Mesmerist

20th July 2025 £55 for two The early months of Mich’s pregnancy have been beset by seemingly most of the possible negative side-effects - most prominently daily morning sickness well beyond the point where people helpfully keep reminding her it should have stopped by now - and, barring one urgent request for a strawberry Yazoo, very few of the fun cravings some women experience. So when one Sunday she woke with a happy lack of nausea and a desire for big fat burgers we decided to make the most of it and head into town. This newfound feeling of normalcy basically extended to wanting to not be in the bathroom with her head down a toilet for as long as possible and also to eat as much as she could, so first we wandered along the seafront to peruse the crossword over a coffee and a ginormous slice of banana bread and possibly the jammiest doughnut (perhaps even too much jam?!) at Fika. This is important context. As the decision to burger had been made early in the day, and as Mich was having such a nice time, and as that slice of banana bread was enough to satiate her for pretty much an entire afternoon, I had a lot of time to mentally conceive of - and build, and tweak over several dozen phases of interactive design: from raw red onion rings to cubed and caramelised white and back again - my perfect burger. After one too many “are you hungry yet?”s we agreed to independently research and then come back together to discuss potential venues. Top of the list was a place called 7Bone, pretty much because the main picture on their website matched most closely my own design: two smashed patties, with melted cheese seeping into its gaps, in one of those milky-floury non-brioche buns. (Mich wanted a chicken burger, and they did those too). Also raising an eyebrow was the fact that “ooh, Red Dog are in the Mesmerist now”, so we stopped off for a look at their menu en route, and had reliable old Honest Burgers nearby as a Plan C too. It wasn’t right at 7Bone at all and I think we knew it from the off. Not that that stopped us from asking for a table a few minutes after we’d dismissed the waiter once with a “we’re just having a look at the menu”, despite by that point in the day knowing it almost off by heart. But for some reason the in-jokey names felt more egregious in the flesh (“iaia(i)n with three eyes”, “peter green”, “all right all right all right”), and coupled with the option only to order via an app and the too-loud AI-sounding ‘music’ over the speakers, we decided to leave. So to the Mesmerist. Turns out Red Dog can be just as creative with its burgers while managing to come up with names that don’t make you feel like a teenage girl at her first big-school sleepover with a bunch of friends who all knew each other from primary, but really I just wanted a really good cheeseburger, so I didn’t really pay them much attention. I asked for a double, and Mich got a messy spicy cheesy slawy juicy fried chicken thigh thing, with obligatory buffalo wings and chips to share on the side too. Did they satisfy our cravings? Mich was just really happy to be able to eat something like that again for the first time in ages, and given she normally uses a knife and fork for her burgers like a weirdo anyway it didn’t really matter that her bun disintegrated under duress of all the liquid seeping into it. A little sickly by the end perhaps, but hit the spot. Mine did, but only just about. It’s really difficult, if burgers are your thing, to serve a terrible one, but this wasn’t exactly special: as you can see from the picture the buns were the cheap claggy type, which meant that them forgetting my second patty, throwing the ratios all off, had more of an impact than it might otherwise have done. The flavour on the wings was fine but they looked like they’d come from the chicks who got picked last in PE; the chips (and smoked chipotle mayo) were excellent. Overall fine, but nothing to write home about. Unless you’re me, and analysing average food in minute detail is for some reason your thing.

The food was amazing, everything we ordered tasted great. The burnt end nuggets, nachos, and the giant onion rings were definite highlights. But the organisation wasn’t great, so it’s not the best spot for big groups. Our table wasn’t ready when we arrived, we had to move some seats/tables ourselves, they only took half the table’s drink order, they brought out too many of items and were missing a meal (however they did offer a free drink for the missing meal). It’s also a pretty loud place, so probably better for smaller groups or couples. The food is pricey, but the portions are huge, wish that was mentioned on the menu because we would’ve ordered less if we knew!

Went today as found out Red Dog Saloon operates out of here and it didn't disappoint!! Firstly the staff were attentive as soon as we walked through the door, I love a warm welcome. The food was just as good as their london uncles!! I went for my fav (Cronos) and was loved every bite. Recommend this pub for good food and a welcoming environment. (And the background music wasn't bad either!!!)

This place is brilliant. Lived in Brighton for years and been in a few times. Never thought to review it until I saw a couple of poor reviews-are they (the reviewers) mad or do they have an axe to grind? Brilliant food and drink and supreme service. Have recommended to family and friends.

Went on a Sunday. Just after midday. The gent behind the bar was a bit blunt. Tried to make conversation with him while ordering food and got little to no response. I ordered the cheese burger, while it came out quickly. It actually was cold and a little to pink for me. And for the price surprised it didn’t come with chips. Has a lot of potential! Just a bit of attention to detail and staff who are customer facing! putting my review up to 3 starts due to the nice reply from management

The food was amazing. The staff were really helpful and the cocktails were banging. Definitely recommend and will be going back soon.

