Brighton Nightlife

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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.

My favourite little bar that serves the best cocktail in Brighton. They are slightly pricey, but take it from me, you shouldn't be able to drink more than two!

This bar is small, so if the hotel is busy, you may not get in.

I can highly recommend the Whiskey Sour (and you can always book a room at this boutique hotel for a romantic occasion if you don't fancy the stagger home). The friendly bar staff take great pride in the quality of their coctails and have won awards for best coctails/barstaff and such. You will never get a 'ready mix' here.

The hotel also has a restaurant and occasionally, celebrity bingo!

Wonderfully kitsch.

Dress Code: Funky chilled kitsch...

A pub with a great relaxed atmosphere - like walking into your living room.
The views across Brighton are splendid.
This is a good pub to have a long game of scrabble in on a Sunday afternoon.

Friendly, comfy sofas and they serve organic wine
What more do you want?!
The pub hosts an occasional 'alternative' pub quiz - which I can assure you, is riotous!

*oct 06 update - have heard, this pub changed management, and is not as good as it was. will investigate - since discvovered that the unday roasts are no more*

Dress Code: Wear what you like!

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*July '08 - Sadly I think this venue has now closed *

The Cable Club have been putting on local & unsigned bands at the Pressure Point for a while now. It's not usually expensive to get in (£3/£4), never too crowded and the p.a. is half decent. Btter known indie bands occaionally play here too.

Downstairs is a bar where you can have a drink before you go up. There is usually a dj spinning cool roots reggae.

Edit : I recently ventured down to the Pressure Point to see a band I used to play with, 4 AD's 'Mojave 3'. This time, the entry was £11 (although not for moi, I hasten to add!). Rumoured to be their swansong record/tour, they gave us our moneys worth, with an extensive set list and a great sound. It was nice catching up with the guys after.

Also pictured KB's band 'Fuji Heavy' . If you're in the vicinity, try and catch a gig - the suited and booted rascals have some great catchy songs and they rock!

Dress Code: Anything goes !

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This is a great place for seeing and hearing lesser known but hugely talented bands and artists! Concorde 2 is an intimate venue and has a nice bar and friendly staff. I have never know there to be any trouble as there is plenty of security. Sometimes they even let you meet the band after the show!

Dress Code: Anything....but you would feel a bit out of place in a suit...

Saw two great bands here last night...

Hal and the Magic Numbers. Hal are an Irish band and the Magic Numbers are English. Both are fab! Go and see them if they are anywhere near you!

Dress Code: Anything. Shell suits would look a bit silly here though and anything too *chavvy*.