What’s On This Weekend: Your Local Brighton & Hove Guide

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January might be bleak elsewhere, but not here. Here’s what’s actually worth your time this week—from proper theatre to the Palace match, plus where to grab a decent pint

Theatre & Comedy

If you fancy a night out that doesn’t involve freezing on the seafront, the Theatre Royal has a solid lineup running through January and February. Tickets start at £8 for some shows, which is cheaper than three pints these days. The Dome continues to be the go-to for everything from classical to comedy—check their Concert Hall and Corn Exchange schedules if you’re after something a bit more cultured than the usual Friday night chaos.

Over in Hove, The Old Market is where you’ll find genuinely funny stand-up rather than the stag-do fodder some venues push. They’ve got some brilliant acts coming through this month, including that puppet show everyone’s been banging on about for years.

Live Music

The local music scene’s still thriving despite half the venues jacking up their prices. Brighton Centre has the big touring acts if that’s your thing, but Concorde 2 remains the best spot for proper gigs—indie bands, electronic nights, and DJs who actually know what they’re doing. It’s been an institution on Madeira Drive for good reason.

Komedia in North Laine does over 700 shows a year, so there’s always something on. Jazz nights, alternative rock, open mic sessions—it’s worth checking what’s on before you default to the same old pub crawl.

The Football

The Seagulls are having another decent season, and there’s two home games this month you won’t want to miss. Bournemouth at The Amex on Monday 19th January (8:00 PM kick-off), then the big one—Palace at home on Saturday 31st January. That derby’s always tasty.

They’ve finally sorted out the entrance numbering system, so finding your turnstile isn’t the usual faff anymore. The Terrace fan zone is worth getting to early for a pre-match pint—it’s massive and actually stays covered when it inevitably pisses down.

Pubs & Bars

North Laine’s still where most people end up. North Laine Brewhouse does their own beer and the quiz on Wednesdays is genuinely massive—get there early or you won’t get a table. Live music kicks off at 6 PM on Fridays, then DJs take over around 10 and it goes until 2 AM if you’re up for it.

The Basketmakers on Gloucester Road is the proper local’s pub—good ales, no pretension, decent food. The Mesmerist in the Lanes is your go-to if you want four different bars in one building, including that rooftop bit that’s brilliant when the weather cooperates. Their bottomless brunch is popular with the weekend crowd.

For craft beer nerds, The Urchin in Hove does their own microbrewery stuff and pairs it with shellfish if you’re feeling fancy. Down on the seafront, Brighton Music Hall has that huge heated terrace under the arches—pier-to-pier views and actually stays warm in January, which is a minor miracle.

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Kemptown’s still the beating heart of the LGBTQ+ scene with Revenge, R-Bar, and The Queens Arms doing their thing most nights. The Verdict on St James’s Street remains one of the best jazz clubs in Europe according to The Guardian, though good luck getting in on a Friday without booking ahead.