It’s seriously sunny outside and we are seriously sweaty. But it’s Friday, so we’ve got the fan in one hand, water spray in the other, fully prepped to eat, drink, and dance our way through the weekend. Join us?
EXCELLENT EATS
New pedal-powered pizza pop-up (no, there is never enough pizza in the world) The Slicycle is slinging pies and gaining fans at its launch party at the always-vibey Loud Shirt Brewing Co on Friday (5-8pm) and again on Saturday (3-7pm).
Home-of-comedy Komedia is back with another kitchen takeover: This Friday, Greek favourite Nostos is in the hot seat.
Beautiful Babble (of triple-terrace fame) is having a Father and SONday (geddit) on, yes, Sunday. It’s a literal family affair with mushroom queen Gemma Ogston joining chef Sam Lambert on the grill with hubbie DJ Peter O and son Hendrix on the decks (from midday).
It’s time to pop your big pants on and tuck into the exclusive specials (£15 a pop) at the 12 Hove eateries taking part in the Hove Food Trail (Thursday – Sunday).
Glazed (they of the epic vegan donuts) are under new management and are having a grand opening (from 9am) on Saturday. Buy a coffee and you’ll get a free mini-donut. Find them at 25 Ditchling Road.
Ice-cream is a must in these toasty times, so we’re fully on board with Jude’s ice-cream parlour opening at the Brighton Met on Saturday (from midday).
Skewers are on the grill at Shoreline Store and Kitchen on Saturday (5-9pm) as Lebo Street Food brings fire-cooked goodies to Hove.
Fancy escaping the heat of the city? We don’t blame you, we’re melting. It’s the first Trenchmore Farm summer market of the year on Saturday (11am – 4pm): as well as a feast of local makers, bakers and growers, there’ll be a brass band, burgers from 3bros, ice-cold Silly Moo cider, ice-cream, and shade in spades.
Pop these on your must-visit lists if you haven’t already: Sexy lasagne, croquettes and ravioli (with veggie versions available too) as Between The Sheets Pasta is still in the kitchen at Fika in Hove Thursdays to Saturdays until the end of July (sittings at 6pm and 8pm). The excellent Barbino by Cin Cin pop-up is only on at Cases (Thursday – Saturday, from 6pm) until the end of July.
Our bar-of-the-moment Voya is a must for some of the best plates, cocktails and tunes in town. Excitingly, they’re now open for walk-in Saturday lunch services.
There’s only a few chances left to dine or brunch at Johnny Stanford’s beautiful Tern before the British restaurant leaves Worthing Pier to embark on a new big adventure locally (check out their fundraiser too).
GET THE PARTY STARTED
Seriously into historical fashion? Then check out Prior Attire’s Victorian Beach Party on Saturday (from 12.30pm). Think bathing, frolicking, picnicking and promenading. All in era-appropriate attire, obviously.
For an entirely different kind of beach party, check out the return of The Bass Bin picnic on Saturday by the West Pier. Expect good tunes and even better Brighton vibes. (4pm – 10.30pm).
Keep the party going on Saturday with a smorgasbord of bassy, leftfield and experimental sounds at new club night Realms at Komedia (from 11pm).
There’s more daytime party action on Sunday at Brighton Sundae with DJs from legendary label Mr Bongo laying down sunshine-laden beats at Patterns (2pm – 8pm).
SHOP TIL YOU DROP
Costume queens Gladrags are back at preloved store Circles on Church Street for another mega preloved sale on Friday (from 6pm) and Saturday (10.30am – 6pm).
The vintage superstore kilo store is also back at St Bartholomew’s Church on Saturday (11am – 4pm).
Want to combine a spot of arty shopping with beach-lazing? Then check out local artist Thumbs’ pop-up shop by Sea Lanes (there until Sunday afternoon). Think prints, tees, and other sexy merch. Plus you’ll get one of their Tony’s Chocolonely collab bars if you buy anything this weekend.
Brilliant Brighton eco zero-waste shop and cafe Hunglish is back! After a year of being online only, their new Sydney Street store opens Saturday.
In case you hadn’t noticed, Brighton’s now got a Charlotte Tilbury store (where Sandro and Maje were) and it’s seriously beautiful. Not to mention the fact it’s got aircon and cryogenic facials to keep you cool.
Also new on East Street is the Nobody’s Child store – it’s got an easy-breezy selection of gorgeous dresses and jumpsuits, perfect to throw on in this sweaty weather.
FUNDRAISERS, FARMS AND FIESTAS
It’s the Brighton Bear fundraising weekender (Friday – Sunday) and one of the weekend’s highlights is the crowning of Mr Brighton Bear at the Dorset Gardens garden party on Saturday (midday – 7pm).
Bulstrode Farm in Ovingdean is holding its first festival on Saturday (midday – 6pm) – the OvingGreen Farm festival. Expect all the usual countryside fun, from dog shows to sheep racing, plus live music, stalls and street food.
Sketch in the sun on Saturday with Draw Brighton’s Urban Sketching Club – this week they’re at St Ann’s Well Garden (10am –12.30pm, meet at the cafe).
Join journalist and Sound Affects Night founder Jak Hutchcraft at the East Street Tap on Sunday (6pm; from £5) for the book launch of We Were There: How Black culture, resistance and community shaped modern Britain. by Lanra Bakare.
FOR THE LOVE OF A TERRACE
We’re resharing this because, well, it’s set to be scorchio this weekend. Full-on summer mode has officially begun – and when you’ve got views like ours, there’s really no excuse not to head for a terrace. These are some of our favourite spots right now.
The Winkle, the new restaurant from co-owner couple Owen and PJ, has taken over the old Drifter site right on the seafront. It’s a place that captures the spirit of Brighton – creative, welcoming, a bit special without being exclusive. That warmth runs through everything, from the food and drink to the hospitality. Nab a table on the patio or upstairs by the window for brunch, dinner or just drinks and nibbles. And don’t skip the crab mac and cheese bites – they’re good enough to order twice.
In Hove, Babble – the new triple-terrace venue from the Bison Beer crew — is now fully open. Expect a banging line-up of Bison brews, killer food from Sam Lambert of Slam Tacos, sunrise yoga (8am if you’re feeling virtuous), and views for days. [Read more about it here.]
Over by the i360 and West Pier, Pearly Cow has launched its terrace and it’s a strong contender for best spot to watch the sun go down. Grab a pizzette straight from the outdoor oven, a few oysters and a cocktail, and settle in for a session.
Still on our radar: Cecconi’s, now fully democratised and still delivering northern Italian dishes, great wines and scalloped umbrella-covered sea views; The Reading Room, newly kitted out with umbrellas and sofas for lazy brunches or weekend supper clubs; and of course, Bison Beach Bar at Sea Lanes, where good times and great views are always on tap.
And if it’s sunsets you’re chasing, you can’t beat The Setting Sun, perched up near the top of Hanover, for golden-hour magic.
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