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If you're looking for hip, cosmopolitan and relaxed, look no further. This place is big on entertainment and is a renowned weekend getaway.
Clubs
Outside London, Brighton has one of the most vibrant clubbing cultures in Britain, easily rivalling Leeds and Manchester. For a big night out its definitely worth visiting some pre-club bars around The Lanes, near the seafront - The Fishbowl, Ali-Cats, The Prodigal, The Western Front - and then depending on your tastes, a visit to Kings Road Arches down by the beach or West Street which spreads down from the Clock Tower in the centre of town. The West Street vibe is more young and populist, while Kings Road Arches attacts the more discerning clubber. West Street has Event II which puts on major gigs in town as well as huge club nights and travelling road shows. At Kings Road Arches look to The Zap, probably Brighton's best known club which plays host weekly to the big names in DJ club culture. Just along from the Zap is The Beach, another draw for the big name record spinners, whilst down at the other end of the beach strip, the Honeyclub puts on equally well-attended, pumping nights of club anthems. Other choices include Phonic: Hoop at The Enigma, Casablanca or the Jazz Rooms.
Music
The live music scene isn't half bad either. With regular showcases each month entitled Brighton Rocks! at the Concorde 2 there's an explosion in indie-based sound, while venues such as The Freebutt and <Sussex Arts Club cater for the hip-hop crew, punk rockers from abroad, electronic wizardry, folk and more mainstream pop. The Event II puts on the bigger gigs along with the Brighton Centre. For a touch of classical, there's the Brighton Dome, St Bart's Church, the Old Market Theatre, St Peter's Church, Sallis Benney Theatre, the Pavilion Theatre and Glyndebourne (near Lewes). Look out for the best in classical orchestras around the time of the Brighton Festival in May.
Art
Brighton is brimming with artistic talent, it's a creative town and one of the leading lights in multi-media digital arts. The Lighthouse company based in the Brighton Media Centre organizes many digital arts exhibitions which are put on usually at the Fabrica Gallery, renowned for its trail-blazing shows.
Other galleries leading the way include the George Street Gallery, Gallery 73, Gardner Arts Centre, University of Brighton Art Gallery and Phoenix Arts Centre. Hove Museum and Brighton Museum & Art Gallery house more established works but also play host to notable national touring exhibitions.
Cinema
Brighton is blessed with all manner of cinematic delights including the oldest independent cinema in the country, The Duke Of York. Come here for low budget, independent films as well as themed festivals and art flicks. It has a beautiful art deco interior. For all Hollywood blockbusters, there's the Odeon multiplex along the seafront and the UGC multiplex at Brighton Marina boasting more than ten screens. There's also mainstream showings at the Gardner Arts Centre and the Sallis Benney Theatre shows occasional films as does Ali Cats bar.
Comedy
Brighton is awash with stand-up comedians. The main place to see them is Komedia. Here you can see The Krater Club, a brilliantly conceived comedy showcase. Gardner Arts Centre also puts on big-name acts to rival the Komedia.
Theatre
Theatre is well catered for in Brighton from the big west end shows to the more experimental cutting edge theatre. The Theatre Royal is the place to see the bigger performances, Oscar Wilde, Shakespeare, even Ben Elton. Komedia, the Sallis Benney, the Pavilion Theatre, the Corn Exchange and the Gardner Arts Centre also put on nationally acclaimed performances as well as those shows just breaking through. There's a wealth of smaller and more locally based drama to be found at the New Venture Theatre, Marlborough Theatre, Little Theatre, Ray Tindle Centre or the Sussex Arts Club - if you wanted you could probably take in a different performance every night of the week.
Dance
Dance is a Brighton speciality. The Gardner Arts Centre, The Komedia and the Sallis Benney Theatre have regular dance shows. These are often experimental in nature and feature world renowned companies.
Museums
Brighton has a number of museums from the mainstream <Brighton Museum in the centre of town to the more specialist Booth Museum of Natural History, the Fishing Museum and the British Engineerium. There's also the old Museum of Penny Slot Machines along the seafront. All of these museums offer free admission.
Whatever your age or interest, come rain or shine, day or night, there is always something new to do in Brighton.
Photo by: JP Oakar
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