Brighton’s no longer quite as hot as a jalapeño in a sauna; it’s more of a red pepper at the moment. And while we’re not complaining (much), we’re also not moving unless there’s iced coffee, sea breezes or the promise of fun.
Fortunately, there’s plenty of that in store this weekend, from festivals to foodie treats (chips for 7p!) and must-see immersive club nights. You in?
EXCELLENT EATS (AND DRINKS)
By the time you read this, the tables may well have been snapped up, but it’s worth a go as last-minute tables for the full tasting menu at the brilliant Set restaurant don’t come up often. Their loss (a naughty last-minute cancellation) is your potential gain, so get in there quick to enjoy the inventive cooking by Dan Kenny and gang on Saturday.
thesetrestaurant.com
POSTPONED In another excellent addition to Vine Bar’s series of cool collabs, Alberta’s legend Ali Monro is popping up on Sunday with “very cute bar snacks“.
Vine Bar
Wood-fired restaurant Embers has launched its weekend breakfasts (9am – midday, Saturday and Sunday) and they look seriously good. Think hearty dishes like steak and eggs, chicken and waffles and, of course, a high-end twist on a full English and avocado toast, as well as lighter options like overnight oats and fresh croissants.
embersbrighton.co.uk
If it’s summer (which the weather and calendar tell us it is), then it’s time for another Beer Festival at The Brunswick in Hove. Head over from Friday to Sunday (midday – 11pm; free entry) to partake in 19 beers, 15 cask ales, six boxed ciders and a whole load of music. Cheers!
brunswickpub.co.uk
Ok, so we probably wouldn’t normally recommend you head to Harry Ramsden’s, but when you can get a portion of fish and chips for just 7p, then we’d be remiss not to let you know. There are 500 portions up for grabs from midday on Saturday, so get there early if you want one at 1928 prices and for your chance to win a prize in some spin-the-wheel fun.
harryramsdens.com
Pilates and wine will make you feel, um, fine? Provided you do them in that order, at least. There’s a new addition to the sip-and-something gang this Sunday – sip and stretch. Join Found with Kate for a dynamic mat pilates class on Hove Lawns (5pm) followed by wine (or something non-alcoholic) and chat at The Well.
Found with Kate
New pedal-powered pizza pop-up (no, there is never enough pizza in the world) The Slicycle is back slinging pies and gaining fans at the always-vibey Loud Shirt Brewing Co on Friday (5-8pm) and again on Saturday (3-7pm).
theslicycle.com
Get three for two on tapas dishes at Brighton’s newest tapas spot, La Tapa Loca, until 3rd August.
latapaloca.co.uk
Looking to buy some vinyl this weekend? If you buy anything at Brighton’s Bella Union, they’ll give you an ice-pop for free. Music to our ears.
bellaunionvinylshop.com
Speaking of all things icy, it’s another stupid-but-brilliant National Day on Sunday. But this one we can get on board with: National Ice-Cream Day. Head over to the new Jude’s ice-cream bar at the Brighton Met on Sunday and you’ll get a golden ticket, which may just snare you a hotel stay if you’re lucky. It’s not quite Willa Wonka, but we’ll take it.
hilton.com
PARTIES, PERFORMANCES, PICNICS
You’ve probably already noticed that it’s the On The Beach festival this weekend and next (it’s pretty hard to miss). But in case it’s passed you by, it all kicks off on Brighton beach (shocker) on Friday with Brighton-born Bonobo’s Outlier party, followed by Eric Prydz on Saturday and Bloc Party on Sunday. Sunday’s sold out, but there are still a few tickets for the other two available.
18th – 20th, 23rd and 25th – 27th July; £62.70
onthebeachbrighton.com
We’re excited about this one: Lemon Jelly’s Fred Deakin is bringing the old school back to the dancefloor at The Old Market with an immersive theatre-club experience that celebrates the energy, fashion and FUN of 80s and 90s club culture (until Sunday; from £19).
theoldmarket.com
Going to On The Beach on Saturday? Then check out dance music station Code South FM’s (unofficial) after at the seafront WaterBear Venue, featuring a slew of house sets from Paul Hilditch, Steve Raven, Rich Mathias, Kooky and Jus SDMS (from 10pm; from free).
codesouth.fm
For something a little more intimate, get yourself over to Hilly Hanover. It’s the first-ever Washington Street party (from 1pm ish til late) this Saturday and they’ve gone all out: there’s a zumba class, a drag performance, a Bake Off comp, BBQ and booze, live music and DJs, plus a raffle full of prizes from local indie businesses. While you’re there, head south to Windmill Street, which is also having a street party and stay to watch the sun go down from the aptly named Setting Sun pub. Or just go on a pub hop or fuel up at the pretty Cafe des Couleurs at the bottom of the hill on Islingword Street (their Saturday and Sunday evening bistro night is well worth a look, too).
