🐦 Top 10 Vibes & Date Night Picks

Hello, lovely people! 👋

I'm still cooling down after last weekend's heat, and Monday is supposed to reach a whopping 29°C! After roasting in the park, I somehow squeezed another plant into my already-packed room from Between Two Thorns (check out their brilliant workshops!)

First up, a huge thank you for voting in last week’s polls!

• Maccies in Hove? 67.61% of you said ❌ NO.

• I underestimated your Fatboy Slim knowledge with 85.19% correctly picking 250k ✅ (We’ve made this week’s question a little trickier… good luck!)

Here’s what’s squawking this week:

📣 Our city gets a national high-five & a big decision on our tower blocks.
❤️ A great family day out for a wonderful cause
🍴 New wine bars and vinyl spots for date night.
🎉 Your ultimate guide to outdoor cinema, markets, and summer parties.

We’ve got a limited run of 15 gorgeous canvas prints featuring the iconic Brighton Lanes, and buying one supports both us and a brilliant local charity of your choice.

For every print sold, we'll donate £10 to one of these amazing local charities:

Together Co: Tackling loneliness and isolation in our community.
Amaze: Supporting families with children who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Allsorts Youth Project: Providing a safe space for LGBT+ children and young people.

👋 Brighton & Hove Crowned One of UK's Friendliest Cities!

Now for some lovely news that’ll make you swell with pride! Our very own Brighton & Hove has officially been crowned one of the friendliest cities in the entire UK!

A recent Aviva study found nearly three-quarters of people across the nation think their communities are friendly, and our vibrant city secured a cracking 10th spot! I can personally confirm that our friendliness beats London by a country mile after a year living there—you'd get more eye contact from a pigeon than a commuter on the Tube!

Click Here to see the full rankings

🏢 Our Tower Blocks: A Big Decision Ahead

There's been significant news regarding several council-owned tower blocks in our city. A recent report recommends demolishing eight buildings, including those in Hollingdean, North Whitehawk, and Kemptown.

Structural surveys found these buildings no longer meet current safety standards, particularly against collapse from explosion or fire. The report, due before councillors on 17th July, suggests replacing them with newer, safer council homes. While acknowledging their history, the council says strengthening isn't a long-term or affordable solution.

Click Here to read BBC News’ article

🎶 Fatboy Slim Joins Albion Kit Team on Charity Trek!

Our very own Norman Cook – yes, Fatboy Slim himself! – has joined the phenomenal kit team from Brighton and Hove Albion for a whopping 35-mile charity walk!

Alex Burrows, Harry Wood, and media manager Matt Bishop are trekking from Rustington to the Amex Stadium. This is to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Brighton and Hove Albion FC charity foundation, hoping to raise an incredible £35,000! This brilliant effort is all about giving back, with the team even handing out sports kits to local schools along their route. With Masterchef winner Steven Edwards also joining in, it’s a truly star-studded and community-focused venture. We’re all cheering them on to reach the Amex by Friday.

Click Here to follow their amazing journey and find out how you can support this brilliant cause.

🥳 Family Fun for a Cause!

This Sunday, the Alcampo Lounge is throwing a Charity Family Funday on London Road. Pop along from 11 am to 4 pm for a day of face painting, balloon modelling, a cake sale, and live music, all raising money for the wonderful Rockinghorse children’s charity. More Details

It’s just down the road from the Duke of York Picturehouse, the folks behind the outdoor cinema at Preston Manor that will be showing the legendary Ghostbusters (1984 original) at 19:30 Sunday eveving.

Don't forget, Brighton's annual Charity & Community Day is this Saturday at the Royal Pavilion Gardens, from 11 am to 4 pm, with music, fun, and local pride—and it's completely free to attend!

Local Charity of the Week: Flourish Mentors

This week, we're shining a spotlight on Flourish Mentors, a brilliant Brighton & Hove charity providing free wellbeing and mentoring to young women aged 16-25, including the LGBTQIA+ community.

Their amazing work empowers young women and boosts mental health right here on our doorstep - they’re always looking for new mentors so please Click Here to learn more about Flourish Mentors and how you can support them.

✨ Date Night Special!

Looking for somewhere truly special for your next evening out? We’ve got two fantastic Brighton & Hove gems for you this week, perfect for that romantic rendezvous or maybe a sophisticated catch-up with friends!

📍 Church Rd, Hove
🧭 View on Google Maps

Discover The Pourhouse, Hove’s newest wine bar and restaurant, where sophistication meets warmth. This premium yet unpretentious spot is ideal for an intimate evening or a lively late-night experience.

Their handpicked wine selection is guided by award-winning sommelier Alex Preston, offering a variety of wine tasting evenings and flights. You can unwind on their beautifully refurbished terrace with a heated, retractable roof, or enjoy the front decking.

For the singles out there Offline Dating is throwing a Speed Dating event with free drinks (ages 30-45) on Thursday next week at 8pm! (Tickets - £14)

📍 Trafalgar Street, North Laine
🧭 View on Google Maps

Looking for a new, quirky spot? Check out Pink Moon, a super cosy, vegan, music-centric coffeehouse, bar, and record shop opened earlier this year in Brighton's South Lanes!

Grab £5 beer and £5 dumplings for an affordable date night, soak up their cool vibe and browse some vintage vinyl records.

They also have a lot of great live music and events, check out their weekend lineup:

• 🎶 Friday, June 27th: PINK MOON LIVE 009 | 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm | FREE

• 🎸 Saturday, June 28th: HILDEGARD PRESENTS: Sick Days, Spaghetti & The Hoops | 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm | £DONATION

• 🎧 Sunday, June 29th: GREEN HOUSE SESSIONS: Amy Palmer, Georgia Blankson, Mookie, Amah | 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm | £6 OTD

🏠 Seafront Regency Gem

This week’s standout? A stunning 6-bedroom, 6-bathroom, 5-storey Regency terraced house on Kemptown seafront, offering glorious sea views and a rich history being once owned by playwright Sir Terence Rattigan.

