Hello, Brighton & Hove!

The festival season is hitting top gear this weekend, and the city is absolutely buzzing. We’ve got everything from immersive world-premiere soundscapes at the Dome and open-air comedy clashes under the stars, to a massive vintage toy takeover at the Racecourse. We're also raising a pint to celebrate a legendary Sillwood Street powerhouse, The Lion & Lobster!

Here’s what’s squawking this week: 

🎻 Two monumental orchestral epics from Shostakovich to candlelit pop hits
🎪 A massive mix of fringe theatre from circus-piano hybrids to surreal comedies
🧸 The South Coast's biggest toy fair is taking over Brighton Racecourse
🏆 A legendary backstreet pub that feels just like a cosy corner of Dublin

🏊🏻 Saltdean Lido

Our beloved Lido has done it again. For years, this iconic Art Deco beauty has been an absolute institution for our area, constantly adapting, renewing itself, and finding new ways to serve the community. It’s a place that holds so many memories for locals, and just when you think it can’t get any better, it finds a way to level up. This time, they’ve partnered with the brilliant team behind The Reading Room to completely refresh the whole food and drink setup, bringing a brand-new energy to a space we already love.

This collaboration is a massive win for the community, turning the cafe and restaurant space into a proper destination. Rather than just a standard pitstop after a swim, they’ve created a genuinely exciting offering that blends great food, top-tier coffee, and evening drinks with those unmatched poolside views. It’s the perfect excuse to revisit and see how the space has been completely reimagined.

What makes the Lido so special is how it refuses to stand still, constantly evolving while staying firmly rooted as the heart of our local social scene. From a quick morning coffee to a long lunch after a sauna session, this new partnership proves once again why the Lido is such a treasure for our corner of the world. It’s a true testament to the constant creativity and drive keeping our grassroots local scene so vibrant.

If you haven’t been down to check out the new look yet, you’re missing out. Whether you’re a Lido regular or haven't stepped inside in a while, the new Reading Room setup is an absolute must-experience. Grab some friends, head on down, and see for yourself how our favourite coastal spot has successfully written its next great chapter.

📍 Saltdean Park Road, BN2 8SP
🕒 Open daily from 8:30 - 16.30
💰 Free entry to the cafe/restaurant (Swim & Sauna priced separately)
🔗 Visit their website & see the menu

🦁🦞 The Lion & Lobster

If you’ve lived here long enough, you know that finding a pub that nails every single element is rare, but this week’s spot is an absolute legendary Brighton institution. Tucked away on the backstreets just off the seafront on Sillwood Street, The Lion & Lobster is a sprawling, magical maze that I keep coming back to. It’s a massive local favourite for a reason, and if you haven’t lost an afternoon getting lost in its shifting floors yet, consider this your sign to finally book a table.

Walking inside feels like stepping into a cosy, labyrinthine den that wouldn’t look out of place in the middle of Dublin. It’s spread across three characterful floors, packed with quirky vintage artwork, rich mahogany period pieces, and hidden nooks that are perfect for hiding away. It is a beautifully run, independent-spirited powerhouse that perfectly captures our city's unique charm, a vibe that the rest of the city clearly agrees with, given it just took home a coveted Top 5 spot for Best Brighton & Hove Pub at the 2026 BRAVO Awards.

The drinks menu is brilliant, but let's be honest: we come here for the Guinness. It is famously heralded as one of the absolute best, most perfectly poured pints of the black stuff in the entire city, alongside a fantastic rotating line-up of craft beers and local ales. If you wander all the way upstairs, you’ll discover the crown jewel: a secret, multi-level rooftop sun terrace. It’s the ultimate hidden suntrap to enjoy a cold pint away from the chaotic beachfront crowds.

When it comes to the food, their "Deluxe Sunday Roasts" are the stuff of local legend, think massive portions, incredibly crisp roasties, and proper rich gravy that requires booking weeks in advance. The rest of the week is just as good, featuring fresh Sussex seafood, a killer Friday night steak special, and comforting gastro-grub. Whether you’re settling in for a rowdy rugby match downstairs or escaping to the secret terrace, it remains a timeless piece of Brighton hospitality.

