In the colourful landscape of diverse communities, few places rival the inclusive and vibrant atmosphere found in the coastal city of Brighton. Our coastal city has long been celebrated as a beacon of acceptance and a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community. With its rich history, pulsating nightlife, and an unwavering commitment to inclusivity, Brighton is a must-visit destination for members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Bar Revenge
Club and Bar Revenge, a premier gay nightspot in Brighton, has been a proud fixture on the city’s gay strip for over 30 years. Offering a variety of fun queer attractions, they have raised funds for causes like Pride in Brighton & Hove, The Clare Project, and The Rainbow Fund. Additionally, they donate a portion of their earnings from specific drinks to various charities.
The friendly and fun bar on Brighton’s seafront offers a fantastic wine list, evening cocktails, and exciting entertainment. The split mezzanine level creates a vibrant pre-clubbing atmosphere with cosy sofas. Enjoy amazing deals like 50% off drinks from 5-8 pm every day and 2 for £12 on cocktails, getting you ready for an incredible night out at Club Revenge. And if you’re feeling hungry, Pizzaface has you covered with a variety of meat, veggie, and vegan options to satisfy your cravings.
Address: 32-34 Old Steine, Brighton and Hove, BN1 1EL
Bar Revenge: https://www.revenge.co.uk/r-bar/
Club Revenge
Club Revenge presents a week of thrilling events! Join The Big Queer Quiz on Mondays for quick-fire rounds and creative challenges with cash prizes. Tuesdays are all about Lip Sync for Your Life, showcasing your skills and competing for more cash prizes. Wednesdays bring Glew’s Big Ball Drop, offering three rounds of bingo for £2, filled with comedy and chances to win cash prizes. Thursdays are for karaoke lovers, and Fridays and Saturdays feature resident DJs spinning incredible sets to keep you dancing all night.
Club Revenge in Brighton is the top LGBTQ+ venue in the southeast of England, spanning over three floors. The first floor hosts a vibrant main room with LED screens and colourful lights, providing a relaxed atmosphere with seating. The second floor is dedicated to dancing, featuring additional LED light systems. And let’s not overlook the highlight—the third-floor rooftop terrace, offering panoramic views of the entire city.
Don’t miss out on the weekly events at Club Revenge! On Tuesday, enjoy propaganda with queer pop and trending sounds featuring artists like Little Mix, Jessie J, Justin Bieber, and Charlie XCX. Thursday nights are student-orientated and fruity, hosted by Glew, featuring LGBTQ+ pop and pop-rock from artists like Lady Gaga, Dua Lipa, Taylor Swift, and Rihanna. Spin the wheel for a chance to win your first drink or shot for free, and be one of the first 50 guests to receive a complimentary fruity vodka jelly shot. Take part in ‘The Fruity Gameshow’ for a chance to win cash prizes by going up on stage.
The weekend kicks off with Camp Out! on Friday, featuring level 1 with pop mashups from the 80s, 90s, and 00s, and level 2 offering Pop Up Nights with a variety of musical events. Saturdays are all about the wild and energetic WTF! party, with a crazy house party atmosphere, dazzling lights, drag performances, shot queens, and walkabout performers. Level 1 delivers R&B and pop, while Level 2 offers remixes of classic 90s music.
Address: 5-7 Marine Parade, Brighton and Hove, BN2 1TA
Club Revenge: https://www.revenge.co.uk/
Pride
Get ready for rainbow-filled fun with one of the biggest and best Pride Festivals in the entire United Kingdom. Our city offers a celebration that will have you dancing, laughing, and feeling love like never before!
The real party takes place at Preston Park Festival, where live acts take the stage, filling the air with electrifying music that will have you dancing like nobody’s watching. You can also spend some time exploring the market. And don’t forget to visit the community area, where you can connect with fellow festivalgoers and make memories that will last a lifetime.
Don’t forget to hit the streets of Kemptown, where the party never stops! We’re talking about a weekend of non-stop fun. The Kemptown Street party is where you can truly let loose, surrounded by an infectious atmosphere of laughter and a whole lot of dancing. It’s the perfect place to lose yourself in the music, make new friends, and embrace Brighton.
The Pride Arts & Film Festival adds an extra dose of cultural flair to the festivities. Immerse yourself in a world of captivating films, thought-provoking exhibitions, and inspiring cultural events, all with an LGBTQ+ theme. It’s a celebration of creativity, diversity, and the power of storytelling.
Website: https://www.brighton-pride.org/
Brighton Bear Weekender
Get ready to unleash your inner bear and dive into the wild world of Brighton Bear Weekender! It all started back in 2011 as a small, cosy gathering of bears and their admirers, but boy, has it grown since then! This event offers a weekend filled with furry fun, laughter, and a whole lot of socialising.
