🐦 Saltdean Lido Summer Disco, Sensational Halisco Tacos & Mystery Jets In-Store!

Hello, Brighton & Hove!

First off, a quick personal note from me: it's my birthday this week! I promise I’m not fishing for well wishes here. My birthday takes a back seat to a much bigger milestone: just a few days ago, the Brighton Squawk officially crossed 10,000 subscribers. Reaching 10,000 of you couldn't have been a better gift, and I can't thank you enough for reading along and letting me share a slice of the city and my own personal taste in your inbox every week. My door is always open, so hit reply if you ever have feedback or suggestions.

Enough of the soppy stuff, as we've got a massive week lined up! Whether you’re heading to Preston Manor for outdoor Dirty Dancing, grabbing top-tier tacos at Halisco, or hitting the Saltdean Lido summer disco with Wildblood & Queenie, there's plenty to get stuck into.

Grab a cold drink and let's dive into this week's highlights!

Here is what’s squawking this week

💃 Headset dance journey and wellness festival collaboration tonight.
🎭 Austen's unfinished novel Jane Watson’s comes to life at BOAT.
🏛️ Coastal £3M Royal Crescent townhouse hits the market in Brighton.
🎨 Interactive character BookBench unveiling brings colour to The Book Nook. 🎸 Mystery Jets play live set and signing at Resident Music.

Fancy reaching over 10,000+ Brightonians? Just reply to this email to ask about our options.

🗳️ Greens select active travel consultant for Queen's Park by-election

The Green Party has chosen 64-year-old active travel consultant Mark Strong to contest the upcoming Queen’s Park by-election. The vote marks the fourth time residents in the ward will head to the polls in four years following the resignation of Labour councillor Milla Gauge, with the opposition Greens hoping to build on recent local momentum.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🎡 Brighton Wheel could return to the seafront next summer

The popular Brighton Wheel could return to Madeira Drive by next summer under a proposed 25-year lease deal for the site. If approved by cabinet next month, the private Zip Wire operator will fund and reconstruct the landmark, providing the council with guaranteed commercial rent for seafront maintenance.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

📞 Planners reject BT street hub near Hove railway station

Planning inspectors have dismissed an appeal by British Telecom to install a double-sided LED advertising street hub outside The Station pub on Goldstone Villas. Council officials successfully argued that the oversized unit would create harmful pavement clutter, impede wheelchair access, and detract from the surrounding Hove Station Conservation Area.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🎓 University of Sussex staff back strike action over 200 job cuts

Members of the University and College Union at the University of Sussex have voted by 81% to strike following management plans to cut roughly 200 jobs. Vice-chancellor Prof Sasha Roseneil stated the cuts are essential to plug a £35 million annual shortfall caused by falling international student numbers and long-term funding pressures.
→ read more on BBC News

🏚️ Temporary housing numbers hit record high in Brighton and Hove

The number of households living in temporary accommodation across Brighton and Hove has reached a new five-year record of 2,292. Driven by private tenancy terminations and rising domestic abuse cases, the crisis has triggered a £1.3 million budget overspend, prompting the council to utilize £16.4 million in government grants to buy back homes.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🍸 Government policies blamed as Brighton nightlife faces crisis

Brighton's nightlife sector is teetering on the brink due to soaring business rates, employment costs, and energy bills, according to local campaign groups. Following the high-profile closures of Charles Street Tap and R-Bar, activists are demanding an urgent national overhaul of business rates to protect vital cultural and LGBTQ+ venues across the city.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

☀️ Drone imagery reveals severe impact of South East drought

Striking aerial photographs have captured the full scale of prolonged dry weather across Sussex and the South East, showing parched, brown landscapes surrounding major landmarks. Following the driest July in 190 years, 70% of England remains in official drought status as water companies maintain strict hosepipe bans to protect dwindling reservoir levels.
→ read more on BBC News

🎨 Council eyes Black Rock site for major new art gallery

Brighton and Hove City Council is actively seeking investment to construct an internationally significant art gallery at Black Rock on the eastern seafront. Writing in support of the vision, cabinet members pointed to the cultural and economic transformation of Bilbao as inspiration for turbo-charging the city's coastal regeneration.
→ read more on The Argus

