Inclusive, eclectic and thriving: Brighton is officially one of the world’s 10 best cities for nightlife

Cities like Berlin, home to the iconic Berghain, and New York, with its late-night dive bars and raves beneath the K-Bridge, are some of the top places for partying across the globe. Those two cities ranked second and third respectively on Time Out’s list of the world’s 20 best cities for nightlife in 2026, beaten only by Bangkok and its melting pot of street-side bars and mega clubs.

The list was curated using data from locals, who were asked to rate their hometown on everything from clubbing to cocktail bars, how affordable it is to go out at night, the overall quality of nightlife in their hometown, how easy it is to find community, and how safe, exciting, welcoming and diverse their city is. Time Out’s city editors, culture experts and things-to-do specialists then chipped in with their favourite cities for a night on the town, and only the highest-scoring city from each country made the cut.

Alongside the aforementioned heavy hitters, one British seaside spot also made the rankings. Eighth place on the list went to Brighton, a city whose legacy as a hub for LGBTQ+ nightlife makes it stand out against the crowd, with staples Revenge, The Queen’s Arms and Bar Broadway.

‘Want whimsy? Brighton’s got it,’ said Time Out local expert Eleanor Forrest. ‘Try themed nights like Party in your Pants, an inclusive feminist paint rave, and Fairytopia, where pop music meets high fantasy realness. If you prefer a slower pace, the city’s bars and pubs have you spoilt for choice.’

Brighton even welcomed the UK’s first dedicated women’s sports bar, Crossbar, earlier this year, proving there really is somewhere for every kind of partygoer.

The Sussex city was the highest scoring place in the world for its sense of community, with 84 percent of locals saying it’s easy to make connections. Eight out of 10 Brightonians also said going out in the city was either ‘good’ or ‘amazing’, meaning Big B tied with Seoul for the second-highest rating for the quality of its after-dark fun. After New York, it’s the most likely city on the list to be described as ‘lively’ and ‘diverse and inclusive’.

Not only is Brighton’s nightlife booming, but its daytime activities aren’t half bad either. The coastal city won a place on Time Out’s best British seaside towns to visit this summer. 

The world’s best cities for nightlife 2026.

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