This weekend’s looking pretty solid if you know where to look. Bit of everything going on, but you’ll need to check individual venue socials because listings are always sketchy this time of year.
Friday Night
Jools Holland & His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra are at Brighton Centre on Saturday 14th Visit Brighton, so if you’re into that sort of thing, tickets are still available. The Dome’s got a few bits on—there’s cabaret on Friday at the Concert Hall from £18.90, and if you fancy classical stuff, there’s something on Saturday and Sunday as well. Theatre Royal’s got Comedy Crackers on Sunday evening if you want the usual stand-up circuit crowd.
For proper gigs, you’ll want to check Hope & Ruin, Green Door Store, and Patterns as usual—they’ll have something on but won’t announce it properly until the day of. Volks has Overview drum and bass on Saturday night (14th), doors at 11pm with Zero T and Ill Truth See Tickets, which’ll go late.
Where to Eat & Drink
Forget the chain stuff. If you’re after breakfast or brunch, Pink Moon on—wait, actually, new spot Chilli just opened in The Lanes (sister to the Hove one), doing contemporary Thai. Worth trying. Pompoko’s just expanded to Kemptown if you want proper Japanese bowls without the Wagamama bollocks.
For dinner, Coal Shed’s moved to North Street if you’ve got money to burn—they’re doing fire-cooked steaks and seafood, but it’s not cheap. Pearly Cow opened on the seafront recently if you want something a bit flashier. Otherwise, Bincho Yakitori on Preston Street is still the best value Japanese BBQ going, though good luck getting a table without booking.
Apiary near Norfolk Square does honey-based everything if you want something different—cocktails are about £12, small plates £7-13. Bonsai Plant Kitchen on Baker Street won Best Vegan this year according to the BRAVO awards, so that’s decent if you’re after plant-based.
Sunday Roasts
Alberta’s at The Windmill does a whole deep-fried chicken thing that’s worth the trip. Otherwise stick to your local—Roundhill does vegan roasts if that’s your thing.
Coffee
Haus of Chai in The Lanes if you want proper masala chai. Otherwise Small Batch, Redroaster, or just wherever you normally go. Piglet’s Pantry’s in the station now if you need something quick.
The Honest Truth
December’s always a bit weird—everything’s either Christmas markets and families, or the usual crowd getting hammered. Royal Pavilion ice rink’s on if you’ve got kids or you’re feeling festive. Otherwise, Saturday’s your best bet for a proper night out—hit one of the smaller venues, grab dinner somewhere decent, then see where you end up. Albion might be playing this weekend actually, so check that before making plans because town gets rammed.
