Drag shows in Brighton: our guide to Kemptown and beyond
A cabaret club under a listed dome, a seafront hotel bar, the pink pub and small Kemptown locals: 7 places to see drag shows in Brighton, from bingo nights to weekend cabaret.
Brighton has long been one of the UK's queer capitals, and drag is part of its everyday nightlife. Most shows happen in Kemptown, the gay village just east of the Palace Pier, in pubs and bars a few minutes' walk from each other. Our map lists 7 venues for drag shows in Brighton, from a new cabaret club to tiny local pubs.
A big night out: cabaret clubs
Madam Lola's
Set under the dome of a listed building, the former Hanbury Ballroom, Madam Lola's is a Kemptown cabaret club that opened in June 2026. Its Friday and Saturday shows mix drag, burlesque, circus, aerial acts, live vocals and comedy, followed by the late-night Lola's Lounge. It is the address for a dressed-up evening with a full show.
Legends
Facing the sea on Marine Parade, Legends is an LGBTQ+ friendly hotel, bar and club. The Legends Bar has a seafront terrace and hosts a Sunday afternoon cabaret with drag artists, while The Basement club runs DJ nights. A good choice if you want to stay where the show is.
Kemptown pubs with drag
The Queens Arms
On George Street, The Queens Arms is a gay pub known for its pink frontage and nicknamed "the pink pub". It marked forty years as a cabaret venue in 2025, and its small stage hosts drag and cabaret acts by local performers most nights.
Affinity Bar
On St James's Street, Affinity Bar is a friendly gay bar open to the whole LGBTQ+ community. It hosts drag and cabaret shows towards the end of the week, along with cabaret bingo, trivia and karaoke nights, in a relaxed neighbourhood-bar setting.
The Zone
Also on St James's Street, next door to the Bulldog, The Zone is a small gay bar in the heart of the village. Local drag acts take the stage on Friday and Saturday nights, while weeknights lean towards bingo and karaoke. A friendly stop to start the evening.
Marine Tavern
Tucked on a side street in Kemptown, Marine Tavern is a tiny gay-owned LGBTQIA+ pub with a cosy local feel. It welcomes dogs, hosts live shows by local drag queens five nights a week and raises funds regularly for community charities.
Near the seafront in Hove: The Grosvenor Bar
On Western Street, a side street near the seafront on the border between Brighton and Hove, The Grosvenor Bar is an LGBTQ+ bar with drag bingo every Thursday and drag cabaret nights on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Tables can be reserved.
Planning your drag weekend
- Thursday: drag bingo at The Grosvenor Bar.
- Friday: start at The Zone or Affinity Bar, then the show at Madam Lola's.
- Saturday: a pub crawl through Kemptown, with The Queens Arms and Marine Tavern.
- Sunday: the afternoon cabaret at Legends, by the sea.
Drag etiquette
- Tip the performers: drag is a job, and tips matter in small pubs.
- Respect the stage: no grabbing, no heckling beyond the fun, and phones away when asked.
- Book a table at Madam Lola's and The Grosvenor Bar for weekend shows.
- Check the programme on each venue's official site, as nights and line-ups change.
- Get home safely: Kemptown is walkable, and taxis wait near the seafront.
More in Brighton
Find every venue on the drag cabarets in Brighton page and the Brighton page. For London, Manchester or Blackpool, open the drag cabaret map and use "Near me" to see the closest shows.
