Brighton Nightlife

The beach club is on the seafront off kings road, just down towards the old pier from the honeyclub. I've only ever been on a wednesday night, where it's called born in the 80's. Anyone born in the 80's gets in for free and it's only a couple of quid for anyone else. With tons of drinks at about £1.50 all night it's a ghreat cheap night out. Don't let it fool you though, it may be a wednesday but you can get a good packed club full of disco dancing 80's nutters. It's got one large room, with chill out bits round the sides with good seating. Apparently on weekends it does get a bit more standard up to date music played and occasional promoters putting on hip hop nights or live p.a.'s. Good friendly crowd, not too up themselves like in some of the other more snazzy clubs.

Dress Code: Smart casual, jeans ok but no sports or trainers or caps.

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A spacious underground venue at The Gloucester is the very popular Barfly gig venue. Ticket prices vary according to the who's playing and students get a £1 discount. Drinks here were cheaper than other places too.

We saw the amazingly talented David Ford and had a spot right at the front of the stage (as usual) and enjoyed every minute - especially when they turned off the air-con!

Check the website for current gig listings.

Dress Code: Anything

Although I have lived here for some time for some reason I had never been to the Ocean Rooms, can't think why, as it is near to home and many of my friends have played there.
Anyway, this was redeemed recently, when I was invited to sing some backing vocals for friends band 'Paradise 9'. I arrived in time for sound check into the usual dark and dingy rock venue where said amigos were fighting for space with all their musical gear on the stage. The stage is quite small and P9 are quite big!

There were three bands on that night the 1st (whose name escapes me) were quirkily different and had an assortment of minature instruments and a fabulous female singer (I will try and find out the name) nice to see something more interesting than the usual run of the mill indie bands. We followed, I was at the percussion end with a variety of drums, tambourines and shakers, so was in my element. I couldn't hear a thing that I was singing due to the general volume (not unusual) so just went for it and hoped for the best. The 3rd band Samarian Kings were also people I know, different again with a wild poetic frontman, the lovely Monty on keys and some fabulous drumming.

This is your typical rock venue, small, dark, dingy and very rock and roll. It doesn't cost much to get in and there is a friendly relaxed atmosphere. Nothing amazing, but then again, rock clubs are dying out and they are still supporting live music, so good for them!

This venue is spread over 3 floors and turns into a club later on in the evening (I think maybe up/downstairs in a different room-apparently, there is a restasurant upstairs (although I can't imagine it!) and I must say, the atmosphere does seem to change a bit at that point with slightly less friendly bouncers on the door etc I didn't hang around for that, but a good evening in the Live Room was had by all.

Dress Code: Come as you are for Live room, more clubbish for club I would think !

ps The Ladies toilets were clean ; )

According to their blurb - "The ocean has a varied music policy with a DJ and live line up second to none". I have also heard, it is open until dawn at the weekend.
There are some Club night reviews here : http://www.brightonlife.com/reviews/ocean-rooms-155.html - Seems to be very popular if you're into that kind of thing.

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"Real Music Club is a regular event which showcases the best of Brightons up-and-coming bands and artists, as well as a few established 'names' from these parts. We are rapidly becoming The Place for scouting new talent in all styles of music be it rock, folk, jazz, avant-garde, musical theatre etc. Come and join our friendly crowd for an interesting and entertaining evening out".

Friendly, chilled, intimate, interesting and cheap - What more could you want from a local venue.

8 -12 pm - See website for up and coming shows. *Check RMC website for latest venue* (Sept 07)

Pictured, my old mate Gregg McKella's band, who I sometimes add the odd backing vocal for.
Paradise 9 play original and highly energetic material mixing psychedelic rhythms and punk commitment, plus a bit of a folksy feel thrown for good measure – could be described as Joe Strummer meets Hawkwind.

Dress Code: The madder, the better.

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I am not normally a birdwatcher, but the show the Starlings put on each evening is something to see. They fly in huge formations and then quickly change direction to create fantastic swirling patterns in the sky. If you click on my photos you can see the truly massive numbers there are. As they swirl and swiftly change direction, they never collide with each other. Fantastic. They usually do their flying show over Brighton Pier just before sunset. Free and worth seeing

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For a great night out in Brighton, visit the Hope Bar. It's busy and popular and there is live music most nights of the week. It's a two level bar with music being on the upper level, though seating is limited upstairs. It's £4 entry on the door. Downstairs is a large open central area with big comfy sofas. A rum and coke or vodka and tonic will cost you £2.65.

We saw Luke Jones here, a hugely talented singer song writer, local to Brighton. It was an excellent evening!! Check out his fabulous new song "The Fear".

Dress Code: Trendy-ish.

We saw the fabulous David Ford performing here at the Ocean Rooms. The venue is off the beaten path up a side road from Grand Parade. There is a market opposite the venue which was closed and a really good little cafe (Market Cafe) which stays open all hours - serves big mugs of coffee for a pound and has some seriously dodgy toilets...

But more about the Ocean Rooms. When we arrived we really weren't sure if we had found the right place as there is nothing saying *Ocean Rooms* ANYWHERE - just three large black doors with some VERY strange writings above it that look like biblical sayings but not quite - sorry that doesn't make much sense but you would know if you saw it!

We stood outside for ages chatting to other gig-goers waiting for the sound checks to be completed before we went in 15 mins later than the time specified on the tickets (which were 6GBP btw). The interior is very dark with just a few red lamps. There is a bar and some nice long red velvety raised benches along on the other side of the room. The stage is VERY small and there are no barriers. A really friendly and intimate little place.

David Ford was fabulous and sang all the songs off his debut album
I sincerely apologise for all the trouble I've caused

The album is fantastic and he signed mine for me at the bar at the end of the night :)

Dress Code: Anything - this is student-town - wear what you like!

One of my favourite venues in Brighton, has to be the Corn Exchange. This venue was built at the same time as the Dome Concert Hall and was originally the Prince Regent's riding house.

The Corn Exchange was lovingly restored as part of the recent Brighton Dome refurbishment project. It is now a unique and versatile venue with a magnificent single span of arched ceiling and a sprung maple flooring.

The last time I went to there, it was to see the very wonderful Yo La Tengo The venue is arranged in such a way, that you can stand near the front of the stage if you fancy it, or sit in the raised seating area just behind, which gives you a clear view of the stage and as you are just behind the mixing desk, you also get a good sound. We opted for the latter and could have happily sat there all night, just as well they did a really long set!

The venue often offers workshops with visiting dance companies during the day.

Highly recommended for most events.

Dress Code: Depends what's on, but mostly casual.