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🐦 Michelin Stars, a New ‘Vinyl & Wine’ Spot & 10 V-Day Events

🐦 Michelin Stars, a New ‘Vinyl & Wine’ Spot & 10 V-Day Events

From £18m council controversies to seafront arch repairs, a night of Motown magic and Olivier-nominated dance at the Dome.

Ben Watkins
February 10, 2026

👋 Good afternoon, Brightonians

This week, we celebrate a historic milestone as the city secures its first Michelin star since 1997, alongside last-minute Valentine’s plans and a look at a sophisticated and trendy new bistro for your date night this weekend.

Here's what's squawking this week:

💵 Local foodbank launches an urgent appeal to avoid closure
🏗️ Council faces further backlash over £18m temporary housing contract
🍷 The new 'vinyl and wine' bistro hitting Church Road
❤️ 10 last-minute Valentine's picks from drag brunch to dodgems

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🆘 Whitehawk Food Bank Appeal

The Whitehawk Food Bank has launched an urgent £40,000 appeal to avoid "significant risk of closure" following unforeseen costs and failed funding bids. All five paid staff roles have ended, leaving the charity fighting to maintain essential services for the 40,000 people it has supported since 2015. → Read more on BBC News

⭐ Hove Restaurant Wins Michelin Star

Maré has become the first restaurant in Brighton and Hove to receive a Michelin star since the two towns combined in 1997. Chef-patron Rafael Cagali’s Brazilian-Italian fusion spot in Hove achieved the prestigious accolade within just one year of opening its doors. → Read more on Brighton & Hove News

🏠 Council Housing Contract Under Fire

Campaigners are questioning the council’s decision to award an £18.8 million temporary housing contract to Base One, a company incorporated less than three years ago. Critics argue the deal was "rushed" through without proper public scrutiny or a clear risk analysis for the six-year term. → Read more on Brighton & Hove News

💰 Council Faces Financial "Crunch Point"

Brighton and Hove City Council has requested £15 million in emergency government support to bridge a £25 million budget gap caused by soaring social care and housing costs. Opposition councillors have criticised the move as a "begging bowl" strategy, warning that selling off assets to cover revenue costs is unsustainable. → Read more on Brighton & Hove News

🏗️ £25m Seafront Arch Strengthening

Urgent work to reinforce Victorian arches between the bandstand and the i360 will begin soon to prevent a "catastrophic collapse" of the A259 road above. While the project ensures long-term safety, it requires the temporary closure of the King’s Road playground, which will undergo a full revamp as part of the scheme. → Read more on Brighton & Hove News

Also in the news:

🖼️ Royal Albion Ad Shroud: A media company has applied for permission to wrap the fire-damaged Royal Albion Hotel in an advertising shroud for two years to fund its refurbishment, providing a decorative 1:1 image of the original building facade. → read more on Brighton & Hove News

🍔 Shelter Hall Reopens: The landmark seafront food hall has reopened following an extensive month-long refurbishment, featuring upgraded facilities and a new Portuguese barbecue concept called Churrasco. → read more on The Argus

⚽ Hurzeler Under Pressure: Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler is facing mounting scrutiny after a run of just one win in twelve games, with pundits warning that the club’s data-led recruitment model is beginning to show cracks. → read more on BBC Sport

🏳️‍🌈 Pride Headliners Announced: Soul legend Diana Ross and award-winning singer Raye have been confirmed as the headline acts for Brighton & Hove Pride 2026, as the festival prepares to celebrate its 35th anniversary this August. → read more on BBC News

📢 Valley Gardens Noise Row: A local resident told a council licensing panel that noise from events in St Peter’s Square travels up the hillside and causes "heightened anxiety," while the council seeks new drinks licences for the revamped gardens. → read more on Brighton & Hove News

🎯 Sussex's Golden Darts: A Brighton goldsmith is creating solid gold darts valued at £30,000 for Premier League players who achieve a nine-dart finish, with five perfect legs already recorded this season. → read more on BBC News

🎸 School Band Triumph: Longhill High School rock band SoundWave won the Sussex Superstars talent contest at a charity ball, receiving personal congratulations and praise for their future from Queen legend Sir Brian May. → read more on Brighton & Hove News

❤️ Valentine’s & Anti-Valentine’s Day Events

Whether you're single and ready to mingle or loved up and looking for plans, we’ve rounded up 10 events and classes that haven’t yet sold out for your last-minute Valentine’s Day (or Anti-Valentine’s) in Brighton.

