“Luck, an idea and a building turned into Pink Moon.” That’s how owner Jake describes the origins of Brighton’s newest art café – a space that has quickly become a home for creativity, connection and community at 52 Ship Street.
From the outside, Pink Moon looks like another stylish addition to Brighton’s café culture. But step inside and it’s immediately clear this is something different. The walls hum with energy. Local art hangs proudly, vinyl records spill across handmade shelves, and there’s a warm buzz of conversation, as if everyone here already knows each other. It feels both new and lived-in, a space where Brighton’s creative spirit has found a fresh home.
Pink Moon was created with what Jake calls “DIY ethics.” He built much of the interior himself – from the record shelves on the first floor to the bespoke wooden covers for the enormous speakers, which ate up most of the opening budget. “But it was so worth it,” he laughs. Those shelves are now stacked with his personal vinyl collection, the product of years of crate-digging, and a reminder that this café is stitched together from his own passions.
“It really does take a village,” Jake adds. And it shows. Pink Moon is run by a team of eight – cousins, friends and his wife included – who all bring something unique. His wife, for instance, not only helps run the café but also develops many of the recipes and bakes the daily goods herself. This isn’t just a business; it’s a family effort, and that intimacy carries through to the atmosphere.
One of Pink Moon’s most striking features is its rotating art collection. The café doesn’t just display work by local artists – it supports them in a way few venues do. Artists keep 100% of the profits from their sales. Jake insists Pink Moon should never take a cut. “It’s about giving back where I can,” he says. And true to that ethos, every artist who wants wall space will eventually get it, thanks to a rotation system that keeps the café’s interior fresh and ever-changing.
That generosity is part of a wider mission. Having spent much of his 20s immersed in Brighton’s music scene, Jake knows how vital spaces like this are. He wanted to create somewhere that didn’t just serve coffee and beer but actively nurtured creativity – a safe, open venue where art, music and community can overlap.
Coffee, Bao and £5 Pints
Pink Moon may be an arts hub, but it’s also a café – and the food and drink are as thoughtfully curated as the artwork. The entire menu is vegan, a decision the team made for both ethical and moral reasons. “It’s what we stand for,” Jake explains. His wife develops the recipes, bakes the goods, and keeps the café filled with fresh treats, while Jake himself often joins in behind the counter. Their head chef leads on the standout item: steaming bao buns.
The bao are cooked in batches throughout the day, ready to grab and eat on the spot – keeping wait times down without sacrificing freshness. Alongside them are homemade bakes that strike a balance between indulgent and wholesome. For coffee, they’ve partnered with Horsham Roastery, who roast their own beans locally. With the aim of Pink Moon creating their own blend to serve eventually. And when day turns to night, the café shifts into bar mode, offering a rotating selection of beers and ales, plus pints of Pravha for a fiver.
It’s that mix – good food, great coffee, and affordable drinks – that makes Pink Moon feel accessible to everyone, not just the art crowd.
Step out the back and you’ll find Pink Moon’s secret weapon: its courtyard. On the warm, sunny afternoon we visited, it was filled with groups of friends chatting over drinks as the sun poured in. The space is cosy but surprisingly roomy, catching direct sunlight until around 3pm.
Over the summer, this garden became one of Brighton’s most creative pockets. Poetry workshops, intimate gigs, film screenings and even clay workshops took place here, drawing in an eclectic crowd. It’s rare to find a courtyard that feels both relaxed and alive, but Pink Moon has struck the balance.
“Coffee Shop by Day, Vibey Party by Night”
When asked to define the café, Jake doesn’t hesitate. “Coffee shop by day, vibey party by night.” And that description fits. Pink Moon has an easy daytime charm – a place to linger over coffee, browse zines from small local makers, or simply soak up the art. But by evening it transforms, alive with music, conversation and the kind of atmosphere that keeps people coming back.
That adaptability was on full display during Pride weekend. Instead of chasing the wildest parties, Jake asked his customers how they wanted to celebrate. The answer? A calmer, more intimate vibe. Pink Moon responded with spoken word, queer acts and a programme that offered a retreat from the chaos without losing the joy of Pride. The result was a full house all weekend – proof that listening to the community pays off.
“More Than a Café”
What makes Pink Moon special is how naturally all of these threads come together. It’s a café, a bar, a gallery and a gig space – but more than that, it’s a reflection of Brighton itself. Creative, inclusive, DIY at heart, and fuelled by the idea that good things happen when people are given a platform.
For Jake, Pink Moon is both personal and collective. It’s built on his love of music, his family’s recipes, and his community’s input. It’s homely, warm, inviting – and already buzzing with energy despite being so new.
Address: 52 Ship Street, Brighton and Hove BN1 1AF
Website: https://www.instagram.com/waxingpink
