Local Matters: Nathan & Luke at Patio

Brighton’s changing fast. Independent businesses are finding it harder than ever to stay afloat, with high street names and rising costs closing in from all sides. But every now and then, something new opens that reminds you why this city still matters - why it still feels different.

Patio, a new bar tucked away next to Brighton Station, is one of those places.

It’s the latest project from Luke, owner of Vine(our favourite bar), and Nathan, the man behind The Joker(our favourite pub). Together, they’ve built something that sits somewhere between a bar and a restaurant - a space defined less by labels and more by what happens inside it. Patio’s tagline, “Plates & Wines,” says it best. The bar will host a rotating line-up of chefs, changing monthly, with the aim of introducing some big names in food to Brighton and keeping things constantly evolving.

Patio isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about community, collaboration, and doing things the right way. From the beer collaboration with As Intended to their pair of house wines with Titch Hill, everything about the project celebrates Brighton’s independent scene. Even the sound system - a bespoke build by local makers Enton Green and Voya - tells a story of people working together to create something lasting.

We spent a day with Luke and Nathan at Patio, just a few days after opening, to talk about what it takes to start something new in a city that’s always changing - and what it means to keep doing things on your own terms.

For us, this one’s special. We’ve known both of these guys for a while - they’re part of the same Brighton network of independents that Peggs & son grew out of. So to see Patio come to life, and to play a small part in helping tell that story, feels right.

It’s a reminder that when independents back each other, good things happen.