Also in the news:

🏴‍☠️ Tributes paid to local street legend 'Pirate Charles': Tributes have poured in for beloved Kemptown character "Pirate Charles", known for playing loud reggae and volunteering at local food banks, following his death from cancer.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🪦 Volunteers transform closed Portslade Cemetery: The Woodvale Volunteer Group and Community Payback teams have restored headstones, repaired crumbling flint walls, and cleared overgrown brush across the historic, closed Portslade Cemetery.
→ read more on The Argus

🖼️ Free family art space opens in North Laine: Children's author Nick Sharratt has launched a screen-free Hopscotch Art Space on Gloucester Road, offering free drop-in creative workshops for families until November.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🏳️‍🌈 R-Bar announces permanent closure on seafront: Prominent LGBTQ+ venue R-Bar has announced it will close its doors permanently next month, marking the second major queer space on the seafront to shut within weeks.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🎟️ Brighton resident scoops £78k EuroMillions win: A local family man is celebrating after matching five main numbers in the EuroMillions draw, securing a £77,954 payout via a direct debit ticket top-up.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🎨 Survival Techniques

⏰ Open Daily Throughout August
📍 Fika / Bison Beer, Sea Lanes, Brighton

Mental health and promoting hope and optimism are incredibly close to my heart. Having dealt with my fair share of ups and downs over the years, I know firsthand how heavy life can feel, which is why the work of artist Naomi Edmondson and her project Survival Techniques resonates so deeply with me. Founded a decade ago as a simple 'note to self' list to navigate her own low moments, Naomi’s idea has grown into a global street art and typographic movement. By collecting real coping strategies from everyday people, she crafts vibrant typographic artworks designed to give anyone having a dark day a gentle lift and a reminder of our shared human connection.

Her incredible exhibition is running throughout August at Fika / Bison Beer next to Sea Lanes, featuring a gorgeous selection of paintings and prints, including some special Pride-themed pieces. It is a wonderfully relaxed space where you can take in the art with a delicious coffee or a cold beer right by the beach. This showcase is a truly uplifting reminder that we are never alone in our struggles, and Naomi even has a creative workshop on Sunday. 

If you're strolling along the seafront, please pop in, soak up the good vibes, and support this brilliant message of hope.

🔗 Explore the artworks and discover Survival Techniques

🌮 Halisco (my review)

Having swept up some massive accolades, including being named the number one spot in Brighton by Time Out and sitting comfortably in Brighton's Top 20, I was very curious to see if Halisco actually lived up to the massive hype. Safe to say, it absolutely blew my expectations out of the water.

Now, top-tier, delicious food should be the bare minimum for any decent restaurant, but what really sets this place apart is the team. The venue is constantly buzzing, yet somehow they always manage to magically sort out a spot for you rather than turning you away. Plus, with Bar Halisco sitting right across the street, the whole road becomes an absolute vibe on a warm day. Sitting outside in the sun with an ice-cold beer, crisp margaritas, and a table packed with fresh seafood ceviche, incredible tacos, and classic guacamole with chips is as good as it gets. Go check it out for yourself; it is an absolute must-visit.

📍 64 Preston Street, Brighton, BN1 2HE
🕒 5pm-10pm (Tue to Thu), 12pm-10pm (Fri to Sat), 12pm-9pm (Sun)
🔗 Book a table

🏠 The Royal Crescent Seafront Residence

Occupying a prime central position on Brighton's iconic Royal Crescent, this Grade II listed 5-bedroom townhouse spans 3,782 sq ft of pure coastal grandeur. Famous for its black glazed mathematical tiles and canted bay windows, the home features a 1st-floor reception room with a canopied wrought-iron balcony framing direct sea views. The primary suite boasts a luxurious ensuite complete with a copper and porcelain baignoire by Fired Earth, while the lower ground floor houses a self-contained 1 bedroom apartment with tanked under-pavement vaults. Outside, the landscaped walled garden features an automated irrigation system and a rare rear gate opening onto a quiet mews.

