Best Transgender Bars and Clubs in Brighton
Brighton sits in the genuinely unusual position of having its own dense, walkable queer nightlife scene rather than relying on a nearby metro. Brighton consistently records the highest LGBTQ+ population percentage of any UK local authority and hosts both Brighton Pride — the largest outside London — and Trans Pride Brighton, the first of its kind in Europe. Kemptown, affectionately known as Brighton's "Gay Village," serves as the beating heart of the city's LGBTQ+ nightlife, with a concentration of bars, clubs, and cafés catering to the community. For trans locals, the good news is clear: the best venues are not a drive away. Most are within walking distance of each other along the Kemptown seafront.
The Brighton Trans Scene
Brighton has long been considered the UK's LGBTQ+ capital, with more than 10% of the city's residents identifying as lesbian, gay, or bi, and a further 1% identifying as trans or non-binary. The social friction that trans people often experience in other cities is noticeably lower here. Kemptown remains the heart of LGBTQ+ nightlife, with St James's Street venues like Legends and Bar Broadway hosting regular trans-inclusive nights. Rather than a single dedicated trans bar, the scene is anchored by a cluster of deeply queer venues where trans patrons are a normal part of the regular crowd — not an afterthought. The Actors is especially popular with the trans and lesbian communities, while Club Revenge has been an active fundraiser for Trans Pride Brighton for years. The UK's first and biggest Trans Pride event, with a powerful march, music, and community spaces, is a day dedicated to trans, non-binary and intersex visibility — expect a march through the city, workshops, spoken word, and a show of solidarity.
Top Transgender Bars and Clubs for Brighton Locals
The Actors (formerly The Marlborough)
Type: Queer pub and theatre with strong trans community presence
Location: Marlborough Hotel Building, 4 Princess Street, Brighton, BN2 1RD
Features: A pub and theatre that has been around since 1794, The Actors now showcases queer art, with the pub situated below the theatre, welcoming everyone but with its focus on the LGBTQ+ community. This much-loved little venue has long been a popular hangout for the city's trans community and today hosts some of the most exciting productions in queer theatre, with a particular focus on social justice. Weekly programming includes a Queer Running Club meetup, Dyke Night events, poetry open mics, and regular club nights — making it one of the most community-rooted venues on the scene.
Website: https://www.actors.pub
Club Revenge
Type: LGBTQ+ dance club
Location: 32–34 Old Steine, Brighton, BN1 1EL
Features: Revenge is the South Coast's number one LGBTQ+ nightclub and music venue, renowned as the ultimate party destination where you can express yourself on the dance floor and feel safe from start to finish. As well as providing the best gay events for Brighton's community, Revenge is an active supporter of local and national charities and has raised thousands of pounds for worthy causes including Trans Pride Brighton. The club is spread over three floors, with a main room featuring state-of-the-art LED screens and laser systems, a level 2 dancefloor with a breathtaking LED lighting array, and a roof terrace with spectacular views of the iconic Palace Pier.
Website: https://www.revenge.co.uk
Bar Revenge (R-Bar)
Type: LGBTQ+ seafront bar
Location: 5–7 Marine Parade, Kemptown, Brighton, BN2 1TA
Features: R-Bar is an inclusive LGBTQ+ late-night bar in the heart of Brighton's queer cultural capital, Kemptown, right on the seafront, featuring entertainment and DJs throughout the week plus a range of drink deals. For a chilled night that won't drain your wallet, "The Big Queer Quiz" on Mondays offers six rounds of quizzing for £2 per person with cash prizes. Fridays and Sundays bring a permanent drag cabaret show, and the venue runs half-price drinks daily from 5–8 pm — making it one of the most accessible entry points to the scene.
Website: https://www.revenge.co.uk
The Queens Arms
Type: Drag venue and LGBTQ+ cabaret bar
Location: 7 George Street, Brighton, BN2 1RH
Features: The Queens Arms is one of Britain's top cabaret bars, bringing 10 shows every week, described by regulars as a cosy and old-school bar with an eccentric twist in the form of camp and talented acts — with a glitter-ceiling stage home to stunning drag acts and karaoke. The Queens Arms is something of a Brighton gay institution, with its brightly painted pink exterior adorned with rainbow flags and depictions of the city's legendary drag acts. An unpretentious, welcoming room where being