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.

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.

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.

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.

Why aren't there 10 stars?????…read more Briefs is the most amazing cabaret show I've seen in a long time. My face hurts from laughing & smiling so much and my throat is sore from all the screaming! It was so much fun from start to finish with dare devil stunts, fabulous costumes and highly entertaining acts. It was so good that on my way out I bought tickets to come back to the club night on Saturday - bring on the glitter!!!!

So good I saw it thrice! Or at least I will have by the end of their run. After getting free…read moretickets to Briefs' opening night, I simply couldn't refuse the offer of half price tickets to another show. I felt spoilt rotten. I've seen live drag shows before (although this was billed as male burlesque) but I think this is the closest I've come to seeing the kind of show you see on RuPaul's Drag Race. Much more risqué than you'd see on television, I never thought I'd find some of the bits as funny as I did. There's a sort of ramshackle charm that just pulls it off, even when there's a nearly naked boy spinning a yoyo round the end of his you know what, mere moments after taking his school uniform off! There's something for everyone (with the right disposition) at the main show, and for those who want more the club night is great fun. You'll see flesh par excellence to titilate you, circus tricks to thrill you, and comedy the likes of which only a Queen can come up with. Not to be missed this one.

From its origins as a comedy venue, Komedia has expanded both its space and reportoire to become…read moreBrighton's main live entertainment establishment, with over 700 performances a year from an award-winning range of stand-up comedy, music, caberet and theatre, as well as an active children's programme. The Komedia is a little scruffy around the edges, but that's Brighton for you. The building has two performance venues, an independently-run cafe bar and foyer bar (and feels much larger inside than its modest facade implies). They also provide food during some performances with a caberet-style setting. But it's the entertainment you come here for, not the surroundings. The staff seem friendly enough, although not always fantastically efficient - on-line booking isn't always available, for example. Arrive with plenty of time for comedy performances, as the best seating gets taken early on. (You can always have a drink while you wait.) If, like me, you have a large, illuminated, 'pick on me' sign on your head which only the performer can see, you'll need to tuck yourself away somewhere inconspicuous...

I went along to Komedia to see Waxahatchee on Thursday night and had a funny turn. Pretty scary at…read morethe time as I fainted three songs into the gig. However, the staff there were so great. The bouncer got me out safely and a door lady, I think her name was Rowena (sorry, my memory is a little foggy), got me a coke and sat with me outside until I was feeling OK. Really sorted me out - I can't thank them enough.

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.

A concrete monolith on the seafront. Cavernous inside, if you had told me I was being led around…read moresome sort of nuclear bunker I might have believed you. The main auditorium was good enough for the concert but the rest of the facilities were nothing special. Not enough toilets so the girls had to queue, the bar areas were sparse with no atmosphere. Guinness was served from a can but with the price of a draught pint and the barman wanted ID from my 14 year old daughter to serve her a Pepsi. Feels much more like a conference centre than a concert venue.

An eye-sore of a building, the Brighton Centre has been a blot on the landscape of the sea-front…read morefor the last 30 years. Despite ongoing rumours about refurbishment and regeneration it doesn't look like it's going anywhere in a hurry. The biggest venue in Brighton, it has a packed annual programme that includes live music events, record and CDs fairs, theatrical productions, and Christmas spectaculars like Holiday on Ice. Last month, it was home to the Labour Party Conference and this month, it's hosting Bloc Party, Tom Jones and Eddie Izzard. I've seen some great gigs here - including Kings of Leon and Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds - but the truth is, it's just as ugly inside the building as outside. The concert venue is like a giant aircraft hanger with no atmosphere or ambience and the bar is like a bad wedding reception. The drinks are also limited and over-priced. It's one saving grace is it has a good sound system and good lighting - so if your favourite band are only playing here... The box-office is open 10-5.30 Mon to Sat and the venue is only open when there's events on.

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.