The Oculist in Brighton and Hove

I came in yesterday (1/12/24) for a booking at 5pm to have some leaving drinks with my work group. Holly was an absolute star behind the bar, incredibly attentive and made my evening! I would highly recommend the Oculist to anyone looking to celebrate with their friends, or even to have a solo drink :) 10/10 experience

Super cool venue for a late night dance with amazing DJ's and cool visuals! Plus all the staff were delightful

Stumbled across this place on a Saturday night and ended up staying till 3am! DJ's were really good and they have a lovely roof terrace

Such a fun bar, whoever does the dj bookings need a raise!

Had a lovely time, I will go back 😈

Great bar with lovely roof terrace

When we went it was quiet and very good to chat, they have an incredible roof with lots of nice sitting and heaters. The service was good!

Lost a pair of clogs on the third floor, terrible amnesia, violently ill for the last three days, nothing works anymore, my clock goes the other way round, nobody lives forever

Amazing roof terrace! DJ sets are quite good and friendly stuff!

Hollie with a ie sold me up a pineapple rum, excellent bartender

Great Pub for a special night out. The vibes in particular are immaculate, and having a live and literal DJ (disc jockey) was pretty fantastic. Drinks are a little pricey for my taste, but I'm also a bit cheap😛 No complaints

I’ve had great service this whole evening! Hollie and Lucas have given great service and been so attentive this whole evening! Came for a birthday and it was a lovely atmosphere! The friendliness of the bar staff made all our evening’s!

Came here recently as a pit stop for a concert on the beach. I could have easily stayed here for the whole night, though. Eventhough its on a busy high street, you get a secluded feel from the outside, in. Walking in, you're greeted with bespoke tavern decor and great jams from a resident DJ, giving the place a holiday atmosphere. Technically, there are like 4 floors to the place. Two internal and two external for the roof garden, which was an unexpected surprise again neatly decorated with plants, decking, and lighting. The manager and staff were really friendly and accommodating, I had no battery left despite just starting my day out, and they kindly got me back to full charge. Sadly, no food is available. Drink prices were pretty average and not expensive. For the atmosphere alone, I would gladly come back here.

Hollie is the best bartender in the whole of Brighton absolutely stunning girl honestly very jealous and such a sweetie!!! Come for the drinks and come for the beautiful hollie <3

Great place lovely staff doggy friendly

We hired the Oculist in June 2024 for our wedding and it was the perfect venue for a non-traditional, informal ceremony with our families and friends. They brought in caterers to prepare food for 150 people and we paid for unlimited use of their photobooth which went down a treat with our guests. Thank you Lauren and all the bar staff for a fantastic day and amazing memories Xxx

Great beer and nice atmosphere. Plenty of seating and space.

Great use of space in this pub, good selection of drinks and a great roof seating area for those summer days

We met a group on the roof terrace, all expecting to eat. It is worth pointing out that there is NO FOOD anymore, and although the website still said food, the bar staff brushed it away. The terrace is lovely, though, so it is recommended if you want a drink and sun during the day.

I bought a pint of cider and a double vodka and coke: it was £17.80.

Welcoming bar staff, great place to drink

Wow! This place is amazing! Came here for my birthday and had the best time.the two bar staff Hollie and anona were great! Will defo be coming again soon.

Best roof garden in Brighton. Decent bar just off West Street.

DOG FRIENDLY!!! I love this new place looks so cute and cosy!! Use to go here years ago when it was something else. So it's so nice to take a trip down memory lane lol. I love that they allow dogs in!! All the staff were lovely and welcoming and also gave us a warning when the DJ was coming so it wouldn't upset my dog!! Very thoughtful. Thank you!! Didn't have food only had drinks but will definitely be back for a nice meal

Lovely rooftop area, quick service on the bars, live music some nights which adds a bit of fun to it! Nice clientele here which makes for a good atmosphere overall.

One of my new favorite 'going out' pubs in Brighton. Stumbled across this whilst on a date last Saturday; cool smoking area, good tunes and great for a dance. Recommended.

Can't vote on the food as I didn't eat there. Live band was fab and a brilliant atmosphere. Different age ranges and everyone got on.

Really cute place. I went on a 90s live music night and the performers were absolutely bomb. The place is as busy as it gets on weekends so a good idea would be to book a table. The sitting booths outside are not size and body inclusive and the washrooms are filthy. The food is good.

