Maggie Mae's Brighton

You walk into Maggie Mae's and immediately get why locals have made this their regular. Preston Street's got plenty of options, but this place cuts through the noise with straightforward hospitality and a crowd that actually seems to be having fun rather than performing for Instagram. The bar staff know what they're doing—whether you're after a pint, a cocktail, or something in between, they'll sort you out without the pretension. It's the kind of place where you can pop in alone or with a group and feel equally at home, which is rarer than you'd think around here.