Welcome to Britain’s unofficial LGBTQIA+ capital. This seaside city is known for its open attitude, vivacious clubbing scene and two-day Pride extravaganza. Explore our guide to LGBTQIA+ Brighton for the rundown on the best neighbourhoods, hotels and events in the city.
One of the biggest Pride festivals in the UK, Brighton Pride attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Expect a two-day extravaganza with FABULOSO – Pride in the Park, featuring a whole host of outstanding live music, queer theatre, dance tents and a range of immersive experiences.
Britain’s bear community comes out to play for Brighton Bear Weekend. Held annually, this increasingly popular date for bears and cubs comprises a range of pub events, picnics and parties.
The labyrinth of alleyways that make up Brighton’s historic Lanes area is dotted with antique shops, designer boutiques and jewellers – making this a recommended spot for sourcing unusual gifts, or even a wedding ring! The alternative North Laine is a hipster haven of vintage clothing stores, organic juice bars and piercing parlours.
The place to be during Pride is Kemptown, with its buzzing LGBTQIA+ community. Head to St James’s Street and St George’s Road for lively pubs, independent shopping and mouth-watering cafes and restaurants.
An excellent way to learn all about Brighton’s queer history is to follow in the footsteps of Lord Byron, Oscar Wilde, Dusty Springfield and other notable people from the LGBTQIA+ community on the Piers & Queers Tour. This unique walking exploration of Brighton’s LGBTQIA+ past is offered by Only in Brighton, and is one of Time Out’s top ranked things to do in the city.
Temporarily closed for refurbishment, Brighton’s first LGBTQIA+ community and cultural centre takes its name from pioneering campaigner James Ledward. Visitors can enjoy a cafe, gallery, cinema, meeting rooms and even a community kitchen. A highlight of a busy events calendar is a Queer Makers’ Market, celebrating the creativity of the queer community and its allies.
The former Marlborough Pub has been given a new lease of life as a community pub, but its legacy as a space safe for the city’s LGBTQIA+ community lives on. You’ll find it below the theatre in the Marlborough Hotel building and its stagey roots are not just reflected in its name, but also its decor. Pair your pint with a delicious home-cooked pizza.
Kick back at this traditional pub with a real ale pint. Expect a diverse crowd with older and beefier blokes, bears and polar bears too. A bonus for dog-lovers: you can even bring your four-legged friends to join in the fun. A must-do is the Thursday quiz with a bumper prize pot.
Part-radical bookshop, part-queer cafe, The Queery is a cosy community space run by volunteers. From drag socials to queer film clubs, there are plenty of fun and inclusive events to get stuck into.
Brighton is situated on the south coast of England, less than an hour by train from London. London Gatwick Airport is approximately halfway between London and Brighton, and is served by numerous international airlines. Direct trains from Gatwick Airport to Brighton take around 35 minutes.