The festivities kick off in July with a quiz night, a silent disco, Sunday lunch, and, of course, The Garden Party, among other events! But the fun doesn’t stop there—as the sun sets, it’s time to hit Legends. Let loose on the dance floor and show off your best moves. It’s a night you won’t soon forget!
To make the most of your weekend celebration, you can grab tickets to different events on their website. With prices ranging from £5 to £15, you can pick and choose which events you want to attend during the weekend. Alternatively, grab an £8 wristband that unlocks a world of discounts on food, drinks, club entry, priority event access, and more.
Website: https://brightonbearweekend.com/
The Queery
This volunteer-run co-op space celebrates the diversity and spirit of the LGBTQ+ community in Brighton. As you enter The Queery, you’ll be greeted by the inviting atmosphere of a space designed to embrace and uplift queer voices.
You can spend some time browsing through the shelves of the queer bookshop or get some food from their vegan pay-as-you-feel café. But The Queery is more than just a bookshop and café; it’s a vibrant hub of activity and connection. With a calendar offering daily events, you can enter the world of queer literature with the queer book club or join the yoga sessions, which foster an environment of inclusivity and body positivity. Unleash your creativity in pottery workshops or writing classes. And when it’s time for some light-hearted fun, quiz nights offer an opportunity to test your knowledge while connecting with like-minded individuals.
Beyond the events, The Queery is an inclusive sober community space for queer people to gather and stands against discrimination, embracing a zero-tolerance policy on homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, fatphobia, xenophobia, racism, and ableism. You can check it out from Wednesday to Sunday, between 12 pm and 6 pm.
Address: 46 George Street, Kemptown, Brighton BN2 1RJ
To stay updated on upcoming events and learn more about The Queery, visit their website: https://thequeery.co.uk/
Drag Bus – The Brunch Tours
Get ready for a fabulous journey through the dazzling streets of Brighton on the Drag Bus—The Brunch Tour! This is not your average sightseeing experience. The Brunch Tour promises a day of joy as Cherry Bomb takes you on a journey through LGBTQ+ Brighton history during this unique blend of sightseeing and drag performances.
As you soak in the stunning sights of Brighton, Cherry Bomb will regale you with stories of queer pioneers, iconic moments, and the vibrant tapestry of LGBTQ+ life in this magical city. This will take place from 11 am until 7 pm. During this time, you will be treated to breakfast, followed by a three-course brunch that will leave you feeling satisfied. Beyond this, you can expect an hour of bottomless prosecco, because we’re here to celebrate in style!
And let’s not forget the drag performances. Get ready to be blown away by Cherry Bomb’s electrifying talent as she lights up the stage with not one but two show-stopping acts. The Drag Bus also makes two stops along the way. First, you will head to The Curzon Bar before making your way to Affinity Bar, where the party will continue in full swing.
This day-long tour runs once a month (priced at £99), but they also offer shorter two-hour brunch tours, night tours that embrace the neon-lit charms of the city, and special event tours like The Big Bear Bus.
To secure your spot: https://www.fizzbox.com/brighton/bottomless-brunch/5940-drag-bus/
Piers & Queers – LGBTQ+ History Tour
Welcome to the fabulous city of Brighton! Prepare yourself for an unforgettable adventure as you dive into the vibrant history of this queer city during the Piers and Queers tour. Step onto the streets of Brighton with Ric Morris, a guide with 20 years of experience in LGBTQ+ tours.
The tour will begin at Regency Square. The Piers and Queers tour is not your average history lesson. Expect 90 minutes of fascinating stories about Brighton’s LGBTQ+ past that goes back two centuries.
As you stroll through the city centre, you’ll be transported to a time of regency dandies, where colourful characters embraced their identities and pushed the boundaries of societal norms, leaving a lasting mark on Brighton’s cultural landscape.
The tour also delves deep into the 1950s, a time when being lesbian or gay meant living in the shadows and finding solace in hidden spaces. Discover the courageous pioneers who paved the way for the freedoms we enjoy today. Allow yourself to be inspired by the tales of political activism that have shaped Brighton’s identity as a city that champions equality.
And of course, no tour of the LGBTQ+ history of Brighton would be complete without celebrating its famous members. From artists to performers and activists, you’ll be amazed by the contributions of these extraordinary individuals.
The Piers and Queers tour runs once a day, a couple of times a week. For full availability and to secure your spot, visit: https://www.getyourguide.com/brighton-l440/brighton-piers-queers-lgbtq-history-tour
