Visiting Brighton crossdressed – This listing is derived from my own personal experiences and was/is current as of June 2019. If you wish to add some details then please email me (sophie@translife.co.uk) and I would be delighted to add your recommendations.

Legends Bar Brighton

Legends – I believe this is probably the go-to place for anyone visiting Brighton. It is a hotel, bar and night club all rolled into one and has been a mainstay in the gay community for many a year. Located on Marine Parade which is where the majority of the bars are situated it is easy to find especially at night as it is light up with all the colours of the rainbow. It is open seven days a week, however, Friday and Saturday nights are probably the busiest nights. There are regular Drag acts performing here both during the day times and early evenings. The upstairs bar is quite large and there are plenty of places to sit down if you need to take the weight off your feet. The nightclub is located in the basement and opens around 11 pm every day except Tuesday I believe. There is always a friendly atmosphere in both the bar and club my recommendation is to get there quite late as it does not start to fill up until around midnight.
With respect to the Hotel, the rooms are a little on the small side but they are clean and modern. I have only been in them a couple of times doing make-overs and as with all hotel rooms, I found them warm and the lighting was a little lacking, to say the least.
The drinks are reasonably priced and you have a lot of selection/choice of bears, spirits and of course shots. I must admit Legends does not appear to be as popular in terms of numbers of people as it used to be and I can not quite put my finger on the reason why as on the whole it is a reasonable venue and the staff are quite welcoming. It closes quite late sometime between 3-4am depending on who is around!

My personal rating for this venue is 7/10 – You will always be safe here and it is easy to get a taxi outside of the venue to go home or move onto somewhere else. To conclude if you are visiting Brighton Crossdressed then this venue should be on your list

Queens Arms – Hands up I used to avoid this bar as I found it small and basically a drinking hole for the ‘locals’ how it has changed. After a renovation basically removing walls and opening it up and some magic by John and his team this is fast becoming my favourite venue in Brighton. OK, it is not that large a venue but it does pack a punch. You will find a drag acts on every night and sometimes every day of the week. Quite rightly voted the “Golden Hand Bags” best cabaret venue in Brighton in 2018/19. The team behind the bar are attentive and polite and John is always there either on the door, behind the bar or looking after the sound system for the Drag Queens. Always lively at the weekends and surprisingly busy during the week depending on the act for the evening. The drinks are reasonably priced but not super cheap. You will always be welcome, I have noticed quite a few hen parties book in during the weekends so some additional entertainment guaranteed there especially from the Drag queens throwing shad at them – all in the best possible taste though. Located just off Saint James Street the Queens Arms is easy to find and right in the heart of the Gay scene in Brighton. I would recommend popping in, never quite sure what time it actually closes these days.

My personal rating for this venue is 8/10 – it is what you make it, join and with the crowd and you will have a nice time.

Amsterdam Bar & Hotel

Bar Amsterdam – I have mixed feelings about this venue in the respect that I like sitting out the front in the sunshine (when there is any) watching the world go by during the day, however, at nighttime, it is not the same. Don’t get me wrong its a nicely located venue and clan, open and quite bright it just lacks something. It has changed hands quite a few times over the years and therefore has little soul. Nice for a quick dring but not somewhere I would like to spend my evenings for too long. The food is OK and the drinks are reasonably priced. I just think it has lost its identity a little, give it a go and see what you think. I know they have entertainment some evenings, check out their website for all the latest details.
The hotel facility does get quite good reviews and it is in a good location.

Charles Street Bar – Located very close to the Brighton Pier this is a very popular bar twined with a nightclub (envy). A great early bar for your evening out in Brighton, they serve good food during the day/early evening. It is a spacious bar that put on a lot of entertainment and has a youngish crowd who are always up for a good time. Drinks and food are well priced. Loads of tables and a nice outside space which is great on the warm evenings. Little point but the toilets are always worth a visit.