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WORDS BY ELLE J SMALL
Just an hour from London is the colourful seaside city of Brighton and Hove. Renowned for its accepting attitude and creative vibe, it’s definitely fun to be beside the seaside.
 Sanctuary Café
51-55 Brunswick Street East
www.sanctuarycafe.co.uk
Times: daily 9am-11pm
A cool, local hangout, Sanctuary Café is based bang on the border of Brighton and Hove, about a ten-minute walk from the central Churchill Square. The beauty of this bohemian venue is you can either scoff vegan carrot cake or sip a glass of Rioja. The atmosphere is super-chilled with calm and friendly staff and all the food is organic and reasonably priced.
In the basement, you’ll find sister venue Cella, “a haven for every creative genre,” according to management, with music, poetry and comedy all up for grabs.
Yoga Haven
Kendal House, Donkey Mews
www.yogahaven.co.uk
Times: classes run daily
While Brighton is often linked to nights of wild debauchery, it’s also synonymous with spirituality and relaxation. So if you’re more in to chilling out, than going out, head to Yoga Haven, just around the corner from Sanctuary Café (featured). With a broad selection of classes, from Ashtanga to pregnancy and Bikram yoga, this centre is home to some of Brighton’s finest teachers. Drop-in classes are £9 with mats and equipment supplied. Or choose an indulging therapy, from an extensive range of massage, Reiki and crystal healing.
 Food For Friends
17-18 Prince Albert Street, The Lanes
www.foodforfriends.com
Times: Mon-Sat 12pm-10pm, Sun
11.30am-10pm
There’s a reason why Food For Friends is considered Brighton’s best vegetarian restaurant and the proof is in the pudding… and the starter… and the main. If you think vegetarian and vegan food are strictly for bland palates and clog wearers, think again. This popular establishment is home to top-notch nosh for those who don’t mind spending a little extra (around £10 for a main) for serious quality. Flavour is paramount, with scrummy dishes like the asian tofu pockets, creamy portabello mushrooms and homemade chocolate truffles. Wash it all down with a delicious cocktail or non-alcoholic raspberry Belini.
The Jazz Place
10 Ship Street
www.thejazzplacebrighton.co.uk
Times: Mon-Thurs 10pm-2am, Fri-Sun
11pm-3am
With entry at around just £3 weekdays and £5 on weekends, it would be rude not to pop in to this established, jazz-influenced hangout. ‘Cosy’ is the first word that springs to mind on entry. Situated in a dark basement, there’s hardly enough to room to swing a cat, but that simply adds to the friendly and intimate atmosphere. If you’re a straight-cut, jazz purist, you may do better heading to the Komedia on Gardner Street especially if you’re in town on a Friday. If, however, jazz mixed with funk, breaks, Latin, reggae, house and more appeals, you’re in for a wail of a time.
 Audio
10 Marine Parade
www.audiobrighton.com
Times: club, Tues-Thurs 10.30pm-
2am, Fri-Sat 11pm-4am, bar daily
12pm-2am
Audio club and bar has played host to some of the UK’s finest DJs, from local celeb Fatboy Slim to the legendary Groove Armada duo. The interior is tres cool, without being pretentious and the atmosphere is funky yet friendly. The emphasis here is on what’s donning the speakers, as opposed to your feet. In other words, Audio’s for dancing, not posing. Music-wise, there’s a wide range of different nights up for grabs, featuring all sorts, including house, hip hop, indie, electro and breaks—so check the listings if you’re a fussy clubber.
 The Ginger Pig
3 Hove Street, Hove
www.gingermanrestaurants.com
Times: bar 12pm-12am, dinner
6.30pm-10pm, lunch Mon-Fri 12pm-
2pm, Sat-Sun 2.30pm-4pm
This is the more down-to-earth but still-terribly-hip sister restaurant and bar to the posh Gingerman restaurants at Drakes Hotel (Marine Parade) and Norfolk Square. Using “only the very best ingredients sourced from the highest quality suppliers”, The Ginger Pig is all about excellence-from the food to the service. The knowledgeable waiting staff will point you in the right direction menu-wise, but you won’t go wrong with a succulent steak (£12.50), mouth-watering crumble (£5) and bottle of tasty house red (£8).
The Garden Café
St Ann’s Well Gardens, off Nizells
Avenue, Hove
www.thegardencafehove.co.uk
Times: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat-Sun
9am-5pm
Away from the bustle of the city centre, you’ll find this gorgeous oasis of calm. Set in the well-kept St Ann’s Wells Gardens, about half a mile from Hove seafront, The Garden Café is bang slap in the middle of a park, with tables spilling out over the greenery. As child-friendly as they come, this is somewhere safe for kids to run riot while the adults indulge in coffee, cake and gossip. If it’s too chilly for you to brave the great British outdoors, head inside where there’s a giant toy box, baby-changing facilities and a kids menu for the nippers, plus hearty, cheap grub (fish and chips £4.75), wine and free wi-fi for lap-top fixated grown-ups.
 The Sea Life Centre
Marine Parade
www.sealife.co.uk
Times: daily 10am–5pm (last
admission 4pm)
Giant crabs, stingrays, starfish and sharks—you’ll find them all here. Located right opposite Brighton’s main pier, you’ll find this weird and wonderful underwater world. The centre has loads to see and do for little as well as grown-up kids. Victorian in its architecture, this stunning venue houses some of the most beautiful, tropical and gruesome sea creatures alive. Try out the amazing underwater tunnel.
 Pintxo People
95 Western Rd
www.pintxopeople.co.uk
Times: bar & deli Mon-Sat 9ammidnight,
Sun 9am-5pm.
Split into a laidback downstairs bar, eatery and deli and a flasher upstairs restaurant, Pintxo People is a thoroughly Spanish venue, with delicious food and even better cocktails. Stick downstairs if you have kids in tow— there’s a toy box and cushioned play area. Tasty (if a little pricey) tapas are served here, with some excellent, daily specials.
 • Brighton Marina
Best for people-watching and a
good place to try sailing
• Planet India
54 Preston Street
Best for curries
• The Lanes
Best for shopping
• Entourage
1 Middle Street
Best new bar
• The Barley Mow
92 St Georges Road,
Kemp Town
Best for Sunday roasts.
GETTING THERE: easyJet flies to London Gatwick 30 mins from Brighton. Book online at www.easyJet.com. See our route listings on page 182 for details.
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