Nice venue & friendly enough staff but the drink prices were disproportionate even for Brighton! £17 for a Cider & a double G&T! Don't think I'll go back at those prices.

Pint, Chit Chat and good people.

Didn't eat there but the drinks and cocktails are great 👍

Was looked after by Roxy and Nicole at The Oculist for a private hire event, professional and understanding all the way through, cannot recommend them highly enough. Thank you for all your help.

We ended up here on a weekend away in Brighton as we were looking for somewhere to have dinner before an event we were going to. The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful, giving us tips on menu items and being so easy to chat to. We were dressed as nuns as we were enroute to a fancy dress but were welcomed with open arms. We ordered the lamb shwarma flatbread and the fennel salt and honey fries - it was amazing and just what the doctor ordered. Also, it was plenty enough for us two ladies. We also sat in the outdoor area which is really nice and cosy and the outdoor heaters kept us warm.

This has got to be one of the best pubs in the centre of town! I took my Parents here for some dinner and it was lush. Really decent price and tasty! The staff are really lovely too, kind and attentive - Made us all feel really welcome as soon as we stepped through the door! We ended up staying for a fair bit as the vibes were nice and felt super cosy - Will definitely be going back :)

Paid 12£ as a make for a double spirit and mixer whilst my female friend paid 6.95£. My friend ordered a moretti and it tasted like dirt. AVOID.

Amazing venue that has recently changed management. The new team are incredibly friendly. Connor and the team always go above and beyond. They have an amazing layout with plenty of room downstairs and one of the best 'smoking areas/beer gardens' in brighton. I love it so much we chose this venue for a Christmas party coming up. Keep up the great work guys and I look forward to visiting again soon.

I can't fault this place and neither its food. Fantastic atmosphere, great staff and AMAZING food. We tried "Babbab" kitchen (Middle eastern kebabs) and it is not a typical kebab, it is delightful fusion of flavours along with a spiciness that allows you to taste every flavour and enjoy your meal. 150% recomendable and price is affordable for everyone. Definitely coming back :)

Had an absolutely lovely time at The Occulist. Their new kebabs are amazing with great options for all dietary needs, and the staff (I was served by Benny) were knowledgeable and super friendly. Look forward to returning with more pals! Extra shout out to the handsome doorman (George) who made us all laugh and feel super safe. Thank you!

Large, standard pub in a great location. Rooftop / outside area is the best. Standard pub draft beers & ciders along with a relatively basic cocktail menu. Worth a visit for the rooftop section.

It’s a nice bar with a beautiful roof terrace. Even in winter you can sit on the roof terrace comfortably as each table got electric heaters (unless it’s raining) Haven’t tried their food yet but it’s a. Ice place for a drink. It can get pretty loud weekends when a live DJ is playing.

Nice atmosphere, good food and great selection of local beers.

Great new look, tasty new menu and fanatic team. Highly recommended the flat white cocktail

Great rooftop bar in Brighton. Busy.

Lovely pub, fantastic on a Friday/Saturday night. Staff are engaging and friendly and the roof terrace is great during the day.

Fun place with a trendy rooftop playing live music

Great roof terrace and good service, too. Thanks

Since they have changed the whole staff and security the place is completely different. It doesn’t feel as queer friendly as before. Me and friends used to go every weekend and now is just our last option.

Cool place. Great food, dimsum and drinks.

THE WORST!!! GUARDS DIDNT LET ME IN BECAUSE “I WAS OUTSIDE WITH A GROUP OF GUYS DRINKING FOR ABOUT 40 MINUTES” when it wasn’t the case I was just talking and didn’t had a single sip of alcohol, I felt the RACIST VIBES FROM THEM! THE WORST PLACE!!!

Only stopped for a few drinks, nice niche establishment.

More to this pub than meets the eye. Looks like an old fashioned boozer from the ouside. Inside it's modern, with two floors of large industrial chic and two floors outdoors including a rooftop terrace. Good food, very friendly staff and lovely spaces. And there's music. But get there early or book to bag the comfy seats, the wooden bench tables are on the snug size!