We stopped by here to have a drink and sat outside. Nicely situated on The Lanes and a nice vibe inside too. The staff are friendly and it felt nice and relaxed at this pub. Would go there again.

We were really looking forward to our visit to The Mesmerist, but unfortunately, it didn’t live up to expectations. From the moment we arrived, it was clear that the venue was not well managed. We’d booked a table and turned up on time but had to wait 15 minutes for it to be cleaned. There were kids running around the bar area, which made for a chaotic and noisy atmosphere – not what we were expecting from a venue like this. We asked for a bottle of prosecco upon arrival but told the flutes were still being cleaned. It took another 10 minutes for the glasses to arrive, and when they did, they were dirty. Sadly, that wasn’t the only hygiene issue. Our table hadn’t been properly cleaned, and the toilets were also in a poor state. The cocktails we ordered came in jugs, but they were clearly watered down and lacked flavour/alcohol. Service was slow throughout – we waited over an hour for our food, and in that time, no one came to check on us. That said, once it finally arrived, the food was actually quite nice, which made the rest of the experience all the more disappointing. With better service and basic cleanliness, this place could have potential, but as it stands, we won’t be returning anytime soon.

As far as Brighton bars go, The Mesmerist is maybe as most versatile as you're going to find. Came here with a party of 30 people. I let Cat, the booking manager, know the situation, and she was a wizard at making sure everyone had the food that they ordered. We had a room upstairs to ourselves, and everyone loved the food and service. We all got what we had pre-ordered with Cat, and the people who didn't preorder were proffered dinner in a timely fashion. The food was great! I got the tomato tart and the beef cheek. I had never had a tomato tart before but really enjoyed it, and I thought the beef cheek was very tender. Other people raved about the fries. There were lots of vegetarian and vegan options. Drinks were good! I had a cocktail called "The Bees Knees," which I really liked. There are plenty of beers on tap, and the waitstaff gets around to bar belly-uppers quickly. The space is amazing. There's a second story, rooftop courtyard, and a large downstairs area for dancing, live music, picture taking, and a brewery/beer store attached. As someone who loves lots of diversions and micro-vibes within a bar, I really enjoyed bopping between all of these areas. What better way to finish off the night than to catch a trio downstairs playing motown and rock? These guys were terrific: the bass player/singer was getting the crowd dancing, and the guitar player and drummer were seamlessly providing a groovy beat. This band is good enough for a high cover and the Mesmerist brought them in on a Thursday night, no cover. Thanks for everything, Mesmerist!

The Mesmerist is a bar in the very centre of Brighton. As far as bars go, this is definitely a decent one. As it is central, it is pretty much always busy - and particularly in the evenings - but it doesn't take long to get served as the staff are efficient. The decor is really rather lovely. It has a very vintage feel to it which goes well with the music that they play which I believe is soft jazz (I am not very good with those sorts of genres so please forgive me if I am wrong!). Upstairs, there are several tables and it feels homely but spacious at the same time. I have not had food here in a few years but from what I can remember it is very decent indeed.

The Mesmerist is a Local for me and my work collougues. We have pretty much all our leaving drinks here, it's quite a big bar so it fits us in lovely. I thought I would take my friend there when we were having a mini day time bar crawl and we ended up having a couple of cocktails. I would highly recommend the salted caramel espresso martini, I have been day dreaming about it ever since I tasted it. In fact I am going tonight beofre a meal at Zizzi's (as it is next door) for one. The only problem is that the bar doesn't have enough seating and it's quite difficult to find somewhere to sit as its quite busy most of the time, so I often find myself hovering. Saying this, I never have to wait long to get served, even when I am ordering cocktails which take ages to make.

Great venue in Brighton. If I have friends to visit I usually take them to the Mesmerist for a pint or two. It's a pretty big pub, plenty of room to have a dance at the weekend and they often have live jazz and swing bands on, amongst other live music. Can be a bit on the hipster side at times but that's not uncommon for Brighton :-P They do pretty good roasts here too - not the absolute best in Brighton but I would defintely say worth a try.

I was mesmerised by the Mesmerist. I've been here swinging on a couple of occasions. Oh do behave I mean swing dancing. Jive talking...Wednesday nights are always busy with a party crowd, dancing the night away to the super sounds of Swing Ninjas. Don't get scared now. Monday nights I found a more refined crowd soaking up the sounds of Flash Mob Jazz. Don't worry though dancing still available. Once you bop you can't stop! Also a well stocked bar for all your beverage requirements

This place is awesome, beautiful décor and great staff who know their drinks! I called in here a few times but my favourite was a night where there was an amazing live music act on called John Crampton. He plays Bluegrass like no British guy I have ever seen and is way better than some stateside performers. I grew up in Arizona listening to Bluegrass and this guy was truly fantastic. I had a great night drinking great Bourbon (Bullet) with a great atmosphere. Can't wait to return here next year!