💃 Age Against The Machine: 80s Special

⏰ Saturday, 3:00pm - 7:00pm
📍 Dust
A daytime party for over 30s who still want to fight for their right to party, spinning everything from Wham and Prince to The Smiths and New Order.
🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🖤 The Anti-Valentine's Ball

⏰ Saturday, 8:00pm - 10:00pm
📍 Ironworks Studios
Skip the roses for a night of live vocals, drag, and cabaret celebrating the single and heart-weary, followed by a defiant Anti-Valentine disco.
🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🎸 The Anti-Valentine's Day Massacre

⏰ Saturday, 5:30pm
📍 Pipeline
A loud alternative to romance featuring a stacked line-up of punk, post-punk, and electro-dub bands including The Anoraks, Angerland, and Spitting Feathers.
🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🕯️ Making Candles & Cameos for Two

⏰ Saturday 6:30pm - 9:00pm
📍 Pretty Neat Gallery, Brighton Marina
A creative evening for pairs to hand-pour scented candles and create silhouette cameo portraits of each other with Prosecco and nibbles.
🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🕯️ Candlelight: Hans Zimmer

⏰ Saturday, 9:00pm
📍 The Royal Pavilion
Experience the music of Hans Zimmer, from Inception to Gladiator, performed by a string quartet under the glow of thousands of candles in the iconic Royal Pavilion.
🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🎙️ The Magic of Motown

⏰ Saturday, 6:30pm
📍 Brighton Centre
Celebrate the 20th Anniversary Tour of this massive British theatre success, featuring non-stop Motown hits to get the biggest party of the year started.
🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🏫 Taylor Swift Galentines Party

⏰ Saturday, 7:30pm
📍 American Express Stadium
An ultimate anti-Valentine's school disco for singles featuring 70s and 80s classics, school dinners, and a strict "no kissing" rule from the teachers.
🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🥂 Valentine's Day Single 'n' Mingle

⏰ Saturday, 8:00pm - 10:00pm
📍 Bohemia
Ditch the apps for face-to-face flirting at this event for 30s and 40s, where "Love Doctor" Monti helps match people with mutual interests.
🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🎹 Valentine's Love Songs

⏰ Saturday, 7:30pm - 9:00pm
📍 Exeter Street Hall
An intimate evening of classic American love songs from the golden age of romance, featuring Al Leith and Maria Dunn.
🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🍳 Boss’ Drag Queens Bottomless Brunch

⏰ Saturday, 12:30pm
📍 Komedia
Get gagged this Valentine's with fabulous drag entertainment, bottomless drinks, and a delicious brunch hosted by Boss and his girls.
🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🍷 Stem

There’s a big new addition to Church Road’s packed restaurant scene, from the highly acclaimed, Michelin-recognised team behind Dilsk comes a more relaxed, ‘vinyl and wine’ bistro. Opened just over a week ago, it’s already aiming to be the neighbourhood’s no.1 spot for high-quality British cuisine, late-night soundtracks, or just a few glasses of wine with a loved one.

Vinyl has truly made a comeback, and at Stem, sets from live DJs are carefully balanced to enhance the neighbourhood-bistro experience without overshadowing conversation. The decor anchors a trendy atmosphere, pairing a modern aesthetic with walls serving as a "living exhibition space" for local artists until the next rotation arrives in April.

The menu is a celebration of fine-dining British cuisine and local ingredients, though it doesn’t have the traditional starters and mains, instead opting for Snacks, Little and Large plates to serve all kinds of different occasions. The menu features dishes you won’t find elsewhere on Church Road, ranging from big plate options like Trenchmore suet pudding and Tunworth dumplings to smaller plates like deer tartare and ham hock en croûte. For dessert, the list offers a nostalgic throwback with an elevated take on traditional rice pudding and some classics with a twist in their chocolate fondant with miso caramel ice cream and a squash custard tart.

For classic date night drinks, the choice is extensive, ranging from 10 varieties of Martinis and Margaritas to low-alcohol mixers and an expertly curated wine list featuring everything from skin-contact orange wines to local Sussex sparkling from Tillingham. Whether you're in for a few small plates or a full three-course dinner, Stem is a versatile new spot to Hove that perfectly balances a lively atmosphere with high-quality British bistro dining.

📍 41 Church Road Hove
🕣 12-12am (Fri & Sat), 5:30-11pm (Wed), 12-11pm (Thu), 12-9pm (Sun)
🔗 Book a table, Menu & More

🛞 Lamborghini Sold Separately…

This striking five-bed Art Deco home on Shoreham Beach combines high-tech eco-living with direct sea access, featuring a heated infinity pool and a primary suite with its own steam room and kitchenette. Despite its ultra-modern interior and solar-powered efficiency, the property holds a unique history as a former WWII base for Canadian officers and remains the oldest original home on the foreshore.