I had a confirmed booking on a very rainy day in March and turned up with my dog and friend to a closed restaurant. A lovely lady Roxy called me up and apologises and offers me a complimentary meal . I rebooked . Got a confirmation the day before and bloody closed again. It cost me £35 on train to come down and had a meal at another fabulous restaurant for over £100 . I have contacted the Oculist twice and they are obviously ignoring me. Why offer me a meal and make me use my day off to travel 2 hours and confirm it and then not be open. Really poor service and customer relations. Don't know what happened I think except they are a very bad company and sadly i dont wish them well.

Nice place! First time here and had a lovely time. The bartenders were great and when I asked to have the aircon turned down they came right away. Clean and good toilets! Will be back to try the food.

More to this pub than meets the eye. Looks like an old fashioned boozer from the ouside. Inside it's modern, with two floors of large industrial chic and two floors outdoors including a rooftop terrace. Good food, very friendly staff and lovely spaces. And there's music. But get there early or book to bag the comfy seats, the wooden bench tables are on the snug size!

More to this pub than meets the eye. Looks like an old fashioned boozer from the ouside. Inside it's modern, with two floors of large industrial chic and two floors outdoors including a rooftop terrace. Good food, very friendly staff and lovely spaces. And there's music. But get there early or book to bag the comfy seats, the wooden bench tables are on the snug size!

With a group of ladies. We were faced with an obnoxious doorman who refused us entry, shooing us away in between stuffing his mouth with crisps. ‘Don’t do hens’ - even though we were all sober and looking for some food and a couple of drinks. Shame someone so rude works on your door.

This place is a real gem in the centre of Brighton. Great decor & it has an amazing roof garden. The staff are super friendly. Would definitely recommend. 👍

The Oculist Bar is a stylish and vibrant venue perfect for drinks. The trendy atmosphere, attentive service, and great selection of beverages make it an ideal spot to celebrate special occasions like birthdays. Cheers!

Nice new pub with great roof garden/venue.

Bom para beber, mas não tem um cardápio variado de comida. Apenas comida chinesa e não me parecia combinar com as cervejas e cidras. Tem um terraço bem fofo, mas quando fui me sentar vi que estava cheio de teias de aranha e desisti, enfim, foi uma experiência mais ou menos.

one of my favorite places here in Brighton.💋✨ amazing staff, fantastic and welcoming atmosphere. very judgment free and safe place for queers and everyone else. nice music on Saturdays. me and my friends can’t stop coming back. much love to all of you! ♥️ continue doing what you doing.

The hospitality was absolutely spiffing, it was an all round divine atmosphere and the decor was quite to my taste

Unique venue, cool and quirky with an assortment of clientele. It's a great place to chill out but still has an upbeat atmosphere with friendly people all round. The top terrace is really lovely, whilst the smaller terrace is good to meet other friendly people. The missing people DJ nights are usually good. I like this venue a great deal. I've been going there since last year. It's gaining popularity now and should as it's fab. It's a little piece of Brighton at its best.

Never seems to have any sense of atmosphere. Have been about 4 times and only seen it busy once - despite this, service each time was very slow. Team are all friendly, but you'll stand at the bar unacknowledged for a while.

Quiet when we went there so plenty of seats nice pint and helpful staff

Very friendly place, good price. Had a good time and will defenitly be going back there.

What an annoying place... Nobody around and even so the DJ didn't want to adapt his music.

We try our best to dance in there, but clearly no effort made by the DJ. Beers are good (normal) though!

Love this place, the new decor is an absolute treat when you venture upstairs. Love the different levels. Staff are always friendly and super helpful. Will be returning for more gigs and cocktails for sure.

Came for NYE. Was half empty. £20 for 2 double rum and cokes, using some horrid "house" dark rum. Staff are quick, at least. Sound system is weak, and barely decent when you're right by it. Can't hear music on terrace. Crowd is mostly pretentious, apathetic 20-somethings. Hard pass. Mesmerist nails the aspired vibe far better.

A really good pub in the heart of Brighton. Sunday roast was great, one of the best in town. Good selection of beers and nice atmosphere.

Tucked away on a side street in Brighton is the Oculist. Awesome staff and fantastic service from start to finish. The crowning jewel of this was the Sunday roast, fantastic from the presentation to the taste. I would 100% recommend this for a place for a lovely Sunday dinner. 10/10

Cool pub, but don't tell everyone

We went in about 22:45 and they had coffee machine off so no espresso martinis. And we’ve been kicked out by 23:00! It says it’s open till midnight but clearly they don’t care about making money and kick 6 people out. I’m a regular in Brighton and won’t be coming in again.

