Things to do this weekend in Brighton | 17th – 19th May

The city is buzzing with activity right now, from Fringe fun to arty escapades, and we are loving it. Not least because, right now, the sun is doing its thing and Brighton is positively blooming. Need some ideas for what else to get up to? Come on in…

Get thee to a free gig

It’s The Great Escape weekend and, as ever, every musician and their mum is in town, so aside from the official event, there are plenty of free gigs all over the city, many put on by bands who’ve boycotted the festival to put on their own (fundraiser) shows. Loads of Brighton locals are performing at some of our favourite venues across the city, from the Hope and Ruin and the Folklore Rooms to Bella Union. We’ve put together a guide to alternative gig options here.
Various dates and times; free
Gig guide

Head to a plant swap and sale

Fancy yourself green-fingered or maybe you’d just like to nurture a plant to adulthood without forgetting to water it? Then head along to a community plant and seedling sale and swap on Saturday. It’s a great opportunity to get some new green bits for free or very cheaply. While you’re up Muesli Mountain way, check out new French-inspired cafe Cafe des Couleurs for their excellent – and enormous – brunches (the Croque Madame is huge and very moreish).
Saturday 18th May; 10.30am – 1pm; free
On the green opposite the Constant Service pub, Islingword Road, Brighton, BN2 9SJ

Go to a new buzzing bar

Maybe(e) you spotted our article on Brighton’s latest bee-autiful bar… And if you didn’t, we reckon we’ve given you enough clues now. Local beekeeping couple Alistair and Noemi Bell opened Apiary, a honey-inspired cafe and bar, this week and they’ve got an excellent line in inventive seasonal cocktails using honey, bee pollen and the like. Sweet. Read all about it here.
50 Norfolk Square, Brighton, BN1 2PA
Wednesday – Sunday; 10am – 11pm

apiary.co.uk

Take part in some birthday celebrations

Super-friendly zero-waste cafe and refill store Hunglish is turning two! To mark the occasion they’re holding a community celebration with free cakes, drinks and plenty of fun. The perfect mid-shop stop-off!
Saturday 18th May; midday – 3pm; free
6 Brighton Square, Brighton, BN1 1HD

hunglish.co.uk

Get your vintage shop on

Would it really be the weekend guide if we didn’t have something clothing related for you? Answers in a DM, please. And this weekend’s is a goodie. Gladrags Costumes are holding a pop-up sale featuring a curated selection of clothes from across the decades, from streetwear to classics and festival fancy stuff. And you’ll be helping a good cause, too: proceeds will go to support subsidised costume hire and outreach activity in the community. Held upstairs at preloved clothing and lifestyle store Circles, we’d recommend a look around there, too, we’ve discovered plenty of gems. They’ll also have a stylist on hand on Saturday afternoon to help you nail the perfect fit.
Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th May; 10.30am – 5.30pm and midday to 5pm; free
Upstairs at Circles Store, 21 – 23 Church Street, Brighton, BN1 1RB

Gladrags Costumes

Keep on Fringe-ing

We’re well into the swing of the Fringe now – have you read our latest reviews? Lots of the productions we’ve already seen, from comedy to theatre and escape rooms, have more shows this weekend (Dawn Again, Unsolved, Betsy: Wisdom of a Brighton Whore, and more), but if you’re looking for more tips this weekend, we’d also recommend: filthy, funny and fabulous ghost-whisperer Séayoncé; musical comedy Villains: A Dizney in Drag parody; Bangtail, a clown-western about a cowboy-turned-accountant searching for his purpose; and the fifth jam-packed edition of NHS glamourpuss Sister Brandy Bex’s cabaret, comedy and drag Extravaganza, for starters.
Various dates, times and prices

Coming up next week

It’s doughnut week at Flour Pot Bakery ALL week (Monday 20th – Friday 24th May at all stores), which means a return to the most popular doughnut flavours. And the new pop-up wine club from Sassy Sommelier, aka Etch sommelier Sam Weatherill, is making its debut on Friday 24th May (tickets here).