📍 Old Fort Road, Shoreham-By-Sea
💰 £2,750,000
🔗 View on Rightmove

10/2/26 to 13/2/26

Tuesday

🎭 MÁM
Tuesday & Wednesday, 7:30pm @ Brighton Dome
This Olivier Award-nominated dance-theatre piece features 12 fearless dancers and live music in a ritualised exploration of West Kerry culture. More Info

🩸 Blood Brothers
Multiple all week, 2:30pm and 7:30pm @ Theatre Royal, Brighton
Willy Russell’s moving musical tells the tale of twin brothers separated at birth whose lives take drastically different paths. More Info

🏆 Komedia New Comedy Award
Tuesday, 8:00pm @ Komedia
Watch the next big things in stand-up compete in the semi-final heats for a coveted spot in the 2026 grand final. More Info

Wednesday

😂 BIG CHEER FOR AMAZE!
Wednesday, 8:00pm @ Komedia
Angela Barnes hosts a brilliant fundraising gala featuring Rich Wilson and top comedy talent to support the Amaze charity. More Info

🤫 The Secret Comedy Club Wednesdays
Wednesday, 7:00pm @ Artista, Brighton
Professional comedians test out fresh material alongside rising stars at this premier new-material night. More Info

Thursday

🐉 Chinese New Year Celebration
Thursday, 6:00pm @ Shelter Hall, Brighton
Celebrate the lunar new year with spectacular lion dances, martial arts demonstrations, and street food from various resident kitchens. More Info

🥂 An Evening With Joe Thomas
Thursday, 7:00pm @ Artista, Brighton
The Inbetweeners star Joe Thomas shares behind-the-scenes stories and insights from his career in this intimate evening of chat. More Info

🤪 Phil Ellis: Bath Mat
Thursday, 8:00pm @ Komedia
The multi-award winning star of Taskmaster brings his brand-new show to Brighton, promising a night of profound silliness. More Info

✨ House of Life
Thursday & Friday, 8:00pm @ Brighton Dome
This glittering production aims to cure existential dread through a collective blast of joy and storytelling. More Info

💄 Red: A Musical Revue of Redheads
Thursday, 8:00pm @ Komedia
Amber Topaz celebrates the flame-haired trailblazers of stage and screen in a sassy musical revue full of Old Hollywood glamour. More Info

💖 Valentines Drag Music Bingo
Thursday, 6:00pm @ Shelter Hall, Brighton
Alfie Ordinary hosts a dazzling, high-energy musical bingo game show perfect for a pre-Valentine's night out. More Info

💘 LOLyamorous - Speed-Dating Comedy Show
Thursday, 8:00pm @ Ironworks Studios, Brighton
Ditch the apps for a night of chaotic on-stage matchmaking and stand-up comedy at this Edinburgh Fringe sell-out hit. More Info

Friday

🕯️ Candlelight: Coldplay vs Ed Sheeran
Friday, 9:00pm @ Royal Pavilion, Brighton
Experience the hits of Coldplay and Ed Sheeran performed by a string quartet in the stunning, candlelit Royal Pavilion. More Info

🏎️ Bumper Car Speed-Dating
Friday, 7:00pm @ Brighton Palace Pier
Ditch the digital swipes for actual sparks and chaotic fun with this unique speed-dating event on the pier's dodgems. More Info

🤣 Filthy Fridays With Zoe Lyons & Special Guests
Friday, 8:00pm @ The Brunswick, Hove
Mock the Week star Zoe Lyons headlines the opening night of this new comedy venue on the Brunswick's main stage. More Info

👶 Story Magic
Friday, 10:00am & 11:00am @ Komedia
Award-winning theatre company Fideri Fidera presents an engaging session of music and storytelling for children. More Info

😆 Sophie McCartney
Friday, 8:00pm @ The Old Market, Hove
The "mammoth" of motherhood comedy tackles perimenopausal panic and the trials of being "too old to be young." More Info

🃏 Kitty Cassis: Kitty's Salon
Friday, 8:00pm @ Caroline of Brunswick, Brighton
Join Kitty for her monthly pop-up extravaganza featuring gory gossip and a rotating cast of special guests. More Info

😂 Darren Walsh: Do You Like Puns?
Friday, 7:00pm @ Komedia
The UK's pun-heavyweight champion delivers a masterclass in one-liners, sound effects, and award-winning wordplay. More Info

🎭 Across the Square
Friday, 7:30pm @ The Barn Theatre, Southwick
This historical drama follows Lady Ottoline Morrell as she navigates the complexities of the Bloomsbury Group in 1917. More Info

Live Music

Last week, we took a trip back to the 16th century to discover that what is now The Lanes, was once used to grow hemp for use in making the essential ropes for the town’s fishing fleet, a fact that 69% of you correctly guessed (flax was also grown in nearby Hove for use in making the sails).

This week’s trivia is on the upcoming Valentines day, and the rich history behind it.