The Bootlegger

The Bootlegger is a cocktail bar on Middle Street in Brighton with a vintage-influenced style and a late-night social atmosphere. Its character draws on the world of prohibition-era drinks, pairing classic cocktails with house signatures and a sense of playful rebellion. The setting is designed for gatherings, with booths and spaces suited to raising a glass with friends.

Cocktails are central to the experience, with drinks prepared and served with presentation. The menu combines familiar prohibition classics with original creations, giving guests a choice between traditional cocktail styles and more distinctive house combinations. Bar food and sharing bites provide an accompaniment for drinks, making the venue suitable for relaxed grazing as well as a full social occasion.

During the day, The Bootlegger offers brunch, including a bottomless format for groups looking to make an occasion of a meal and drinks. Later visits focus on cocktails, music and a livelier evening rhythm. The programme can also include live music, giving some nights an added entertainment element without changing the venue’s main identity as a cocktail-led bar.

The venue caters for several kinds of group booking. Cocktail masterclasses offer a more structured way to spend an evening, with guests learning about mixing and trying drinks as part of the experience. Private hire and celebration bookings are also available, while happy-hour offers provide another reason for an informal meet-up. The combination of brunch, shared food, cocktails and late-night entertainment makes The Bootlegger a fit for birthdays, group occasions, after-work drinks and social plans that continue into the evening.

Reservations are available for tables, brunches, masterclasses and private events. Checking the venue’s current listings before arranging a visit is useful for finding live music and other scheduled activities. The overall tone is adult, sociable and drink-focused, with enough food and planned experiences to support more than a quick cocktail stop.