The Pavilion Theatre is a mainstay of the Brighton theatre scene, and well worth a visit. Their…read moreshows are run through the Brighton Dome, so of a consistently high quality, without costing the earth to go see. A frequent venue for fringe theatre all year round, as well as big events during the Brighton Festival and Brighton Comedy Festival, the Pavilion Theatre is an great alternative to the above-a-pub theatre Brighton is famous (notorious?) for. Most shows at the Pavilion are inexpensive, and it is normally used more smaller comedians or companies, even some ambitious amateurs. The venue's policy about what goes on seems to be quite open: even smaller shows are given a chance. This may be the Dome's reach-out to the local theatre scene, and it couldn't be a more fitting fringe theatre space. The stage is large and open, as deep as it is wide, which makes it ideal for plays and performers who like a nice big stage space: dancers, plays with large casts, etc. With a large number of raked seats, the Pavilion Theatre can seat more than a traditional fringe theatre, making it ideal for some of the larger acts as well. This balance is held nicely, with various acts throughout the year using it appropriately: there's clearly a good management policy behind this space. I have seen some great shows here, and recommend everyone to have a look-see whats on! Their programme is varied enough that there should be something for everyone, and nothing really beats live entertainment. With a nice little bar at the front as well, there's really nothing to complain about: great venue, great shows, great evening!

The Theatre Royal is one of Brighton's most venerable institutions. Set in the centre of the city,…read morejust a stone's throw from the Royal Pavilion, it has been at the heart of its artistic life for two hundred years. Opened in July 1807, the theatre has had a colourful history, to say the least. It suffered various financial problems in its early years, an actor by the name of Henry John Nye Chart took over the management and developed a flourishing programme over the ensuing twelve years. He then bought the theatre himself, and embarked on an expansion and refurbishment programme, giving us the theatre we see to-day - now a grade II listed historic building. Nye Chart died in 1876, but his wife Ellen Elizabeth Nye Chart kept the theatre going, introducing both matinees and the traditional Christmas pantomime. When she died in 1892, she was treated as a local celebrity, although her ghost is still said to haunt the building, as the mysterious Grey Lady. The interior is very traditional, with seating in stalls, two circles and an upper gallery, with boxes either side. The decoration is suitably high Victorian and plush, although the seats can be a little restricted for some modern audiences. The stalls have level access and there is a disabled toilet, and the theatre welcomes guide dogs. Captioning is available for those with hearing disabilities. (Those with special needs are advised to book in advance and inform the booking office of their requirements). The theatre bar is located separately, in the Colonnade Bar, immediately next to the main entrance. The repertoire is extraordinarily varied, with traditional classic theatre such as Shakespeare and West End transfers; musicals; comedies; dance and special events and, of course, a Christmas Pantomime season. The list of actors and actresses who have played here is an exhaustive list of the best of British theatre over the last 50 years. It is truly one of the foremost provincial theatres in the country.

A Brighton institution, The Dome is one of the city's leading gig venues platforming everyone from…read moreestablished rock, pop and funk bands to world music artists from Europe, South America and beyond. In complete contrast to the nearby Brighton Centre, it's a picturesque venue with a grand ceiling, a beautifully arched stage, a generous standing area and two tiers of comfy seats. The sound and sight lines are also top notch. I've seen The Drums, The Macabees, Bombay Bicycle Club, The Gossip, Pete Doherty, Bon Iver and Richard Hawley here in the last 18 months and the atmosphere was incredible at every single gig. Pete Doherty poured his drink over a heckler, Beth Ditto flirted with the audience and Bon Iver shocked everyone by doing a heavy rock number. My favourite memory of a show here however, has to be the Halloween party The Go! Team threw a few years back. They adorned the stage with pumpkins, dressed in weird costumes and had spooky films playing behind them. It was a magical evening and I danced so much, my legs ached for hours after-wards.

