Type and hit ENTER

Commonly used tags...

Brighton Festival Brighton Fringe Brighton Pride British Sea Power Cinecity Lewes Psychedelic Festival Locally Sourced Lost & Found Love Supreme Festival Mutations Festival Nick Cave Poets Vs MCs Politics Rag'n'Bone Man Record Store Day Save Our Venues Six Of The Best Source Virgins Streets Of Brighton Street Source Tattoos The Great Escape Tru Thoughts Unsung Heroes
  • Home
  • News
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Food
  • Tickets
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Advertise
  • Home
  • News
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Food
  • Tickets
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Advertise
Features

Streets Of Brighton: Margaret Street

Feb 23, 2009
-
Posted by SOURCE Writers

Quiet? In Kemp Town?
You’d be surprised. Step a road away from St James Street and, the odd pub aside, it’s almost like living in the country. Margaret Street has the twin attractions of being both sufficiently close to, and far away from, the vibrant energy of Kemp Town.

So the pubs are odd?
Not in the least, it has probably the widest variety of boozers in the city. There are plenty of predominantly gay bars, although straights certainly aren’t ostracised. Everyone else from old men to younger types are pretty well served around here. There’s always good drinking to be had at the Oak and the Tin Drum for instance.

And where can I soak up all this booze?
Well, if you’re in the Tin Drum already, that’s pretty good. Kemp Spices on St George’s Road is a great Indian, Bona Foodie is great for grub on the go and this being Kemp Town you can get all manner of dirty kebabs and burgers at 5am should the fancy take you.

What’s the general vibe of the area?
Over the years it’s seen a regeneration that properly befits its proximity to the sea and the city centre. Regular people watchers will recognise its characters who make up the area’s unique personality (hello to the bloke with the green beard who sits outside the coffee shop every day) – you don’t get that anywhere else in Brighton.

I’m straight. Can I live here?
Don’t be ridiculous. It’s true that the gay community has adopted Kemp Town as its spiritual home, and there are many shops and bars to cater for their needs. But think of the area as universal tolerance exemplified rather than any kind of gay ghetto, there’s certainly no sense of overbearing sexuality here. Pretty much anything goes, which is how everywhere should be really.

OK. So what are the downsides?
Parking can be a pain – even with a residents’ permit you’re still chasing spaces every time you come home. But then, you’re so near to everything Brighton has to offer you won’t really need one. There are a few annoying street drinkers, but the police seem to have started cracking down on them. Other than that, it’s all upside.

More Streets Of Brighton: Click Herestreetsofbrightonx

Streets Of Brighton
Feb 23, 2009
Email
SOURCE Writers
Sometimes an article is a bit of a team effort, and those are tagged SOURCE Writers. If you’d like to be part of that team, hit the Contact link at the top and get your work on this website.
← PREVIOUS POST
Consume: Traid
NEXT POST →
Street Style: Amber
Mailing List

Recent Posts
  • Great Expectations Review
    Nov 20, 2025

    A beautifully realised version of one of Dickens most famous stories, told with passion and integrity; all with the unique and imaginative stylings of This Is My Theatre.

  • The Woman in Black Review
    Nov 20, 2025

    The quintessential gothic horror with a new makeover for 2025, and better for it. A tense, jump out of your seat chiller.

  • His Lordship Review
    Nov 19, 2025

    The hard rocking, fast rolling trio made a welcome return trip to Brighton and dazzled with their infectious, dynamic energy.

  • Love Supreme Festival 2026 – First Names Announced
    Nov 18, 2025

    Love Supreme 2026 will bring the cream of the jazz/soul crop plus a day curated by Ezra Collective.

  • Great Escape 2026 Line Up Drop
    Nov 13, 2025

    In a beautiful city of music unlike any other, truly is there no greater place to escape and the 2026 edition promises to be a banger.

  • Lewes Psychedelic Festival 2026
    Nov 13, 2025

    What finer way is there to beat the January Blues than drink some Harveys and bath in the glory of the Lewes Psychedelic Festival!

  • Kill Local Review
    Nov 12, 2025

    A dark American comedy about a family of hit-women grappling with life’s direction, containing some graphic moments: enjoyable, with potential for even more.

  • Play On short play night returns to The Actors, Tuesday 11th November
    Nov 4, 2025

    If music be the food of love and all that... More short-form theatrical treats from Play On

Website developed in Brighton by Infobo
Copyright © Brighton Source 2009-2023
Streets Of Brighton: Margaret Street - Brighton Source