💰 £3,200,000
📍 Marine Parade, Brighton
🔗 View on Rightmove

🌟 Top Picks

🎶 Ministry of Sound Classical 
Saturday, 6:30 PM–11:00 PM @ Brighton Centre 
The best of 90’s dance music performed by a live 40-piece London concert orchestra. More Details & Tickets

🎬 Picture House Outdoor Cinema
Fri 27th, Sat 28th & Sun 29th June, 7.30 PM @ Preston Manor 
Catch a classic film under the stars with Dirty Dancing (Fri), Twin Peaks (Sat) & Ghostbusters (Sun). Details & Tickets

🎉 Codesouth Summer BBQ 
Friday, from 1:00 PM @ The Gladstone
Come along for beats and BBQ food all day long at a favourite Brighton venue. Details

💃 Salsa On The Pier (SOTP) 
Friday, from 8:30 PM @ Horatio's Bar, Brighton Palace Pier 
Brighton's hottest salsa night is back and bigger than ever! Tickets

🛍️ Brighton Summer Harvest Market
Saturday, from 9:00 AM @ The Pepper Pot
Discover locally harvested fruit, veg, and homemade treats from Sussex makers. Details

🎻 Candlelight: Coldplay vs Ed Sheeran 
Saturday, 28 June @ Royal Pavilion 
A magical musical experience under the gentle glow of candlelight. Details

🗓️ General Events

🛍️ Beau-Events Summer Art & Makers Market
Saturday, 11:00 AM @ Brighton Unitarian
Browse and buy from over 40 independent makers, artists, and small businesses. Details

🎪 Summer Fayre
Saturday, from 11:00 AM @ Outfit London Road
A fantastic summer fayre with vintage clothing, shoes, bags, jewellery and more. Details

🎨 Sip & Paint
Friday, from 7:00 PM @ Alcampo Lounge
Unleash your inner artist with a paintbrush in one hand and a glass in the other. Details

🌱 Plant Sale
Saturday, from 11:00 AM @ Circus Street - Old Market Brighton
Pick up some new greenery for your home or garden at this lovely plant sale. Details

🍹 Brunchworx - The R&B Bottomless Brunch 
Saturday, 2:00 PM–6:00 PM @ Enigma Stock Exchange Bar
Enjoy a delicious bottomless brunch with all the best R&B hits. Tickets

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Events

🏆 2025 UK National Yo-yo Championship
Saturday, from 10:00 AM @ The British Engineerium 
Watch the UK's finest battle for the title in this unique event. Details

🎉 Charity Family Funday
Sunday, from 11:00 AM @ Alcampo Lounge
A great day out for the family with lots of fun activities for a good cause. Details

👾 Enter Hado Shoot & Monster Battle Experience! 
Sunday, 12:00 PM–3:00 PM @ Hado AR Sports Brighton 
Step into an explosive world of Augmented Reality gameplay where players dodge, aim, and fire energy balls at waves of virtual monsters. Parents play for FREE! Tickets

🎤 Live Music & Performances

🪩 Finger Lickin Summer Takeover 
Saturday, from 5:00 PM @ Madeira Dr, Brighton 
A summer takeover promising big tunes and an even bigger party. Tickets

🎤 Cabaret Carousel 
Friday & Saturday, from 6:00 PM @ Haus of Cabaret Brighton 
A dazzling cabaret circus show that promises to be a spectacular night out. Tickets

🌅 Brighton Sunset Sessions 
Friday, 6:00 PM–10:00 PM @ Next to the Brighton Bandstand 
A fantastic night of live music on the beachfront as the sun goes down. Details

🎧 Charlie Hedges Presents All The Anthems 
Saturday, 2:30 PM–10:30 PM @ Horizon, Brighton 
Get ready for a summer day party packed with all the anthems you love. Details

🎭 The Comedy Experiment Saturday, 4:00 PM–6:30 PM @ Caroline of Brunswick Free entry to a night of new material from TV’s Jess Robinson. Details

✨ Good Vibes Society
 Saturday, 4:00 PM–9:00 PM @ The Stoneham 
An afternoon of funky, disco, and classic house music for a good time. Details

🎶 Sanctum Sanctorium - The Dark Side of the 80's 
Friday, from 7:00 PM @ Concorde 2 
Sanctum Sanctorium’s only gig in Brighton with their latest tour. Tickets

🤘 The Uprising 
Friday, from 7:00 PM @ The Pipeline 
Brace yourself for a powerful night of live music and good times. Tickets

🎸 Dakka Skanks 2025 Takeover 
Saturday, from 7:00 PM @ The Hope & Ruin 
Get ready for a lively takeover with Dakka Skanks bringing the good vibes. Tickets

🎶 Gene Loves Jezebel & The Go Go Cult 
Sunday, from 7:00 PM @ The Prince Albert 
A night of classic rock from these two iconic bands. Details

🎤 Wanda Sykes: The Please and Thank You Tour 
Sunday, from 7:30 PM @ The Brighton Dome 
Don't miss this hilarious TV comedian on her latest tour. Tickets

🎤 Bowiesque 
Saturday, from 8:00 PM @ Brunswick Pub 
An incredible live band performing the hits of David Bowie. Details & Other Events

🍻 STRANGE BREW 
Saturday, from 8:45 PM @ The Blue Anchor Portslade 
A night of great music and good times with this live band. Details

🕺 ELVIS w/Mark A. Wright 
Friday, from 9:00 PM @ Hove Park Tavern 
A free entry night of live music and classic tunes from Elvis. Details