Food, festival and fragrance? Don’t mind if we do! Join us in the guide as we dive (somewhat belatedly, sorry!) into another weekend of fun across the city. (Prefer us on Instagram? You’ll also find this guide over there.)
EXCELLENT EATS (AND DRINKS)
The perfect trilogy of beer, art and good vibes comes together on Saturday at Unbarred with the launch of their new Super Smash Pale, a collab with artist Thumbs (from 2pm).
unbarredbrewery.com
Our kind of party – a tiramisu party – is happening over at Vine Bar on Sunday where cookie queen Bee May Bakery is popping up from 1pm.
vinestreettap.com
If you’re over in Hanover (and why wouldn’t you be, hills aside, it offers the perfect mini pub crawl), there’s a new Porteur cafe now open 7/7 inside the Hanover Community Centre garden and it’s VERY cute (and selling Boho Gelato ice-cream, too).
hanovercc.org
In another newness, a ‘Mediterranean-fusion’ cafe-bistro, A Table, has opened in Kemptown by ACT and we’re hearing lots of good things.
A Table
Get your fill of white spirits at the Gin and Rum festival (with a side of music and free snacks) at The Grand on Saturday.
ginandrumfestival.com
It’s the last weekend of the fabulous Barbino by Cin Cin pop-up at Cases in Hove (Saturday is your absolute last chance to dine).
barbino.co.uk
And while we’re on all things Cin Cin, their tucked-away summer spritz terrace is open again on Saturday from 12.30pm – 4pm with small plates and spritzes, plus tunes from Hove neighbours Capsule Records in the sun (assuming it’s still sunny). Don’t hang about as it’s an intimate affair with just 50 tickets (£35 a pop) for each session (Next dates 23rd August and 20th September.)
cincin.co.uk
PARTIES, PERFORMANCES AND PICNICS
Helm gallery just got even cooler: they’ve thrown open the doors to Hotel Helm – an immersive collab with Hennessy cognac – turning the space into a mid-century-style hotel playground, complete with new art exhibits, exclusive cocktails, a pool table, and plenty of cosy corners (free, but need to reserve; until 26th August).
helm-gallery.com
Want it tropical inside and out? Then get yourself over to Alphabet for a slice of piping-hot summer in party form with the Ye Ye Fever club night. Sunny sounds from 10pm.
alphabetbrighton.com
The Brighton Bash Carnival lands at St Ann’s Well Gardens on Saturday (11am – 8pm; free, but reserve a ticket) with a jam-packed celebration of black culture across music, dance, spoken word, and food, with a special Black Brighton Market too. The fun continues at the after-party at Dead Wax Social (from 10pm).
brighton-barco.org
Want an alternative to the football on Sunday? Then check out the glorious return of the sunset music sessions at the beach (2pm – 9pm, by the bandstand), showcasing the best of local talent. Plus there’s an hour-long jam sesh if you fancy turning up and playing yourself. Extra bonus? It’s all absolutely free.
Sunset music sessions
SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT
Japan comes to Brighton this Sunday (from 11am), with Hanabi Festival’s 30+ stalls bringing the food, products, art and craft (including some seriously cute Japanese sweets) of the vibrant country to the Open Market for the day.
Hanabi Japanese market
Spot of tarot with your scent? Tarot queen Fiona, of Tea and Tarot, is at the Molton Brown store on Saturday (12-4pm), offering fragrance-matched readings.
teaandtarotbrighton.com
Shake it all out in a free dance workshop at the mini version of Our City Dances festival at South East Dance on Saturday (1.30pm – 5pm).
southeastddance.org.uk
There’s a new pop-up studio in the North Laine and, this weekend (Friday and Saturday), you can shop Nixey’s Celtic-inspired jewellery and handmade leather bags and Wild Self Co’s art, accessories and paper goods.
cornercollective.studio
It’s the final weekend of the Trilogy rackets festival at Hove Beach Park and actual Judy Murray is there on Saturday with a mammoth team comp across padel, pickleball and tennis on Sunday. [Read more here]
trilogyfestival.com
Help keep our beaches tip-top by helping out at the Leave No Trace beach clean at Sea Lanes on Sunday (9.30am) – you’ll get a free ice-cream for your hard work.
leavenotracebrighton.org
Want to see some strange and horned creatures this weekend? All you need to do is head (just) out of town to Rottingdean where you’ll find a fascinating multimedia exhibition exploring European masked festivals. The culmination of over eight years of travel and exploration across Europe’s Wilde Volk festivals, from Germany’s dark and devilish Krampus parades to Bulgaria’s colourful Kurkeri masquerades, Wilde Volk celebrates “the stranger, rural, animalistic and horned festivals of Northern and Eastern Europe through photography, art, film, sculpture and sound”. Sunday’s the last day to see the free show (11am – 4pm) at the Beacon Hill windmill (worth visiting in its own right).
wildevolk.org.uk
FOR THE LOVE OF A TERRACE
We’re resharing this because, well, it’s summer. 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 (and Due South before that) 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, with Friday DJs, 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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