This Grade-I listed complex is both a highly original performance venue (with 3 performance areas,…read moreactually), and an historic building with a fascinating past. History The Dome was originally built in 1803-05 for the Prince of Wales (later George IV) as a stable block, adjacent to his then rather modest Brighton seaside villa. The architect was William Porden, and it was he who chose the iconic Indian architectural style (technically Indo-Saracenic) and designed the huge dome - originally covered in glass, 24 metres in diameter and 19 metres high, to cover a circulating area for the horses. Once completed, the new buildings so overshadowed the original villa, that the Prince instructed that they should be revamped into the iconic Brighton Pavilion we see today. The complex was sold to Brighton in the 1850s, and the Dome was developed as a concert hall in 1866. A major refurbishment in 1935 saw it modernised and given an Art Deco interior, and the Pavilion Theatre was added on the site of Mrs Fitzherbert's stables. Over the years it developed an enviable reputation as a Concert and entertainment venue for both classical and popular music, despite its notoriously poor acoustics. Famous names who performed here include Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix and the Rolling Stones, and in 1974 it hosted the Eurovision Song Contest, won famously by Abba, singing 'Waterloo'. However, both the interior and exterior were crumbling and a major refurbishment was begun in 1999, costing £22m and taking three years to complete. The revamped complex now houses 3 venues: the 1,850 seat Concert Hall, the 570 seat Corn Exchange (which also hosts non-seated events on its sprung floor) and the 220 seat Pavilion Theatre. The exterior (together with the Museum) provides a suitably exotic backdrop to the Pavilion itself. Events The Dome hosts an astonishing variety of events, from concerts, conferences and performances in the main Concert Hall, to more eclectic drama, comedy and dance in the Pavilion Theatre. I've mostly attended events in the Concert Hall, and I'd agree with others that it's a great place to visit: the seating is comfy and spacious, the acoustics are hugely improved and the unusual shape gives it an intimate feel. Practicalities It's a ten minute walk from Brighton railway station, and just about every Brighton bus route passes close by, either on North Street or the Steine. The venue has level access throughout (and specific spaces for wheelchairs in the auditoria), disabled toilets, hearing loops and printed material is available (on request) in large format. Disabled customers can apply for a complimentary ticket (one per booking) to enable them to bring a companion or access assistant with them free of charge - phone for details. Well worth a visit.

Whilst the main Brighton Festival tends to involve more high brow and mainstream theatre, dance,…read moremusic and literature events, Brighton Festival Fringe offers a platform for aspiring and underground artists and madhatters. As my fellow Yelpers photos show, there's always a fun circus / performance element to the fringe with free events involving stilt walkers, jugglers, flame-throwers and live performers. The real body of the fringe however, involves local and national comedians, performance artists, film-makers, theatre companies, artists and photographers putting on their own shows and exhibitions in venues right across the city. Most of the events are cheap as chips so it's well worth taking a risk and going to see a handful of different events. Pick up a free brochure around the city in the weeks running upto the festival or check the website for further details and teaser trailers. What have you got to lose?

Brighton Festival Fringe has, as the name suggests, grown out of the Brighton Festival. It is an…read moreopen access Arts festival, which brings together all sorts of events, including theatre, visual art, dance and comedy, to create a month long cultural extravaganza of fun! The intent is to entertain but also to educate audiences through varied and exciting art. What's great about Brighton Fringe is that its open to new and emerging talent as well as established performers and companies. This inclusive policy means that all sorts of people stage events and the Fringe festival continues to grow annually. As well as more traditional art forms, the festival also includes innovative new music as well as cinema, performance art and even club nights! The festival takes place in May each year. Every year I vow to myself that I will go to more events and every year I fail miserably. Even if you don't get yourself organised enough to check out specific events, you will feel the festival in the air, for the Fringe exploits Brighton's inherent spirit of fun and frivolity, and creates a happy buzz all over town! The Old Steine is an especially great place to soak up the atmosphere, as there is always a giant beer tent (some times the E4 Udder Belly) set up as well as the Speigeltent, where the Silent Discos are held.

My friend and I decided to go to this pub to meet up with a friend of his. It's at a good location,…read morenear the Royal Pavilion and pretty close to the centre of the city. I definitely agree with Vanessa A.'s review, regarding the fact that the majority of patrons are girls. My friend and I were the only two guys at this place. We hung out with five girls that night (all friends of my friend's friend), and had a pretty good time chatting, and drinking pints of Guinness stout beer and Strongbow cider. Although there was not that much people since we came on a Sunday night, I enjoyed the atmosphere and the camaraderie. This place has a fairly decent pool table. I played a couple of games with the girls my friend knew and also had a good time shooting around the balls. When I think of this place, I think red for some reason, mainly because the red walls. The benches I sat on were not too comfortable, though, the cushions were kind of firm. Despite that, I still had a good time hanging out with my friend and the girls. Overall, this is another decent pub that I had a pretty good time drinking and hanging out with friends and another one of the pubs that made my trip to Brighton memorable.

