Latest Music Bar

A musos hang out with panache, friendly and helpful staff and very good times. Inside and out this is a timeless music/​theatre/​cabaret venue that is VERY rock n roll, which is why I ws there. Definitely a must visit bar in Brighton.

My favourite live music venue in the whole wide world. I have spent many happy nights here propping up the bar and listening to some great acts. The downstairs «Cabaret Bar» is my favourite area, with its subtle lighting and the décor on the walls which was apparently the set of a West End musical. Drinking here are usually around the £4 per pint mark. Sometimes you can get cans of beer or cider for £3. As well as live music there are variety of other events too. Comedy, improv, tango lessons even.

Have been here to do photographic shoot. The lighting is subdued but the decoration creates a great backdrop. The music was obviously being enjoyed by everyone (not quite up my street)!! However, the venue is extremely popular and has a fantastic atmosphere. Definitely worth a visit and might even take my wife, (if I can get her hearing aids out) !!! Joke.

This is a proper Brighton musos hang out with live playing practically every night. The upstairs bar/​café is light, airy and modern serving gorgeous food with free wifi. Its a great little hang out to great away from the tourists in the summer as it’s really close to the pier and beach but hidden enough that it tend to miss out on passing trade.
The down stairs is smaller than you would expect with maybe 6 tables, a stage and a bar. Its my fave place to see local bands play as its cosy, friendly and looks busy even if its not.

Situated down a little side road off St James’ street The Latest Music Bar has to be one of Brighton’s most charming venues. The upstairs bar is neatly furnished in a minimal yet stylish way making it simply a nice place to be and as they serve a nice selection of dishes in the evenings you don’t have to visit just for the music. Performances alternate between this upstairs room and the main attraction, which is the charming cabaret bar downstairs. As previous performers include Amy Winehouse, The Kooks, Herbie Flowers and Chris Difford it’s certainly not an underrated place. However, it should be better known, as the décor and general atmosphere is unsurpassed. The walls are made to look like a cityscape complete with real lowing windows and a starry sky. Its low ceiling and soft lighting make it one of the more intimate venues in town and as such is well suited to performers of naturally affecting music. Anything folk, blues, jazz or of any roots lineage will go down a storm. One of the best places to watch live music in Brighton.

Down a side street of St James Street, this used to be called The Joogleberry which is a great name and loads of fun to say. But like with most novel and individual things sooner or later clammy corporate hands clasps themselves around the throats of your favourite things. It’s only a name and Latest aren’t a particularly large and threatening conglomerate, but these things still matter. Regardless, this is still a nice place to drink and is a regular venue for live music. The basement part of the bar gets particularly busy during Brighton Live. The shows during this time are amazing and always turn into a very intimate occasions as most people sit on the floor and get nice and tight.

Located at the foot of the unconventional and sometimes grubby St James’ Street, The Latest Music Bar is a welcome retreat for those wishing for a bit of style and panache. With varnished wood furnishings, a high ceiling and one wall covered in neatly framed photos of local and famous musicians; the upstairs bar has a refined cleanliness found in only a handful of places in Brighton. The atmosphere is best when the place is at a comfortable capacity, as it suits a seated audience. Serving average quality food and a reasonable selection of drinks the upstairs bar is always a nice place to be. However, the real draw is the cabaret bar downstairs.
Having previously hosted such names as Amy Winehouse, The Kooks, Herbie Flowers and Chris Difford, the downstairs bar is definitely where it’s at. The walls have been made to look like a charming cityscape complete with real, backlit windows and twinkling stars. This combined with the low ceiling and slightly raised stage makes the venue an intimate place, better suited to bands that are comfortable dealing with much audience participation. Drinks are a little expensive but definitely worth it. The simple pleasure of watching great music in a genuinely charming setting is enough for me to just shut up and pay. Great for folk, blues, jazz or anything rootsy. One of my favorite gig venues!

It’s a shame that the name of this place changed from Joogleberry Playhouse. And with that change came the loss of several other quirky elements, such as the dozens of musical instruments that hung from the upstairs ceiling. I hope the food hasn’t changed too much, as although not cheap it used to be delicious — typical burger-​type options but fancied up a bit. They have kept the downstairs décor though which creates a fantastic atmosphere for watching a band — with fairy lights and feature wall with roof tops painted on and lights twinkling through holes. The quality and array of events hasn’t changed either and you’ll find theatre, music (jazz, swing, salsa, funk, blues, singer songwriters…), films, cabaret, comedy, readings and more. An Elvis impersonator, a showcase of Sussex Uni music student’s work, stand up comedy and a salsa night have been a few of the nights I’ve caught there. Well worth checking out the listings in the christmas run up.

Formally the Joogleberry Playhouse, now under the less fun name the Latest Music Bar, the venue continues to provide a constant supply of live music and common interest events. From week to week you could find a local teeny bopper indie band, a political speaker or a cabaret evening.
Fundamentally it is still a music venue though, downstairs is quaintly cosy so not much room for dancing, but it gives a nice Greenwich Village café vibe. There’s a really nice wall feature of a 3-​D rooftop scene and little star lights cover the rest of the walls downstairs, apparently the original scenery from CATS the musical.
The light and airy upstairs is used as a restaurant/​bar where food is served Thur — Sat 6pm til 10pm & Sun 12pm til 3.30pm & has free wi-​fi. Unusually for Brighton the downstairs is closed on Friday & Saturday nights and available for hire.
Definitely worth checking out if your at a loose end on a weekday evening.