Brighton Whisky Weekend: Your Guide to the Best Drams

Brighton is about to turn into a haven for whisky lovers as the inaugural Brighton Whisky Weekend kicks off this Friday, 26 June 2026, running through to Sunday, 28 June 2026. Created by Richard Foster of Exploring Whisky, Seb Woolf from Cut Your Wolf Loose, and Rosie Lees of N94 Agency, the festival brings a dedicated programme of tastings, food, music, and cocktails to the city. The organisers wanted to build an event that felt distinctively Brighton, creating a new hub for the local whisky community while welcoming both seasoned dram drinkers and curious newcomers.

The heart of the weekend is the Saturday Expo on 27 June 2026, hosted at The Old Market in Hove. Over 30 craft brands, blenders, and independent bottlers will showcase whiskies from around the world. There are two sessions available: an afternoon slot from 12:00 to 15:00 and an evening slot from 16:00 to 19:00. Tickets cost between £30.00 and £40.00, which includes a branded festival glass, access to the on-site shop, food and drink vendors, and all drams on offer with no tokens required. You can book tickets at brightonwhiskyweekend.co.uk, and using the code ARGUS10 gets you a £10 discount. The venue itself is fully accessible and has a capacity of 500, making it a comfortable space to explore the different stalls.

Beyond the main expo, the city-wide programme features several interesting takeovers and collaborations. On Thursday, 25 June 2026, you can head to The Black Dove in Kemptown for a Michter's Takeover from 18:00, or visit Babble on the beach in Hove for a Highland Park BBQ featuring Slam Tacos. On Friday, 26 June 2026, Cut Your Wolf Loose on Trafalgar Street hosts a Meet The Maker session with Cooper King, alongside Tasmanian-inspired whiskies paired with fresh oysters from She Shucks. Meanwhile, Plotting Parlour hosts a Nikka tasting, and VOYA is offering £4 'Nicklebacks' featuring Nikka Whisky. Other highlights include a science of tasting masterclass with writer Ian Wisniewski, a Lindores Abbey Distillery takeover at Cut Your Wolf Loose, and a special dinner at The Permit Room in the Lanes, where Indian cuisine is paired with a festival cocktail.

If you want to take a piece of the festival home, there is an exclusive 16-year-old Old Pulteney single cask bottle available for £80. You can pre-order this bottle through Cut Your Wolf Loose and collect it directly at the Saturday expo. With partners like Daniel & Joseph Marketing, Urban Bar, and WVA Whisky Auctions supporting the event, the weekend is set to be a highly coordinated showcase of excellent spirits across some of Brighton's best-known independent venues.