Is it just us getting older or now that we’re into February is time going insanely quickly? Whether we’re alone in our blink-and-you-missed-‘em weeks or not, it’s time for another guide packed full of weekend fun. And if you’re running the Brighton half marathon on Sunday, good luck and maybe skip our cocktail recommendations!
Don’t miss this cocktail pop-up
If you’ve been reading BOTI for a while, you’ll know that we love a cocktail, so we’re excited about this pop-up featuring tasty drinks whipped up by bartender and blogger Alice (aka sip.et.al) using Bloody Bens excellent spirits (that Bloody Mary mix is a winner). It’s being held at West Hove’s Shoreline Store + Kitchen, which is rapidly making a name for itself as a top pop-up and supper club destination, despite having been open for less than a year. Owner Louise is serving some of her tasty small plates and local charcuterie for the occasion.
Saturday 24th February; 5pm – 10pm
Shoreline Store + Kitchen, 337 – 339, Kingsway, Hove, BN3 4PD
Bloody Bens
Toast National Margarita Day
We know, it’s our second drinks-based recommendation, but like many, we’re rather partial to a margarita, so given there’s a whole day dedicated to the drink, we’re definitely going to celebrate it. Happily, margarita maestros Mama’s are back at the Hove outpost of T@ Coffee Shops with Love Is the Message Brighton to help fete that oh-so-important of national holidays. Yes, the party may be a day later than the official day (22nd Feb), but when they’re this good, who’s counting.
Friday 23rd February; from 6pm; happy hour from 6pm – 7pm; book a table or walk in
52 Lansdowne Place, Hove, BN3 1FG
Mama’s
Go clubbing – and get home before the early hours
Does 11pm seem like sofa time rather than going out time? Then you’ll love this new weekly immersive night from Vaulted Sound that kicks off at the very civilised time of 7pm. The ‘altar room’ of converted church St Augustine’s (near London Road station) acts as a natural sound amplifier, creating an immersive dance music experience (feature pic). As well as DJ sets (FallingFwds is on from 7pm), there’s a chillout area with sofas, a bar and even South Indian street food to fuel your moves. If you’re still going at midnight, they’ve got some special guests and surprise acts in store. And with capacity capped at 150, it’s a more chilled out night than you’ll get at your average club. An entirely different kind of religious experience, if you will.
Friday 23rd February; from 6pm – midnight; from £7.50, £10 on the door – cash only)
St Augustine’s Arts & Events Centre, 1 Stanford Avenue, Brighton, BN1 6EA
Book tickets
Feast your senses at Nanima
You know what’s really good in this revolting (at the time of writing) weather? Yep, a piping hot bowl of something tasty. For that, we’d head to Nanima. This brightly coloured Kemptown cafe-kitchen is a firm BOTI fave and we’re not alone in loving them – they’re nominated across five categories in Restaurant Brighton’s public-voted BRAVO awards. Chef Nicky cooks up authentic Asian dishes fresh every single day, so we can’t tell you what’s going to be on the menu, but we can tell you it will be bloody good. Special shout out to the Thai Tom Kha soup and the Singapore laksa! (Keep an eye out for our interview with owners Lonnie and Nicky coming soon!)
Open Tuesday – Saturday; 10am – 8pm (until 9pm Friday and Saturday)
36 St George’s Road, Brighton BN2 1ED
nanima.co.uk
Check out a new exhibition and the film that inspired it
Margo in Margate has wrapped, so it’s time for a new exhibition at art gallery Helm – enter Poppy Faun’s Unbound, the Brighton-based artist’s debut solo exhibition. The series of nostalgic original paintings was inspired by Wim Wenders’ Paris, Texas and if you want to dive into the exhibition and the movie, they’re showing the film at the gallery on Sunday 25th February at 3pm. Or head along to Friday’s not-so-private private view and hear from Poppy herself who’s introducing her paintings – email info@helm-gallery.com to get yourself on the list.
Exhibition runs until 3rd March; exhibition is free, film tickets are £8
Helm Gallery, 15 North Road, Brighton BN1 1YA
helm-gallery.com
Try out something new at a wellness festival
If you’ve got a penchant for trying out new things (even if you never continue them, just us?), then you’ll love this new making and wellness festival, Make It Flow. You can either buy a full-day ticket and pick three different workshops to try or just buy passes to the one(s) you like. There’s loads of good stuff to choose from, such as jewellery, lino-cut printing, painting, ceramics, candle-making, and basket-making, Thai massage, sound therapy and breathwork. Phew. And if you’re making a day of it, don’t miss the handmade marketplace and Mama’s (of margarita fame) cocktails, with the Swing Ninjas providing the tunes in the evening.
Saturday 24th February; 8.30am – 7.30pm; from £40
makeitflowfestival.com
Forget karaoke, try curryoke
Friendly (to people and dogs) Kemptown community pub The Rock Inn has gone one better than karaoke and is hosting its first curryoke session. Drag queen hostess with the mostess Joni Bitchwell is taking care of the fun karaoke and piano bingo side of things, while East Brighton Park Cafe’s Durban Curry Club are bringing the cracking curry – all-you-can-eat buffet style. Food, fun AND prizes? We’re there.
Saturday 24th February; from 7pm; from £1
The Rock Inn, 7 Rock Street, Brighton, BN2
The Rock Inn
See a gig fronted by a 90s rock star
We love a Sunday gig to round off a weekend and iconic ex-Lush member Miki Berenyi is in Brighton with her band this Sunday. Whether or not you’re old enough to remember chart-topping indie-rock band Lush from the 90s, you’ve probably heard some of their biggest tunes. We understand they’ll be playing some of the music from Lush and Miki’s other band, Piroshka (a project with members of Moose, Elastica, and Modern English) on Sunday. We reckon it’s a great opportunity to catch some shoegazey goodness in the intimate Hope & Ruin. Dutch-British ‘psych-dream pop’ duo Zo Lief (So Sweet) are supporting.
Sunday 25th February; 7pm; £13
The Hope & Ruin, 11 – 12 Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3WA
Book tickets
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