident Records
27-28 Kensington Gardens, North Laine, BN1 4AL
Nestled in the creative heart of Brighton’s North Laine district, just a 5-minute walk from the train station, Resident is a multi-award-winning record store that doubles as a thriving live music and cultural space. More than just a place to buy vinyl, Resident transforms its shop floor into an intimate venue for performances, signings, Q&As, and meet-and-greets, creating a unique bridge between artists and music lovers.
Renowned for its eclectic curation, the store champions emerging talent across genres, from indie rock and electronica to jazz and experimental sounds. Whether you're discovering limited-edition pressings or catching an exclusive in-store gig, Resident offers an immersive experience where music discovery happens organically between the record racks.
The shop’s boutique events have become a staple of Brighton’s music scene, providing a platform for both breakthrough acts and established names in an up-close, personal setting. With its warm, welcoming atmosphere and expertly selected stock, Resident isn’t just a record shop, it’s a cultural hub for the city’s music community.
A must-visit for vinyl collectors, gig-goers, and curious listeners alike, Resident captures the independent spirit of Brighton while celebrating music in all its forms.
Rose Hill Tavern
Rose Hill Terrace, Brighton, BN1 4JL
The Rose Hill Tavern is a cultural hub. Run by musicians and artists, they operate a not-for-profit and independent organisation that prides itself on its first-class sound system and its commitment to paying the artists who perform a fair fee.
As active professional musicians, the team behind [venue name] understands how rare exceptional sound can be in intimate spaces. To ensure premium audio, they’ve invested in a high-end EM Acoustics PA system, the same technology used at the Royal Albert Hall and the Attenborough Centre at the University of Sussex.
Thoughtful curation defines the venue’s bar, offering a well-priced selection of premium spirits (think Zubrowka and Mount Gay instead of standard brands), rotating guest beers, and creative non-alcoholic options. Friendly bar staff enhance the welcoming atmosphere.
The basement houses versatile multi-room recording studios, complete with a vocal booth, control room, and live room, all integrated with the main performance space for seamless live recordings. Future plans include adding an artist bedroom for visiting performers. The venue frequently captures multi-channel live sets and broadcasts performances on local FM radio via TotallyRadio.
The Verdict
159 Edward Street, Brighton BN2
For lovers of live jazz, this is Brighton’s unmissable jazz sanctuary. Crowned APPJAG Jazz Venue of the Year 2024 and twice named Parliamentary Jazz Venue of the Year (2022 & 2023), The Verdict stands as one of Europe’s top jazz clubs, as acclaimed by The Guardian. Brighton’s only purpose-built jazz venue, it delivers an unparalleled experience for jazz enthusiasts, hosting world-class international acts across genres—from classic swing and bebop to contemporary fusion and avant-garde experimentation.
Nestled in the heart of the city, The Verdict combines intimate acoustics, a speakeasy ambiance, and a curated lineup that spotlights both legendary performers and rising stars. Its reputation for excellence attracts top-tier talent, while its dedication to authentic jazz culture makes it a hub for purists and curious newcomers alike.
Beyond performances, the club fosters community engagement through jam sessions, workshops, and artist residencies, solidifying its role as a cornerstone of the UK jazz scene. Whether you’re savouring a cocktail during a sultry late-night set or discovering cutting-edge improvisation, The Verdict offers a quintessential jazz experience—one that has earned its place among Europe’s elite music venues.