May is coming to an end but she’s going out with a bang. So we’ve done the hard work of narrowing down the approximately 7,000 things happening this weekend into a handful of our tried-and-tested favourites. From Fringe fun and £1 pasta to a sauna festival and contemporary art bargains, this weekend’s got it going on. As ever, these are all hand-picked by people (hello!) who spend far too much time wandering around Brighton (and Instagram).
Get pasta for £1
As if Pommy’s Pizza wasn’t popular enough already, the Italian-run New York-style pizza spot is now turning its attention to pasta. To celebrate the launch, bowls will be available for just £1 at the Hove restaurant this Saturday. Expect queues – Brighton’s freebie hunters and carb enthusiasts are unlikely to let this one pass them by.
Sat; 12pm – 3pm; George Street
More info
READ ALSO: NEW CABARET SPOT MADAM LOLA’S OPENS THIS WEEKEND
Have a final Fringe fling
It’s the final weekend of Fringe – and May – and boy, are we going to miss the festival atmosphere that takes over Brighton every year. Thankfully, there’s still some time to squeeze in a few more shows before the curtain comes down. If you’ve only got room for a handful, here’s what we’d do: hang out with some hedonistic acrobats at Godz, don your finest outfit for legendary cabaret-club collective Church of Italo’s Eat The Rich night; giggle your way through Luke Rollason’s Fol-de-Rol, join the camp knees-up that is Dynamite Boogaloo: Afternoon Delight, then round things off with a dose of cabaret at Sister Brandy Bex’s extravaganza fundraiser, Or skip the tickets altogether and just head to Caravanserai and soak up the atmosphere, DJs and general Fringe buzz for absolutely free. And if you’re still stuck for more inspo, we’ve got plenty more recommendations and reviews here.
Until Sun
brightonfringe.org
READ ALSO: BOTI REVIEWS | GODZ
Help Casa Azul celebrate seven years
Seven years in and Casa Azul is still one of Brighton’s best spots (and a BOTI fave) for authentic Mexican food, ingredients and a friendly chat. To celebrate, they’re throwing a proper birthday fiesta at the Open Market with Mexican folk dancing, a giant piñata (yes!), Jarritos soft drinks and Latin tunes from DJ Ricardo of Mística Latina. Pop by, grab a drink and help them mark seven years of keeping Brighton well supplied with tacos, chillies and seriously good vibes.
Sat; 3pm – 5.30pm
More info
READ ALSO: Celebrate Sunday’s Blue Moon with a swim and yoga party
Make a splash at Brighton Swimming Centre’s 50th
Brighton Swimming Centre is turning 50 and celebrating with a full day of swims, workshops, sea-safety sessions and poolside activities for all ages – yes, that means adults, too. You’ll find synchronised swimming tasters, circus skills, CPR and sea safety workshops, yoga and talks on swimming the Channel, before things wind down with a floating sound bath in the pool (which sounds pretty dreamy). And it’s for a good cause, too as proceeds will help support the much-loved community pool.
Sat; from 8am; activities from £5
brightonswimmingschool.com
Snap up arty bargains at the Art Yard Sale
One of our favourite Brighton Fringe traditions returns this weekend as the Art Yard Sale takes over Jubilee Square. More than 30 artists will be selling original works, limited-edition prints and one-offs direct from their own stalls, with live art and special deals throughout the day. Whether you’re after a statement piece or just fancy a nose around, it’s a rare chance to pick up work from artists including Haus of Lucy, Pure Evil and Sara Pope without gallery prices attached.
Sun; 11am – 5pm; free (book ticket here)
artyardsale.co.uk
READ ALSO: WIN TICKETS TO A GIN-MAKING EXPERIENCE FOR TWO
Dive into more delicious eats
It’s another bumper weekend for foodie fun – when is it not? The Med boys are back with another line-up of we-want-to-eat-them-all small plates at Bakkus, making the trip over to Lancing a doubly good idea. Howie’s new kitchen at The Greenhouse in Hove is celebrating their launch weekend with 20 percent off their tasty menu until 6pm Sunday. We tried them at their (all-too-brief) residency at The Greys and developed a brief obsession with the posh loaded crisps. Another week, another exciting kitchen over at Patio. This week, Aperitif (by Ece and Sinem from Kemptown’s A Table and My Coffee Story) has sprung up until Sunday and we’d like one of everything on the Aegean- and Med-inspired menu, please. There’s (at the time of writing) one space available at the Sussex Supper Club‘s Saturday event – a five-course feast of home-cooked seasonal goodness by Jessie and Jurrat in their lovely Kemptown flat. And this time, it’s al fresco, baby. We went a couple of months ago and would highly recommend – for the food and the company. Kitgum Kitchen are having a two-day pop-up at their new neighbours The Windmill (Sat and Sun; from midday). Yes, their KFC is on the menu. And, perhaps most excitingly of all, The Set has finally opened its first permanent restaurant. You (probably) won’t be able to get in this weekend, but you should definitely get booking – there’s only 12 seats in total. Read more about it here.
