So the 5,541 days of winter are finally over and it’s officially spring. And it’s sunny outside! (Bet you’ve missed our scintillating weather updates.) So if you fancy a celebratory free burger and you’re reading this before the weekend, head over to new joint Smacks Hamburgers (46 West Street) on Friday when it opens at midday, and, if you’re one of the first 100 customers in the queue, you’ll get a Smackdown double-burger beast gratis. If you see this after Friday, we’re sorry, but the queue would probably have been really long anyway and it would be just your luck for them to get to 100 before you got to the front. So all in all, lucky you didn’t see it. On to the stuff you still can do this weekend, we’ve got sunny terraces, colourful combos, a new radio station, and some truly excellent gigs.
Check out the newest beach bar in town
If you know and love Bison Beach Bar as much as we do, then you’ll be delighted to read that the first stage of BBB mark 2, aka Babble at Hove Beach Park, is opening this weekend! Yep, the day-to-evening project from the Bison boys and Sam of Slam Tacos will combine food, drinks, and excellent vibes under the Babble brand (rather than the current collection of different businesses at the Sea Lanes site). The full venue is opening later this year (more on that soon), but the ground floor cabin will open its service hatch to the public on Saturday. We got a sneak preview of the whole site and can tell you it’s going to be bloomin’ gorgeous (epic views, stunning design by See Creatures and Lois O’Hara and, of course, loads of tasty locally made food and drink)! Back to the weekend: head down to the cabin for excellent Fika coffee, YouJuice smoothies, Bayon Bakery pastries, Caccia and Tails focaccia and Oatly soft serve from 8am. And maybe even a game of Padel at the neighbouring courts?
The cabin launches on Saturday and then from 8am – 4pm daily
babblehove.com
Step into colour at the Royal Pavilion
Spring is finally here (about bloody time) and there’s suddenly colour everywhere, especially at the Royal Pavilion. They’ve got a new exhibition all about colour (launching on Friday, International Colour Day, apparently) and it’s well worth a look. Inspired by extensive research carried out by Royal Pavilion curator and colour historian (what a great job) Alexandra Loske, the exhibition promises a vibrant, immersive exploration of the history, magic and meaning of colour and its use in the palace via installations, sensory experiences and lots of interactive creative workshops (not just for kids!). But even if you don’t fancy going in, head over there to see local artist Lois O’Hara’s latest gorgeous rainbow path (she did the one on the beach by the Upside Down House too) that winds its way to the entrance. The new Botanist cafe next door has got in on the colour action too with a gorgeous array of brightly coloured hot or iced matchas and other drinks on their new Colour in Plants menu. Bye bye, monochrome!
From Friday 21st March until 19th October; 10am – 5.15pm; from £14.50
brightonmuseums.org.uk
Celebrate the launch of a pop-up radio station
Brighton-based underground music and culture mag Off Licence nabbed some Arts Council funding so they’ve created, drum roll… Offie Radio! The pop-up community radio station will be broadcasting live from Manchester Street Arts Club (aptly or not, the former home of Latest TV), every day for a week, and they’re celebrating with a double dose of parties. Basically, they’re turning the arts club into the Offie Mag social club for seven days and we are here for it. There’ll be live gigs and online shows over the week, but don’t miss Saturday’s opening ceremony of club bangers from headliner Tash LC, with support from Sana, Shryke, and Offie Mag DJs.
The radio station will broadcast from midday to 10pm every day from Saturday 22nd March – enjoy it online or in person; launch party on Saturday 22nd March; 10pm – 2am; from £5
Book tickets
Dive into an evening of unique sound
Music event producer Today’s Active Lifestyles are putting on their very first Brighton event on Friday and the boundary-pushing show is one not be missed. It’s a celebration of all things sound, with three experimental artists on the eclectic line-up: Kirk Barley creates hypnotic soundscapes that meld field recordings with unusual rhythmic structures; self-taught multi-instrumentalist Mücha combines gorgeous songwriting and vocals with intricate sound design; and sound designer and electronica pioneer Simon Pyke produces captivating techno-esque soundscapes. Plus it’s at one of our favourite places to see live music, the Rose Hill, which is an independently run arts organisation as well as a great pub.
Friday 21st March; 7pm – 11pm; from £6
Book tickets
Get your art on at Brighton’s most inclusive gallery
A visit to Helm Gallery is always a good idea, not least because co-owners Eden and Luke have created a relaxed, immersive way to enjoy art that’s genuinely accessible and inclusive. And they’re not just paying lip service to the idea, either: it’s always free entry, they’re open every day, you can just sit and have a coffee or a cocktail, and there’s zero pretension. Plus, they put on a whole host of great events and Eden told BOTI they’ve got heaps more exciting things in the pipeline (look out for our interview next week!). Every Friday, they host Take The Streets – an evening of art, live DJs, a tattoo artist and, of course, great drinks. It’s the perfect opportunity to check out their latest show, Rare, which showcases a wide selection of pieces from some seriously sought-after artists, like Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst, and Harland Miller. Or, head there this Sunday to get your hands on a cute limited-edition matcha and fresh flower bundle for £16, part of a limited-edition collab with Jenki matcha and Frank Floristry.
Take The Streets is every Friday from 7pm; free
helm-gallery.com
What else?
While we’re on the subject of inclusivity, check out the new Cecconi’s at Brighton Beach Club (aka Soho House). The Italian restaurant is now open to non-members and it’s well worth a visit: the food and drink at the preview night were excellent and it’s got hands-down one of the best sunset-viewing terraces in Brighton. Circus Street is marking the long-awaited start of spring with a double event whammy: an afternoon of music, dance, crafts and free refreshments at the Dance Space (Friday; 4.30pm – 6.30pm; free) and a plant sale (Saturday; 11am – 2pm; free) in the market square. On Sunday, head down to the Open Market, grab a bagel from Bayit Bagels and then hop over to the strictly vinyl-only listening sessions at The Drop (every Sunday; 11.30am – 5pm; free). Specialty roasters Plot will be brewing up some of their latest coffee releases on Friday at Loam (11am – 2pm). We love Bella Union Vinyl‘s free weekly lunchtime sandwich sessions (a gig in their bijou record shop AND a sarnie) – this week Austel is playing (Friday; from 1pm; free). And there’s a new board game gaff in town! Friends’ game lounge opens Friday (7am – midnight) and you’ll find board games galore, chocolate bar milkshakes, coffees, and more.
Coming up next week
Lewes’ Only With Love brewery is taking over the taps at the Brunswick in Hove next Friday (from midday); make a Mother’s Day card at Bella Union Vinyl’s latest mindful crafting session (Wednesday); and fun clothes brand Sugarhill Brighton are having their very first in-person sample sale next Friday and Saturday with prices starting at a tenner and a free tote for the first 50 customers (Lighthouse, 28 Kensington Street; Friday, 11am – 5.30pm; Saturday, 10am – 6pm; free). Head to Unbarred Brewery on Friday for a special event with Pepita Coffee – Fatboy Slim and artist George Fox will be signing the limited-edition coffee tins they designed (6pm – 10pm; £20). It’s time for another beach clean! Join the Leave No Trace team at Sea Lanes on Sunday 30th (9.30am – 11.30am). Finally, don’t miss Bison Beer‘s epic three-day celebration to mark their tenth year in the beers-ness with a special birthday collab brew, a DJ set and a beery, brunchy hike from Babble (Thursday – Saturday; various times).
Photo credits: Brighton & Hove Museums (Colour exhibition); Ashley Ford Photography (Babble)
