We’re back. Did you miss us? (Don’t answer that.)
Fed up with “romantic” Valentine’s dinners where you’re crammed elbow-to-elbow with a room full of equally awkward-looking couples? Yep, same. So instead, we’ve pulled together some of our favourite ways to do the weekend differently, from dissecting actual hearts to cult club nights, creative workshops and the hottest foodie treats.
And because it is the season of love (and we’re soppy suckers underneath it all), thanks for being here, we love you. Right, enough of that – on to the good stuff!
BOTI’S BEST BITS
Get to the heart of the matter (literally)
Sure, the dinner-and-a-movie date combo can be nice, but have you ever watched a live organ dissection on Valentine’s Day? Well, now’s your chance. Join the brilliant Brighton and Sussex Medical School anatomy team at Fabrica for an entertaining evening about all things heart, from how real heartstrings work to the mechanics behind our life-giving organ’s beating beauty. The team will also be dissecting a real heart (ethically and sustainably sourced animal hearts, don’t panic). Afterwards, if you’re still upright, there’s the opportunity to don some gloves and get involved yourself, as well as ask questions. First on our list: can you really die of a broken heart?
Sat 14th February; 7.45pm; £6 (all proceeds go to heart health charities)
Book tickets
Eat your heart out
Possibly a slightly dodgy follow-on after actual heart dissection, but you’ll forgive us. Anyway, forget music, food is the food of love in our book and this weekend’s offerings have epic love story written all over them. Halisco Too (the second branch of Mexican Preston Street fave, just up the road from the OG) is giving away 100 free burritos at 5pm on Friday. There WILL be queues for this one. In more newness: The Set is back! Sort of. Until Dan and Marcin’s new restaurant becomes a reality, you can remind yourselves of their brilliance as this oh-so-desirable menu lands at Patio this week (they’re there until 6th March). Authentic jerk chicken supremos Natty’s Jerk have opened on Preston Road, and there’s a new kitchen – Howie’s – over at The Greys in Hanover. They’re soft-launching Friday (6pm – 10pm) with snacks, smalls plates (Basque nachos!) and sweets so now’s the time to book your spot. Need a new(ish) roast to add to your list? Check out Kode at The Brick. We haven’t been yet, but it’s getting rave reviews and everything is gluten-free. In shop news, Kemptown’s Artisan Cakery has opened up Gladys & Ethel’s, a plant, home and coffee shop (also selling gluten-free goodies) in the village and they’re soft-launching this Saturday ahead of a grand opening the following week. And for Valentine’s foodie treats, you can never go wrong with Oeuf (especially not with the return of their insanely good Parisian hot chocolate), Bayon Bakery, Julien Plumart, Cielo Cakery and Open Bakery (see pic below). Sweet.
Love stories, cult classic styl
Not feeling the romcom clichés? Brighton’s only properly indie cinema White Wall Cinema is serving up Galentine’s and Valentine’s movie magic with cult energy instead. First up on Friday, Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion – a gloriously fun ode to friendship, reinvention and the power of a really good outfit. Then on Saturday, there’s Punch-Drunk Love, Paul Thomas Anderson’s offbeat, tender love story for anyone who prefers their romance a little strange, awkward and unexpectedly moving. Date night, mate night or solo-with-snacks, it all works.
Fri 13th and Sat 14th Feb; various times; £10.50
Book tickets
Love is dead. Long live the party
Whether you’re freshly single, happily attached or just allergic to heart-shaped nonsense (*waves*), the Anti-Valentine’s Ball at Ironworks is the excuse you didn’t need to dress up and dance it out. Expect delicious drag, cabaret and big tunes with a hefty helping of big energy and zero pressure to be loved up. Cathartic? Yes. Fun? Hell, yes.
Sat 14th Feb; 8pm; from £13.68
Book tickets
Date night, but make it a double (serve)
Ditch the set menu and get hands-on instead with a cocktail masterclass from Three Old Birds Distillery, hosted at Beer Belly – the new, very cool micro pub in Hove that’s quickly becoming a go-to for good drinks and good vibes. You’ll learn the tricks behind a few standout serves, taste your creations as you go (obviously) and leave with some serious home-bar bragging rights. Come for the cocktails, stay because you’ve just discovered your new favourite neighbourhood spot.
Sat 14th Feb; 3pm – 5pm; £16.96
Book tickets
This is no ordinary event
If your love language is good sound and even better music, you can’t get much better than Capsule Record’s new Listening Room. This intimate Valentine’s session invites you to slow things right down and experience Sade’s timeless soul-jazz classic ‘Diamond Life’ the way it was meant to be heard – on a high-spec sound system, in a cosy, distraction-free space with fellow music lovers. No shouting over a bar, no awkward small talk – just deep listening and a properly lovely alternative to the usual Valentine’s noise.
Sat 14th Feb; 5.30pm – 6.30pm; £15 for a ticket for two
Book tickets
Mercury’s in retrograde, but the dancefloor isn’t
If your love language is astrology memes, queer pop bangers, creative fits and a properly welcoming dancefloor, Starstruck at The Old Market (a collab with heavy-hitters Church of Italo and The Real House Dykes) is your Valentine’s orbit. Get ready for a night of cosmic energy, big feelings and bigger tunes with sets from the likes of Wildblood & Queenie, bringing together lovers, singles and situationships for a celebration of connection in all its forms. Come dressed for the stars and stay for the community. And you never know, you might even leave feeling a wee bit more aligned.
Sat 14th Feb; 9pm – 1am; from £16
Book tickets
Wax on, worries off
Swap awkward dinner reservations for something altogether more satisfying: painting your own dreamy candle with canapes and cocktails in hand and your favourite people beside you. It’s an Haute Flame workshop, so good vibes (and great music) are guaranteed, plus guided design inspo and a finished piece you’ll actually want to keep (or gift, if you’re feeling generous). Cute, creative and considerably less cringey than forced romance.