A good little place hidden away by the pavillion. Me and my friends went in as part of a pub crawl…read more Really lively atmosphere the bar staff made us feel very welcome. Moderate priced drinks but I had more expensive else where. All different walks of life from lgbt community go there well worth a visit.

The Basement is situated in the North Lanes and offers an alternative venue for a variety of…read moredelicious performance art and exhibitions., offers an array on unique experimental theatre and 'Live Art'. One of the regular nights 'SUPPER CLUB' is making a name for itself, it involves going along for food and a show but with no idea what you will be watching or eating, 'art chaos' is a word they use to describe it. If your an artsy type or just looking for something completely different then check out what the Basement are showing. Its fabulous ridiculousness.

The basement is an intriguing and vibrant venue that holds local art and cultural performances from…read moresingers, comedians, to visual art, story telling and poetry about sex! There are plenty of tables and seats and a few different choices of food on the menu (it varies from show to show). The bar is reasonably pricey but not over the top. The venue itself is an interesting layout with a bar area, the main stage area and a smaller room near the back, it is what it says it is - a basement, although it's very clean with laminated flooring and smells of fresh wood! The event I experienced is known as the 'Supper club' - a monthly show that contains various performances that can only be described as somewhat eccentric. There was a visual art performance using helium balloons, some acoustic musical performances and photocopier at the back where people could photocopy their body and then pin the pictures up next to their suitable category - 'non rude', 'rude' and 'explicit'. Need I go on?! The basement might not be everyone's cup of tea but it's certainly something different, a little quirky and light hearted but rather enjoyable if you're interested in the visual performance and art that Brighton has to offer, it's unquestionably a relaxing evening of entertainment.

Part of the Revamped Grand Central Pub, The Nightingale Theatre is a small venue situated upstairs…read more It's really nice and had a classy, yet fun vibe to it. I was here to watch some cabaret that was very amusing. The venue is complete with a gin bar, with loads of different gins to choose from. I didn't try any this time.

The Nightingale was in an abyss for years, sitting out of commission and unused up until 2004. Now…read morereopened and going strong thanks to The Prodigal Theatre, here you will find some brilliant independent productions and a host of different drama workshops. With a capacity of little more than 50, don't expect to be witnessing any known actors, instead you can expect to find very intense dramatic pieces that make you feel you're actually taking part. This is the type of venue that definitely should be supported, Nightingale does wonders in the community for budding acting and writing talents.

Fitzherberts is one of the first pubs I went to when I moved to Brighton and it remains one of my…read moreregulars. The inside is so cosy that on a really busy night - when there's clusters of people standing - you usually end up with someone's elbow or handbag in your face. Luckily, the atmosphere is so friendly and laidback nobody seems to notice or care! There's a cluster of seats outside and a ramshackle assortment of wooden tables and chairs inside. Gig posters decorate the hallways and toilets and there's live jazz and acoustic bands most weeks. The rest of the time, the music depends on which bar staff are working. Most of the time they seem to rotate classic rock, indie and hip hop but I was once subjected to an hour of speed metal. I would have left but it was torrential rain outside. If they'd played The Supremes or Amy Winehouse instead, they'd probably have an extra star. :-)

Often overshadowed by the adjacent Mash Tun and Waggon and Horses, Fitzherberts is smaller and more…read moreatmospheric than either of these. Entering, there is a small bar, with a little bar seating for those who drink fast. The best feature though, is the strangely lit main seating area, a drinker's fairy cavern. A mass of blue fairy lights cover the stark white ceiling, and the effect this creates (especially after a few vodkas!) can be slightly disorienting, in a good way. Outside, like its neighbours, the place has some outside seating, which in summer is a great people watching spot. Its proximity to the Dome and to the Theatre Royal means that this is also a great choice for a pre-show drink.

