Gay Brighton Brighton City Guide

Curation by Yasmina Rodríguez, words by Kerry Murray

The quirky and queer queen of Britannia with her small-town vibe, sloping pebble beaches and cultural vitality, Brighton is the gaycation destination of dreams. Less than an hour by train from London, this seaside city is hedonistic yet eco-minded, cool yet unpretentious. Quintessentially British with its own special brand of eccentricity, Brighton is a fiercely liberal city that is loud and very proud of its LGBTQ community. Despite the high chances of grey weather (this is England, after all), the locals are an upbeat bunch, ever welcoming and ever in the mood to party. While concentrated in St. James Street and Kemp Town, Brighton’s gay scene lays claim to pretty much the entire city with regular LGBTQ events throughout the year, including Brighton Bear Weekend in June and Brighton Pride in August. Interested in what to do in Brighton beside beach lounging and gorging on Fish & Chips? Mr Hudson’s Brighton gay city guide has got you covered.

The best hotels in Brighton

Brighton’s seafront hotels set the tone for any stay here, and four properties capture the spirit Mr Hudson’s readers crave: glamour, intimacy and a wink of mischief. Drakes Hotel occupies two handsome Regency townhouses on Marine Parade, a stone’s throw from the Palace Pier and the lively Sea Lanes lido. Its twenty individually tailored bedrooms pair bespoke wood finishes with Egyptian cotton linen, and several rooms position deep freestanding bathtubs beneath tall Georgian bay windows for sunset views over the Channel — discreet, intimate and quietly mischievous.

Inland at Regency Square, the wonderfully eccentric Artist Residence spans 24 rooms, where local artists have layered exposed brick and reclaimed furniture with high-end comforts, and the in-house cocktail bar hums with an effortlessly cool, creative crowd. Further along the coast in Kemptown — Brighton’s beloved gaybourhood — sits A Room With A View, a Grade II listed Georgian gem with clean lines, soft neutral tones and uninterrupted sea views, ideal for those after pampering rather than partying.

For those who’d rather not choose between the two moods, Hotel Pelirocco — Brighton’s original rock ‘n’ roll boutique hotel — pairs mirrored ceilings and spa baths with plush, theatrical interiors, for an experience as romantic — or as risqué — as you dare to make it.