Your Little Black Book of Brighton & Beyond
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The Magazine of Contemporary Living on the South Coast
Sea Lanes
Sea Lanes Brighton, Madeira Drive, Brighton BN2 1TB
Sea Lanes Brighton is a standout coastal destination that blends wellbeing, movement, and community with Brighton’s unmistakable seaside energy. Set directly on the seafront, it offers a refreshing alternative to traditional gyms or leisure centres, with an atmosphere that feels open, modern, and purpose-driven. The outdoor swimming pool is the heart of the space—invigorating, beautifully maintained, and framed by uninterrupted sea views that make every visit feel restorative.
Beyond swimming, Sea Lanes excels as a holistic wellbeing hub. Studios, fitness spaces, and social areas are thoughtfully designed, encouraging both focus and connection without feeling crowded or performative. Everything feels accessible and welcoming, whether you’re a regular cold-water swimmer or simply curious to try something new.
What truly sets Sea Lanes apart is its sense of balance: energising yet calm, social yet spacious. It captures Brighton and Hove at its best—active, inclusive, and closely connected to the sea. A place that leaves you feeling stronger, clearer, and uplifted.
Alphabet Brighton
11 Dyke Road, Brighton BN1 3FE
Alphabet on Dyke Road is one of Brighton’s most exciting nights-out precisely because it doesn’t feel like a “standard bar.” It’s an audio-led venue and Hi-Fi pub where the sound system is treated as the main event, so even a casual drink turns into a properly immersive listen. The room has real character too: a striking historic building, sensitively reimagined with a dark, intimate vibe that suits both gigs and late-night sessions.
What really lands is the balance between atmosphere and hospitality. It’s welcoming and unpretentious, with a crowd that feels there for music first—whether you’re catching an upcoming live set or just sinking into the room’s carefully tuned sound. Listings are consistently strong, spanning new bands, DJs and club nights without drifting into generic programming.
Artelium Wine Estate
Artelium Wine Estate, Streat Ln, Streat, Hassocks BN6 8SA
Artelium Wine Estate is a unique destination that blends contemporary winemaking, art, and landscape into a single, beautifully composed experience. Set amid rolling South Downs vineyards, it feels purposeful and calm, with a strong sense of place running through everything it does. The estate’s wines are precise and expressive, showcasing real confidence and restraint, while tastings feel thoughtful rather than performative.
The setting itself is striking—clean architectural lines softened by expansive views—and the integration of art adds depth without distraction. Food, when offered, is handled with the same philosophy as the wine: seasonal, well-balanced, and designed to complement rather than compete. There’s a sense of clarity here, as though every decision has been carefully considered.
What truly stands out is the atmosphere. Artelium never feels rushed or commercial; instead, it encourages you to slow down, look outward, and savour the moment. It’s an estate that feels modern, grounded, and quietly ambitious—a standout not just locally, but nationally.
Yellowave
Yellowave Beach Sports, 299 Madeira Drive, Brighton BN2 1EN
Yellowave Hove Beach Sports Venue & Café, Western Esplanade, Hove BN3 4FA
Yellowave is one of the best “Brighton day” destinations because it blends proper beach sport with an easy, holiday-like atmosphere. Set right on the shingle, it’s built around beach volleyball courts, lessons and casual hire, so there’s always a friendly buzz—whether you’re playing, watching, or just soaking up the sea air.
What makes it most remarkable out is how well the whole works ro well together: the Beach Café is genuinely good (barista coffee, healthy options, smoothies, plus wood-fired pizza at times), and the out door deck is perfect for lingering with a drink while the courts stay in view.
It also works brilliantly for groups—there’s a light, airy Beach House space you can hire for meet-ups, classes or events, with uninterrupted sea views.
CINECITY Brighton Film Festival
Multiple Venues
CINECITY Brighton Film Festival is one of the city’s best annual cultural highlights—smart, outward-looking, and consistently well curated. Each November it turns Brighton (and the surrounding area) into a lively map of screenings, premieres, previews and special events, with programming that genuinely earns its tagline “Adventures in World Cinema.”
What makes CINECITY stand out is its range: new films sit alongside archive “treasures,” live cinema experiences, talks and one-off events, so it never feels like a simple run of screenings. The festival also feels properly rooted in place—using local venues and building a warm, film-loving atmosphere that welcomes both dedicated cinephiles and curious newcomers. Recent editions have delivered packed programmes across multiple venues and a strong run of previews and premieres.
If you want a festival that feels curated rather than noisy—thoughtful, surprising, and genuinely communal—CINECITY is essential.
