Brighton is host to a plethora of quirky hidden gems, making it the perfect post-lockdown destination to get away to. Whether you’re thrift shopping, looking for an instagrammable coffee spot or needing a 5 o’clock pick me up, Brighton is the gift that keeps on giving. Here is the perfect day spent in Brighton.
Coffee Shops
Let’s start off with the coffee shops, whether your vice comes in the form of tea or coffee, you’re going to need the caffeine to fuel your day.
Marwood Bar & Coffeehouse
Location: 52 Ship St, Brighton BN1 1AF
Marwood is an eccentric and eclectic coffeehouse and bar, providing the perfect place to both start and end your day. Its décor is one you won’t find anywhere else, sporting mismatched paintings, portraits, fairy lights, signs and even a giant pencil, you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported into the coolest coffee-selling junkyard.
Trading Post
Location: 36 Ship St, Brighton BN1 1AB/ 40 Kensington Gardens, Brighton BN1 4AL
If you like control over your coffee, Trading Post is the place to go. Offering five different blends of coffee, all of which are sustainable, fair trade and organic, whichever mix you pick you have the luxury of knowing it’ll be delicious.
Lost in the Lanes
Location: 10 Nile St, Brighton BN1 1HW
Lost in The Lanes is a beautifully stylish spot nestled in the Brighton Lanes. Its contemporary design extends from its copper tables to its carefully curated crockery, guaranteeing the perfect Instagram post.
Shopping
Now that you’ve got your caffeine fix, its time for a little shopping. Brighton’s Churchill Square is equipped with all the Highstreet shops you could want, but seeing as you’re in Brighton, it’d be a crime to not explore its vintage shops.
Snoopers Paradise
Location: 7/8 Kensington Gardens, Brighton BN1 4AL
Your trip to Brighton wouldn’t be complete without a dive into Snoopers Paradise. Home to over 90 stalls, Snoopers Paradise is a trove full of treasures with a huge range of clothing, accessories, records, film cameras, posters and honestly just about anything you can think of.
Waiste Vintage
Location: 3 Gardner St, Brighton BN1 1UP
From the outside, Waiste Vintage appears to be a quaint vintage clothing shop, which of course it is, with bags, jackets, jeans and dresses on offer you’re very unlikely to leave empty-handed. What many people don’t know from a glance at the store however, is that upstairs is a house plant paradise. If you’re a sucker for a succulent, you’ll want to check it out.
Beyond Retro
Location: 23 Gloucester Rd, Brighton BN1 4AD
The North Laine Beyond Retro is the biggest in Brighton & Hove, thanks to its impressive and extensive selection of vintage clothing, the store is a favourite with Brightonians, students and visitors. Plus, it’s got a photobooth.
Bars
After all of that shopping, the best place to finish your day is in one of Brighton’s boozy bars.
Dead Wax Social
Location: 18A Bond St, Brighton BN1 1RD
Nuzzled into the heart of the North Laine, stepping into Dead Wax Social is like stepping into Doctor Who’s Tardis. A tribute to Brighton’s music scene, the walls are equipped with thousands of vinyl’s which will provide your evening’s soundtrack and the bar boasts a fantastic choice of local craft beer.
The Joker
Location: 2 Preston Rd, Brighton BN1 4QF
The Joker is a beloved pub spot in Brighton where you can grab yourself a pint downstairs and relax in the wonderfully cosy setting. Or, if you’re after something a little more sophisticated, you can head upstairs to their cocktail bar which is bedecked with stunning décor, a pool table and a darts board.
The Sneaky Panda
Location: 33 Regency Square, Brighton BN1 2GG
A real hidden gem of Brighton, The Sneaky Panda is a 14-cover micro bar located behind a bookcase. Upon booking you’ll be prompted to “ask around to find us”, I’ll give you a hint, head towards The Set restaurant to uncover this veiled venue.