Bastille Day may have been and gone (it was the 14th July, francophiles), but it fell on a Monday, so the Paris House is celebrating the big French day this Sunday instead (from 3pm), with a grand bang. Think swinging jazz, more than a soupçon of chanson, French DJs and, yep, the Ooh La Las can-can dancers.
the-paris-house.co.uk
Summer and outdoor theatre are the perfect combo; add a spot of Shakespeare into the mix and you’ve got yourself a winner. This weekend (until Sunday), head to Brighton Open Air Theatre with your picnic box (and cushions, never forget the cushions) for an irreverent take on the Bard’s famous comedy of errors, A Midsummer Night’s Dream with added live music and other shenanigans.
brightonopenairtheatre.co.uk
You won’t have heard of this festival, but here’s why you should go: there’s an all-day line-up of music, a raffle, and a great cause: it all raises money for lifesaving cancer treatment that’s not available on the NHS for Beth who has brain cancer. Because, you know, screw cancer. Beth Fest is at the Old Albion pub in Hove on Sunday from midday.
Beth Fest
TRANS PRIDE
This weekend, it’s time to celebrate trans lives and gender diversity with a wide range of joyous events. Brighton has the largest event of its kind outside the US and was also the first one in Europe and this year it’s bigger than ever.
First up, it’s the 12th year of Brighton International Trans Film Festival set up by artist, filmmaker and activist Fox Fisher. A curated programme of brand-new shorts by trans storytellers will be screened at the Duke of York’s on Friday (6.30pm).
This year, the main Saturday celebrations are taking place across several areas after the march, which kicks off at midday after the 11.30am speeches at Victoria Gardens.
Afterwards, head to Dorset Gardens or New Steine Gardens for a full day of music and spoken word performances, with community stalls, picnicking spots and quiet zones. Over at Brighton Dome, you’ll find the Trans Makers’ Market, featuring jewellery, ceramics, tees and more and there’s a Trans Pride Art Market at Dalton’s from midday.
Later on, check out the joyous after-party from the Aziz collective at the North Laine Brewery from 10pm. And, on Sunday, take it down a notch at the gorgeous Stanmer Sauna Garden for a special Trans Pride garden sauna.
Friday 18th – Sunday 20th July; various times, prices and locations
transpridebrighton.org
OUT OF TOWN
If you like rolling hills and live music with a side of English wine, then you’ll love Saturday’s open-air Sofar Sounds gig at Artelium Wine Estate, just outside Brighton in Hassocks (from 6.30pm). Sofar Sounds gigs are always a bit special, not least because of the delicious anticipation of not knowing exactly what you’re going to see.
sofarsounds.com
Over at painters’ Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant modernist home in Charleston, the Festival of the Garden is back until Sunday. This isn’t just pruning-the-roses gardening, either, in true Charleston fashion, it’s all about new ideas. So you’ll find radical garden reimaginings, inspirational creative talks, and outdoor happenings in the heart of the Sussex countryside where the glorious gardens are in full bloom. Expect big names like folk singer Peggy Seeger and climate justice campaigner Mikaela Loach, as well as talks from growers, artists and designers, free fringe fun curated by Charleston’s head gardener, a plant and makers’ market, and wildflower-filled inspo galore. Hop on the Lewes shuttle (perfect if you don’t have a car), grab a brioche roll and dig into the good stuff – nature, protest, poetry and all. Some events are free, including garden access and demos. (Until Sunday; various times; from free.)
charleston.org.uk
Also over in Charleston on Saturday is the brilliantly named Unlikely Walking Club. The welcoming club is teaming up with Afri-Co-Lab for an afternoon that they say is as much a game and theatrical experience as it is a walk (from 1pm; £10).
charleston.org.uk
If it’s all getting a but too fast and furious in the bright lights, not-so-big city, take things down a notch at Field Food’s Slow Down Sunday, a relaxed brunch celebrating seasonal food in a flint barn in the beautiful rural setting of East Sussex’s Southease, just outside Lewes (Sunday; 10am; £28).
field-food.co
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 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.
COMING UP NEXT WEEK
A week-long celebration of all things tennis, padel and pickleball is coming to Hove Beach Park on Monday, with tournaments and workshops for all levels, whether you’re a pro or still yet to figure out what the hell the difference is. As well as music, food and drink, there’ll also be Judy Murray.
trilogyfestival.com
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Photo credits: Kat Gollock