In a small, somewhat hidden alley we found this bar that is a little pearl in Brighton. We loved it! The pale ale was one of the best beers I've had in my life. For those who like it, there is a nice photobooth at the entrance that allows us to have some nice memories of a night well spent. To repeat whenever we come back to town. We loved it. Thank you very much!

We visited at 6 in the evening and had a bottle of prosecco with glasses. As we'd had a nice time we went back at 10pm for cocktails. We were told they weren't serving cocktails. We ordered a bottle of prosecco. We were served a glass bottle with disposable plastic cups and a glass of wine in a plastic pint cup. As we'd paid £30 for the bottle we'd expected glasses so requested them to be told it was against their licensing. All around us were people drinking from glasses and indeed empty tables covered in glasses! Our prosecco bottle was glass!! We complained again and were eventually given some plastic prosecco glasses which they got from out the back somewhere. This place charges top class prices for low class service. We left and went up the same road for a drink in glasses!

Nice quiet place to escape from the noise of Brighton. Loved the ambience, bar was well stocked and staff were super friendly.

Barman tried to charge me twice for drinks, music was horrendously loud with bad quality speakers and they gave me the wrong drink and wouldn’t let me exchange it for the one I asked for. Disappointed as we thought it was going to be fun.

Boutique club should never of closed great bar place to be at weekend and guaranteed to get messy with great people. Bring our favourite club back please

One of our favourite new pubs! Great selection of beers, including the North Laine beer co, and an amazing roof terrace which is a sun trap. Didn't eat, but the Sunday roasts looked incredible!

Nice burger and beer, very friendly staff.

Spacious indoors with cosy booth's but the roof terrace is the true selling point

Pretty new, hadn't been before. Nice staff, cool atmosphere, good food 👌🏼

More to this pub than meets the eye. Looks like an old fashioned boozer from the ouside. Inside it's modern, with two floors of large industrial chic and two floors outdoors including a rooftop terrace. Good food, very friendly staff and lovely spaces. And there's music. But get there early or book to bag the comfy seats, the wooden bench tables are on the snug size!

Great bar-staff, welcoming and fun. We were using the roof green which has a great feature of an eye and pleasantly not too bright. Can feel a little austere with the amount of tiles but tasty menu and good place to gather.

Checked this newly opened bar out with my daughter had drinks on the roof terrace was a lovely chilled vibe

Occultist has a very rustic interiors. Food was good. Service was excellent. The tables are a little congested though. Mango chutney and raita were too good.

Good music and a nice atmosphere. A great place to hide out during pride!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!¡!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!¡!!!!!!!!!!¡!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!¡!!!!!!!¡!¡!¡!¡!¡!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!¡!¡!¡!¡!¡!¡!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nice pub! Very cool building and friendly staff.

EDITED: Originally, I had had a very unpleasant experience booking with Oculist. However, I was happy to re-write my review after the manager made a significant effort to rectify the mistake after seeing my post. I was invited back in for food and drinks and had an overall very pleasant time, so thank you :)

Stunning place with lovely staff and good assortment of drinks (apart from the lack of Rekorderlig)

Really nice place to go in the summer for a drink as it has a rooftop bar, I also had the whipped feta and it was delicious!! Really friendly staff aswell :)

Excellent sun trap, now we're in the summer months the terrace gets sun all through to around 6pm. Best to reserve a table before hand if you're in a group of 4 or more.

Great venue. We went fir a brunch out with friends. My duck hash was lovely and my friends lived the burgers but the chips were a bit dry.

Best mac and cheese I've ever had. Gorgeous roof terrace. Shames its plastic glasses when outside. Not sure why as its not on the street.

Great bar with a beautiful roof terrace. Lovely staff and banging margaritas.

incredible food, beef tacos were so good !!!!! lovely venue too will be back

From the outside it looks like a traditional pub. On the inside it’s really fun and even has a secret rooftop terrace! It also has what is some of the best pub food I’ve ever eaten. Take someone here when you want to impress them, but are trying to be casual and say “shall we just grab a pub lunch”

A very friendly establishment. Staff very attentive. The food, Sunday lunch was exceptionally tasty well presented. Very good value fir money and such a great place for friends. The upstairs and roof terrace is amazing.

Great new venue with friendly staff. The Sunday lunch was amazing. This place will go far. Dog and child friendly too.