It’s getting hot in here, but don’t worry – we’re (mostly) keeping our clothes on. Whether you’re a sun worshipper or an air-con-seeking missile, this weekend’s guide has you covered: think new cafes worth shouting about, summer solstice parties and gloriously unhinged cabaret.
Dive into all things bookish at Brighton Book Festival
Brighton Book Festival returns for its fourth year with another inspiring line-up of live events. Set up by Carolynn Bain of Afrori Books and Ruth Wainwright of The Feminist Bookshop, the five-day festival champions marginalised voices and celebrates the power of books to build community. The weekend’s finale is packed with highlights, from a poetry cafe and writing workshop to author panels on cosy crime, romantasy and untold stories – plus an open mic session and the return of the legendary BBF party.
Until Sunday 22nd June; various times and prices
Brighthelm Centre, North Road, Brighton BN1 1YD and Jubilee Library, Jubilee Street, Brighton, BN1 1GE
brightonbookfestival.co.uk
Get in a delicious pickle at Kemptown’s new sandwich spot
After a series of pop-ups and supper clubs, The Pickle is putting down roots in Kemptown, with a new café dedicated to next-level sandwiches and more – big on flavour, heavy on pickles. Sweet-toothed locals are in luck too: think banoffee pie and their signature friendly Picklairs – delectable pistachio eclairs if you’re not (yet) in the know. Sam and Denisa (the duo behind it all) are bringing serious love, and even more layers, to the Brighton lunch scene. Opening Saturday from 9am – 3pm! (Closed Sunday and Monday and they go again from Tuesday.)
8 Bristol Road, Brighton, BN2 1AP
The Pickle
Embrace the absurd at this brilliantly bonkers art and cabaret bash
It doesn’t get much more Brighton than this: anarchic cabaret meets eccentric art in a gloriously offbeat spectacle. The Funny Hole (calm down) – the brainchild of Boogaloo Stu, Jane Dinmore and Ladypat – promises a riot of immersive performance art, staged among eclectic artworks. Saturday’s one-night-only live show also features cult favourites like ironing board songstress Lorraine Bowen and anorak-clad Penge punk poet Barbara Brownskirt, so expect surreal sketches, outrageous costumes, and a generous helping of joy-filled chaos. The cabaret’s just for Saturday, but the exhibition runs all weekend from 10am on Friday – think a vibrant explosion of collages, paintings, ceramics, sculptures and film. A weekend of wonderful weirdness awaits.
Friday 20th June – Sunday 22nd June; daily from 10am; The Funny Hole cabaret show is at 7pm on the Saturday; pay what you feel
Old Court House, Brighton, BN1 1UD
Book tickets
Celebrate the summer solstice with a party or two
It’s the longest day of the year on Saturday and it’s set to be one helluva of a scorcher. If you’re out and about and not taking shelter from the swelter (the museums are always a good bet for that btw), then there’s loads of celebratory events on this weekend. Or, you know, just jump in the sea. That fixes everything.
The Good Vibe Choir are bringing all the, um, good vibes with their summer concert at St Ann’s Well Gardens on Saturday (1pm – 4pm) and it’s also the Urchin pub’s 4 Streets summer street party on Belfast Street in Hove on Saturday. Think live bands, freshly brewed beer, Caribbean street food and, of course, immaculate vibes (3pm – 10pm).
Seven Dials is getting in on the summery action, too, with the local pubs and cafes each hosting various midsummer celebrations with craft markets, workshops, live bands and plenty of food and drink (from 1pm).
Beach Box Sauna Spa and Ruby Moon Swim have their midsummer beach festival on Saturday, too. The sauna sessions are sold out, but everyone’s welcome at the free beach party from 5pm with a cacao ceremony, breathwork, yoga, sea swims, and sound bath, finishing off with a sunset dance party.
And if not’s already hot enough outside for you (or you fancy an ice plunge), head to Stanmer Sauna Garden with a picnic for some off-grid magic.
Finally, English wine week kicks off on the 21st (more on that coming up), so when better to enjoy a glass of English? All you need is a sunny terrace. Keep reading for those!
Soak up the rays on a sunny 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.
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.
What else?
Recreate the Blockbuster glory days at White Wall Cinema’s VHS Fest (Friday – Sunday) with a trio of cult old-school films (The Lost Boys, Commando and Cocktail) and a giant video store to browse. Enjoy some summer screenings as the Picturehouse open-air cinema season kicks off at Preston Manor (from Friday), and it’s the last weekend of indie film fest Brighton Rocks International Festival. Alternatively, head to the Hilton Brighton Metropole on Saturday for their new monthly afternoon tea with a live singer or check out genre-defying Dizraeli and Joy Machine performing at Dust with support from Brighton’s Amy Palmer (Saturday; 7pm; £17.62). On Sunday, make your way to Pavilion Gardens for Windrush Celebration Day (midday – 4pm) or Easy Tiger for a lazy afternoon of jazz and BBQ fun (BBQ from 1pm, jazz from 5.30pm) in their patio garden.