📍 24 Sillwood Street, Brighton, Brunswick Town BN1 2PS
🕒 Mon-Thu from 11am-1am, Fri-Sat until 2am, Sun until midnight
🔗 Visit their website & see the menu

Fri

🏃 Flight: One Mans Journey | 5:00pm, Fri @ The Lantern Theatre
A one-man show featuring 21 different characters exploring themes of belonging and identity. More Info

🖤 The Dance of Time: A New Black Comedy | 7:00pm, Fri @ The Lantern Theatre
A thought-provoking world premiere play examining humanity and love in the face of impending tragedy. More Info

🎤 Mira Taylor: The Great Escape 2026 | 6:00pm, Fri @ Fabrica
Catch a captivating live performance from rising artist Mira Taylor as she takes the stage at Fabrica for an unforgettable festival showcase. More Info

🎻 The Budapest Cafe Orchestra | 7:30pm, Fri @ St Nicholas' Church
Enjoy a blistering and infectious barrage of traditional folk tunes, fiery gypsy rhythms, and Balkan beats played with immense skill and a hilarious sense of humour by this beautifully formed four-piece ensemble. More Info

🍑 Peaches | 7:00pm, Fri @ Brighton Dome
The iconic Berlin-based musician and performance artist brings her fearless electro-pop and gender-bending show to the stage. More Info

🎹 FAKE ESCAPE 2026 | 3:00pm, Sat @ The Rose Hill
A top music industry networking event featuring two floors of eclectic live music and performances, ranging from futuristic electronic soul and experimental sounds to drone rituals and hip hop. More Info

🤫 1 Big Oops | 3:45pm, Fri, Sat & Sun @ Rotunda Theatre, Squeak
An interactive comedy extravaganza where top comedians act out your most embarrassing anonymous confessions live on stage, and the biggest oops wins a prize. More Info

🎧 MR BONGO STREET PARTY | 1:00pm - 9pm, Fri @ Mr Bongo (Gloucester Yard)
An open-air street celebration and live Offie Radio broadcast hosted by independent label and record shop Mr Bongo, bringing global grooves, underground beats, and community vibes to the yard. More Info

🍺 JOY. Concerts x Unbarred RSVP Party | 12:00pm - 9pm, Fri @ UnBarred Brewery
Unlock free entry to a brilliant live music showcase featuring some of the best up-and-coming talent, where your first beer at UnBarred is completely free. More Info

🎪 Cirque Du Piano | 7:15pm, Fri @ St Paul's Church
An experimental circus troupe performs spectacular finger gymnastics as three pianists play one single piano together, playfully blurring the lines between a serious classical concert and an innovative circus show. More Info

Sat

🌸 PINK MOON: ALT-ALT ESCAPE!!! | 12:00pm, Sat @ Pink Moon
A vibrant all-day community showcase featuring an eclectic independent music lineup, Offie Mag DJs from midday, and a welcoming garden hangout serving handmade baked goods, dim sum, and locally brewed beers. More Info

🎵 JOY. Concerts RSVP Showcase | 3:00pm, Sat @ ALPHABET
Catch an exciting lineup of fresh, rising talent performing live over the festival weekend. Sign up ahead of time for free entry. More Info

⚽ Brighton & Hove Albion vs Tottenham Hotspur | 1:00pm, Sat @ AMEX Stadium
Catch elite women's football action live as Brighton and Hove Albion take on Tottenham Hotspur in a thrilling Barclays Women's Super League clash. More Info

🎭 Chemistry | 9:00pm, Sat & 2:00pm, Sun @ The Lantern Theatre
A witty and tender life-affirming love story following Steph and Jamie, who find an instant, undeniable spark after meeting in a psychiatrist's waiting room. More Info

🎈 Elm Grove School Spring Fair | 12:00pm, Sat @ Elm Grove Primary School
A fun-filled family afternoon featuring a craft market, reptile encounters, games, a pre-loved toy stall, plus a BBQ, bar, and café serving up treats. More Info

