That’s My Sh!t
Frankly, Brighton’s always been lacking in Thursday night club events that give away free trainers. But no longer shall we crave one – That’s My Sh!t is coming to Life every Thursday, and not only offers the chance to win ‘fresh kicks’ but to listen to hip hop beats and vocal r’n’b, play video games and watch skateboarding visuals. With shots at £1.70 and pints at £2, it promises to be rather messy.
Brewery Tap
Cementing Brighton’s burgeoning reputation as a mecca for specialist bars, this venture – linked to an online world beer retailer – recently opened next door to the Fountain Head on North Road. Spread across three floors, the US-style bar offers more than 30 draught keg beers, with a rough 50/50 split between British and American brews, plus the odd Belgian interloper. With a kitchen and live music nights on the way, teething troubles are being ironed out in the city’s latest hop haven.
Freemasons Inn
What lies behind those gloomy stained-glass windows has been a bit of a sticky disappointment in the past, but the Freemasons on Western Road is now under new management by an enthusiastic team keen to turn it into an old-fashioned friendly local. They’ll be livening the place up with DJs every Friday, bands every Saturday, and the odd comedy and open mic night too. Even the is food billed as sociable, featuring pick’n’mix courses and plenty of platters.
Community Grocers
St James’s Street: gay hub of Brighton, cafes in every direction and home to an excessive amount of supermarkets. But now a not-for-profit organisation founded by community-minded individuals has moved in to bring charity to the poorer families amongst us. Step inside, choose what vegetables you need, and pay what you can afford. Such a simple and selfless idea. Longevity seems unlikely, as the space is not officially theirs, but hopefully it will make a difference while it can.
Neighbourhood Kitchen & Saloon
St. James’s Street’s newest establishment tips its hat towards the dive bars of Brooklyn and East London’s hidden hangouts. In an area that has seen a process of gentrification over the years, Neighbourhood hopes to bring back the simple, slightly dishevelled charms of days gone by. The menu is varied, from breakfast classics and lazy lunches to Americana-inspired burgers and hot dogs. The drinks menu consists of selectively chosen quality lagers and ciders, local ales and premium spirits. Open on Tuesday 1st, you can expect a comfortable interior with stylish industrial accents.
Proud Cabaret
A brass-clad bar, a marbled dance floor, python-skinned seating booths – more is definitely more in the new and improved Brighton Ballrooms. Now known as ‘Proud Cabaret’, a no-expense-spared makeover of the venue has taken place, preserving the building’s history as the Sassoon family’s former mausoleum. The venue will be hosting Brighton’s best burlesque and cabaret acts and providing delicious dining experiences. Also new is the Proud Cabaret double-decker bus, which will ferry customers to and from the venue, ensuring that they arrive and leave in style.
Endless
When Edgeworld shut down, a city of music geeks cried into their Editions Mego sleeves. Former owner Colin Wakefield has started a monthly pop-up record stall down at The Blind Tiger, while the shop space now sells music under the Endless banner. Head up the stairs at the back of Reload on Kensington Gardens and you’ll find a treasure trove of new vinyl. Thomas House and Ashley ‘Donga’ Marlowe (ex-Edgeworld, ex-Charlottefield) are promising carefully selected underground essentials across a range of genres from house and bass to jump blues and metal.
