What to Pack
• Brighton has devil-may-care weather that tends to be on the cooler side, so bundle up with lots of layers, which means coats, long britches and real shoes. No schlumpy Californian flip-flops!
• However, do make sure to pack your swimsuit if you plan on heading out to the oceanfront. Be warned, though: The beach has more pebbles than sand, so running along the waves may feel more S&M than pleasant.
• A map. This should be a “no-duh” factoid, but we really mean it. Brighton is known as London’s raffish lil’ sis, housing some of the most eclectic, unique boutiques on this here world, so trust that anyone visiting will have a leg up on where to shop and dine.
• Walking shoes. You’re going to be putting those tootsies on overdrive.
• An umbrella. If you’re not going during the summer months, it’s wise to bring one unless you’re willing to drop steep pounds for these rainophobes later.
Where to rest Your Bum
Booking a hotel in Brighton equates to one of two things, with some overlap: 1. Getting a place with the best sea view, or 2. Emerging yourself into the creative, hippy culture of the city. The Victorian Court Craven, located in Kemp Town and directly overlooking the pier, is minutes away from the Artist’s Quarter, the Gay Village and The Royal Pavilion. The Ambassador Hotel, also seaside, offers special deals for large groups and free breakfast in bed, while the Neogothic architecture at Hotel Du Vin & Bistro brings out the murky glamour of 1920s cabaret nightclubs scented by fuming cigarettes.
Grubbing the Right Way
When in Britain, eat fish and chips! A perennial favorite, the best place to chow down on these greasy goodies is The Regency Restaurant, the location of which was the former residency of Hariott Mellon, the richest woman in Europe in the early 19th century. The restaurant now serves all kinds of seafood at decent prices. Pintxo People is a taste of España, renown for its tapas, cocktails and pintxos— slices of bread topped with meat, vegetables, and/or cheese. Down at Fat Leo, a warm family atmosphere is complemented by hearty Italian food. And you can’t visit Brighton without going to a pub. The second oldest in Brighton, The Druid’s Head, has revamped itself with Wi-Fi and open mic night on Wednesdays.
Boutiques
Blackout specializes in kitschy items from the ‘50s, as well as folk art patterns lovingly sewed, printed and drawn on an array of teacups, bags and stationary. Bright and unforgettably funky, no matter what you get here, from Frida Kahlo notebooks to bold oriental pillows, you’ll leave with a bit of Brighton’s ‘tude in your bag. Lavender/Room is a great place to pick up trinkets and gifts for the luxury-loving woman in your life, and Cult carries urban clothing for men and women on hip North Street. After a footcrippling but fun day shopping for odds and ends that’ll make your friends ask, “Where’d you get that?!,” take a break at Sussex and the City, a wine and cheese establishment, or if you’re really in the mood for the unconventional, hit The Lanes Armoury, which sells distinct arms like Japanese katana swords, deactivated WW2 machine guns and Royal Navy cannons.
Entertainment/Nightlife
Komedia is The Laugh Factory, the Pantages, and Spaceland rolled into one, with an extra dash of British wit. The entertainment venue is home to talented musicians who participate in their Brighton Jazz Club or perform their own numbers. It also puts on Vaudevillian theatre and invites top-tier comedians to perform nightly. Joogleberry is a restaurant and bar featuring jazz, flamenco and comedy/live music every night, boasting famous (er, infamous) performers like Amy Winehouse. And if you want to get a taste of Britain’s West End productions, hop over to Theatre Royal.
Sights to See
North Laine and The Lanes
North Laine is an open-air shopping district with 320 shops, 25 cafes, 15 pubs, and four theatres crammed into half a square mile. Flea markets open on weekends and bric-a-brac shops sell ethnic, quirky goods. The Lanes are a series of twisty alleyways that house a hodgepodge of antiques, one-of-a-kind perfumes, brand names and jewelry.
North Laine is between Trafalgar Street and North Street
The Lanes are Southeast of North Laine
Brighton Pier
With panoramic views of the ocean, the pier has three bars, roller coasters, an arcade and a food court. Free admission.
Madeira Drive
Brighton BN2 1TW
Royal Pavilion
A beautiful Islamic palace, it was once the seaside home of King George IV, the Prince Regent. The Regency gardens and tearooms have been restored and guided tours are now available.
4-5 Pavilion Buildings
Brighton BN1 1EE
Artist’s Quarter
A collection of over 20 artists’ workshops that sells everything from driftwood mirrors to batik prints.
-West of Brighton Pier
Seasonal Events
Brighton Festival
Every May Brighton invites you to come out to their celebration of the arts. The city commissions world premiere theatre, dance and music performances, and the festival lasts for three weeks, during which there are parades and an Artists Open House—local artists open their houses and allow you to look at (and hopefully buy) their work.
Random Tidbits
-Major pop recording artists Fatboy Slim and The Kooks call Brighton their hometown.
-The 2007 World Beard and Moustache Championships were held in Brighton.
By Linda Lu Chang
DIRECTORY
WHERE TO STAY
The Ambassador Hotel
22-23 New Steine
Brighton BN2 1PD
www.ambassadorhotelbrighton.com
Court Craven
2 Atlingworth St.
Brighton BN2 1PL
www.courtcraven.co.uk
Hotel Du Vin & Bistro
Ship Street
Brighton BN1 1AD
www.hotelduvin.com
WHERE TO EAT
The Regency Restaurant
131 King’s Rd.
Brighton BN1 2HH
www.theregencyrestaurant.co.uk
Pintxo People
95 Western Rd.
Brighton BN1 2LB
www.pintxopeople.co.uk/site
The Druid’s Head
9 Brighton Place
Brighton BN1 1HJ
www.orchidgroup.co.uk
Fat Leo
16-17 Market St.
Brighton BN1 1HH
http://www.fatleo.co.uk/
WHERE TO SHOP
Cult
Unit 1 North Street Quadrant
Brighton BN1 3GJ
www.cult.co.uk
Lavender/Room
16 Bond St.
Brighton BN1 1RD
www.lavender-room.co.uk
Sussex and the City
12C Meeting House Lane
Brighton BN1 1HB
www.sussexandthecity.co.uk
The Lanes Armoury
26 Meeting House Lane
Brighton BN1 1HB
www.thelanesarmoury.co.uk
Blackout
53 Kensington Place
North Laine
www.blackout-uk.com
WHERE TO PARTY
Joogleberry
14-17 Manchester St.
Brighton BN2 1TF
www.joogleberry.com/
Theatre Royal
New Road
Brighton BN1 1SD
www.theambassadors.com/theatreroyal
Komedia
44-47 Gardner St.
Brighton BN1 1UN
www.komedia.co.uk
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