🐦 Foot-Pool at Brighton Marina?

Good morning, Brighton & Hove — and welcome to the very first Tuesday edition of The Brighton Squawk! 🐦

From Brighton’s brand-new football arena to padel on the prom and cocktails in the Lanes, this week’s serving up plenty of flair. I’ve recently hopped on the padel craze myself, so I’m eyeing up the new racket sports festival at Hove Beach Park — but if you’re after something slower-paced, our date spot of the week mixes Studio Ghibli magic with award-winning cocktails and artful Japanese plates.

Here’s what’s squawking this week:

🏊‍♂️ Foot-Pool, Target Games & More at Brighton Marina’s new football arena
📚 Nick Cave’s 2,000-book donation sends Hove Oxfam into a literary frenzy
🍸 Our date night spot: Ghibli, cocktails & Japanese small plates
🎶 Midweek picks from live gigs to sip & paint, comedy nights & community fundraisers

🎾 Padel Power: Racket Sports Festival Arrives at Hove Beach Park

A new racket sports festival kicks off this week at Hove Beach Park, aiming to introduce more people to tennis, padel, and pickleball. The Trilogy Rackets Festival runs from Monday 21 – Sunday 27 July, with coaching sessions, pro matches, workshops, food stalls, and visits from stars like Judy Murray and Wimbledon doubles champ Jonathan Marray.

The event is part of the launch of the park’s £13.7m redevelopment, mostly funded by a government Levelling Up grant. Among the main attractions are the newly built padel courts – part of one of the fastest growing sports in the UK.

So what is padel? It’s a fun, fast-paced racket sport that combines elements of tennis and squash, played on a smaller court with walls. It’s easy to learn and suitable for all ages and abilities.

👉 Learn more about padel

Read more on BBC News →

⚽ High-Tech Football Fun at Brighton Marina

There’s a new way to show off your tekkers — and it’s not on the beach. Ball Park, a high-tech indoor football arena, has just launched at Brighton Marina, blending sport, games, and flashy new gear under one roof.

Set behind Pizza Express on the upper floor, the space features everything from foot-pool (yes, football + pool) and sprint tracks to precision walls that track your every move. The centrepiece? A circular passing arena called the Icon Ring, designed to put your ball control and awareness to the test — like being in a video game, but with actual sweat.

This isn’t just for Sunday league warriors. Kids, casual players, and total beginners can get stuck in, with different zones offering skill games, reaction challenges, and even a calming sensory space for younger visitors. There’s also a sports bar on site and private hire options for birthdays, work socials, or anyone who fancies turning a kickabout into a full-on event.

Read More on The Argus →

📚 Nick Cave Donates 2,000 Books to Hove Oxfam Shop

Nick Cave has donated 2,000 books from his personal collection to the Oxfam bookshop in Hove, causing what staff described as a “mad” response from fans. Some of the books include handwritten notes, postcards, and old plane tickets, making them treasure troves for anyone who loves Cave, or just well-loved paperbacks.

Shoppers have travelled from across the South East to get their hands on his books, with one person reportedly spending £200 in a single visit. The donation has already tripled the shop’s takings, and staff say it’ll take time to get everything on the shelves.

“I think being able to have something that Nick owned is very special to people,” said deputy manager Maggie Rea.

Read more →

🏊‍♂️ £7 Million for a New Community Pool at Withdean

Brighton & Hove City Council has approved plans to build a new five-lane, 25-metre pool at Withdean Sports Complex, with a total budget of £7 million. Most of the funding will come from a £6.5m loan, topped up with developer contributions.

Council leaders say demand for swimming in the city already exceeds supply and that the new facility could relieve pressure on existing pools. The build could begin early next year and take about 12 months to complete - though there’s a risk Hove may temporarily be without a public pool if King Alfred closes before a replacement is ready.

Read more →

🎉 Brighton BASH Carnival Returns to St Ann’s Well Gardens

After drawing thousands last summer, the Brighton BASH Carnival is back in Hove’s St Ann’s Well Gardens on Saturday 26th of July, promising a full day of music, culture, and community celebration from 11am–8pm.

Organised by BARCO (Building Alliance Solidarity Hope), this year marks the carnival’s 5th anniversary, with a theme of “Crowns”—a nod to heritage, creativity, and pride. Expect steel pan bands, samba dancers, a lively parade at 1pm, local food vendors, family workshops, a Holistic Area, the Black Brighton Market, and plenty more.

The event is free to attend, though registration is required and donations are welcome to help cover costs.

👉 More info & Tickets

🍸 Blossoms Brighton — Brighton’s Best Cocktail Spot (Officially)

I love a cocktail, and a date is the best excuse to get one, especially when that place has won an award for ‘Best Place for Cocktails’ in the 2025 BRAVOs!

Blossoms is probably the most romantic izakaya (a cosy Japanese-style pub) in the Lanes. Expect vibrant decor, Japanese small plates, and artful cocktails like the Cherry Blossom — a dreamy mix of vodka, umeshu, yuzu, and sour cherry.

Recently, it’s also been hosting a run of ‘eat-a-long’ Ghibli Taste & Tales evenings — immersive film nights where the food and cocktails follow the story on screen.

Upcoming films include Ponyo (Sept 9) and The Boy & The Heron (Oct 14). Spirited Away (Aug 19) is already sold out — and for good reason. Each ticket includes three themed courses and two cocktails.

