Holiday Inn Brighton - Seafront by IHG

You wouldn't normally venture into a Holiday Inn for cocktails, but when you're positioned right on the seafront with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the West Pier ruins, even corporate hospitality has its moments. The bar serves the usual suspects – decent wines by the glass, properly made G&Ts, and a cocktail menu that won't offend anyone. What it lacks in personality, it makes up for in location and reliability. You're paying hotel prices (think £8+ for a pint), but sometimes you need somewhere dependable that's open late, won't judge your shopping bags, and where you can actually hear your mates talk. The terrace gets packed on sunny days with a mix of hotel guests and locals who know it's one of the few spots along this stretch where you can sit outside with a proper drink and watch the chaos of Kings Road unfold.