Medusa

If you enjoy a good cocktail before dinner, I can’t recommend Medusa enough, it’s one of my favourite cocktail bars in Brighton. The interior is gorgeous, the cocktails are stunning, and the service is always friendly. It’s also right in the centre of Brighton, close to plenty of great restaurants, so it’s perfect for pre or post dinner drinks.

I always go for their original signature cocktail, the Pablo, a stunning twist on a spicy margarita with tequila, mezcal, mango, watermelon, coriander and scotch bonnet. It tastes as good as it looks. On this visit, my friend ordered the Banana Gramps, made with rum, banana liqueur and pineapple bitters, a sweet, tropical take on a piña colada, beautifully presented and really tasty.

For the quality you get, the prices are very reasonable (around £12–£13 per cocktail), which I think is excellent value. Whether you’re starting your night out or winding it down, Medusa is a real gem. Booking is recommended, but I’ve managed to walk in a couple of times and still found a table.