Hello Brighton!
Our city is a special place, where the Downs hug us from behind and the sea stretches out in front, offering a big embrace that says, “Whoever you are, we love you.” Brighton Pride is the nucleus of this long-tradition of acceptance and liberal-mindedness. We are lucky; Pride is first and foremost a protest, demanding rights and respect for our LGBTQ+ brothers, sisters, trans and non-binary folk not only in the UK but around the world, where rights either haven’t yet been won or are being rescinded. |
As always, buildings and businesses across Brighton & Hove have raised rainbow flags and sequinned up their offerings, and hospitality is no exception. It’s joyous to see the city come together to celebrate Pride - let’s show the country what Brighton & Hove is all about. Whatever you’re planning this weekend, we wish you a Very Happy Pride. As headliner diva Mariah Carey once said: "I'm proud of what I am and who I am, and I'm just going to be myself." |
Image credit: Brighton Pride Facebook |
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Our pick of places to celebrate Pride |
With 300,000 people expected to join in the weekend’s festivities, finding a place to see and be seen, refresh and get fresh, is paramount. We’ve put together a handy list of our favourite Pride hotspots, but here are some highlights to help you turn it up to the max: |
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PRIDE BRUNCH: Oysters and champagne with a sprinkling of drag glamour to kickstart seafront Saturday people watching! Saturday 10:30am-2pm. |
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ULTIMATE PRIDE: If you’re ready to show off your Pride outfit on the Salt Rooms Terrace with show-stopping parade views, this is the place with DJs, drag stars, and dance-ready bites. Saturday 10:30am to 3pm. |
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PRIDE BRUNCH: It’s all out fabulous from Saturday at 11am where a specially designed Mexican menu to power you through the weekend - expect steak & eggs, Quesadillas, and fried mushroom waffles! |
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BLOSSOMS' GOLDEN GALA PRIDE PARTY: Love, speciality cocktails, and Japanese nibbles served with the usual fabulousness! Saturday 2-6pm |
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SAUSAGE PARTY AT CURIO: Hot dogs, cocktails to go, and wine on tap, at Preston Circus. What’s not to love? And a cheeky name, too. |
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For colourful cakes and sarnies to shake up your morning, Jacob’s is in the ROX building on the parade route. Get in! |
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PRIDE FABULOUSNESS: Go bottomless with mimosas, fizz or bellinis for breakfast or brunch at Lost in the Lanes. |
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PRIDE WARM UP PARTY: Hot sandwiches, cold cocktails, and DJ IVK, right in the heart of the gay village. From Saturday 1pm. |
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United in Pride – Our Journey from the 60s to Today
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Once you’re fed, watered and partied, there’s a great exhibition at The Jubilee Library tracing more than six decades of LGBTQ+ history as part of the 2025 United in Pride celebrations in Brighton. It captures both the local and global story of LGBTQ+ resilience, celebration, and struggle and it’s on until 17 August. More info: www.UnitedInPride.org.uk |
Celebrate Pride with our Best Cocktail Bar picks |
We’re coming up so we better get this party started – with cocktails! Whether you’re along the parade route, heading up to Preston Park or continuing into Kemptown, there are plenty of places to raise a glass (aren’t we a lucky lot?).
After the parade, pop into Blossoms Bar in Brighton Square for unique cocktails with an Asian twist. Just off the seafront on Middle Street, Burnt Orange is shaking up seasonal specials on their beautiful terrace. Dishoom’s Permit Room is going full Pride all weekend, with spice-infused highballs, twisted classics, and cheeky frozen lipsters.
Meeting friends? Bohemia on Meeting House Lane is a quick skip from the parade and opens from midday with a magical cocktail menu. Heading to the park? Stop by Bonsai Plant Kitchen on the way for Asian-inspired cocktails like their Choco Raspberry Espresso Martini.
And if you're continuing into Kemptown, Kemptown Klub is serving pop hits and fabulous cocktails all weekend at their Pride in the Name of Love event, kicking off from noon Saturday and Sunday. |
 | Guest editing this week’s Special Brighton Pride RB Newsletter I couldn’t help but wonder, as Carrie Bradshaw would say, how we have come to live in a city as cool as Brighton & Hove. Some call Pride weekend ‘Gay Christmas’, a summertime gift that lifts.
If you see me this weekend, please remind me to hydrate. I’ll be mincing through the various brunch and parade watch parties, and cheering on our hospitality friends who’ll no doubt require some support! To refuel, I’ll also be sampling Chef Adam’s Mexican-inspired Pride menu at The Bell Tower in Kemptown, and cocktailing at the magnificent Blossoms. And, of course, I’ll be supporting our gay bars – they’re queer all year and are a vital part of our city. |
Yours, United in Pride,
Torsten & Team RB
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