Koba

Koba bar was ok. I was torn between 3 or 2 stars but as I went with good company I went for 3. The bar itself was quite dark but the décor was quite cool, it was quiet too and didn’t have the most lively atmosphere. The cocktails were decent, although the bar did feel a little pretentious and I wouldn’t have wanted to be in there much longer. I probably won’t go back.

I’ve eaten at Koba for breakfast, lunch and dinner and I’ve never been disappointed. They have a delicious menu available and great customer service. They also have free WiFi which came in really handy when I first moved into the area. Definitely worth stopping by this place, even for takeaway coffee!

I came here and sat outside with my mum on a Sunday afternoon. Our intention was just to have a cup of coffee but ended up seeing the £5 mojito deal and couldn’t resist! As we sat down the waitress asked if we would like some water, which we later discovered had cost us around £3 for the bottle, cheeky really but rather clever!
The mojitos varied in quality but were all served with a smile which I guess is all you really need.
I did feel though that the service could have been better, and ultimately more profitable for them. We constantly had to catch the waitress’s eye to order more drinks and food eventually (which was superb, we had the charcuterie and cheese platter), we persisted because we were tired and didn’t really want to search elsewhere but otherwise wouldn’t have stayed.
All in all, fairly good but could be amazing.

Myself and a friend popped in here one evening for a coffee and were very impressed. It used to be just a small upstairs cocktail bar but is now a larger Bar, Bistro, Café. It is a very nice place, tastefully decorated and comfortable and the service was friendly and efficient. It was because of popping in for a coffee and experiencing the ambience that friends and I went back for a cuppa several times and then decided to eat there on several occasions. The food is nice. However, when a friend and I popped in last night at 7 p.m. for a coffee we were advised that they weren’t serving hot drinks in the evening anymore as they wish to be know as a restaurant/​cocktail bar at nights. We left and went to Bank across the road and had a lovely coffee and chat. Noticed that their food menu looked good so may well go back there for supper at some point.
(Bank is formerly the Atlas Bar — why did they change their name to a most unfortunate title, particularly in this financial climate? Don’t want to be giving any bank more of my money!) Back to Koba which wasn’t exactly a hive of activity last night (almost empty — more empty when we left!) so we were quite stunned at this new policy. Many restaurants are happy to serve coffee or teas when not busy, and anyway this place does advertise itself as a Café (mostly recognised as place in which to drink tea & coffee). We did notice on the way out that we could have had a takeaway hot drink LOL! As a result, they have lost my custom which I did hope would be regular. They have lost the custom of friends I would have met up with there either for just a coffee or a meal and the other clientele they would have had by the snowball effect of positive word of mouth. Such a shame for me personally as I am an avid supporter of independent outlets to get a decent coffee in. I suppose the management know what they are doing by turning away business. Time will tell. Yet I am surprised by the amount of missed opportunities by shops & cafes in Brighton not being customer focused. (Some cafes on Trafalgar Street missing out on catching early morning commuters for example).
Maybe the management of Koba will change their tactics. I hope they do before it becomes another failed business which had great potentiial but…

Fresh, new café/​bar on Western Road next to Waitrose.
Actually, technically, it’s not new as Koba existed before but only upstairs as a rather gloomy, cliquey, forbidding bar. It’s now on the ground floor and you’re much more welcome.
In fact, you’re very welcome right now as they’ve clearly just reopened after refurbishing — the staff are all hyper-​attentive: I got asked twice whether everything was OK, and I was only having a beer.
Their beers are Pilsner Urquell (£3.70 pint), Beck’s Vier, and a couple of others. They also do coffee and cakes. Not sure whether they do meals.
No idea what the toilets are like, but I’d guess they’re very good. The piped music is bland pop.

From the outside this place looks a little suspicious but from inside it’s simply stylish. Half way down Western Road this often overlooked bar is a great place for special occasions and one-​off cocktails. With high prices and slick design you know you’re in a decent bar, especially as the cocktails are made with flamboyance and skill. There are three rooms but only one is open on weekdays. As it’s a popular place to hire a room I’d check availability well in advance if you’ve got a special night planned.

Open since 2001 this stylishly designed cocktail bar is perhaps one of Brighton’s most underrated. Located towards the busy end of Western Road it manages to stay surprisingly hidden due to its understated exterior and first floor elevation. While you won’t find many places with slicker décor you might also have trouble finding enough cash to support more than a couple of drinks here as the cocktails are quite expensive. That said, they are all made with the upmost skill and quality so for a special occasion I can see no reason why you wouldn’t shell out a little extra for such a treat. The place has three rooms, only one of which is open during the week. At the weekend all are open but usually two will be hired out for functions. If you fancy having a party here you can book out a room for no great cost and rest assured your shindig will have class in abundance.

Hidden behind a solitary door on Western Road, Brighton’s well-​loved cocktail haunt boasts over 80 cocktails offerings, created by a host of talented staff. The ever popular mojito is an obvious hit and the 6 days a week offer includes 4 reduced cocktails at £3.50 each, alternatively ask for a recommendation and they’ll no doubt suite your tastebuds. KOBA also offers an introduction into the world of cocktails, where their mixology classes will teach you the art of the cocktail whilst you enjoy creating and drinking your very own perfected concoctions. Sweet, sour, tall or short, the possibilities are endless.

Despite being on the middle of Western Road, one of the busiest streets in Brighton, Koba is slightly hidden from the masses, and is one of those places you feel you need to be ‘in the know’ to find. This may be a delusion, but it is nice sometimes to feel that this is just your little secret.
Through the entrance, you immediately walk upstairs to the main bar, all black painted, leather and designer stools. The bar staff are generally very friendly, and as it is rarely too busy here, they are happy to take time to please, and provide table service. As the place is small, you can see your drinks being made, and it is always nice to see the cocktail masters at work. The raspberry collins comes recommended, although for value for money, try the long island iced tea. With over 90 to choose from though, there’s sure to be something for everyone! In addition to the main bar, there is a members only section, which I have never had the good luck to see, but I’m informed it is even nicer than the public section.

I always assumed, from the frontage, that Koba was a gentleman’s club-​one where men act anything but gentle with scantily clad ladies. In fact when I was invited by a friend to his work do I realised it was actually a sleek London style bar heaving with well off trendy media types. Dark walls, touches of gokd and silver, moody purple, leather banquettes, tactical mirrors– all very cool and sexy. The overwhelming feeling for me is that’s it’s cool but also pretentious, that may just be because I tend not to wear heels, dress up or flick my hair around– I didn’t really fit in basically. Ifyou are in full sexy dressed up mode though this could be a cool place to have a cocktail– the cocktails were excellent. Just don’t let it all go to your head!

Koba is a coocktail bar set in a stylish and intimate setting. There are three main bar areas but only one is open to the public. The other two are only open to members and their guests. The public bar is quite small so unsuited to large groups, and they serve delicious drinks. They also run some events such as salsa classes there on occasion.

The Koba Bar orginally was set up in 2001. This bar holds up to 55 and is open to the public 7 nights a week open from 5pm. In 70’s style furnishings this bar is cosy, lush and perfect to relax in, with your collegues, friends, partner or intimate date. There is also the Koba private members club, the champagne bar and ‘the gods’ is all equally impressive. The food avaliable is simply divine! The choice is worldwide and freshly made. As for the drinks, well, the choice is amazing! With 130 cocktails it would take you a good few dates to try them all! The wines are as selective as the beers and of a fine unique quality. There are 10 equisite cocktails including Heidsiek & Cristal.
In Brighton and Hove this has to be one of my favourite places to drink which is rare but most certainly a treat!