Part of the University of Brighton, the Sallis Benney Theatre is an extremely versatile venue. The…read moretheatre offers free arts lectures, experimental music events, world music and jazz performances and its also the host of the Frock Me vintage fashion fair which is absolutely fantastic. Its also an exhibition space for artists as well as the university students and at the moment is exhibiting cement based art work. There's is a cafe on site which is sometimes open depending on the event. The theatre itself seats around 300 so is perfect for lectures and musical performances a like. If you're interest in art or just at a loose end one weekend its worth checking out whats on as the program is so varied and consistently good.

The Sallis Benney Theatre is part of the Arts Faculty at the University of Brighton. Although…read morestrongly affiliated with the university, don't be fooled in to thinking that this is a place purely for amateur student productions. In fact, the theatre puts on a wide range of productions throughout the year, including the World Music Festival in October and numerous events during the May Brighton Festival and Festival Fringe. The room itself is square and basic, and is certainly no-frills. The rest of the building features a bar (student prices - whoop!) and a gallery exhibiting artwork from the local collegiate. Although not fancy in appearance, the range of productions mean that it is worth keeping an eye on the up and coming programme at the Sallis Benney.

If you're a fan of classic architecture, you should check out The Old Market in Brunswick area of…read moreHove. Designed by Charles Busby in 1828, it's a Grade II listed building that's been beautifully renovated and maintained. Since the late nineties, it's been a thriving arts centre for locals and vistors. Open all year round, the theatre shows live music, drama, comedy, dance and literary events. Soul legends like Candi Staton and Marlena Shaw have graced the stage alongside contemporary rock, pop, jazz and classical musicians. I've been to a couple of different events and I'd definitely go back. My only grumble is that it lacks the intimacy and atmosphere of other venues in the city. The theatre itself can feel like a big village hall, especially when it's not full and the bar is quite limited. If you like a G&T you're fine but if you want an Absolut vodka with cranberry and a slice of lime, you'll go thirsty.

The Old Market is an all round venue in central Hove, its not only a beautiful wedding venue but a…read morerecording studio, art exhibition space, live theatre, music and comedy venue and its also the home of Springboard Youth Arts Festival and the Hanover Band Orchestra. A real community venue the theatre is plays host to a variety to of local events such as community choir concerts and film festivals. In a gorgeous old Victorian building the venue is really something special. A little bit hidden from the main roads the theatre is a magical pace to spend an evening if you looking an artistic and community spirited experience.

This is one of my favourite pubs in Brighton. Entering, you…read moremight think you'd found a very small and busy pub, with only a few tables. Explore futher though, and you find smaller rooms, the size of a small living room with a few sofas and tables. It does really feel in these parts of the pub as if you are in someone's house. Upstairs, there is a large function room, which also provides extra seating on busy nights. It's often used for band nights and big screen football. The place is stuffed full of interesting nooks and crannies and things to look at, without being too self-consciously cool. The toilet graffiti is also a constant source of amusement.

This place is the hang out for every muso / rockabilly / yuppie/ mod / cool kid in Brighton. Over…read morethe years it has become an institution, partly due to the infamous Banksy painting on the outside wall, and the rest is down to everything else it has to offer. The layout of the pub is great. There aren't many big pubs which still manage to feel cosy, but the individual rooms/areas of The Prince Albert mean that even at its emptiest times (which isn't often) the place still feels homely and warm. Each room is decorated uniquely and there's cool music posters, most signed by famous bands and DJs, hanging throughout the pub. They make for good snooping material whilst you're mulling over a pint. Upstairs there's a decent sized live music venue where bands from Brighton and beyond grace the stage. The sound system is good, but the room does get a little hot in the summer months. The staff are part of the furniture in this place, and they're all super friendly, whilst still managing to look uber cool. The prices are very reasonable considering the pubs location and clientèle, and they serve a good range of ciders, beers, wines and spirits. The foods not bad either, and they serve meals much later than any other Brighton establishments. The only downside to the place is the lack of a garden. There is a small patio at the back of the pub, but it's usually very busy, and the seating outside the front of the pub (which there is a lot of) is right on the roadside. But all in all this is a great place and worth visiting just to see the Banksy if nothing else.