The Mes has to be one of my all time favourite bars in Brighton! There is a wide range of reasonably priced yummy food (the burgers are my favourite and I can't wait to try their roast next!) and a really great bar, with friendly and efficient bar staff (attractive too!) who really know what they're doing when it comes to cocktails. The classic Mojito would have to be my favourite tipple, but if you're feeling more adventurous, they have an extensive list of different flavours to choose from, with the offer of 2 for £10... which means it'd be rude not to have more than one, right? It really is the perfect place to sip away on a well prepared drink, watch some upbeat live music, witness lindyhop dancers strutting their stuff on the dance floor and even if you're lucky... a burlesque act randomly thrown in halfway through the evening! I'm a bit of a sucker for spontaneity and always find that the best nights turn out to be the most unexpected ones. The Mes really allows for this, as you can sit in the outside area, having a couple of drinks and a catch up with friends and before you know it, are dancing like a crazy person, making silly faces in the photobooth, taking full advantage of the cocktail offers and undoing a bow revealing nipple tassles from a gorgeous burlesque act! (Ok, that was only the one time but I think it deserves a mention!) Whether it's for a full evenings fun, or just a few cheeky cocktails before making your way to Casablanca's, time and time again, the Mesmerist delivers.

I love the Mesmerist! Every single time I've been in here I've had a great night. The venue is incredible- very cool and stylish with a vintage feel and a cows to match. It's always buzzing- with loud, old school tunes blasting and dancers of all ages and standards boogying away. This is one of the best things about this place - it's open to all! There's no set crowd or age group here- there's a great mix of people and it brings a very relaxed feel to the place. The drinks are not the cheapest but they're good and the bar tenders are trendy and friendly, which is always nice once you've battled your way through the crowds. It gets busy in here!! If you don't like crowded venues then try it on a week night because on the weekends it's mobbed! Some people might dislike this but I think it adds charm to an already charming place. There is often live music here, always of a good standard, and there's also a barber upstairs as well as a photo booth tucked away in the back area to have some fun with! All things that make the Mes that little bit more special that other bars! Never tried the food but damn it looks good! I'll give it a whirl and let you know if it matches the rest!

I can't understand why the Mesmerist is getting so much stick I actually think its an alright little waterhole - stumbled in last night and they had some fannytastic live, local bands playing which was rather groovy. Maybe people can't shake the memory of Old Orleans... Haven't eaten here for a couple of years but when I had previously it had been nice hearty pub grub, not amazing but no complaints (wow I know...) Average drinks selection but friendly staff and generally quite a mixed bag of punters - in a good way. Think the bands play every Sunday - definitely worth popping in for.

I had to give this place five stars, but I'm not a hundred percent sure if I can describe why. I will try. This place doesn't look like anything special on the outside, but inside it's a heaving party, full to the brim with people drinking and dancing and having a great old time. Despite the fact that it's so busy you're not getting out alive in a fire, drinks are speedy and good, and not too pricey either. I can't be sure what the music was, but it was good. The main thing about this place is the crowd. It's not super special in terms of decor, nor of drinks, but it's just really fun. Oh, and at about midnight some lady came down the stairs and casually did some flame eating and some shaking nipple tassles around. Which was unexpected, to say the least, but quite fun nonetheless. I came here on recommendation from a friend, I would now recommend it to others looking for a non poncy night out in Brighton.

Mesmerist is a nice pub and always so busy and full of atmosphere. However they have tried to get in on the burger buzz that's around Brighton and although the burgers were tasty they weren't nothing on the big names lol the trolls pantry or burger brothers. Great pub for a drink, not so great if your hungry and want and above average burger. It was good value all the same.

I booked The Mesmerist's first cocktail lesson for my friend's hen party and could not have been more impressed. Everyone had an incredible time and enjoyed it so much with the friendly and knowledgeable bar staff teaching us. The atmosphere was really amazing in our own bar space and it really made the hen happy too- quite important!

I'm obviously not their target audience. DJ was playing a lot of 50s/60s bubblegum type of music that I'd never heard before (maybe it was all UK hits and I'm just the ignorant American). There was a moment of bliss when the black keys came on, though. Honestly I didn't get the place, people dancing around holding drinks which is fine, but it seemed like it was trying really hard to be hipster which means it's by definition not successful at being hipster.

More of a town type pub from what I saw though it was Saturday night. Less hipster more local but I actually quite enjoyed it. It's not the best pub in Brighton by a long stretch but it's certainly fun and easy going by one and all!

The best pub to go dancing in the Lanes if you enjoy 50's/60's soundtrack. Interesting people all around!

I was really disappointed with a roast dinner I ate in here a few months ago. The potatoes were hard, the yorkshire pudding was like a rock hard sponge, and the veg were not cooked well. I was with 3 others and we were all disappointed.