Any bar named Brighton Rocks is never going to be anything less than a raging success in a city so proud of its history and influences from the worlds of music, art and film.

The Venue
Despite being tucked away from the main drag down Rock Place, gay bar and restaurant Brighton Rocks advertises itself unashamedly with a bright pink banner all the way across the front. There's a raised decked area out front, complete with pink umbrellas and gas heaters and a view of the sea. Open till midnight in the week and till one in the morning on Saturdays, the bar has been recently taken over by new management so some changes, although largely cosmetic, are afoot.

The restaurant area is one of the most intimate, smart and stylish of its kind in Brighton, consisting of a row of tables along the wall flanked by a burgundy banquette and sporting modern art on the walls. At the other end of the bar is a small, cosy lounge area.

The People
A cultured and cosmopolitan crowd fill the bar until it's straining at the seams and although it may seem a little squashed at times this is a small price to pay to drink in surroundings where intelligent, fun conversation is practically a pre-requisite.

The Food and Drink
On tap are Kronenbourg, Carlsberg, Guinness and Grolsch. Cocktails flow at night with a wide range on offer including Apple Crumble, Chilli Mojito and Toblerone, as well as the more classic Caipirinhas and Margaritas (all for around £5-£6). The food is tapas style which is fitting given the mixture of personalities and nationalities the bar attracts.

The Last Word
For a stylish night out, with great food thrown in, there are few better bars than Brighton Rocks.