The unofficial “gay capital” of England, Brighton has always been an LGBTQ hotspot. Its funky city flair, the gay bars and clubs, friendly attitude and fun festivals make it a gay hotspot
Brighton
Travel blogs, photos and stories from Brighton, England – a gay travel hotspot on the seaside, just a short (and convenient) ride from London
Brighton Travel Guide
Your guide to the best things to do and see in Brighton
Known by some as ‘London by the Sea,’ Brighton is an alternative and gay capital in England, and definitely worth a visit. Though a small seaside town, there are plenty of things to see and do in one of England’s best cities. Start here with my basic Brighton travel tips, or jump down below to read my latest Brighton travel blogs.
When to Visit
The weather in Brighton is pretty mild all year round, with not much in the way of extreme temperatures. Nonetheless, summers are no doubt the nicest time of year to visit in order to be able to enjoy the seafront to the full extent, but it may still rain at any time! #england
Top Things To Do
Visit the Royal Pavillion – This former royal residence along the Brighton seafront is a unique and unusual example of Indo-Saracenic architecture. While it used to be a seaside retreat for the royal family, nowadays it’s a museum exhibiting items related to British royalty.
Cupcake decorating – I highly recommend taking an afternoon class in cupcake decorating (and eating, of course!) at Angel Food Bakery! So much fun, and such a decadent way to spend some time in this cool city. From the bakery, you can also easily reach the North Laines—arguably the most hipster spot in Brighton with tons of other affordable eateries/restaurants and alternative shops. You’re bound to find some cute or quirky souvenir or gift here!
Explore the gay nightlife – Brighton is one of the U.K.’s most LGBTQ-friendly cities and the gay nightlife is unlike anywhere else. While it’s a small gay neighborhood, there are still plenty of different bars and venues for every type of interest. Check out the Marlborough Pub and Theatre for cool alternative LGBTQ events and parties.
Brighton Tours
Although it’s a relatively small city, taking a tour around Brighton will save you time and get you in to some areas of the city you might otherwise overlook, so it’s definitely worth you time to consider one. Take a look at this selection of Brighton tours.
Recommended: Piers and Queers Brighton Tour – Run by the small, independent tour operator Only in Brighton, this tour is a walking history of Brighton’s queer past. A tour of the city’s legendary gay hotspots and the people who’ve made the city iconic.
LGBTQ – Gay Brighton Travel Guide
Probably the gayest city in England, Brighton has a rich and well-known gay scene with a lot going on. These are a few of the best things you should know about visiting gay Brighton.
Brighton Pride – The biggest gay pride event in the UK, Brighton’s pride takes place on the first weekend of August and takes over the city with a massive street party and outdoor music festival. Not to be missed!
Kemptown & St James Street – Though the city is overwhelmingly LGBTQ-friendly, most of the gay nightlife is in the area nearest Kemptown and St. James Street, at the end of the Brighton Pier. Charles Street Tap is a long-running gay bar with pub nights and pop music blasting on the TV screens; The Queens Arms is a small, indie gay cabaret; Bar Broadway plays showtunes; and Subline is a dark, underground, grungy dive famous for its fetish nights. Most big gay nights out in Brighton will find yourself at Club Revenge—a late-night pop club.
More gay travel resources here.
Brighton Hotel Deals
Brighton has plenty of cool and quirky hotels, as well as all the big chains you’d expect. They’ll likely get full when there’s a conference or special event in town, so definitely consider booking in advance. I’ve found that using Booking.com, Agoda.com or Hotels Combined can be really useful for finding last-minute deals.
There are also many small independent hotels. In the gay neighborhood, you’ll find the affordable New Steine Hotel. With a location that can’t be beat, it’s right in the heart of Brighton’s nightlife and even offers fine French dining in their on-site bistro.
Follow @travelsofadam on Instagram for more travel tips!
Brighton Travel Blogs
Barcelona, Potsdam and Brighton are all home to some important and extensive Orientalism & Chinoiserie architecture around Europe.
On my trip to Brighton I didn’t stay at the Hotel Pelirocco but I did go to the bar one evening to enjoy a cocktail (or two). The stylish boutique hotel isn’t located in the main drag near all the gay clubs, but it’s not too far that you can’t walk. The boutique hotel’s most …
One of the things I didn’t get to do much of last year while traveling was baking and cooking. I don’t spend much time in the kitchen, but on my recent trip to Brighton, I had the opportunity to do a bit of cupcake eating (oh, and decorating!) Brighton is generally known as a quirky …
Last weekend I had the chance to escape Berlin and visit Brighton for the first time. The last time I was in England was already over 5 years ago, so I was long overdue for a visit. And even though I’d spent 5 months living in London, I never visited Brighton—not to mention any other …