Fri 14th Feb; 6.30pm; £33.22
Book tickets
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THE BEST OF THE REST
Rave, reborn, repeat
If Valentine’s is giving you the ick (or you just fancy a night that feels like bathing in pure serotonin and you’re not averse to immersive experiences), then join the RaveRend and Trev at House of Life at Brighton Dome for a night of fun – and copious amounts of glitter. It’s basically a part-rave, part-rebirth, part-communal joy blast in theatre form featuring big beats, audience interaction and so many good vibes you’ll leave feeling like you’ve been emotionally power-washed.
Thurs 12th – Sat 14th Feb; various times; from £10
brightondome.org
Purrfectly creative
Paint, draw or collage your way through a feline-themed session that’s equal parts wholesome and slightly chaotic (as all cat-related things should be). Taking place at Purrfect Space, Brighton’s newest cat lovers’ hangout and co-working spot (the cats arrive on 23rd Feb), it’s ideal for animal lovers or anyone who’d rather spend Valentine’s thinking about cats than people.
Sat 14th Feb; 3pm; £29
Book tickets
Fast love, faster playlists
If your Valentine’s plans involve your chosen family, big queer energy and absolutely zero subtlety, Komedia’s got you. Gal Pals and Dykes on Decks are teaming up for a night of dancefloor anthems, community vibes and the kind of joy that only a room full of sapphics, singles, couples and situationships can deliver. Expect high-energy DJ sets, a super-welcoming crowd and maybe even the possibility of falling in love (or at least swapping Instas by the bar).
Sat 14th Feb; 11pm – 3am; from £7
Book tickets
Less roses, more rhythm
Skip the candlelit clichés and spend Valentine’s the Brighton way: in a sweaty pub venue (the Prince Albert) watching two great local bands do their thing. The Doll Hearts bring fearless, sequin-laced alt energy while Murphy’s Medicine deliver buzzy, wide-eyed indie pop (with a new single launch to boot). Local, loud and full of heart – just how we like it.
Sat 14th Feb; 8pm – 11pm; £6.60
Book tickets
Main character energy only
Get stuck into a full-day celebration of community, wellbeing and unapologetic self-worth at the Self-Love Festival for Women of Colour at Brighton Dome. Think workshops, talks, creativity, connection and space to recharge with people who get it. This one’s about joy, empowerment and showing yourself the love you keep giving everyone else.
Sat 14th Feb; from 9.30am – 4pm; free
Book tickets
Love, lust and very little filter
If your idea of romance involves brutal honesty, big laughs and a whole load of chat about shagging, this Sunday afternoon comedy special at Dalton’s might just be your vibe. Shaggers brings together a stacked line-up of comedians for a no-holds-barred take on dating, relationships and yes, all things sex. Perfect for a timely reminder that everyone else’s love life is just as chaotic as yours.
Sun 15th Feb; 2.30pm – 4.30pm; £11.55
Book tickets
Love at first swirl
Create mesmerising marbled designs using traditional Turkish techniques – calming, creative and weirdly addictive. You’ll also get fed and watered with Turkish snacks and tea and leave with beautiful paper prints and the quiet satisfaction of having made something properly special.
Sat 14th Feb; 4pm; £44.04
Book tickets
Goosebumps guaranteed
If your Valentine’s plans could do with a bit more heart (and a lot more joy), Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus are bringing the feel-good factor to Komedia on Sunday. You’ll be getting their trademark harmonies, choreo and joyful arrangements of crowd-pleasing anthems in a show that celebrates love in all its forms. Prepare to feel uplifted and leave with a smile on your face.
Sun 15th Feb; 7.30pm; from £17
Book tickets
Feel the love (on canvas)
Layer, scrape, blend and build your way through an abstract art session that’s all about expression over perfection. No rules, no pressure – just satisfying textures and something gorgeously tactile to take home.
Fri 13th and Sat 14th Feb; various times; £35.37
Book tickets
Because vanilla isn’t for everyone
Deviants Market is back, bringing a gloriously naughty twist to Valentine’s weekend with a kink-positive makers’ market taking over Komedia for the day. Expect over 30 queer-owned businesses, handcrafted gifts, art, accessories and plenty of goodies to spice up your life, plus raffles and a friendly, inclusive vibe.
Sun 15th Feb; 10.30am – 4pm; £1/pay what you can (proceeds go to Mind Out and trans fundraisers)
Book tickets
GET OUTTA TOWN
Shake it ’til you make it
Learn to mix, muddle and pour like a pro at this Valentine’s cocktail masterclass at Beak Brewery in Lewes, all while sampling your creations along the way (the best kind of education). Perfect for date night, mate night or anyone who’d rather drink their feelings than talk about them.
Sat 14th Feb; 7pm; £33.22
Book tickets
Hot girls, (icy) cold water
Sweat it out in a woodland sauna with a glass of Nosecco in hand, brave the cold plunge, then do it all again. Just outside the pretty medieval market town of Arundel, this is the ultimate reset with your favourite people – and probably a much better bonding experience than dinner. Plus, you’ll be one of the first to experience the Stubbs Retreat sauna as this is their soft-launch weekend ahead of the official March opening.
Sat 14th Feb; 4.15pm; £33.22
Book tickets
A LITTLE BRIGHTON LOVE
Before we go, a quick community shoutout: Whitehawk Food Bank is currently trying to raise funds to stay open, so if you have a bit of spare cash, please consider supporting their crowdfunder. Even a small donation will make a real difference.
Got an event we should know about? Send the details to hello@brightontheinside.co.uk – we’re always hunting for Brighton’s best bits.
