The Brighton Dome Comedy Festival heads into its final week with its biggest names, the Theatre Royal goes spooky for half-term, and there’s a handful of new places to eat. Here’s what’s on across the city from Monday 19 to Saturday 24 October. By Nick Staunton
Comedy: The Festival’s Big Week
This is the week to book. On Wednesday, Maisie Adam brings Whatsherface to the Dome Concert Hall (7.30pm, from £29.50), while Australian newcomer Elouise Eftos plays the Studio Theatre.
Thursday is packed. Simon Amstell performs I Love It Here in the Concert Hall Foyer (7.30pm, from £24), and Laura Smyth brings Born Aggy to the Corn Exchange (7.30pm, from £26.50). For a cheap night, Komedia’s Comic Boom club is just £10.
Friday has the week’s headliners. Katherine Ryan plays the Corn Exchange with Firstborn Daughter (7.30pm, from £44), and Nish Kumar brings Angry Humour from a Really Nice Guy to the Concert Hall Foyer (7.30pm, from £29.50).
On Saturday, Sam Campbell’s surreal Kid Giblet fills the Concert Hall (8pm, from £32). In Hove, Michael Spicer, the man behind “The Room Next Door” videos, plays The Old Market (8pm, £22). Then Stamptown, an anarchic late-night cabaret hosted by Zach Zucker, closes the night at the Corn Exchange from 9.30pm.
Earlier in the week, Komedia has Phil Ellis on Tuesday (8pm, £17.50) and Catalan comic Sergi Polo on Wednesday (7.30pm, £16). If you have kids to entertain over half-term, SHELF: The Kids Show 2 is at the Studio Theatre on Saturday at 2pm (£16).
Gigs
The week starts big. Tinie Tempah launches his new album at Resident on Kensington Gardens on Monday (6.30pm, from £22). On Thursday, rising singer-songwriter Nieve Ella plays an in-store at Resident too.
The weekend leans electronic. Fracture plays Volks on Friday. On Saturday, Congo Natty, one of the pioneers of jungle, headlines Concorde 2, while Unkle Sounds is at Chalk.
For something free, Monday’s Pleasure Hunt gig at the Green Door Store costs nothing, and the Monday jazz session at The Paris House runs from 2pm to 5pm. The open mics at The Brunswick and The Neptune in Hove are where you’ll find the next wave of local talent, the lifeblood of the city’s grassroots music scene.
Theatre
The Haunting of Hill House comes to the Theatre Royal from Tuesday to Saturday, a stage adaptation of Shirley Jackson’s classic ghost story, perfectly timed for the run-up to Halloween. The theatre also launches its backstage tours on Saturday, if you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the curtain.
Eating and Drinking
In Hove, Gatherin at The Greenhouse on Church Road is still settling in after opening last month, so food is 30% off from Tuesday to Friday. It serves global small plates for sharing. In the North Laine, Barbino has opened inside Dots on North Road, serving Mediterranean small plates with low-intervention wines and cocktails. Watch out too for Vagabond, the self-pour wine bar opening this autumn on Duke Street in the old Browns site, with more than 100 wines by the glass.
OctoberBest is still running at independent restaurants across the city, so check your favourite for a cut-price menu before the month ends.
Pubs and Quiz Nights
Monday is quiz night across the city. Try Quizzy with Izzy at The White Rabbit (7.30pm, £2), drag queen Veronica Von Beaverhausen’s quiz at The Signalman on Ditchling Rise (8pm, £3), or the quizzes at The Lion & Lobster and The Park Crescent. Book ahead at the Lion & Lobster, because it fills up fast.
Brighton Local Angle
Albion fans are travelling this week. The Seagulls play Jablonec in the Conference League on Thursday, where supporters have been promised Europe’s cheapest away-day pint. If you’re staying home, the pubs around the Lanes will be showing it.
Related Reading
- Brighton & Hove This Weekend: The Amazons, Photography Festival and Local Pubs
- Craig David announces Brighton Centre show for May 2027
- Brighton Fringe 2027 Registrations Open 14 October: Exciting Call for Artists and Venues