📍 Brighton Square, BN1
🕐 Mon–Sun, afternoons & evenings
🔗 More on Blossoms | Get Ghibli Tickets

🏡 Probably the Most Brighton House on the Market

You’ll never miss this four-bed terraced home near Elm Grove — its pink-and-yellow exterior and riotously colourful interior are bursting with personality. Packed with colour, charm, light and local flavour, it’s got open-plan living, a top-floor master with en-suite, and a patio garden perfect for plant pots or parties.

📍 Brading Road, Brighton
💰 £650,000
🔗 View on Rightmove

Tuesday

🎨 Bottle Pop: Pop Art Exhibition
Mon–Sat, 11am–6pm @ Fishing Quarter Gallery, Kings Road, Brighton
A bold and colourful joint show from Brighton artists Beaubottletops & iHeart Pop Art, featuring eye-catching work with a pop twist. Free entry, all welcome. Private Viewing (Fri)

🥂 Speed Dating in Brighton for 30s & 40s
Evening @ Fitz Regent
A relaxed, sociable night for singles in their 30s and 40s. Meet new people over a drink, one chat at a time. More Info

🎤 hard life: Live + Q&A + Signing
6:30pm @ Resident Brighton, Kensington Gardens
The band celebrates their new album ‘onion’ with an acoustic set, Q&A, and signings. More Info

🎨 Sip and Paint in Brighton
7pm–9pm @ The Railway Inn, Portslade
A fun and social art night with step-by-step guidance. No experience needed — drinks sold separately. Tickets

🎟️ Nip Snip Fundraiser
6pm–12am @ Daltons, Madeira Drive
A big-hearted night raising funds for a local transmasc person seeking gender-affirming top surgery. Expect live music, raffle prizes, a merch stand, and a bake sale. 18+. Tickets

Wednesday

🎶 The Human League w/ Marc Almond, Toyah & more
2pm @ Brighton Beach
Synth-pop legends take over the seafront for a headline show under the summer sky. Expect big names, big hair, and big nostalgia. Tickets

🎸 TJ Walker – The Guitar Through Time
7:30pm @ The Brunswick
A live journey through electric guitar history with tributes to Hendrix, Knopfler, Clapton and more. Praised by Jimmy Page himself. More Info

🎨 Morning Art Class – Paint Nature in Watercolour
9am–10:30am @ Starbucks, Western Rd, Hove (multiple dates/times)
A relaxed drop-in watercolour class focused on nature, colour mixing, and brushwork. No experience needed. More Info

🌊 Water Day Holiday Club
8:45am–3:15pm @ Brunswick Primary, Hove
Water balloon fights, rocket launches, and wild games with The Outdoors Project. Bring spare clothes and lunch. More Info

🎤 Billie Marten: Live + Signing
6:30pm @ Resident Music, Kensington Gardens
Join Billie Marten for a stripped-back acoustic evening celebrating her latest album Dog Eared. Expect soft summer tones and soul-touching vocals. Tickets

🎭 A Man For All Seasons
2:30pm & 7:30pm @ Theatre Royal Brighton
Martin Shaw returns as Sir Thomas More in this gripping Tudor political drama. Expect historical stakes, moral dilemmas, and top-tier theatre. Tickets

Thursday

🎉 Family Thursday Kids Summer Party
4pm–6pm @ The Bevy
Entertainment, fun and games, and a party buffet for all to kick off the school holidays. More Info

🎧 Panic Shack: Live + Signing
6:30pm @ Resident Brighton, Kensington Gardens
A raucous in-store performance and album signing from the loud and witty Welsh punk outfit. More Info

🧛‍♂️ The Cure Alone – Solo Tribute
8pm–10:30pm @ Caroline of Brunswick
A solo tribute to The Cure’s golden years (1979–89) performed live by Julien Honnorat. Free entry. More Info

🎤 Seany Clarke Album Launch
7:30pm @ The Folklore Rooms
An intimate performance of Seany Clarke’s new album with soulful guitar and support from Sharon Lewis. More Info

🤘 Anti Virus + Phat Problem + Barriers + R.P.C + Spiritually Insane
8pm @ Daltons, Madeira Drive
A loud five-band punk and hardcore lineup tearing up the seafront. £6 ADV / £8 OTD. Over 18s only. More Info

Friday

💃 Salsa On The Pier – Pt.4
7:30pm–1am @ Horatio’s Bar, Brighton Pier
Salsa classes, cocktails, and DJs playing Latin hits right on the pier. All welcome — no partner needed. More Info

🕯️ Candlelight: Hans Zimmer’s Best Works
9pm @ Royal Pavilion
Experience the epic scores of Hans Zimmer — from Gladiator and Inception to The Lion King — performed by live musicians in the glowing grandeur of the Royal Pavilion. Tickets

💧 Brighton Finds Its Float
10am–12pm @ Sea Lanes, Brighton
Marking World Drowning Prevention Day with water safety sessions and demos. More Info

🎉 Flour Pot Beach Party
2pm–8pm @ The Flour Pot Kitchen, Brighton Beach
Live DJ, summer drinks, and sourdough pizza by the slice at this lively beachfront party. No booking needed. More Info

📻 Vinyl Friday at The Better Half
7:30pm–12:30am @ The Better Half, Hove
DJ sets by Steve Clancy (Mr Fish) and Spike in this cosy Hove pub. Spinning classics until late. More Info

A round of applause for the 66.15% of you who correctly picked King George IV as the royal who commissioned the Royal Pavilion — a stately choice indeed 👑