🎹 AI Mozart: A 23rd Century Concert | 6:00pm, Sat @ St Paul's Church
Experience the future of music as sell-out concert pianist Matthew Shiel performs historical world-first piano compositions entirely generated by artificial intelligence. More Info

🎤 Angélique Kidjo | 7:30pm, Sat @ Brighton Dome
Five-time Grammy Award winner Angélique Kidjo brings her strikingly powerful voice to the stage, performing a masterful fusion of West-African traditions, R&B, jazz, and global sounds as part of her Hope Tour. More Info

🎷 The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady | 8:00pm, Sat & Sun @ Brighton Dome
A powerful and sensual jazz celebration pairing a 12-piece live band with incredible dancers to bring Charles Mingus’ iconic 1963 masterpiece vividly to life on the dance floor. More Info

🎤 The Doris Show | 7:00pm, Sat @ The Lantern Theatre
Starring Doris Daydream, this engaging one-hour tribute show celebrates the legendary music, life, and Hollywood romance of iconic movie star and singer Doris Day. More Info

Sun

💍 The Brighton & Hove Wedding Show | 11:00am, Sun @ Malmaison hotel
Kickstart your wedding planning at this contemporary, high-end wedding showcase overlooking the picturesque Marina, packed with elegant inspiration for your big day. More Info

🎻 Oh To Believe in Another World | 8:00pm, Sun @ Brighton Dome
A spectacular multi-disciplinary event by the Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra, combining Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 10 under conductor Joanna MacGregor with a breathtaking, immersive video piece directed by world-renowned artist William Kentridge. More Info

🖤 The Dance of Time | 7:00pm, Sun @ The Lantern Theatre
A thought-provoking world premiere black comedy about life and death, following two older characters as they look back on their lives with wry humour, deep reflection, and ultimate joy (Saturday performance is sold out). More Info

🎬 FilmPride - LGBTQIA+ Film Festival | 7:00pm, Sun @ The Actors Pub
A brilliant, volunteer-run festival debuting at Brighton Fringe to platform independent filmmakers worldwide, celebrating queer lives, love, and identity through an intersectional and fully captioned showcase of short films. More Info

🎸 John 5 | 7:30pm, Sun @ Concorde 2
Witness legendary virtuosity live as one of the world's most in-demand guitarists, famed for his work with Mötley Crüe, Rob Zombie, and Marilyn Manson, who shreds through an unforgettable headline performance. More Info

🎭 Shakespeare's Lost | 9:00pm, Sun @ The Lantern Theatre
The Brighton Shakespeare Company returns with a surrealist new comedy in which Waiting for Godot meets the cartoons of Gary Larson, following a man washed up on a deserted island with a copy of The Complete Works. More Info

Live Music

SUPER FUZZ | Alphabet | Fri, May 15
Dave Clarke | Concorde 2 | Fri, May 15
Mithras Trio | Brighton Dome Studio Theatre | Fri, May 15
Hospital30 Showcase | Patterns | Fri, May 15
Siri Neel + Lewis Monticelli | The Brunswick | Fri, May 15

The Great Escape Showcase | Patterns | Sat, May 16
Garage Girl: UKG Revival | Caroline of Brunswick | Sat, May 16
Girl Like That | Inn On The Square | Sat, May 16
Lightning Threads | The Brunswick | Sat, May 16
The Alternative Escape Showcase | The Hope & Ruin | Sat, May 16

Kitchen Lover | Daltons Showrooms + Bar | Sun, May 17
The Ocelots | The Folklore Rooms | Sun, May 17
Agenda Escape Sunday | Prince Albert | Sun, May 17
Acoustic Sunday Sessions | The Brunswick | Sun, May 17
Brighton Fringe Folk Showcase | The Walrus | Sun, May 17

🏏 Brighton Open Air Theatre - Casting Call!

Casting applications for our co-production of Arthur Miller’s A View From The Bridge, with The Conor Baum Company, are now open.

Contact: https://www.brightonopenairtheatre.co.uk/