📍 Royal Crescent, Brighton, BN2
💰 Guide Price £3,000,000
🔗 View on Rightmove

Tue

💃 WildBop x Brighton Wellness Festival | 6:45pm, Tue @ Stanmer Park
An outdoor unguided headset dance journey in collaboration with Brighton Wellness Festival, featuring optional cacao, breathwork, stretching, an elemental movement session, and a closing meditation. More Info

📚 Silent Book Club | 6:30pm, Tue @ The Archives
An evening for book lovers to gather, meet like-minded readers, and enjoy dedicated, uninterrupted reading with any book of their choice. More Info

🎵 An Evening of Intimate Music | 8pm, Tue @ The Bee's Mouth
An intimate community event featuring raw, unfiltered, and authentic acoustic music designed to break down the wall between performers and the audience. More Info

Wed

🎤 Angel In A Cupboard Poetry Night | 8pm, Wed 19 Aug @ The Rossi Bar
An evening paying homage to the 1960s underground poetry scene, featuring original poetry and song performances by six female and non-binary artists, plus original zines and merch for sale. More Info

⚓ Sea Shanties | 7pm, Every 3rd Wed @ The Farm Tavern
A monthly sea shanty singalong gathering for landlubbers to bring their hearty voices, featuring 2-for-£12 Dark n' Stormies cocktail deals. More Info

🧘 Evening Yoga Flow | Wednesdays 5:30pm @ PLATF9RM Hove Town Hall
A gentle 1-hour wind-down session suitable for all levels, incorporating flowing movements to release desk-related tension, breathwork, and a relaxing close to calm body and mind. More Info

🎭 The Watsons | 7pm, Wed-Sat @ Brighton Open Air Theatre
Laura Wade's clever theatrical adaptation of Jane Austen's unfinished novel follows young Emma Watson as she navigates Regency-era suitor hunting, before the playwright herself breaks into the story when Austen's original narrative runs out. More Info

Thur

🎨 Colour-in BookBench Unveiling | 11am, Thu 20 Aug @ The Book Nook
A family-friendly unveiling for a special interactive BookBench featuring beloved children's book characters to colour in, joined by Mayor Cllr Theresa Fowler and local artists as part of Amaze's The Story Trail. More Info

🎤 Antony Szmierek: Album Launch Show | 6:30pm, Thu @ Resident Music
The Manchester-born poet, producer, and beatmaker performs an intimate in-store album launch show ahead of his upcoming tour. More Info

🎤 Ebony Grace | 7:30pm, Thu @ The Brunswick
An intimate hometown showcase of indie songwriting, progressive production, and visual performance in the Cellar Bar, with special treats for guests following the "Dark Cabaret" (Black and White) dress code. More Info

🎙️ Jamie Hutchinson: Can My Mate Come? He's Sound | 8pm, Thu @ The Forge Comedy Club-The stand-up comedian and podcast favourite returns with a brand-new hour of unfiltered comedy, chaotic charm, and hilarious, mad stories. More Info

📚 The Feminist Book Club | 6:30pm, Thu @ Afrori Books Hosted by Dr Nat Arias, this monthly gathering explores books by Black authors through an inclusive feminist lens in an open, welcoming space for all genders. More Info

Fri

🌮 CASAZUL Summer Weekend Tacover | 12pm, Fri & Sat @ Picturehouse at Komedia-CasaAzul hosts a vibrant pop-up featuring artisanal tacos, refreshing drinks, live music, and Mexican dance performances in the North Laine art-house cinema space. More Info

🪩 Wildblood & Queenie X Saltdean Lido | 7pm, Fri 21 Aug @ Saltdean Lido
Brighton DJ duo Wildblood & Queenie bring their signature glitter-fuelled disco, nu-disco, and Italo house set to the lido ballroom, with drink specials and food available on the summer terraces. More Info

🎸 Bob Dylan – A Celebration | 8pm, Fri 21 Aug @ Ironworks Studios
A tribute night celebrating Bob Dylan's catalogue, featuring live performances from Tig Savage, Ben Westwood, Anna Searight, and Pierce Joyce. More Info

