The August bank holiday weekend always hits a little different: yay, it’s an extra day off, but boo it’s the last one of the year and the countdown to the C word is officially on. But let’s not wallow when we’ve got a bumper bank holiday of fun (and sun?) ahead. Let’s go…
EXCELLENT EATS (AND DRINKS)
🍉 Freebies at the i360
We know you love a freebie, BOTI gang, and there’s double the joy at the i360 this weekend: free pressed-fruit waters from Cawston Press (Fri and Sat; 10.30am – 5pm) and gooey brownies (and kids’ meal vouchers) from Wagamama (Fri and Sat; 11am and 4pm). Technically aimed at families, but they’ve confirmed grown-up kids (aka us) count, too.
🍻 Free beer + new roof garden
Ship Street pub The Walrus has had a glow-up and if you missed their Thursday launch night, Saturday’s your chance to check it out. Head over for tunes at 4pm in the new and improved beer garden with free beer flowing from 5pm.
🍪 Vine Bar = pop-up palace
From henceforth to be known as the home of the epic pop-up, Vine Bar has got two more foodie bangers this bank hol. Friday after work (from 4pm – sell-out) sees cookie queen Bee May Bakery return with Tiramisu Party 2.5. Don’t miss it. And on Sunday, plant-based restaurant Bonsai Plant Kitchen is bringing a small but perfectly formed menu to the tap (1pm – sell-out). Pair it with one of their natty wines and boom, you’re sorted. As ever, it’s walk-ins only.
🍺 Hop girl summer
Beer, crafts and bank holiday vibes? Yes, please. Bitter Women Brewery have made an IPA! You can try their Unbarred collab – the appropriately named Hop Girl Summer – at Sunday’s beer launch (midday – 6pm; free), browse creative stalls from local makers or try your hand at DIY-ing badges, earring- or keyring-making. Good beer, good times.
🌭 Hot dogs and, um, hot dogs at Babble
If you’re ever looking for us, chances are we’re on a terrace, quite possibly Babble‘s. The Hove gang are going dog-mad this bank hol – think loaded BBQ hot dog specials and limited-edition colourful dog merch from local dog ‘fitter Frank’s Goods. We’ll take the teal and orange set, please. Bonus: beachy chewns on the decks.
🍹 Lageritas at Bison Beach Bar
Over on the other side of town, at Bison Beach bar, it’s a Lagerita kinda weekend all weekend long: DJs, rooftops sessions and the whole ‘-ita fam’ – Radlerita, Hummerita and Ciderita. Buy six of the iced drinks, bag a free limited-edition tote. Score.
🍋 Last Summer Spritz at Cin Cin
Take a trip to Hove’s mini-Italian Riviera before it’s too late. Yep, it’s the last summer spritz terrace at Cin Cin (Saturday; 12.30pm – 4pm; £35) with snacks, Regal Rogue spritzes and summer tunes from the Capsule Records gang.
🥂 Shelter Hall Brunch Bonus
It’s also your last weekend to take advantage of the free Aperol Spritz with brunch offer (daily 10.30am – midday; until Tuesday) at Shelter Hall. (The Kolkati egg paratha rolls are still the ones for us).
🌺 Aloha, Brighton!
Join Brighton boozer The Robin Hood for current owners’ bank holiday birthday bash (the big 10!) on Saturday. Hawaiian shirts, DJs, dancing and more good vibes than you shake a tiki at (from 8pm; free).
🔥 Curio’s BBQ Bonanza
Lewes Road fave Curio bar-cafe is firing up the barbie on Sunday. Think hanger steak and corn on the cob on the grill, snacks and that Basque cheesecake (midday to sell-out).
💔 Farewell Feasts
But it’s not all been good news in foodie land: chef Ali Munro announced that his glorious Alberta’s project at The Windmill would be coming to an end. “I’m now at the point where the business isn’t sustainable,” he said on Instagram. They’re still serving until 28th September, though, so you know what to do. And if you haven’t tried their sandos or whole-fried chickens yet, boy, are you in for a treat.
And over in Hove, Sam Lambert cooked up his last Slam Taco for Bison Beer. Don’t panic, though, he’s still slinging tasty things at Babble (excellent tacos included).
🎉 Fresh starts
But in happier tidings, Carne is back! Yep, they’ve got new Hove digs (63 Church Road) complete with terrace AND a secret garden. They’ll still be championing great meat and local produce but with a more bijou, casual menu. Doors fling open Friday at 6pm.
And, yes, the rumours are true, Flat Iron Steak is opening on Ship Street in Brighton this autumn. More soon!
Don’t miss Fatto a Mano‘s latest special: Pirata, with Curing Rebels charcuterie is an absolute beaut (on the plate and in the mouth): layers of hand-cured pork loin do glorious time with sweet figs and punchy Gorgonzola Piccante.
🌙 Ghibli Vibes Only
Spirited Away with a side of My Neighbour Totoro feels? Mystery Ensemble are serving up a dreamy live concert of Miyazaki movie magic at St George’s Church in Kemptown (Sat; 6pm; from £22.38). Gorgeous.
🎶 MUSIC AND MAYHEM
Bangers guaranteed. There’s loads to choose from this long weekend, whatever you’re into.