🎸 Mystery Jets: Live + Signing | 6:30pm, Fri @ Resident Music The Eel Pie Island-formed band performs a 45-minute set of their eccentric songwriting to celebrate the release day of their new album A Hole To See The Sky Through, followed by an in-store signing. More Info

💃 Outdoor Cinema: Dirty Dancing | 6:30pm, Fri @ Preston Manor South Lawn & Garden An outdoor screening of the iconic romantic drama, featuring a £7 drink/snack credit included with every ticket and the film beginning shortly after sundown. More Info

🐱 Movie Night with Cats! | 8:30pm, Fri @ Purrfect Space
A cosy screening of Kedi, the documentary following Istanbul's street cats, held in a venue filled with resident rescue felines, with complimentary hot drinks provided. More Info

🎸 GOAT FEST 2026 | 2pm, Fri @ Alphabet
An all-day festival celebrating Brighton's independent music scene with a lineup of emerging artists across Jazz Fusion, Neo Soul, and psychedelic rock, culminating in a headline album release performance by Goetia. More Info

Live Music

Loud Mouth | Tue @ Rossi Bar
Jazz Jam | Tue @ The Brunswick
Mia Langridge + support | Tue @ Prince Albert
Prostitute | Tue @ Dust
Folklore Monthly Showcase | Tue @ Folklore Rooms
Covers Night! Secret Headliner + Had Sandy + Hollowpoint | Tue @ Green Door Store

Angel in a Cupboard – Poetry Night | Wed @ Rossi Bar
Westside Cowboy: Live + Signing | Wed @ Resident
DIME | Wed @ Alphabet
Holiday Ghosts + Nina Winder-Lind | Wed @ Prince Albert
Liv Sangster | Wed @ Folklore Rooms
Ebony Osailah | Wed @ Green Door Store

Antony Szmierek: Live + Signing | Thu @ Resident
Map 71 + Matt Finucane + M Butterfly | Thu @ Prince Albert
HOT VOX: Quarter Final | Thu @ Folklore Rooms
In Other Words Poetry Night | Thu @ The Brunswick
Ebony Grace | Thu @ The Brunswick
BRIGHTON QUEER MOVIE CLUB | Thu @ Daltons
Barramundi | Thu @ Rossi Bar
Phoebe Bridgers (Matinee) | Thu @ Chalk
Dura Mater | Thu @ Green Door Store
Leibniz + Instrument of God + Hollowpoint + Tapped Out | Thu @ Hope & Ruin
Phoebe Bridgers | Thu @ Chalk

Psychic & Wellbeing Event + MASCOT GRAVEYARD + Guests | Fri @ Prince Albert
Live at The Brunswick | Fri @ The Brunswick
Silky Beatz | Fri @ Fortune of War
Mystery Jets: Live + Signing | Fri @ Resident
Drake Night (Brighton) | Fri @ Dust
Spooky Huge | Fri @ Rossi Bar
GOAT FEST 2026 | Fri @ Alphabet
Free The Jungle w/ Samurai Breaks | Fri @ Quarters
Disco On The Terrace | Fri @ Concorde 2
MISGENDERED + BRICK + CLOUDED + SPREE | Fri @ Daltons
HOT VOX: Quarter Final | Fri @ Folklore Rooms
ALT ANTHEMS | Fri @ Daltons
Sad Dads | Fri @ Green Door Store
Way Dynamic | Fri @ Chalk
These Wicked Rivers CANCELLED | Fri @ Hope & Ruin
H&R Presents: Collect Call + Darcy + Bethany May | Fri @ Hope & Ruin

Last week's trivia saw a total runaway victory! A massive 86.46% of you knew that Magnus Volk's stilted seashore train was affectionately dubbed Daddy Long Legs by locals. You can read all about its history and view vintage photographs on the Brighton Seashore Electric Railway Wikipedia Page.

This week, we are looking at the Clock Tower at the top of North Street. Standing since 1888, it nearly faced demolition in the early 1960s for road widening, prompting passionate locals to stage an unforgettable stunt to save it.