Mods, mods, we are mods. Yep, it’s the Mod Weekender. The 20th anniversary, no less. That means fashion, music and scooters all weekend long. Get ahead of the game with a visit to the In Crowd Mod fashion exhibition at Brighton Museum, hang out at Volks for music and markets during the day, then after dark, it’s over to Komedia for all the northern soul action ahead of Sunday’s big rideout (2pm) and scooter competition (3pm).
Kick the weekend off with another evening of sunset sessions at the beach (by the bandstand; Friday; 6pm). There’s five artists on the roster, a jam session and some of the best vibes in town. Good tunes and sunshine for exactly zero pounds? Yeah, it’s a win-win.
Pedal-powered party incoming! Dom Whiting‘s bringing his famous Drum & Bass on the Bike back to Brighton this Sunday. Rolling out – with some seriously big bass – from The Level on Sunday at 2pm, this is your invitation to join the (increasingly massive) gang that’s taking over the world. Wheels, feet, scooters, whatever, just turn up – with your own speaker if you like – and rave.
Brighton’s own English Disco Lovers are bringing the party to Concorde 2’s terrace on Sunday (4-10pm; £20.13) with sets from legendary Hacienda DJ Greg Wilson, Brighton disco duo Wildblood & Queenie and House of Bamboo.
Or how about some Afro-Colombian vibes from party-starters Pollito Boogaloo at the Shakie’s Head (Sun; 8pm)?
For secret party action, you need Neon in Nature. Epic tunes, amazing people, and all for a good cause (Sat; £20).
More good vibes and good causes? See out the bank holiday weekend with this multi-genre live-music all-dayer from our friends at Hey Girl mag (Mon; from 2pm; £15).
Reggae-punk meets grunge as Brighton’s own Glitterbombs bring the party to the Hope & Ruin on Sunday (8pm; £7).
It’s a full-on deep dive into Americana at Kemptown’s Hand in Hand (one of Brighton’s most Brighton pubs). Expect live bands, DJs and a charity BBQ. Yeehaw. (Sat and Sun; all day; free.)
Tribute bands your thing? Then you’re in for a treat as there’s an entire weekend devoted to the best of the best of ’em at Beach Rock. Enjoy not-quite Adele, Harry Styles, Blur, and more, right on the beach (Sat and Sun; midday – 10pm; from £28).
If you’re more techno than tribute, then you need the Underground Techno Society. They’re putting on an epic night of EDM beats with some of Brighton’s best at Waterbear on the beach (Sat; 10pm; £14).
Or soak up the musical magic of the white island without having to hop on a plane with Symphonic Ibiza (Fri; 6pm; £22.40).
MORE GOOD STUFF
🦆 Have a quack
Stalls, rides, tombolas, circus skills, and a dog show. Yep, the famous Patcham Duck Fayre is back with everything you’d hope for from a summer fete and more. Including ducks. (Sun; 11am – 4.30pm; free).
🎭 Glenda & Rita: Back in black (and white)
Everyone’s favourite Hollywood’s B&W divas are back. Glenda & Rita hit The Bedford Tavern this Saturday (8pm; free) with their trademark musical cabaret chaos. Monochrome never looked so good.
🌈 LGBTQI yay
Queer, creative and full of joy, the Big Gay Market is back with a celebration of LGBTQ+ artists’ and makers’ work. Find them at Dalton’s on Saturday (10am – 3pm; free).
🤡 Pop, art, pandemonium
Brighton seafront just got a whole lot brighter. BOTI art faves Dave Pop Art and Haus of Lucy are bringing fairground chaos, pop-art mayhem and the best satirical ceramics to Brighton Fishing Quarter gallery this weekend (Fri – Sun; free).
💔 Circles’ grand finale
Sad news, BOTI gang: gorgeous preloved store (and home of book launches and workshops) Circles is closing down. Their last day is Monday, and they’re sending it off with up to 70 percent off everything, from vintage gems and preloved treasures to sustainable goodies.
🎸 Merch for MAP
Clear your closet, grab some of your old band merch, and support Medical Aid for Palestine at Smokin’ Bones Club jumble sale. Bring your old, clean stuff – “no suss bands” – and buy new-to-you gear (pay what you want, but suggested price £5) on Saturday to Hove’s The Farm Tavern (upstairs; from 6pm).
GET OUTTA TOWN
😂 Hysterical history
How about a Tudor musical romp (yep, it’s a thing) against a castle backdrop? Outdoor theatre legends The Three Inch Fools are putting on The Most Perilous Comedie of Elizabeth I at Herstmonceaux Castle Estate in East Sussex (Sat; 7pm; £21.74) Think history but make it hysterical.
🏰 Medieval magic
Head back in time, ooh approximately 12,000 years or so, in West Sussex gem Arundel. They’ve got a three-day celebration of all things medieval. Expect eye-opening insights into how things have changed (a LOT, shocker), jousting, battle reenactors and medieval-inspired fare, of course.
🎬 Cinema + gorgeous gardens
Outdoor cinema in a beautiful garden? We’ve got you. Seventies’ classic Grease is showing at Borde Hill Garden on Friday (6.45pm). Pro tip: go premium and snag the padded seats – your bum will thank you.
Or head to Midhurst’s Cowdray Estate for the Rocketman on Friday, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly on Saturday and Barbie on Monday. Make a day of it with a visit to their flower-picking patch and maize maze (yep, exactly as it sounds).
